Chapter 18: Chapter 18
"You can’t make me do that or anything!” Mia yells, her face inches from mine as her rage filled eyes glare at me. I sigh, tired of her high and mighty attitude as wolves surround us. I could see my wolves tensing, ready to step in and attack if need be. I signal for them to hold as Mia continues her rant about how she is the Head Tracker and doesn’t need any training. Apparently Mia is the best Tracker in Forest Paw and being the Head Tracker I would hope so. But she had deliberately been late to the training session and then ignored me to try and flaunt her “assets” at my pack mates. This led to me pushing her fake tanned body into the slush below where her skimpy white workout clothes were promptly ruined by the muddy slush. Everyone else had been on time, some even early to warm up in the winter weather. Only Blue and Axel were given a free pass as They were dealing with the pack finances and gathering intel on the Soulless. Even Leo showed up on time which was a surprise to all of us. My eyes flicker to Miles and I open the link between us, sighing exasperated into our link.
[What’s the bets so far?] I ask my friend catching his mischievous grin.
[Majority have their money place on you beating the crap out of Leo first. Only four people have their bets on you demolishing Mia. What do you want?] He answers, a smirk forming on my lips.
[Give me twenty percent of the profits and I’ll give you a good show to record.]
[Deal Amber.] Our link shuts off as Miles pulls his cellphone out from his uniform. I was done with Mia and her bullshit and it was time to repay her for seven years of hell.
“And another thing, that is supposed to be my uniform!” She screams, her hands reaching out to tear away the Tracker uniform that I inherited from our mother. I pivot, dodging Mia easily and using her momentum to send her once again into the muddy slush below us. A loud splash is heard and once again mud covers her face that is turned to look at me with seething rage. I manage to maintain a straight face but catch multiple snickers in the crowd.
“This outfit belongs to me. If it weren’t for me going into the house with Blue and Axel before you made Zack burn it down everything that belonged to mom and dad would have been destroyed.” I retort back, my voice loud and clear above the crowd as my own glare is directed back at Mia. I hated her and her selfishness. Then I had an idea.
"How about this. If you want it so bad, beat me in a fight. If you're the best tracker then it should be easy beating me." I offer, a smirk playing on my lips as I brush a piece of lint off of my shoulder. I watch her rage increase as her blood radiates power at the challenge. I was requested here to train these wolves, to make the ones who made my life living hell at the bitch’s command stronger and able to defend themselves once again. If they wanted to disrespect me then I will use one of them to make an example. Sensing eyes on me, I turn to see Leo watching, his gaze going between Mia and me. This was good, I will make him see just who he rejected, make him and everyone regret what they did to me.
“Deal you bitch.” Lost in thought I manage to sense killing intent coming at me, leaning back to dodge a punch from Mia and taking a chance to back flip a few feet away from the raging she-wolf. The crowd of Blood Moon and Forest Paw wolves step back, forming a large circle around us to fight in. Miles is front and center, his cellphone out as he films everything. I had a feeling this would end up on his page in the werewolf site for all to see and honestly I don’t mind it at all. It would be nice to show case to the world the power a Blood Moon wolf has.
Mia gets to her feet with a growl, her eyes turning red as her anger soars to new heights as she makes another attempt at attacking me. Once again I doge, sending a small shove to the center of her back and watching her fall into a large snow bank face first. At this point even I am embarrassed seeing her flail about trying to dislodge her head into the pact snow. But this just fuels her rage as Mia continues her attempt at attacking me, each time ending with her lodged into a snow bank or covered in mud from a slush puddle as I continue to use her momentum against her. Rule one of being a tracker, never let anyone get behind you. It’s quite sad that she would forget this rule.
Within half an hour she is left panting, her many attempts to land a hit on me foiled and frankly I am quite bored. It amazes me that this she-wolf used to be able to over power me. That she used to be able to leave my body marked with bruises and cuts. Now she is no match for me.
“You going to hit me Mia or what?” I call out, yawning with boredom. This gives me a savage growl as her response, as Mia gets to her feet from the latest muddy puddle. At this point her entire being is covered in mud only her rage filled eyes still clear to see. With a final attempt at an attack, Mia throws another punch to my face.
Now it was my turn to truly get the pay back that has in the making for nine and a half years. Just as Mia gets into my range of attack I move, sending a round house kick to her right side. The sounds of bones breaking fills the silent training field, causing the rowdy wolves to quiet down. The force of my kick sends Mia into a sturdy oak tree, her body hitting the trunk with a loud thud. But her rage is still strong as she ignores the pain of the broken bones and quickly rushes at me again. I just roll my eyes as my fist greets her face with a well-placed punch that, upon impact, shatters her jaw. Mia falls to the ground once again, spitting out the blood onto the snow-covered earth, attempting to get up. With a thought I send a kick to her left thigh, breaking the bone and watching the exhausted she-wolf fall to the ground defeated. As much as she hated me, her instincts told her to stay down in an attempt to preserve her life. Taking her now muddy pony tail into my grasp, I raise Mia high enough for the crowd to get good look. My pack looks on at me with pride, but the wolves from Forest Paw hold fear and respect. I was no longer that orphan they used as a punching bag anymore.
“This is what happens when you are out of shape.” I start off, my voice carrying above the crowd. Mia is the perfect example theses wolves needed to open their eyes to their reality.
“A Soulless on the verge of death could have easily killed Mia without a fight and no one would know unless they stumbled on her cold dead body. Let this be a warning to all of you!” I finish my statement, my eyes scanning the crowd. My wolves let out a chuckle as Miles sends me a thumbs up, his cellphone being put away. Zack catches my attention, his face a mix of jealousy and reverence at what I had done to our so-called sister on full display as I release my hold on Mia and allow her body to lay on the ground. I guess he’s been wanting to do this for a while now.
“Leo I suggest looking for a new Head Tracker, leave her alone as the pack whore.” I growl out, glaring at the man who looks at me with a heated gaze before turning to my pack. I motion to Lease and Concra, letting the twins take hold on either side of the now unconscious Mia.
“Take her to the pack hospital and make sure she gets fixed up.” I order, getting a yes ma’am from my two friends who promptly half carry and half drag Mia away, albeit none to gently as they “accidentally” drop her or go around a corner too fast that she bumps into it. All I can do is shake my head and turn back to the wolves still needing to be trained.
“Okay everyone, now that the excitement is over we will now be getting on with the training.” A groan is heard from the Forest Paw wolves, but I let them be. I’ve already damaged one of their wolves today, no need to fight the others.
“Our objective for today’s training is stamina. We will be running for the next few days and I do not want any of you complaining. Before I feel comfortable teaching you all new fighting techniques every last wolf needs to be able to run smoothly for three hours straight before getting out of breath. When I am satisfied with all of you, you will be separated into sparing groups focusing on team work where your goal is to take down one of my wolves from Blood Moon. Each group will be a mix of Hunters and Trackers.” I see the excitement in many of the Forest Paw wolves at the prospect of being able to take down a notorious Blood Moon wolf. My wolves just scoff at the idea of being taken down by Forest Paw as the pack link is filled with chatter, some complaining about loosing the bet while a few cheer knowing that they will be gainining a good pay out with me dominating Mia in the fight earlier. Dominic walks over, handing me my neon pink scarf that my pack is all to familiar with as I tie the fabric around my waist.
“So, we will keep running today either for the remainder of the training time, when some one passes out from exhaustion or if one of you can take this scarf away from me. Blood Moon I want you all to space yourselves out on the outside of the Forest Paw wolves, make sure no one falls behind or gives up.” I continue, making sure the scarf is secured before quickly leading everyone into a light stretch.
“Everyone ready?” I ask, getting a unanimous yes. With that I quickly run into the forest, sensing everyone else falling in behind me. I keep my pace slow and steady knowing that many of the Forest Paw wolves have gone down hill in training. Dominic and I lead the group through the trees and every now and then there are attempts to take the scarf from my waist causing me to dodge just to the side out of reach and increase the speed. My wolves keep an even pace with Forest Paw even though the other pack are starting to struggle, their breaths becoming more ragged with each new kilometre we run. After the second lap of the territory and what I deem to be about two hours into the run some of my wolves link me, that some of the forest paw wolves are getting desperate, their bodies begging to ripple.
“If anyone shifts, the whole group will run one-hundred suicides as well as run for five hours as punishment.” I call out in warning. These words garner a few un-happy curses and frustrated growls, only encouraging me to up the speed as punishment. My pack mates were laughing at the sorry state Forest Paw is in. Their bodies covered in sweat even in this cold winter afternoon as the snow holds a challenge for us to run in. Dominic and I chat back and forth about what we can do when we get back home. Getting bored, I turn around and begin to run backwards, taking in the look of my packmates who take the chance to throw snow balls at each other.
“This reminds me of when I first trained all of you.” I call out, getting a chuckle from everyone.
“Yeah but back then you had us working as a team.” Greg calls out with a laugh.
"We all lost because we couldn't move and had to keep doing that until we finally got that damn scarf and could keep up with you. The amount of times you taunted us was sad." Thea, a skilled Tracker in my pack, states with a sigh. She was one of the few that tried following me in the trees when I first trained Blood Moon and one I trust on covert missions..
"She still taunts us. Hell last week her and Miles tagged team us in training and I swear that if it weren’t for her damned fur, we would have lost her." Dominic calls out, causing my pack to chuckle out. I roll my eyes at my friends, deciding to ignore them all as I turn around and continue leading the run. A few seconds later a heated gaze causes goose bumps to crawl along my skin, my body sensing predator intent behind me. Taking a quick look over my shoulder, I notice Leo with his eyes trained on my form. I hated the way he looks at me, as if his gaze could undress me here and now. It ignited a small spark in the dying embers of our mate bond, reminding me that even though we rejected each other , we were still connected by a fraying thread that I wish would break already.
Sensing some one catching up to Dominic and I in the lead, I force myself to move faster. It is about time to pick up the pace and make Forest Paw work harder. The predatorial gaze intensifies as the presence behind me is just inches away.
[Keep running Fire. It’s Leo.] Dominic’s voice filter in to our link, his voice holding concern and worry. With his encouragement I run faster, my goal is to stay as far away as I can from the man who caused me so much pain. With determination I make this chase harder for the man I deem my sworn enemy and focus on running. My mind tunes out the world around me as I find my zen state, my body moving fluidly through the forest. I hear the ragged breaths of the wolves behind me, one in particular forcing himself to try his best to keep up with me even if this wolf is on the verge of collapsing. My focus of keeping away from my ex is broken at the sound of my stomach growling with the need for food. Deciding that it is time to end training, I come to an abrupt stop and turn to face the crowd. Leo reaches his hand out to grab me, causing me to dodge and take sanctuary on a sturdy Maple branch high above everyone just in time to watch the cocky bastard stumble face first into the tree in front of him and collapsing onto the ground unconscious. This was the wolf the Moon Goddess paired me with, how pathetic Leo truly is.
The rest of the group slowly files in, some Leaning against trees for support while others fall to the ground, laying on the cold snow-covered floor gasping fort breath. I think it is time to call it a day.
"I'm starving.” I yell out, my stomach emphasising my statement.
"When are you not starving!” Greg exclaims, sending my pack into a laughing fit at the truth of his words. So I liked food, sue me.
"A- You all suck." I say, giving my friends a glare while they try their best to compose themselves, even Dominic snickered in the corner, trying his best to hide his laughter with coughs as my glare is directed at him.
“And B- we are done for the day. Everyone head back and get some food and rest. Tomorrow we will be doing this all over again fresh and early. Also have some one carry your Alpha to the pack hospital to be checked out.” I continue, my pack doing their best to stifle their laughter at the statement of Leo needing to be carried. I knew many relished knowing that the man who rejected me is now laying unconscious from bumping his head. Miles is probably pissed off for not catching it on camera right now. With the Forest Paw wolves reminded once more to be on time to training tomorrow, I turn to my pack mates and grin.
"Last one to the Forest Paw pack house has to do the dishes, ALONE." I state, turning around and taking the forest highway through the trees. I knew this forest like the back of my hand, having run the length of it multiple times both on the ground and through the trees. No one would beat me to the pack house. The rustle of branches behind me indicate at lease five other members have joined me in the tree tops, the baren trees providing us easier access to the sturdy branches unobstructed from view. In record time we exit the forest and land swiftly on the ground, knowing the six of us have a head start before the remainder of our Pack catches up. It was childish of us to race this way like pups, but it brought us a sense of joy in our everyday training. That and the punishment at the end always had everyone training harder.
The six of us race through the pack lands of Forest Paw, all of them following me through the terrain until we find ourselves waiting patiently for everyone else. Dominic and Christian arrive next with Lease and Concra, their eyes amused at the fact I am first. Next comes Bill, Miles, and a few Hunters slightly out of breath. Of course with running all day their bodies would be worn out. But they are still better than the Forest Paw wolves that still lay in the forest where we left them. More wolves trickle in and I direct them towards the large dining hall while Dominic, Christian, Miles, and I wait patiently for the rest to come. Finally, all but one person is accounted for and we smile when Greg comes running in, his face out of breath. Reason why Greg is a Hunter is because he is directionally challenged, always getting lost.
"Guess you get dishes." I chuckle out, heading inside and making a turn to the right to the pack dinning hall where the smell of a hot cooked meal has my starving stomach grumbling even more. With quick strides I cross the room to the buffet table where I load up a plate with as much food as I can. Dominic chuckles, adding a few more sausages to his plate knowing full well the honey garlic ones are my favourite. Smiling up at Dominic, I lead my friends to a quiet table where I promptly begin to devour my meal.
“How did the first day of training go?” I smile as Blue’s voice reaches my ears, his hand moving fast as I turn to face him in stealing a sausage from my plate, causing me to glare at my adoptive father. A chuckle from beside me has my glare being directed at Dominic who promptly replaces my stolen morsel with a new sausage, one that I happily eat while protecting my plate from Blue and his quick hands.
“It went well. Mia will be in the pack hospital for a few days and has learned never to mess with me again. The rest of the Trackers and Hunters have learned just how ruthless I can be. I think the image of me from years ago has change.” As if directed like actors in a play, the Forest paw wolves we left in the forest come trudging in just as I finish my words. Their bodies slump with exhaustion and their appearance is haggard with twigs and dirt covering their bodies. The crowd make their way towards the water station, many ordering the Omegas to bring more pitchers of water as some have already started to devour what was placed out for lunch like it’s the last time they’ll ever see water again.
“Seems like you are doing a good job. These wolves need to get of their asses and I’m glad you’re the one to do it.” Blue states, his gaze following the movement of his pack as many sit in the corner sipping from a pitcher of water while others find the energy to gather food.
“I’m proud of you Amberle.” Guilt clenches at my throat with how distant I have been from him. It's not Blue’s fault for having a good for nothing as a son. He took me in and raised me and after the rejection I rarely spoke to him. But that had to change. With a smile, I invite Blue to join us at our table, waiting for him to grab a plate of food and be able to sit and eat with us before introducing him to all my friends from Blood Moon. Christian and Blue hit it off right away and I could tell that my adoptive father was weary of Dominic and I being so close to each other, but he knew my stance of ever accepting his son and, thankfully, never brought the issue up. It was time for us to heads back to the guest cabin to rest and Blue decided to walk us out side. Everyone else had gone ahead, giving Blue and I some space as we slowly trail behind the Blood Moon wolves.
“I’m glad you found a place of your own.” Blue begins awkwardly, his eyes watching my pack as they joke around with one another.
“After their death Forest Paw never felt like home. I’m home at Blood Moon.” I reply with honestly. Forest Paw is where I was born, but with many turning on me after my parent’s deaths and then the rejection I knew I would never belong there.
“I know Amberle. I’m sorry for everything.” A long sigh escapes from him and at this moment Blue looks like he aged a million years. My heart breaks at the sight of one of the strongest man I know looking so lost and defeated and without a second thought, I wrap my arms around him, burying my face into his shoulder and cry.
"I missed you Blue." I whisper, my sobs filling the twilight air. I feel his arms wrap around me comfortingly as Blue allows me to cry. I felt like a pup again being held by her father, and he was. Blue took the role of my father the day my parents passed, and I was too much of an idiot to noticed it
"I missed you to Am." He whispers back. That’s all we need to say for our relationship to mend. I sense him before I hear him and gently pull back from Blue to look at Dominic who’s worry-filled eyes send me a questioning look.
“I think that Alpha of yours might be the one who is truly meant for you. As much as I love my son, even I can tell you’re too good for Leo.” Blue states out of now where, causing me to let out a carefree laugh as I dry the tears from my face.
“Just let Dominic know that is he hurts you; Axel and I will kick his ass.” He continues. It felt like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders after so long and I knew that everything between Blue and I will go back to normal again. That no matter what, he will always be my father. After exchanging phone numbers, I say goodnight to Blue and head back to the cabin with Dominic, my heart and mind feeling much lighter. Maybe coming back to Forest Paw was a good thing after all.