Beyond Fate

Training

“ Push harder, you're not covering your side” dad shouted, clutching my waist with ease as he passed my defence yet again, showing I was leaving myself open to attack. Sweat dripped from my body and I panted hard, I was done, more than done. My lungs burned and my body was ready to roll over and die but dad didn’t give an inch as he charged at me again. I brought my weapon up just in the nick of time forcing me back as dad attacked again. Everything on my body hurt, my muscles burned with a vengeance and I could barely lift my arms to block dad's attacks as he brought his sword down.

It’s been a couple of days since the bridesmaid dress incident and I’ve done my best to avoid the alpha wherever I could. Whenever he came to see Mina I excused myself and if I couldn’t I was very formal only addressing him as alpha and never meeting his eye. He must sense the change in me because he asked if everything was ok when I saw him but I wasn’t falling for it. I wanted to tell him to drop the act, that it wasn’t necessary but I didn’t dare speak my mind to the alpha any more. Now I knew I was just a lowly omega in his eyes. I’d pushed my luck enough in that department and since Lucas had abandoned me I was sure I wouldn’t be getting away with speaking my mind anymore.

Dad had been training me every free second he had. He was frustrated since mom still was barely speaking to him and he found out she went crazy online shopping with his credit card. I hadn't complained at first because I’d been benefiting from it too. She had brought us both Jimmy choo shoes for the wedding along with makeup and accessories, with my now stunning bridesmaid dress. I knew I would look amazing. It was just a shame it would be to celebrate the worst day of my brother's life. However I was now paying dearly for the new stuff, dad was venting and it was all on me.

He charged me again, moving so fast he was all but a blur, I was so dazed by his sudden movement my feet padded back and forth not knowing which way to go then suddenly dad was behind me taking my feet from under me before I had time to attack. I hit the soft ground in our back garden with a hard thud so it still hurt. I groaned and Dad sighed heavily in frustration. I was feeling pretty frustrated at this point. It was basic stuff that I’d learnt years ago yet it was as if my mind and my body had lost touch and couldn’t get back in sync.

“ you don’t hesitate….Attack…. You dance around like a girl and you die” in a bid to mimic my pathetic attempt to attack he did a stupid dance clearly irritated with me and if I was honest I was too. I knew this stuff. I wanted to smack myself up the side of the head to get my brain into gear.

“ ease up dad jeeezzzz” Johnny chimed in from behind me by the back door. He held a couple of bottles of water in his hand and my mouth watered just at the thought of quenching my thirst. I looked back over at dad from the ground and he sighed in defeat shaking his head, he hadn’t even broken a sweat. My heart clenched thinking about Nathan’s words the other night and it made me pull myself back up to a sitting position.

“ no he’s right that was stupid” I was better than that, a warrior couldn’t afford to question themselves a split second decision meant the difference between life and death.

I was realising how easily I could have died against the rogues the night of the alpha ceremony, I had been incredibly lucky they weren't better trained. Had the rogue king seen that in me? maybe that’s why he had killed his own wolf in frustration.

“ Take a break” dad said, putting his weapon down with the others he had lined up on the bench in the back garden. Frustration filled me and I ignored the pain and exhaustion pulling myself back up to stand.

“ no I wanna go again” I got up standing in my fighting stance ready to go, even though every fibre of my body screamed at me to stop.

Dad turned back to me and sighed “ Baba you're pushing yourself now, rest and we can go again after” he nodded to Johnny who offered me the water I snatched it from him, feeling disappointment sinking into my pores. Johnny gave me a sympathetic smile and it only pissed me off more. What did I expect, that I could ignore something as important as training for three years and go right back into the swing of things. No that didn’t happen. You had to work hard to be good at something I only had myself to blame. I should have kept fighting but instead I’d given up. I drank deeply, still panting heavily and almost choking but the cold liquid felt so good.

It had been like living with a drill sergeant the past couple of days, early mornings were nothing, it was the late nights that followed that were killing me. Dad said I needed to catch up which meant extra training in human and wolf form, topping it off with training in the gym at the pack house to build muscle. I had protested at first but two days in I realised how out of shape I was. Maybe dad had been on to something.

We were interrupted when dad’s eyes drifted over me to something behind me, I could tell from the way his expression changed that this wasn’t going to be good. I turned to our side gate at the end of the garden to see Nathan coming towards the house with alpha Mitchell. He had a bright friendly smile on both their faces and I just felt like throwing my water bottle at him for being so fake. I wouldn’t, I wouldn’t waste the water.

Dad being the formal Beta male that he was, went straight towards the two. After the last time Nathan came to our house I thought for sure dad would have something to say but instead he just shook Alpha Mitchell’s hand and the two exchanged pleasantries while Nathan stood back like the spectator that he was. When Johnny moved away from me and did the same I decided to move back into the house away from them all. There was no reason for them to speak with me. I didn't have Mina today since Luna Jamie had decided she could finally spare the time to take her grand pup to the park. Things have been tense with the former Luna and alpha recently with my parents finding out about my abuse that they felt strongly the alpha and Luna should have picked up on and their sudden lack of support for alpha Mitchell since he arrived. They had been giving everyone a wide berth but now they were beginning to come out of the woodwork again.

“What do you think you're doing training with your family, omegas are forbidden to train '' Nathan scolded angrily from behind me. It made me flinch. I hadn't expected him to move so fast. I looked to the end of the garden where Johnny and dad were deep in conversation with alpha Mitchell. Normally I would dip my head and turn into a friggin yes man but he had caught me on the wrong day. I wouldn’t let myself do that anymore. Lifting my head high I squared up to him defiantly.

“ an omega is not permitted to train with or be trained by the pack but they may be trained if it is by a delta, beta or alpha” I stated emotionlessly Nathan seemed taken back by me throwing the rule book at him, did he not think other members besides him knew it, I’ll admit I’d learnt the rule book off by heart for the silvermoon pack laws during my ‘trying to prove myself’ phase with Nathan. I thought if I could show him I’d be a good beta female he would happily accept me.

Along with educating myself on politics and pack laws. I’d trained vigorously with both my parents, honed my skills and became a pretty decent warrior. I could even take my mother down during sparring at one point, not that it had made a blind bit of difference to Nathan; he still didn’t want me. I was an omega by title and I’d never been allowed to retake the trials to prove I was a worthy beta so like the i***t I was I’d given up training disappointing myself and both my parents, that’s why dad had been reluctant when I asked about training. I’d given up too easily last time but I can't give up now. I had to prove to everyone that I was still a Beta at heart, including myself.

I couldn’t be surprised by Nathan’s attitude though this was probably the first time anyone outside my family had seen me fight.

“this is my home and it’s perfectly legal to train with one's family” I said through gritted teeth folding my arms over my chest at the same time. I thought Nathan would get angry with me but his eyes changed black before going back to their usual blue. His gaze raked my body hungrily and I tried to keep my breathing steady but the look of disgust couldn’t be hidden from my face. I suddenly regretted my outfit for training. I was only wearing a black gym bra and yoga pants that didn’t leave anything about my body to the imagination, not that Nathan needed imagination. He'd seen me naked plenty of times and I hated the look in his eyes that told me he was able to picture it right now. I looked towards the others who were deep in conversation. Only alpha Mitchell was facing us but was too distracted by the conversation to notice what Nathan was saying.

“ Kelly’s out tomorrow night ” he whispered with a smirk as he moved closer to me, closing the distance between us. I rolled my eyes, this guy just wouldn’t give up. I wanted to slap him and say ‘thank you for staying the obvious s**t for brains’ hoping that the others would finish their conversation and come over if only to get Nathan to back up.

“ so?” I scowled at him. His eyes kept turning black and then it hit me. His wolf was sensing my approaching heat. s**t.

“ Maybe you could come over...” he said, giving me a lopsided grin as his gaze swept over my body. He reached out to try and touch me when I saw his nostrils flare. Yep he could definitely sense I was going into heat. I wanted to smack that smug grin off his handsome face. Instead I took a step back out of his reach.

“ You've got two hands, pick one and service yourself. I have plans with someone else” I put my hands on my hips and began to walk away when his hand gripped my arm pulling me back to face him.

“ who?” His expression was angry, squeezing my arm a little too tight. But I wouldn’t show him that.

“ None of your business” I yanked my arm out of his grasp and backed away from him. I didn't want to look at him any more. the arrogance of the man, he actually thought he could summon me for a booty call. ugh. Though I should have been expecting it, I should have known he’d sense my heat coming and seeing as it was the last time we had been together I should have been better prepared but with everything going on lately I still hadn’t had a chance to pay Astrid a visit. I would have to make sure to see her today. I was not about to let Nathan have his way just becaue of my stupid bodily urges.

I may not always be able to resist when Nathan seeks me out but I was always proud that I’d never been willing to participate in his adultery, not that it saved me from Kelly’s wrath on the odd occasion when I did give in to him.

Before he could say anymore alpha Mitchell appeared with a questioning look on his face and dad following behind him making Nathan back up immediately. dad glared daggers at Nathan not missing how he’d gotten up in my face just now.

“ baba I need to go and fetch the key from Johnny's office so we can pack the weapons away…”

“ I’ll go dad” I offered not wanting to be in this moment any longer and I think dad could pick up on that. I could feel the intense gazes of alpha Mitchell and Nathan on me at that moment but I didn’t know which was worse at this point. Without looking I dismissed myself deciding it was quicker to use the side gate in the garden which led out onto the main path. It was a straight shot to Johnny’s office at the training yard from there.

As I made it out onto the path I felt a presence behind me, thinking it was Nathan back for more. I clenched my hand into a fist. One quick hard punch and I could just say he surprised me so I attacked on instinct. when I turned though alpha Mitchell was behind me with a look of concern on his face.

“ hey what’s going on are you ok? Did Nathan say something to upset you?” That was a loaded question, one I was not about to get into with the alpha. He had made his feelings perfectly clear and I had already shared way too much of my personal life with him.

“ Thank you for your concern Alpha but there’s no need to trouble yourself with an omegas problems” I stated keeping my head down not meeting his eye, we stood there for a moment and I wondered why he hadn’t just walked away yet, should I just go or would that be considered rude. I just stood there rigidly hoping he would just walk away and I could leave.

“ May I carry on alpha?” I asked when a few more moments went by without a word being spoken.

“ No you may not, not until you tell me what’s going on? I thought we were friends” I had to hold back my scoff. He couldn't be serious after what he had said the other night. I wanted to slap him and tell him to cut the s**t but I couldn’t.

“ an alpha would never lower himself to consider an omega a friend, SIR!” I said through gritted teeth throwing his words from the other night at him. looking up at him for the briefest of moments before looking back at the ground. I saw it in his eyes though when the realisation had hit him it was like he’d been slapped in the face. Tough s**t, if you don’t want your thoughts to be heard don’t say them out loud.

“ Alisha I..” he began but words seemed to fail him, finally no more bullshit.

“ You needn’t trouble yourself alpha, I know my place and I’m not leaving the pack so I will be there for Mina still, we need not speak unless it’s for official pack business. I can still perform my duties until such a time comes when you feel Mina has no need for me anymore” with him reassured I wouldn’t be leaving his precious pack. I thought that would be the end and he’d dismiss me but he didn’t. Seriously what more did this guy want from

me. After a moment I peaked up at him. He was just staring down at me like he was in pain. His jaw clicked and I felt the urge to comfort him just like that day in the nursery.

Someone called his name and his attention was diverted, I took the chance to run and so I did. He didn't come after me nor did he shout my name. I didn’t stop until I reached the training ground running into Johnny's office without telling anyone why I was there. I grabbed the keys for the weapons cupboard and dashed straight back out, what was happening to me. The alpha insults me making it clear I’m just an omega that he’d never consider a friend and then he has the nerve to look hurt and my instinct is to comfort him. I needed to get a handle on my feelings. This was getting out of hand and it needed to stop. It was better that I just avoid the alpha all together. Now I had made everything clear where everyone stood hopefully there would be minimal contact.

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Several hours later Mina was still with Alpha Felix and Luna Jamie for the afternoon so I decided I’d hit the gym for a few hours that I had free. I convinced myself that I needed the extra training and not because I was hiding from alpha Mitchell. I was hitting the punching bag with all the force I could muster when I heard footsteps behind me. The clicking of heels alerted me to who it was and my anger rose. Why would she come down here in heels. I mindlinked her to come to the gym. It's a no brainer what I needed her for.

“ hello beautiful” I heard Jasmine behind me, I sighed and wiped the sweat off my brow before looking at her. She leant against the doorway to the gym entrance looking like a naughty secretary. I shook my head taking in her outfit of a grey pencil skirt, black stilettos and black silk blouse. Her hair was in a high bun and she wore dark glasses that completed her look.

“ What happened?” She said frowning, suddenly looking less seductive and more concerned. I rolled my eyes hating that she could read me so well even after all these years apart I couldn’t hide from her.

“What do you mean? I ask you to come down here and spar with me and you assume something happened?” I said sarcastically turning back to the bag going back to punching it, hadn’t she heard my lover had left me without a thought, after he had told some henchman creeper it was ok to r**e and murder me. My anger rose again and I felt such rage, my wolf was right there ready to shift, my claws extended involuntarily and I slashed at the punching bag repeatedly taking it apart. I kept staring with my claws until I was satisfied it was dead, not at all picturing Lucas or alpha Mitchell as I went. Note the sarcasm.

“ what?” I panted angrily looking back at her. But Jasmine folders her arms looking smugly at me walking towards the bag that was now in half and pissing sand.

“ wow you know you remind me of a girl I used to know, I thought she was gone forever, glad she's back” she smiled inspecting the tattered bag.

“ you may regret saying that” I said, still panting and heading to the bench to grab my water.

“ nah I’ll take the badass beta over the sulky omega any day, the beta b***h was a lot more fun” I gulped my water down eyeing her smug grin.

“ I thought it was badass beta” I corrected, raising my eyebrows at her.

“ Badass beta b***h” we both chuckled and I suddenly felt lighter.

“ don’t you have an alpha to chase after” I asked, smiling. I had noticed she hadn’t been around him much the past week, I had no doubt she hadn’t given up but she had been working with the pack hospital everyone had heard of the new developments Mitchell had planned and Jasmine had the idea to open her own practice within the hospital our last healer died years ago so there was definitely a spot for her within the pack but I’d did make me smile how Jasmine insisted on her own practice even though she basically did the same job as a doctor. Little attention seeker that she was.

“ nah he’s had that Coleson girl sniffing around him lately, no one stands a chance with the Rose twin around, words spread fast in the pack apparently as soon as she heard she looked like his mate she went full huntress mode, if he’s not sleeping with her already he soon will be” Jasmine pouted her disappointment evident. She kicked one of the training balls across the room and it smacked into the wall.

“ and who told you all this?” I was not really sure why what did it matter to me who our alpha screwed.

“ Katie, she’s been hanging out with her and Colton too, Katie said she and Mitchell have been hanging out lately, guess that rules me out of the running now” she pouted like a child again even more this time folding her arms looking glum. I went over to her wrapping my arm around her shoulders hugging her. Jasmine wasn’t the type to get involved but she had pursued alpha Mitchell more than she normally would with guys which meant she really wanted him.

She sighed heavily wallowing in her disappointment for a moment before shaking herself and plastering on her usual Jasmine smile, her attention coming back to me. “ so in the spirit of finding your old self, how about we do something omega Alisha would never do”

“ and what’s that” I asked, dreading the answer.

“ serenity’s” she smiled suggestively and I closed my eyes smiling. I had really walked into that one.

I walked back into the house exhausted and ready for a shower I had stopped by Astrid's room on my way out of the pack house. She was always so understanding and never asked too many questions. She had given me a new supply of masking spray along with some sedatives for when the joyful event occurred but I was going to start getting urges before then so I needed to avoid Nathan as much as possible until it was all over.

The house was quiet as I headed up to my room to shower as I walked past Johnny's room

Though I heard rustling, I decided to knock. I hadn’t returned the key for the weapons cupboard yet so I might as well give it to Johnny and save myself the trip to his office.

“ hey bro you in there?” I shouted knocking the door when he didn’t respond. I turned the handle to open the door when it flew open and a flustered Johnny appeared in the doorway half throwing his shirt over his tattooed torso. He smiled at me, fresh from a shower by the looks of him. I smiled back and waved the keys at him. He took them and came to stand in the hallway with me, shutting his door behind him.

“ hey how are you feeling sorry dads being so tough on you today, think he’s frustrated mom hasn’t let him back in the house yet” he frowned, looking concerned but I knew he was just as hard on his own trainees.

“ don’t worry about it, it’s not like I don’t need it” I felt disappointed in myself. It wasn't dad's fault I had given up, I just never realised how much it frustrated him or how much skill I had lost by being stubborn and residing in the omega life.

“ he’s proud of you, you know, we all are. It’s nice to see you acting like your old self..” he looked down at the floor like he wasn’t sure whether to say the next part. “ you haven’t been the same since the trials” he looked up at me sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. I knew he was thinking about what he’d said that day that Kelly had tried to come into the house. He felt bad for not defending me but I wasn’t holding grudges, not with Johnny.

He stepped towards me wrapping me in a hug I hugged him tightly wrapping my arms around his waist he pulled back looking at me. He looked tired and the longer parts of his hair were handing over his forehead he obviously wasn’t sleeping well and my mind immediately turned to the conversation between the alpha and Beta.

“ don’t get mad and you can’t tell anyone I told you but dad always said to trust your gut right” I sighed worried if it was right to tell Johnny but as pack head warrior he couldn’t do his job if he was kept in the dark. I was about to speak when I heard a noise coming from his room. I frowned because I had just passed Tammy in the pack house when I’d visited Astrid. I went to speak and saw Johnny's panicked expression looking back at his door. I hadn’t been mistaken, a sudden strong scent of s*x hit my notstril, it was covered by the mountain of body wash Johnny had covered himself in but it was there even now.

I pulled myself free of his grip and pushed past him hearing his protests but choosing to ignore him. I pushed his bedroom door open and gagged slightly at the scent of arousal and s*x that hit my nostrils invading my senses. I stared wide eyed into his bedroom seeing his dishevelled unmade bed and a half naked heather half way through dressing as soon as she saw the door open she paused mid way through pulling up her jeans she was only in her bra and pants, her lips were red and swollen from her activities and she had several red blotches on her neck that would no doubt turn into love bites soon. She hadn’t had time to shower like Johnny and the stench of her and my brother's activities were clear evidence of what they had been up to before I’d got here. She looked down at the ground, ashamed. I was about to demand she leave when I was abruptly pulled from the room back out into the hallway. Johnny whispered something to Heather I didn’t catch and then closed the door. He looked back at me angry. Wait, he was angry at me? I gave him my best ‘are you for real’ look. He rolled his eyes dragging me down stairs into the kitchen.

Once we were safely inside I turned on my brother, furious that he could do such a thing. I knew it happened, of course I did. Hell I was the queen of knowing guys did shitty things like sleeping around but the fact that my own brother was doing it sent me into a craze. Cheating was a huge thing to me for obvious reasons but never in a million years would I have thought I’d have to put my brother into the same category as my own cheating scumbag mate.