It isn't fair. He did it to purposely throw me off. I frown just as he charges and his shoulder clips mine because my side step is slow.
"That's cheating. You mind-linked me before charging," I complain, climbing back to my feet. Dad places a hand on his chest, faking the hurt.
"I would do no such thing." He squawks. Then he charges but this time I'm ready. I duck, sticking my leg out and his ankle catches on mine making him stumble. He leans back against the elastic, bouncing back towards me and as he swings his arm out to catch my chest, I lean backwards so I'm almost doing the crab. When I straighten, Dad wraps his arms around my upper arms, holding me to his chest. I am hesitant to do it but it's training.
"You said I shouldn't go easy, right?" I look to Lewis and Charles, who both nod. "Just checking," so I won't get in trouble. I swing my head back, connecting to a nose. The arms slip slightly so I go forward, lifting my legs to kick my dad's chest. He falls onto his back with an 'oomph' and I go to my feet again. "You're nose hurts, you know that?" I rub the back of my head and another laugh rings as Dad gets to his feet. "Still want to go on?"
"You may be my daughter but I'm not giving in that easy, sweetheart." He assures me and we are fighting again. I eventually get him on the floor, his leg twisted around mine and me pressing it down. If I wanted to, I could press down, applying more pressure and causing his leg to snap. If he was an enemy, I would.
"3...2...1!" I let Dad go and he sighs in relief. He did well. I stand to my feet with sweat now beaded along my hairline.
"Nicely done for an old timer, Dad." I offer him my hand, which he gratefully takes but as soon as he stands up, he wraps an arm around my shoulders, sticking a leg out and twisting me over his leg. I collapse onto my back, coughing uncomfortably. "Ouch."
"That's just for being you, sweetie." He coos, leaving me in the centre of the arena as he ducks out.
"Cheater," I croak out for everyone to hear. I then sit up but my body stills; there's a smell coming from the wall in front of me. It's a smell I've smelt too many times before, haunts my memories and boils anger inside me.
Red Blood.
I rocket to my feet, eyes burning into the wall. I've been waiting to fight some of them. A growl comes from my throat, echoing through the hall.
"C? What's wrong?" Dad's joking voice is gone as he turns to me. He knows when something is wrong and everyone can sense his unease as he steps up to me. He shouldn't be uneasy but he always is when I'm like this. I don't answer but when the smell leaves, I straighten again.
"Nothing. I thought I smelt something," I answer, turning out the building and out into the fresh air. Even out here the smell is surrounding me. There has to be something out here. "I'm going the long way home. I'll meet you there for dinner." I don't wait to hear his answer as I take off back the way I had come, this time with the border on my right. I know I smelt Red Blood so why can't I smell them now or even sense them?
It takes me half an hour and to my disappointment, there was nothing. It's been two months since the last Red Blood attack and I can feel it in my stomach that they're coming and soon. I step inside just as the oven goes off.
"How was the run?" Dad asks as I come into the kitchen. I know he doesn't believe me when I say that I thought I smelt Red Blood.
"I know they were here. I'd never forget that stench," I spit, growling at the back of my throat. I push it down, not wanting to cause another argument. I've been arguing with Dad and Luke for days about Red Blood attacking and they just tell me not to worry. But it's my job. "Sorry. What's for dinner?"
"Whatever I make." Luke ducks into the kitchen, bending his 6'2" frame to fit because he's huge. We get the tall gene from Dad and I get the rest from Mom. Luke has the same brown hair as me but Dad's green eyes.
"I'll not be having anything then; I want to live until I'm an old wolf like Dad," I say cheekily receiving a smack to the head from Dad and a growl from my brother before Dad leaves to go upstairs to his study. It's unusual for an Alpha's office to not be on the bottom floor but he wanted to have his office near our rooms in case something happens.
"I'm not that bad. Trust me; I'm not going to poison you." He walks into the kitchen, bashing things about. "Now, where's the cheese?"
"Try the fridge, idiot." I smirk when he grunts in annoyance, taking my advice. "Where's my little puppy?" I'm answered with two arms wrapping around my waist as my baby sister stands behind me giggling. She's eleven but she's still a baby to me. "There you are!"
"Hey, Cecy! I was worried about you when you didn't come home with Dad." She says, pouting as she pulls away.
"I know, Pup, but I was out on a run. In fact, I'm really sweaty so I need to have a shower." I kiss her head before reaching to ruffle Luke's hair. I'm the only one he allows to do that despite the fact he still hates it. "Save me a plate."
"I'm tempted not to." He replies angrily, still not happy with me.
"Baby," I mutter under my breath.
"I heard that," Luke says, glaring at me.
"I wish you were still deaf," I snap, pushing away from the kitchen and towards the doorway.
"Bitch." He calls to my back and I turn to him, pouting.
"Don't be mean to your little sister, Luke." I stick out my bottom lip, faking the tears that are coming. "And Tessa is in the room." He rolls his eyes, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Fine. You win." He grumbles and I wink at him. "Get the other two down here."
"Sir, yes sir!" I mock salute before running up the stairs. "Alec! Sam! Luke needs you," but no sooner have I reached the floor, they stampede out their rooms and towards me. Despite being the older of the two, Sam acts like the youngest.
"Hey, sis!" Sam calls, rushing past me with a peck on the cheek."Bye, sis!" Alec calls, repeating the process but slower and he's not even three steps down when Dad calls my name from his office. "You're in trouble." He sings, following his dim-wit brother down stairs. They have always been a handful ever since they were younger, especially after Mom was killed. I walk into Dad's office, expecting the worst.The room's the darkest room despite having the biggest window with the desk near the far wall, leaving the floor with enough room to hold up to twenty people. There's a stair case winding up behind him with an overhanging balcony where the chest containing some of Mom and Dad's wedding things is standing.Exactly the way it's always been.As I look at Dad, he's on the phone with someone but he beckons me in with a finger and as I pass the photo of Mom, I press my fingers to my lips then to her face. You might think it's weird but it's the only thing I have left to show I love her
I wake up to the sound of knocking on my door. Yawning widely, I look up sleepily and call: "Come in," and a small head pokes in. It's an omega and she's pretty much been 'my omega' since I was twelve. "Hi, Ellie.""Morning, Cecily. Sorry to wake you but Alpha wishes to see you." Of course he does. Omegas act almost like servants within a pack because they help keep the Alpha's house tidy and the pack house too. Most packs mistreat their omegas due to them being the lowest rank of wolf- they don't have very big or strong wolves but not our pack. They are considered family among all of us, just the way my mother wanted it."Thanks, Ellie. I'll be right there." I yawn again, stretching my whole body as she closes the door behind her. My top lifts as I reach to my ceiling yet not matter how hard I try, I'm nowhere near reaching it but I try to every morning. When my back clicks nicely, I go to the bathroom and wash my face before hurrying downstairs, still only wearing shorts and a vest
"Whose Beta are you?" I demand and he stands to face me again. "Who's you're Alpha?" He snorts, shaking his head before launching himself at me but the two wolves behind me intercept the attack. They both barrel into his chest and his attack towards me is lessened as they crash to the floor in a bundle. The other three have the second wolf pinned to the floor, the three of them having to sit on him to keep him in place. When the Beta somehow manages to shake off my warriors, I take the chance to punch him hard on the head. He yelps, his head hitting the wall.Stand down. There are too many of them. Everyone is in the training ground; they've won. Luke's voice sounds in my head and I frown. Stand down? Why? Cecily, they're too strong. They want to speak to the Alpha but we are the only one's here.I'm not giving in to them, Luke. Are you insane? I argue mentally but everyone else is captured and he is clearly being told to tell me this. I don't hear his voice reply but I relax, sighing
They force me to Shift after half an hour of walking. I refuse, trying to push as many buttons as possible; it seems he's very temperamental, especially towards me when I refuse to follow his commands. I'm not his bitch."Why should I do anything you tell me to do?" I say, crossing my arms, refusing to take another step. I'm sitting at the base of a tree and my mate is standing in front of me, obviously trying to control his temper as he closes his eyes and mentally counts to ten. All the other men are standing to the side, looking away from us but I can tell they are trying not to laugh. "You're not my Alpha.""No but my father's the King." At that, my muscles tense. I'm mated to the Prince? Better yet, I slapped the Prince in front of hundreds of people. Oops. That explains the silver ringed irises- how could I not see it? I try my best not to blush at how ignorant I've been to his status but I hide it with a shrug."Then this must be the first time someone's said no to you. Better
I definitely like it here.Clyde, Clive and the Delta, David, don't mess around. They are serious when it comes to training. There's no messing about when it comes to these three. David nods his head respectfully to me when Clyde and Clive bring me to the training ground. It's not a building like back at home but it's a large field, with a single arena in the middle. And the field is huge- a mile all the way round.Clive asks for the honour of fighting me first."Last time didn't end well for you, Clive" I laugh, watching as he takes off his shirt. All three of the men are around forty six, possibly dipping to forty four but they certainly don't have any problems with looks. I would be surprised if neither of them have mates, apart from Clyde. He definitely has a mate."I wasn't ready last time or expecting you to be so violent" he snipes and I laugh. Clyde and David watch us, ready to observe. I feel like I'm being assessed. "Ladies first" he bows mockingly. I'm wearing my own traini
Austin's P.O.VI sit at the base of a tree with my wrists resting on my knees which are drawn partially to my chest. Ryan and Rick are sat either side of me, calmly observing the pack grounds. I've already chosen them as my Beta and Delta for when I'm Alpha. Everything's sorted and I feel ready.The only thing I haven't sorted is my Luna.She's the most annoying girl I've ever met and yet I can't stop the way she makes everything inside me jump with excitement. All I want to do is have her attention, touch her and just plain have her. I know I blew it when I snapped after she slapped me. I deserved it but I don't want her to know that.All week she's been off with other people, getting to know the pack. I should be the one doing that but I'm not. She knows exactly what to say to get me to snap. Her cockiness always manages to send my wolf crazy, in a war with himself. Sometimes he wants to show her that she can't treat us like this, other times he wants to crush her into him and say h
Cecily's P.O.VI take a cold shower, trying to calm all my nerves. I killed someone. I killed two men. Red Blood men but they were still humans.I let my wolf get the best of me. His words were like stabs to the heart; no one talks about killing my family.But that's not what angers me. What angers me is Austin. That jerk just doesn't know when to stop! He doesn't care about me, what's the point in me even trying to get him to? I could leave and go back to Silverstone, I'm sure they'd happily take me back. No one here would miss me, right? I mean, I'd miss Alice and Clive, Clyde and Trish, even the twenty omegas I've befriended. I might even miss the guards I pass every morning and night.Suddenly leaving just got harder.No, I don't belong here. Austin made that plenty clear. I have to put my own emotions aside and do what would make everyone happy. Austin won't care whether I'm here or at Silverstone. If I stay here, I'd have to live with him being a dick but if I leave he'll be win
He's not here in morning when I wake. I'm not surprised though. How could I have let him sleep with me in my bed? That's letting him get what he wants! That's the last time I'm letting my guard down while my wolf is restless. She'll do anything to get Austin. But I remember the way he quickly did it after I threatened to literally kick him out. Maybe Clive was right; Austin might be whipped when I'm through with him. Now that makes me feel better.I go down the stairs to the kitchen, feeling the best I have since I got here. I know it has something to do with the fact that Austin was with me for the night, refreshing my wolf and me. My jog is easier, my wolf urging me to go faster. I see Alice and Trish in the kitchen as I step in and the omega, Mary, serving them breakfast."Morning" I call to them and the two Blacks give me warm smiles. "Hi Mary, breakfast smells great" I squeeze the omega's arm as she passes me a plate. She beams at the compliment, before turning to leave the kitch