The Coward's Daughter

Naomi  I was breathless, gasping for more air to fill my lungs like a glass of water after days in the desert. Training has become more intense considering recent political events. All day I have been in the gym training with Roni and our instructor Damien. We were part of a select few to undergo an extra private training to improve our already impressive fighting skills. Our pack is the only pack that begins training when we are only pups. Most training begins at four years old, but some wolves, like me, start as early as three. My name is Naomi Hayes, I am a warrior in the Dark Moon pack. My life consists of training and taking care of my mother. I only have three friends, Damien, Roni and Sebastian. Damien and Roni are both warriors like me. Damien and I became friends the first day of group training when we were ten. Roni lived next door and we have been best friends for as long as I can remember. Her family were the only wolves who did not completely shut my mother and me out. And Sebastian, he’s the Alpha’s only son. My father left when I was very young, so young I can’t even remember what he looked like or what he sounded like. Before I had even taken my first steps, he walked out the door leaving my mother and I with absolutely nothing to survive on. Once I started attending the pack school many of the other pups teased me for being the daughter of a coward. The story is that when our pack was at war with another pack over the old village land, he tucked tail and ran far into the mountains. My mother never told me why my father left so I have grown to believe this to be true. Whenever I ask about him, she tells me that the past is best left behind us. My mother is the very picture of dedication. Because she took the status of omega after my father abandoned us, her hands are rough and worn from many years of hard work using strong chemicals cleaning the higher-ranking members’ homes. Her hair is always thrown up into a messy bun to keep it out of her face and never neatly tucked because she doesn’t have the time. Her clothes are faded, and hole ridden from years and years of wear except for her maid uniform that she insures is kept up nicely. Her once bright blue eyes now filled with worry and exhaustion. Even after all these years of working so hard she is still breath takingly beautiful. I had wished more than anything that I looked more like my mother. Instead, when I look in the mirror, I see similarities but on a much duller scale. I had her striking blue eyes, button nose and a similar frame, but that is where the similarities end. I can only assume I inherited most of my looks from my father, though I have never even seen a picture of him. His olive skin tone and chocolate brown hair. His curls and his full lips. Over the years my curls have fallen into soft wavy curls and my olive skin tone feels like an abnormality in my pack where only Alpha Louis and Sebastian share the same complexion as me. I was not ugly by any means, but standing next to my mother I felt dull and child-like. The pack only a few packs over from us, the Broken Arrow pack, wants to challenge us for our land despite the peace treaty that had been signed almost 18 years ago. I was too young to remember the war, since the treaty was struck on my first birthday, but I remember my mother telling me about the fireworks that happened that night and how excited I was. Only three months before my 18th birthday there were rumors in the pack that a Broken Arrow warrior was running his mouth at bar that many different packs go to hang out. He had been trying to seduce a female warrior from my pack who already had her mate and when things didn’t go how he wanted he pushed her down and spit on her saying, “Soon your rejection will not matter, and I will have you after I kill your mate in front of you! I will chain you to your own bed in your home and after our victory I will have you as many times as I want and you will have no say, you tease!” This caused quite a conflict between many pack members who were present there but neither pack made a move to begin the physical altercation so that the peace treaty would not be broken by their pack. “Naomi, that was much better!” Damien praised as I released Roni and helped her to her feet. “Alright, again! This time Veronica, I need you to focus harder on her movements and anticipate when she will attack. Maybe she will move her feet to position herself for a faster attack. Maybe she will brace her shoulders as she prepares to move forward. Watch for the signs! Okay? Are we ready? Begin!” I focused on Roni. Watching her eyes dart to find any signal to show her when or how I would attack. I began to circle her. She mimicked my movements watching my feet carefully to see when I would position them for attack. I knew her anticipation was growing; she was quickly becoming impatient with how long I was taking. As soon as she looked up with her scowl of disproval, I quickly set my feet and lunged. Taking her quickly to the ground and pinning her easily in her shock. “Seriously Naomi? You can’t ever let me have just one?” Roni huffed in defeat. Her hair straight chocolate hair covering her face like a shield. I stood up offering her my hand. She reached for it with one hand, the other brushing her hair from her eyes. “If I were to do that, how would you get any better for when were in battle? Or will you ask them to let you have one too?” I laughed teasing her as I lifted her to her feet. “There’s no way that they’d be even half as good as you! You have spent your whole life training to be the best fighter in the pack. I’d bet you could probably even take down Damien!” She scoffed turning to face Damien. Damien shook his head and put his hands up defensively. “Hey, I’m just here because my alpha ordered it. I tried to get him to let Naomi lead the training, he refused.” He took a couple of slow steps back pretending to be afraid of me. I can’t help but let out a snort. “We both know you’re just as good as me Damien,” I rolled my eyes. “You know that Alpha Louis couldn’t allow a female to train the warriors, but that just means more training for me. Which we all know I will never complain about,” Damien released a nervous chuckle and Roni just rolled her eyes. Of course, he doesn’t want me leading the training. It would be shameful to have a female lead anything. I mentally roll my eyes. He could never admit that I am a better fighter than probably all of the males in our pack. Besides, who could rely on a woman, let alone the daughter of a coward to train our warriors? While our pack allowed female warriors and females to make some advancements in their lines of work, there was still not power given to females who were still viewed as less capable than the men. I shook my head and threw my arm around Roni, “Let’s go get something to eat! I am starving after that work out.” Roni nodded her head vigorously and began to walk with me toward the packhouse. She was certainly never one to turn down food. I joked with her often about where she must be hiding all the food she eats because she is very skinny and fit. Much skinner than me, that’s for sure. I am not overweight by any means, but I certainly wouldn’t be considered skinny. I tell myself that it is okay because it is all muscle and what makes me stronger than all the other girls who once teased me for being “fat”, but I can’t help but be envious of her socially proclaimed “perfect” body. “What do you think the omegas made for dinner today?” Roni asked while trying to fix her hair from the tangled mess training left it. “I think Sebastian said that it was going to be porkchops with mashed potatoes and some other stuff,” I replied with my mind drifting to Sebastian. Soon I will be 18 and I will know if we really are mates. Not that it will matter. Alpha Louis will make him reject me immediately. He hardly tolerates our friendship; I think to myself. Shaking my head, I turn my attention back to Roni as we near the entrance to the packhouse. “…And so, I told him that we would go. You can’t refuse, you’re coming even if I have to drag you kicking and screaming. And Damien will help me!” she huffs. I had no idea what she was talking about, but I had seen that look in her eyes before. It was the same look she had when she decided that we would sneak out on her 16th birthday to a bar two packs over. I was a year older than her, but she was a lot bolder than I was. She had already gotten us fake IDs and I knew there was no way to talk her out of it. That was the first and the last time that I had gotten drunk. Thinking back to that time I thank the goddess that Sebastian caught us sneaking out and decided to follow us. If it weren’t for him who knows if that wolf would have stopped… I shiver just thinking about it. FLASH BACK We had successfully snuck out and arrived at the bar and Roni’s plan was working flawlessly. The truth of the matter was the bar owner and bouncers clearly did not care to check if the IDs were fake, barely glancing at them before giving us a toothy grin and allowing us inside. “What can I get for you two pretty wolves?” The bartender asked, his voice slightly rough like sandpaper. “We will have the strongest drink you’ve got!” Roni exclaimed, clearly feeding off the cheerful atmosphere, “we are celebrating tonight!” The man quickly smiled and gave us a wink before coming back with a dark liquid in three glasses. “This round is on the house ladies. Drink up!” his voice rising along with the drink in his hand as he brought it to his lips. Roni and I quickly followed his action bringing the dark liquid to our lips. The drink was rough and burned the entire way down my throat into my stomach, but I made sure to down every drop. Roni instantly began to cough after she finished the last of her drink but had a huge smile after she caught her breath. “This is so much fun!” she whispered breathlessly to me. “Bring us two more each!” she smiled at the bartender sliding him the money. After he brought us our drinks, we hurriedly drank them before rushing to the dance floor giggling. I knew that whatever was in the drink was already affecting me before we made it halfway there, but I was enjoying the feeling. We began to dance with each other singing to the songs as we got caught up in the music. Soon other wolves had begun to dance with us, but we did not mind because we were having such a great time. Each of us had a man that we were dancing with. The man dancing with Roni had large muscles and an incredibly handsome face. He had blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. He was wearing a simple tee shirt with some jeans and some very nice vans. I was not jealous though because while the man dancing with Roni was handsome, the wolf dancing with me was somehow even more handsome. He had dirty blonde hair and stunning hazel eyes. He was dressed in a white tee shirt and jeans with some nice vans as well. He was certainly very attractive, and I loved the way his eyes were watching me as we danced together, causing my heart to race in excitement. Several songs later I decided I was ready for another drink. I smiled at my dance partner motioning toward the bar to let him know I was leaving then pushed my way through the sweaty bodies. I could feel his presence behind me as he followed me, and I could not help the excitement I was feeling knowing that he was interested in me. Once I reached the bar, I looked back to see Roni still smiling and dancing away with her new friend. “What can I get ya’?” the bartender asked me smiling. I opened my mouth to reply. “Two whiskeys,” a deep rich voice said from directly behind me, causing a delicious shiver to run through my body. I knew a large part of my body’s reaction was due to the alcohol I had consumed but I was enjoying the way I was feeling. I never allowed myself to have fun or let loose. Instead, I focused on my training. I smiled at the handsome stranger. “Thank you,” I said a blush rushing to my already heated cheeks. “I’m Naomi.” The stranger flashed me his beautiful smile which instantly made me begin to swoon. “Jack.” He said holding out his hand which I shook bashfully. “I’ve never seen you here before, are you visiting from a different pack?” he asked his beautiful hazel eyes drawing me in. I nod my head softly, stuck in a trance because of his beauty. He chuckles and I can’t help but realize that he looks so similar to someone who I have loved my whole life… The dark hair, the hazel eyes, the way he smiles… He could be Sebastian’s older twin! He looks just like him! I gasp catching his attention. He c***s his head to the side. “What’s wrong, Hermosa?” he asks, his eyes analyzing me with a smirk on his face. He must think I am captivated by how handsome he is. Embarrassed I shake my head. I definitely couldn’t tell this handsome stranger that the reason I was so attracted to him was because he looked exactly like my childhood crush. I was mentally kicking myself for not realizing it sooner, cursing the effects of the alcohol. “Here you two go! On the house,” he bowed his head to Jack respectfully and left quickly. Why had he bowed his head? Jack must be a ranked wolf! I realized suddenly my eyes jumping back to his face. “Drink up, mi Hermosa!” Jack smiled handing me my drink. I honestly did not want it anymore after my first realization, but I could not offend him by rejecting his drink now. I gave him a small smile and hurriedly drank the whiskey. It burned like the last drink, but I did not let it phase me like the last time. I began looking around the bar trying to find Roni, ready to leave. “Did you not like the drink?” Jack smirked at me. “It was good, thank you for ordering it for me,” I mumbled shly with a small smile, my eyes still searching for Roni. I saw her still dancing but this time with a new stranger. I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “I have to go, it was nice to meet you Jack,” I said giving him a nod. I stood up and it felt like I was hit by a barrier making everything blurry and go in slow motion. Something was wrong. “Whoa there, Naomi, let me help you,” Jack said. His face suddenly changing to one that I did not like. I tried to push him off me gently, but I was too weak. Then everything went black. Next thing I know I am surrounded by a delicious smell and in two strong arms. I still could not get my body to respond but I could feel the steady footsteps of the person carrying me. For a second, I feared that it was Jack but somehow, I knew that it wasn’t. I was swallowed by the darkness again. I later learned that Sebastian had followed us to the bar and saw that Jack had spiked my drink before giving it to me. That is all he would tell me, and Roni didn’t realize anything had happened until Sebastian told her it was time to leave, and he was holding me. I can’t imagine what would have happened if he had not saved me. END OF FLASHBACK “I know fighting with you would be useless. What do I need to wear and when do I need to be ready?” I rolled my eyes while hers lit up with excitement. “Don’t worry about it! I have the dress you’re going to wear, and I can’t wait for him to see you in it! I will come and we will get ready together, I will do your makeup and hair!” she giggled excitedly. I immediately assumed she meant Damien when referring to “him” and shook my head at how excited she was while entering the dining hall. This was going to be interesting since I didn’t know where we were going or why, only that I was going to be wearing a dress and Roni would be giving me a makeover before.