Charcoal Moon

Goodbye

"So you must be excited, right?!" Damons long finger poked into my arm, a huge smile plastered on his face.

We were having a quiet breakfast in the pack house when he decided to share the news with me.

"When will they be here?" I ignored his question, asking my own instead.

"In three months" Unease filled the room, no one would hold eye contact with me.

"Why does it seem like you are not telling me something?" My eyes locked with my fathers across the table, my mom swatted at his arm while clearly mind linking him.

"Well, um the this is they added something." He trailed off, Damons father Nelson decided to jump in.

"Since no one seems to want to tell her I will. If you are accepted they have added an extra task to help weed out anyone that is weak that may have managed to make it in. Anyone who makes it through the physical and written parts will be dropped in various places throughout Canada. You will be given nothing but a map and whatever you can fit in the pack they provide. You will have two weeks from your drop date to make it to the castle in Echo Bay or you forfeit your spot in the army." My mother had tears staining her skin, while many others had worry showing on their expressions.

"Baby you don't have to do this." Moms voice held so much worry and pain.

"It doesn't really sound that hard" I continued eating the food on my plate.

"Keelin it will be the middle of October in the Dark Wood in Canada! Thats easily a months run and you will be completely alone with no help!" Damon had a strange look in his eyes while he spoke, the worry was evident but there was something else I could not put my finger on.

"I know I can do this, we all know I am different and for as long as I can remember this has been my dream. This is my destiny, I don't know how I know but I just do. Have some faith in me, I will be just fine."

Alana stood and made her way to me, placing her hand on my shoulder as she spoke. "I will support you Keelin, you are the strongest most brave girl I have had the honor to watch grow. Possibly the bravest the world has known, as a baby I knew you were destined for amazing things."

Everyone followed suit, some seeming more reluctant than others but none the less everyone important gave me their support.

The next three months passed in a blur, I spent every waking moment of my free time training. Not only my body but my mind, training harder than before and at least two ice baths every day getting my body used to the freezing cold assaulting my skin. With the temperature dropping a little more every day I only allow myself to wear shorts and a sports bra, determined to condition myself entirely to the cold.

It took much convincing to get Damon to agree to let me train the next Beta, he really thinks I will change my mind and not go.

Thats not going to happen.

"They are ready for you." Gamma Markus announced, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Thanks Mark" I said with a smile, we have grown pretty close the last few months and he is one of the few who supports me leaving. His mate Jemma on the other hand has been a bit of a mess, her pregnancy hormones are going crazy and she has attached herself to me.

I made my way to Damons's office and knocked to announce myself.

"Come in Keelin" Damons voice came from the other side of the door. I quickly entered the room to meet the gaze of two unknown wolves.

"Miss Blake have a seat, I am Jace, head warrior of the Lycan army and this" Jace gestured to his left "This is Simon my second." I quietly bowed my head at their introduction, something about the way Jace is looking at me isnt right.

"You have one hour to fill out this packet." Simon handed me a large stack of papers as Jace spoke. The entire time his bright blue eyes were staring at me quizzically, as if he were studying everything about me. "Once you have finished, come out to the training grounds and we will complete the final part of the test." When he was done speaking the three men filed out of the room, leaving me in silence.

The way he spoke to me didn't feel right, so proper yet way to familiar.

Name: Keelin Octavia Blake

Pack: Golden Summit

Alpha: Damon Marshall

Date of birth: Unknown (adopted)

Parents: Brian and Annie Blake

Height: 5'7

Eye color: Green

Wolf eye color: White

Wolf fur color: White

Blood type: O-

Birthmarks / locations: Black crescent moon / back base of neck

Special skills: Speed, strength, stealth

They do not need to know the rest just yet. My wolf stopped me from writing more under skills, I agree.

After I completed the fill in the blank bio of myself I headed down to the training grounds, the rest of the day was simple Jace observed me sparing against Simon and Damon until he was confident, I could be an asset to the Lycan army. He seemed to study every tiny move I made as if he were searching for a weakness, or something.

When we were done, he shook my hand and handed the preapproved pack. "Will this with whatever you please, say your goodbyes and meet me back here in 30 minutes we are to leave right away." I went home and stuffed my pack with some clothes, extra shoes, drawing supplies, snacks, water, and a small bag of medical supplies. My family and friends were waiting in the living room, my very emotional mother promised to have my belongings shipped to the castle and made me promise to call as soon as I made it.

"You will do amazing kiddo" My dad whispered in my ear while he gave me the tightest hug possible.

After many tears were shed, excluding mine. I was far to excited and pumped to cry, I assured everyone I would make it safe. I jumped in the back of the black SUV while Jace and Simon rode in the front, the drive to the plane only took an hour. The metal bird was obviously made for people to jump from.

So thats how we will be getting dropped in. Should be fun I thought to my wolf.

The whole flight Jace would not take his eyes off of me, something about this guy is off and I do not like it.