Chapter Sixteen
1402 Words
Claire's pov
For what felt like the first time in years, I slept without fear or worry.
The mattress beneath me was soft, the heavy blanket kept the morning chill away. Golden sunlight filtered through the curtains, painting thin streaks of light across the wooden floor.
I didn't have to wake before dawn to do chores, I didn't have to worry about preparing dinner or breakfast for the pack nor did I have to worry about anyone hurting me. For some reason I felt safe here.
For a moment it felt calm and peaceful but then suddenly a freezing wave crashed over me.
"Ah!"
I bolted upright with a scream, gasping as icy water soaked my hair, clothes, and blankets.
My teeth immediately began to chatter.
"What the—"
Blinking water from my eyes, I looked toward the foot of the bed. A girl stood there holding an empty bucket.
She couldn't have been much younger than me. She had long, striking red hair that tumbled over her shoulders, contrasting sharply with her pale sapphire-blue eyes. A smug smile played across her lips as she watched me shiver.
"Finally you're awake," she said.
I stared at her in disbelief. "You poured ice cold water on me!"
She shrugged. "You're difficult to wake up. So I had no other option."
"Anyway what are you doing here and who are you?"
"My name's Ruby."
She tossed the bucket aside.
"The alpha sent me to fetch you. He wants to see you at the training grounds."
I frowned. "What? Why does he want me there?"
Ruby rolled her eyes.
"To train what else."
I blinked.
"Train?"
But why does he want me to train? Didn't he bring me here to torture me?
Moon goddess I don't understand that man. He's so confusing.
"Hurry up, the alpha hates waiting."
I scoffed.
"Well he can wait. I need to get ready."
I climbed out of bed, my clothes dripping onto the wooden floor.
"He hates waiting," she murmured watching me.
"You mentioned that. Now can you go," I said pointing to the door. "I need to change."
Before leaving, she glanced back over her shoulder. "You've got exactly five minutes so make it snappy."
The door clicked shut.
I walked to the bathroom and stared at my reflection in the mirror. My hair clung to my face, water dripped from my sleeves.
I quickly dried off, brushed my hair, and changed into a pair of charcoal sweatpants and a simple black tank top that had been left in the wardrobe.
Taking a steadying breath, I stepped into the hallway and made my way toward the training grounds.
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Adrian's pov
The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth across the training grounds.
More than thirty young wolves stood in neat rows before me. Some were barely teenagers.
I paced slowly in front of them, my hands clasped behind my back.
"In a real fight," I said, my voice carrying across the field, "hesitation gets you killed."
They straightened immediately.
I nodded toward two young males standing at the front.
"Show me what you've learned."
They stepped into the sparring circle.
The pair circled each other before exchanging blows.
I watched every movement carefully, correcting footwork and pointing out openings in their defenses.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ruby jogging toward me. She stopped a few feet away.
"Alpha."
I turned to her. "Where's the new girl?"
Ruby shrugged. "She's getting ready."
A muscle ticked in my jaw. "I told you five minutes."
"I know," Ruby replied carefully.
"But she insisted I give her time to get ready."
I exhaled. "You may return to your duties."
Ruby nodded and then turned around and left.
A few minutes later I caught a whiff of her scent fresh rain and wildflowers. She was wearing a charcoal sweatpants and a black tank top, her chestnut hair pulled back into a simple ponytail.
She strode toward the training grounds as if she had all the time in the world.
She slowed a few feet away from me.
Her emerald eyes wandered across the grounds, taking in the obstacle courses, sparring rings, archery targets, and dozens of warriors training around her.
Without meaning to I stared.
The morning sunlight caught the strands of her hair.
My wolf stirred immediately.
Mine.
Shut up, I hissed.
I dragged my attention back to the younger wolves but lasted only three seconds until my eyes found her again.
She was still looking around with quiet curiosity.
My wolf practically purred.
Don't just stand there. Go to her!
"I didn't call you here to admire the scenery."
Claire turned toward me and then slowly approached me.
"I-I don't understand what am i doing here," she stuttered.
I didn't bother answering her instead
I pointed toward the line of the younger wolves. "Go stand with the others."
She blinked. "...What?"
"You heard me."
She frowned. "I don't want to train."
I cut her off before she could say anything else.
"Everyone in my pack knows how to defend themselves," I said, my voice low.
"And since you're now going to be apart of my pack you need to learn how to defend yourself like everyone else."
The words felt strange leaving my mouth. How did everything change in two days? I brought her here to pay for her father's crime but instead here I am accepting her in my pack.
Claire looked surprised and uncertain. For a moment I thought she was going to argue but then she lowered her gaze and walked toward the younger wolves.
She stood awkwardly amongst them and clearly had no idea what to do.
She was the daughter of an alpha. Was she not taught how to defend herself?
I forced my attention back to the lesson.
"Pair up."
They moved immediately except for her. She remained standing there alone looking lost and confused.
I clenched my jaw. This was going to be harder than I thought.
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I moved between the younger wolves, correcting their stances and pointing out mistakes.
As I continued down the line I noticed
Claire stood aside from everyone else. She looked uncomfortable and out of place.
If she's going to be apart of my pack she needs to learn how to defend herself.
"Alpha."
I turned around. My Gamma, Damon, approached me.
"What is it?"
"We've increased patrols along the northern border just like you asked," he reported. "The western scouts haven't found any signs of intruders, but I'd still recommend doubling the night watch for the next few days."
I nodded.
"Do it."
I didn't want to take any chances. I know the rest of Michael's pack members and allies are probably plotting against me.
"We'll rotate the patrols every six hours instead of eight."
As Damon continued explaining the patrol schedule, my attention drifted across the training field.
Claire was paired with one of the younger wolves. He was Luca's younger cousin, Orian.
I watched as he demonstrated a defensive stance before repeating the movement more slowly.
She observed and copied his move. It wasn't perfect, she stumbled and was about to fall but Orian quickly wrapped his arms around her waist, steadying her.
My wolf growled. He hated how close Orian was standing beside her and how his arms still lingered around her waist.
I tried to ignore them and my wolf. I focused my attention on what Damon was saying but it was difficult. The sound of her laughter carried across the training grounds.
Heat flared in my chest. My jaw clenched.
Mine. The word roared through my mind.
My fingers curled into fists.
"Enough!" My voice thundered across the entire training field.
Everyone immediately stopped and turned to face me. Even Damon looked at me in surprise. My eyes were locked on her.
"You."
She straightened immediately.
"Yes?"
I narrowed my eyes at her.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Confusion crossed her face. "What do you mean?"
"Did I call you here to flirt with the males? Or to train?" I asked, my voice was sharp with anger.
"I wasn't-"
I raised my hand cutting her off. "Get out of here and return when you're serious about training."
She glared at me before walking away and my stupid wolf whined for scolding her but I ignored him as usual.
- Writer
