Rejected by the Beta, Claimed by the Alpha

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

With one final wack, the bo staff is knocked out of my opponent’s hands and I rest the

end of mine threateningly on the man's neck.

"Just like that honey!" My dad praises in a way that could easily be mistaken for a soccer dad's

sideline coaching.

I step back embarrassed by his clapping and help the guy out of the grass.

"This isn't even challenging for you. I know daggers are also in your expertise Lilac, but you

need competition! How about a game of run or die?"

I groan and throw my head back while everyone else makes sound of agreement. Run or die is

something I fail at Everytime. Let's just say, if it was a real-life situation; I'd die.

"Yep," my dad claps twice and everyone surrounds him in a half circle.

"Ranger and Lilac, Mikel and Pheobe, Crystal and Geon, Abel and Nickolas, Leeland and

Brenna, Roy and Thalia, Manny and Reece, John and Fergus, Nina and Cain, and Bella and

Skinner. Pick who goes first. I'll say go and the runner gets a five second head start."

I go to stand next to Ranger who is one of the bigger and more athletic men of the group, but

luckily not the biggest. He smiles widely at me, probably knowing I suck at this.

"You go first," I tell him, only postponing my embarrassment.

He nods and uncrosses his arms to get in position with the other runners. As they all stand in a

line, my dad waves his arm and yells go.

They're all off like canons and I stand in a bubble of self-deprecation until my dad sends of our

group after them. Even though I push myself into a sprint and give it all I have, my attempts are

pathetic. Everyone is twice as far ahead of me already and after a minute, I completely give up. I

can't even see Ranger anymore and I know I won't catch him. I can never keep up with anyone.

Slowing to a walk, I watch the tree line of the empty field to see Leeland already dragging

Brenna back. Jealousy pings through me at the sight and I can't believe I'll never get to catch up

with anyone like that.

I'm too slow.

Everyone else has their werewolf speed, but me...I'm pathetic.

I'm slower than most humans. Speed is the one werewolf trait that I just haven't gotten and

unfortunately, it's one of the most important. I might be more agile than most, but I couldn't

outrun a rouge if my life depended on it. That's part of the reason I'm so into fighting. I'm not the

very best, but it's all I've got.

"Lilac!"

I turn around to see my dad frowning at me and the familiar wrinkle between his brows faces me

with its own version of disappointment.

"You aren't even trying!"

I shake my head as anger courses through my veins. He knows. He KNOWS that it doesn't

matter how hard I try. This is one area I'm not superhuman in and no amount of practice will

give me the magical speed the moon goddess blessed everyone else with. It's my sore spot. Even

sorer than my height.

"You know I suck at this and you still make this part of the training!"

My dad's eyes flash and he points a Stern finger at me.

"Watch your language Lilac."

"No," I argue throwing my hands up.

"You know this is embarrassing for me, so don't EVER say I'm not trying!"

My dad's eyes soften as he walks towards me but I hold a hand up and shake my head.

"Don't bother."

I walk away to stand by Leeland who doesn't say a word when he notices my distress.

Everyone knows I have a temper and I don't care if it makes me seem like a spoiled brat. I hate

this game. I hate... I don't want to say I hate the pack, but I feel like I don't belong sometimes. It's

probably just the anger talking.

"Okay," my dad says checking his watch.

"Most of you got your partners in... Four minutes. Abel, Reece, Ranger, and Skinner are the only

getaways. Change positions."

Begrudgingly, I get in line and when my dad says go, I falter. I won't even make it across the

field. In a last-minute decision, I take off in the opposite direction of everyone else. It only takes

three seconds to disappear in the woods this way and I try to spread my scent in a confusing

manner.

If I can delay getting caught, just a little...

In a spot of my still raging anger from earlier, I pause and listen to the rustling of leaves under

Ranger's footfalls as he treads closer. This is basically a game of tag, but in real life, running isn't

my only option. I could... Fight.

Looking around, I pick up a large fallen branch that it is enough to substitute for a Bo staff. This

should do. I'm not going down without a struggle. Not this time. Hiding behind a large rock, I

wait for Ranger to get closer. Finally, a foreign scent hits my nose.

Ra...Wait.

It's coming from the wrong direction, but I can clearly hear Ranger. In the midst of my

confusion, I don't notice Ranger flying over the rock towards me until his shadow catches my

eye.

I look at him fearfully, knowing this stick won't be enough. He'll break it on impact, but the

impact never comes. Not on my end anyways. A huge back wolf appears out of nowhere and hits

Ranger from the side.

A loud 'oompf' echoes In The woods before I watch the two tumble along the forest floor. A gasp

leaves my mouth I'm succession at the sheer size of the beast and I realize that this was the smell.

I share eye contact with the dark mysterious creature for a few seconds before it takes of like a

bolt of lightning. It's gone by the time I blink and I curse myself for not being able to catch up.

What the hell was that?!

I jog over to Ranger who lays on the leaves. He's completely knocked out, but alive.

"Lilac!"

"What the hell?"

"Is he..."

"She did it..."

I turn on my heel to see a couple people from the group as well as my dad gaping at the

unconscious Ranger.

"God! I wish I could've seen you knock his ass out Lilac," Reese gushes.

"I want that on video with the crazy smoke machine effects on the sides and epic background

music!"

I smile softly, still half in shock.

They all think I beat him...