Mates in Disguise

Chapter 7

SKY

I was tossing and turning the whole night.

After the events of the last day, I should be exhausted. But the sleep never actually came. I knew that if I don’t fall asleep, I will be less effective tomorrow – on another test.

But my brain didn’t want me to stop thinking about the track, the warrant officer and those guys that evidently wanted to kill me for showing them how it’s done.

I know men can be difficult. I might have been raised as the Officer’s daughter, which gave me a little safety. But being the only girl in a world full of man was hard even then. I was reminded every here and then that a women should stay in the kitchen, do laundry or change diapers. Not run alongside soldiers, playing one.

I can’t say enough thanks for whatever rules this world for giving me an amazing father. He didn’t think it was not right to learn all the things I wanted. He knew exactly how hard life as a girl can be. Especially in our world.

So, he taught me everything he knew. Starting from the daggers. Seeing him training with them almost every night is what intrigued me. Thick bronze handles with a single stone at the bottom of each blade. Seven daggers, 7 different colors of the stones. They were beautiful, but very dangerous. Only years later did I realize, that I wanted to become just like them – a beautiful woman with enough spice to show the men that a woman could be strong too. And to show the women that they can indeed choose their life pattern, not follow the same roads as generations ago.

The encounter with those three men is what angered me the most. I am a woman yes. It would be even understandable if they attacked me after what I did on the track. But here I was known as Skyler – a man. I never realized that even among their own gender some are favored and some are disliked just judging on looks.

Well, I showed them what a small “boy” can do. It’s actually a pity Noah stopped me from doing anything else. I didn’t like violence. I didn’t believe in it. But showing them their place was extremely pleasing.

Noah.

I can’t decide if I like him or not.

Surely physically he is... pleasing, I might say. Definitely handsome in a way I never imagined possible. I grew up among handsome-looking soldiers. Yet there was something different about Noah’s features. Under his face and posture, you could feel something. Something wild. Hard even. Hiding there like some predator, waiting for its catch.

About his motives I wasn’t sure as well. On one side, he seemed widely amused by my efforts today. He even congratulated me after the track. On the other though, he did interfere in the fight, as in helping. I don’t need help. I know why I came here. And I plan on showing everyone that I am fully capable of staying.

I still wasn’t sure if he can be trusted. Something deep inside me tells me I can trust him fully. But that makes no sense. I just met the men and I suddenly feel fine with him knowing my deepest secret? Bullshit. He could tell anyone that I’m a woman. I could be punished severely by hiding that fact. Knowing men, it could even end with me being accused of treason, which in army meant death.

He didn’t look like he’d want me dead though. In opposite. He looked curious. Entertained even. Like a boy with a new toy. I don’t like that. That meant he looks down at me. Like I’m a little girl in distress. The last thing I need is a bodyguard. Firstly, I am fully capable of taking care of myself. Secondly, someone might notice and find it strange that a handsome, dominant man is interested in small, boy-ish soldier. That could raise unnecessary questions.

I turned in my bed once again. Come on. I need to rest, not deliberate stupid men behaviors.

Stupid, but sexy. Something inside me whispered.

Yeah. Sexy as hell. But also very, very dangerous.

I fell sleep right after that comment. I dreamed about me in the woods. Running after something. I could feel my dad close behind me, but I couldn’t see him. It was too dark. Suddenly we encountered a wolf almost my size. I woke up with a jerk the moment he looked me in the eyes. His eyes glowing with golden sparkle.

I sat straight on my bed. I still could see the golden shine in front of me. But after blinking a few times, the picture was gone. I was back in the barrack.

It took me a few seconds to realize what woke me up. In the door stood a soldier with trumpet, playing loudly the military wake-up call.

I blinked a bit more, stretched my neck, quickly made my bed and moved down off the bunk bed. I noticed others doing the same. Although some – like Aaron, the douche-bag sleeping bellow me – still in bed, groaning and covering their ears. I shook my head. I would tell him the officer is surely coming after the last played note, but I knew better. He didn’t deserve nice treatment.

I stood in alarm at the end of our bed, right next to Liam. He didn’t look pleased with this sudden wake up.

“Not a morning person much?” I joked, seeing him still trying to blink the dream off.

“I am a morning person.” He yawned and I raised my eyebrows in suspicion. “When I wake up to a moaning girl next me. Not a f*****g trumpet and room full of guys.”

I tried to hold my laugh.

“There are a few girlies here if you want. But I wouldn’t call the sound they make - moaning.” I said pointing at the groaning soldiers still in bed.

Liam smiled and wanted to answer, but the Officer came in:

“Attention!” We straightened and looked forward.

“What are you fuckers still doing in bed?!” The officer screamed at the top of his lungs. “Do you need special invitation?!” A loud thud sounded all over the barrack. Likely he punched the metal wall with something hard.

The soldiers who just woke up, run to take places among us already standing for the call.

Aaron looked terrified of what might happen.

“Not a move!” He warned. “We will inspect your beds! If they are not in the proper state, you will be punished”.

Aaron groaned. And I could barely hold my smirk. I knew he will be in troubles.

One by one they inspected the beds. Two men prior to us, where already standing in the middle of the room, waiting for their penalty.

Liams and Noah’s beds were checked and passed.

They looked at mine next.

I knew it was neat. The same way my father did his bed even after 30 years spent in the army. They didn’t say anything and moved to Aaron’s. I could see the officer stepping close to his face.

“GOT YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP?!” He screamed at him.

“No.” Aaron said.

“NO, WHAT?”

“NO, SIR!” Aarons voice trembling.

“GET YOUR ASS IN THE MIDDLE, GIRL!” The officer taunted and moved to the next bed.

I couldn’t stop smiling till the end of the call. It was going to be a gooooood day.