Discovering Me

Family time

The next morning, I woke up early like I’m now used to doing at school. I got dressed in some workout clothes since I promised EJ I would go to training with him. I had just started a cup of coffee as my mom came in from work.

“Good morning, Mama.” I said as she walked over excited but still tired from working all night and gave me a hug and kiss on the temple.

“Good morning my baby girl. I’m so happy to see you looking so good. You shouldn’t be up so early. You can rest in. I have the day planned for us. I just need to sleep,” she says, and she looks tired.

“I know. I’m used to getting up early now. Plus, I promised EJ I would go to training with him. I'm excited to be spending the day with my family. I missed you all so much.” I replied, leaning into her hug. Mom hugs are the best.

“Yeah, you must have really missed us to be spending time with your brother by choice. I'm happy to see that. You and your brother have fun. Just so you know, he likes to sleep in, so you might have to make sure he wakes up on time. I am going to bed since you're here to do that. Last night we had a chaotic night with some of the elderly in the hospital.” She said as she exited the kitchen.

“Sleep well.” I said as I went back to making my cup of coffee. Looking at the clock, I saw I needed to go wake up my brother to get him out on time. I put my coffee mug in the dishwasher and was about to go up to get EJ as he came running into the kitchen ready to go.

“Come on. I want to get there early,” he says.

“Good morning to you too. What’s the rush?” I asked.

“I just got word that one of the visiting Beta’s is heading to training with Beta Charles. He’s supposed to be really tough and I don’t want to be late,” he says as we walk out the door. Oh great, please don't be my mate. I'm not ready yet, I thought, as we walked out towards the training ground.Our pack started off with three laps. I do five, since that’s what we do at the academy. I don’t need a drink of water yet, so I start stretching, then go say hello to some of the warriors I’m friendly with and go to my normal place for training .

“Lexi, you probably should be here with us”, Jeff says, waving to me to come with the elite warriors.

“I agree. Let's see what the academy has taught you.” Beta Charles chimed in and I nodded going over to where the elite warriors are. “Good morning everyone,” he said as he walked on to a small podium. “I’d like to introduce you to Beta Garrett of the Blackhart Pack. He’s visiting here this weekend and will be heading training this morning. The Blackhart Pack is known to have some of the most fierce warriors there are and, as part of our new alliance, they will be coming in to help with the training in this pack.” He announces and steps down so Beta Garrett can step up to the podium.

“Good morning Sycamore Fall Pack warriors.” He says, addressing the warriors.

“Good morning” everyone says in reply.

"Sierra, you're quiet. Does that mean our mate isn't anywhere nearby?" I asked my wolf as Beta Garrett went into some long speech.

"There was an intriguing scent on that visiting Beta, but it was very faint and it was not his. I don't feel a pull for anyone here." She replied.

"Hopefully that scent was just his breakfast. I am so excited about the breakfast mamma is making. I'm glad I don't have to worry about a mate keeping me from it." I say as I go back to listening to what the Beta is saying.

“I see everyone has done their warm ups. Let's start off with sparring so I can analyze everyone’s strengths and then we can form a plan for training. Pair up and start now.” He says, blowing a whistle.

I pair up with Angie, she’s one of the top warriors in our pack. She’s very fast and limber. I really enjoy working with her. She's as skilled as the warriors in the academy. She landed a few hits but I was able to avoid most and she didn't let me land a hit easily at all. Twenty minutes into Beta Garrett blows his whistle alerting us it’s time to stop.I see him walking around talking to the different warriors as I go to get a drink of water.

“You did well, Lexi. Before you left, you wouldn’t have been able to keep up with me. Now I can tell you didn’t use all your strength and I’m completely out of breath.” Angie says, giving me praise as we drink our water.

“Thank you. I’ve been working hard. They move at an insane pace at the academy. I had to learn to keep up quickly because I was tired of ending up on my as.s.” I say laughing, thinking back to my first week.

“Well, it looks like you'll need to challenge yourself more here. You seemed to be very tactically skilled, but I can tell you’re not giving all your strength or displaying your speed. Overall, I think you’re a good fighter but you did more blocking than anything. I was waiting to see if you would become the aggressor but didn't see much of that in you.” Beta Garrett says, looking at me as he walks up to where Angie and I are. “You, on the other hand. I can see is a great warrior. I noticed how you were impulsively able to dodge attacks and quickly adapted and recovered from the different blows being thrown at you while coming up with your own attack strategy. You face a challenge with your opponent being faster and possibly stronger than you and showed the ability to make good decisions. You'll see that at times in battle the correct decisions being made from impulse is what’s going to save you in a battle and protect your pack. My advice would just build your strength and keep picking opponents that will challenge you. You’re easily able to overpower someone your size. I just don’t know how you’d do with, let say, a larger male as skilled or more than you.” He says to Angie.

“Thank you Beta. That is what I have been working on. I’d be happy to show you how I am able to adjust my strength with a warrior of more size.” Angie said, causing him to smile as he waved over a larger male warrior.

“I like your energy. Next round I’d like to see you two spar together.” He says, then turns to me. “While she does that, I have the perfect job for you. I’m assuming you are the 'hot sister' of the other hybrid they guys were messing with over there. Your Beta had to separate him from his partner because he lost his temper when I guess the other guy commented about you.” He explained.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I can go help him calm down” I apologized, hoping my brother didn't do anything crazy.

“No, I like his protective spirit. He just needs help with remaining tactical when enraged. He became very sloppy with his fighting although he has the strength. Maybe if we put you, the overthinker, with him and his group of overly impulsive, you two can rub off on each other and as an extra bonus you can let them know you’re more than just a pretty face.” He says with a wink.

“So you’re sending me there to knock them down a notch? Gotcha.” I say, smirking, and he nods.

He is not my typical type, but he is very handsome. He's tall, has a very nice muscular build, the most crystal clear blue eyes that stand out with his olive skin tone, has spiked brown hair and a perfectly trimmed beard. His total appearance gives off a clean cut bad boy vibe.

“There’s something about this Beta I like,” Sierra says, peeking out in my mind as we walk over to where my brother is.

“Yes, I don’t know what it is about him but there is something,” I said, looking back, accidentally making eye contact.

“Hey Bro. What's going on over here?” I walked up to my brother, asking.

“Don’t worry about it, sis. I took care of things.” He said, looking at the other guys annoyed.

“Well, my partner is busy so I came over here looking for a new partner. You remember I said that although you're bigger I could take you down still? You want to see how easily I can take you down?” I asked, flexing my muscles and teasing him. I am hoping to lighten his mood.

“I’d love for you to take me down” one guy stepped up, saying in a flirty manner.

“Dude, that's my sister.” My brother replies, stepping in front of me protectively.

“Challenge accepted.” I said, nudging my brother back. “Just don’t start crying when you get beat up by a girl.” I said, looking at the young warrior.

“Just know if I see you trying to cop a feel I’m killing you.” My brother said with scowl. I shook my head and laughed. He really is my protector. I guess I’ll have to let him see I can handle my own battles.

“Alright, let's regroup and start sparring again using the pointers I’ve given you all.” Beta Garrett says, blowing the whistle again.

The young warrior circles me not in an attack stance but like he's trying to check me out. I gave a quick blow to his forehead to get him moving. I can see it took him by surprise and forced him to get into the right stance. He attempts to jab at me but I quickly avoid all of those slow movements and deliver a quick sweep, causing him to fall on the ground. I allowed him time to get back up, knowing in a real battle I would have taken him out then. I could see that was enough to fluster him and he tried to deliver a few more blows that I blocked. He leaves himself open and I'm able to do a side kick right into his stomach and knock the wind out of him. Seeing that he isn’t getting anywhere with those, he attempts to use his strength to pin me, but instead of me going down, I quickly used his own body weight to flip him over, then pin him to the ground, forcing him to tap out before either his arm is broken or he passes our from the lack of air. The whistle blows directly after and Alpha Garret instructs us all to do a cool down.

I did a cool down lap and stretch with my brother who, although he didn't talk much, I can see the pride in his eyes. He knew his sister could handle her own. “Damn sis. You took him down without breaking a sweat.” EJ says as we grab our things to head home after training.

“Yea, this is child's play compared to what I’m used to at the academy. I had to work my a.ss off so not to end up on my as.s every day there. Now I’m glad I can show you that I'm finally able to hold my own,” I replied.

“And to think I was worried about you. I think you really humbled Stephen.” He said, laughing.

“I wonder if mom made breakfast. I’m hungry now.” I said as we were getting ready to leave.

“It’s your birthday. Of course, she made breakfast. I can’t wait. You love that french toast with strawberries on top, so she’ll probably make that.” He says, drooling.

“Oh yeah, the strawberry cheesecake French toast. I hope you’re right.” I said, doing my happy dance, envisioning it.

“Did I hear that it’s your birthday Alexis?” Beta Garrett says, walking up behind us.

“Yes, but my name is Alexandria, Lexi for short.” I said, correcting him.

“Oh sorry, Lexi. Is it your birthday?” He asked again.

“Yes, it's her 18th birthday today.” My brother said, answering for me, giving Beta Garrett a cross look.

“Interesting. Well, happy birthday. Will you be at the bonfire later tonight? Or are you and your friends doing something else?” He asked, stepping closer to me as if he was trying to catch my scent. Although he is sexy, and there is something in his scent, he is not my mate.

“I’ll be there after I go to dinner with my family,” I replied.

“Beta are you mated?” My brother asked, directly to the point.

He looked at my brother, thrown off for a moment before replying, “No, unfortunately, I haven't found my mate yet.” He says flashing his beautiful smile.

“Oh I see. Yes, my sister is pretty but I’m sorry you’re going to have to get in the line with the rest of the single guys here.” He said, grabbing my arm, pulling me away and causing the Beta to start laughing.

“EJ what’s going on with you?” I asked him as soon as we were far enough away from the training grounds.

“Lexi, you didn’t hear what the guys were talking about you. Someone asked if you’d be as easy as Tia. I really hope you’re not mated to any of them. I’m staying with you all night to make sure they don’t try anything.” He says as we walk up the walkway to our house.

“I’d love for you to hang with me tonight, but I don’t need a babysitter. You don’t have to worry. I’m not even friends with Tia anymore. I’m nothing like her.” I said, stopping to hug him before walking into the door.

“Good, I don't want you associated with her at all.” He says, and I can tell the scent of mom's strawberry cheesecake french toast hit him like it hit me. We looked at each other with an unspoken understanding, then took off towards our room to get clothes, trying to be first in the bathroom. He beats me in there, but it’s okay. I’m banking on mom not letting him eat before I get there or else he’ll eat them all.

He didn’t take long in the shower, so I was able to get in and out quickly after him. I put on a simple outfit. Black leggings, a oversized gray sweater, some black ankle boots and style my hair in a big pineapple ponytail puff on the top of my head sleeking down my edges.

“Great, I’m glad neither of you took long in the shower. We can eat breakfast, then I was thinking about taking you to the outlets in town Lexi. We can get some more things for you to take back to school. What do you think?” Mom asks as I enter the kitchen.

“You think I’d ever say no to a shopping trip mom?” I say kissing her on the cheek and walking over to give my dad a hug.

“Happy birthday baby girl.” My dad says, pulling me into his arms and ushering me into the chair between him and my brother.

“Thanks dad,” I replied. “Yes mom, we can go shopping before dinner, then afterwards I’m just coming home to go to the pack bonfire. I’m not planning on doing anything bigger than any other year.” I said, sitting down.

“You know, come to think of it, that Beta is probably a better mate option than any of the warriors that were flirting with you today.” EJ says, drawing the attention of my parents.

“What Beta? Have you found your mate already?” Mom asked, looking concerned.

“Beta Garrett. He's not her mate, but I can tell he wanted her. He’s visiting from the Blackhart pack. He was flirting with Lexi today after training.” EJ said matter of factly.

“EJ! He was not flirting. He was just asking a question. And my wolf hasn't recognized anyone as my mate”, I said, kicking my brother under the table. “And no other warrior was flirting with me; they were just welcoming me back.”

“Ouch. You didn’t see what I saw. They were drooling when you walked in and Beta Garrett definitely was watching you. Mom, he practically was trying to stalk her by asking where she was going to be later.” EJ said, causing me to be embarrassed about his exaggeration.

“Well it sounds like training was interesting today. Lexi just know, I’m not looking forward to losing my little girl, but do understand you just might find your mate tonight. Whoever he is, I just hope he treats you well.” Dad said, tearing up. I reached over for his hand and mom came from behind wrapping me up in her arms.

“Thank you daddy. Thank you for this beautiful breakfast, momma. I don’t expect to find my mate this year, since most hybrids don’t find their mates early on. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. I’m just so grateful for having such a loving family and friends. No matter what happens here. Mate or not. I don't want anything to change. I still would like to go back to the academy and finish my studies.” I said, touching my necklace that was gifted to me.

“Speaking of. Dad, you should have seen Lexi humble Stephen. He was talking all this crap about if he got a chance to spar with her and when he got the chance, she took him out in like 5 seconds.” EJ said, exaggerating again.

“Oh wow. I never thought I would have a warrior daughter but it sounds like you’re pretty good at fighting.” Mom said, finally sitting down to eat. She was always nervous about me fighting, but today I can feel her pride. I was going to answer her when we heard a knock on the front door before it opened.

“Don’t worry, it’s just me. Did I miss breakfast?” Janet said, walking in the front door before anyone could go to open it.

“No honey, come on in. We have plenty”, Mom says, plating more food for her.

“Hey Janet. I'm glad it's you instead of one of Lexi's stalkers that are hoping they are her mate." EJ says, then turned to our parents. I didn’t realize he had been eating this whole time. His plate was almost empty."Since it looks like it's going to be a girls' day out, would it be OK if I went out with my friends in the rec room in the packhouse?"

“Sure son, I’ll link you when the girls get back from shopping,” dad answered, and EJ stuffed his last bit of food in his mouth and took off out the door.