A Wolf From The Other Side

Chapter 10 - Amara

I had slipped inside of my family home with a racing heart. I knew the risks I was facing sneaking around at this hour. If I were to be caught, then there would be so many questions to be answered. But, thankfully for me, the only sound within the house was the sound of the old pipes as they heated the house. I tiptoed up the stairs to my bedroom as quietly as I possibly could, stretching my leg to avoid the fourth step, which was the one that squeaked the loudest before darting up the remainder of the steps. Finally, I reached the safety of my room and snuck inside once again with the pounding of my heart heavy in my ears. I could not believe the things Wyatt had brought me to. I needed to be stronger.

I clambered into bed, not bothering to shower, knowing that in only a few short hours I would be awoken by my alarm telling me it was time to get ready for training. Despite the many thoughts swirling within my mind, I had fallen asleep within a matter of moments.

I woke up with a start to the sound of my brother yelling my name. “Amara!” His voice echoed through the hallway of the upstairs of our home. “Turn your damn alarm off already! How are you not hearing that?!” Asher's tone was sounding both angry and frustrated all in one go.

I groaned sleepily, shifting upon my bed, only to notice the repetitive sound of the alarm going off around me. How had I not noticed that? Through sleepy eyes, I glanced at the time and realized that I was already fifteen minutes late, meaning the alarm had been sounding all that time, making it all the more understandable why Asher was yelling so profoundly. I flicked the alarm off, desperate to roll over and create an excuse of not feeling well rather than attend training, but I knew that I would get nowhere by doing that.

Training was important for us all as wolves. But this training was a specialized one for the warriors of our pack. One I chose to join. And, today, they were discussing a new opportunity. One I did not want to miss out upon. I was the daughter of the Gamma. My brother, being his son, was his heir to the title that he held. Asher would become the next Gamma to our pack. Unfortunately for me, as his sister, and, of course, being female, that meant, most within our pack saw me as irrelevant. Another worthless she-wolf. But, I wanted to be more. I wanted to be something.

I had Gamma blood within my veins. No, I was never going to be Gamma, that title belonged to my brother, and I had no intention of taking it from him. But, I had the skills of the most able warrior. And I intended to refine them. Missing training was not going to get me closer to where I wanted to be.

With a groan, I slipped from my bed, and stumbled toward the bathroom. Asher was just stepping from his bedroom. Already showered and dressed, he chuckled at the sight of me. “Jeez Mara, you look like you slept in the garden.” My brother earned himself an eye roll. “Either that or you didn't sleep.” He added with a grin. Little did he know that both his suggestions were not all too far from the truth. But it would do neither of us any good if he were to learn that. Asher would hate the thought of me sneaking out to be with one of his best friends, almost as much as I was regretting the idea that I had done it.

“Difficult to sleep with you snoring so loudly in the room next door.” I said, partly to be spiteful, but also in a bid to distract my brother from asking more questions as to why I looked so tired. Or if he looked closer, why I had a tear-stained face . . .

Asher shot me a look of disgust from along the hallway, before walking away, meaning I had likely got away without any further questions about my appearance. I opened the bathroom door, just as Asher spoke once more. “I don’t snore.” He said grumpily before near running down the stairs.

I had to smile. My words had evidently got under his skin more than his had mine. I knew I likely looked like a state. I had, after all, barely slept. No, I had not slept in the garden, but, I think sleeping in the forest was somewhat worse. A forest that was not our own either . . . I caught sight of myself in the mirror hanging on the wall in the bathroom, and faltered. My hair looked all disheveled, and the neat mascara I had worn the night before had smudged down my face. Yeah I looked a mess. It was no wonder the warrior had not seen me as a threat. I looked like I was falling apart. Or losing my mind. Perhaps both . . .

I paused for a moment. Staring at the reflection before me. This was not who I wanted to be. Wyatt had meant something to me. Or I thought he did. Just as I had thought I meant something to him. But I did not want to continually have him make me feel this way. Wyatt had proven himself not to be the man I believed he was. Gaining his wolf had changed him. And not in a good way. At least, not when it came to me. He had been willing last night to take my virginity from me, just to quell his own curiosity. He could say it was about the bond we shared, but his own words had betrayed him in proving the truth. Just as he had betrayed me.

From here on in, I needed to be stronger. I needed to work on myself, and Wyatt could not make me weaker. He did not want me. I knew that now.