POV: SAINT
I tiptoed down the stairs, careful not to disturb the two other werewolves sleeping in the house. As I reached the bottom, I found Aunt Cee busy preparing breakfast. After exchanging greetings, I headed outside. I wasn't familiar with the route to the training grounds, and I hesitated to ask Jackson for directions. He had mentioned 6 AM, but here I was, on my way at 5:30 AM.
I wasn't in the mood for a conversation with him. I replayed our discussion from the previous day in my mind, but I didn't regret anything I had said. I simply wanted us to be on the same page when the pack started asking questions. Yet, he had to throw in that comment and spoil everything.
I walked through the paths that I recalled, and fortunately, I encountered some other pack members heading to training. I approached one of them, a guy, and asked if I could join him. He kindly agreed.
He inquired if I came from the annual mission, and I confirmed that I had. We exchanged some brief introductions. His name was Marcus—tall and muscular, with the phrase "Livefullyordietrying" inked on his left arm.
In the short time we spoke, he shared insights about his life, family, and upbringing, revealing that he was currently mateless. He was in the middle of explaining how the pack functioned when I couldn't help but think that he was quite the yapper. I chuckled at the thought.
"Oh, was that funny?" he inquired, a hint of curiosity in his tone.
"What do you mean?"
"Did you find what I said funny?"
"No, I'm sorry. I got lost in my thoughts."
"Hmn, so you weren't paying attention to everything I was saying."
"Believe me, I was," I assured him.
Upon reaching the training grounds, we noticed some pack members had already arrived. By 6 a.m., the field was buzzing with activity. Mateo joined us, and we stuck together since we were new. We learned that warriors are categorized into levels based on their skills and strength. Marcus was in level 2. Being new, Mateo and I were placed in level 1 alongside two other guys. Mateo and I paired up to spar together.
As I caught a whiff of his earthy scent, my gaze instinctively sought him out. Our eyes locked for a brief moment before I quickly averted my gaze. Chris stood beside him, both observing the ongoing training.
After a few more rounds of sparring, the head warrior instructed us to choose a level 2 partner to brush up our movements. Marcus wasted no time stepping forward, a grin on his face.
"Don't worry, I'll take it easy on you," he said, a teasing smirk playing on his lips.
"Please do. We're friends, remember?"
"Oh, now we're friends?" he chuckled.
At the head warrior's signal, we began our match. Marcus showcased his impressive skills—no surprise considering he was in level 2. Since we were fighting in our human forms, one of his strategies involved targeting my waist, attempting to pin me down. With his greater strength and height, his tactics proved quite effective.
At that moment, his hands were firmly gripping my waist and lower back, successfully pinning me down. "That's the fourth time I've won, right?" he asked with a playful smirk.
"Please, let's not make this the fifth time. Just take it easy on me," I said, prompting a chuckle from him.
"That's enough," Jackson interjected, his voice booming and cutting through our banter. A slight frown marred his features. "No more sparring today. Back to your respective levels," he concluded.
"Everyone, back to your levels," the head warrior echoed, his expression revealing his puzzlement at Jackson's sudden halt to our practice.
Did Jackson think I wasn't good enough to train with them? Was I really that bad? I was genuinely trying my best.
Feeling a bit dejected, I moved over to Mateo, who was dripping with sweat. "Looks like your partner didn't take it easy on you either, huh?"
His lips curled up slightly. "Not really, he was just putting on a tough act," he replied, glancing at his own partner, a burly guy with a full beard, who shot a menacing stare back at Mateo.
"He looks like trouble," I remarked.
"Really? I thought there was some sexual tension between us," Mateo quipped.
I couldn't help but laugh. "Well, there's that too."
After a few more lessons on attacking, the training session wrapped up. Mateo, Marcus, and I headed out together. Once I introduced Marcus to Mateo, he immediately launched into a stream of chatter, which seemed to captivate Mateo completely.
After a few minutes of Marcus's enthusiastic rambling, we arrived at the pack house, bustling with warriors and others. I was supposed to go back to Jackson's place, but I wasn't ready for that yet, so I decided to join them for breakfast instead.
We found a table and settled in. "This is where warriors and unmated wolves gather to eat and, you know, bond," Marcus explained as we looked around the huge hall.
"I've got two-step verification in place. I'm a warrior, and I'm also mateless," Marcus declared, a broad grin stretching across his face. This caused Mateo and I to laugh.
"You sure seem happy you're mateless. Come on, don't you want a mate?" Mateo asked.
"Of course, I want a mate. I'm already 24, but I'm in no hurry. If it happens, great; if not, I'll keep living my life," Marcus replied.
I envied his outlook. If only I could adopt that attitude, perhaps I wouldn't feel so down about Jackson's rejection and his secrecy.
"Do you two have mates? What about you, Saint?" Marcus asked, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
"Uh..." I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Jackson had made it clear that he wanted to keep our situation under wraps.
"I don't have one yet. I really hope it doesn't take too long—I want to meet my mate already," Mateo said, and I was thankful for his interruption. My mind drifted away from the continued conversation Mateo and Marcus were having.
"Are you alright?" Alex asked, concern evident in his voice.
"Not really. I doubt Jackson will ever accept me, and to make things worse, someone is out to get us."
Alex leaned forward, "What should we do? I can't recall upsetting anyone. Do you think it could be someone from our old pack?"
"Idoubt it. If it were, they would have attacked us while we were still there, right?"
"I'm not sure..."
"How's Jackson's wolf ? Is he any better?"
"Yeah, I suppose. He's been kind and friendly to me. He even talked about Bay, his ex-mate."
"At least his wolf is nice," I sighed.
His scents envelops me instantly, prompting me to instinctively search for him. When our eyes finally meet, I find him already gazing at me, his arms crossed and a scowl etched on his face. Chris steps in next to him, follows his line of sight, and catches my glance. He flashes a smile and gestures for me to join them.
I rise to make my way over, but just then, Jackson turns to Chris, mutters something, and walks away. Chris exhales deeply before he goes after him.
"What are your plans after this?" I hear Marcus ask, prompting me to turn my attention to him.
"Oh, not much. Probably just a shower and some rest," I reply.
"Why don't we hang out? We could get together at my place. Mateo already agreed."
At that moment, I wasn't keen on talking to Jackson, and it seemed he wasn't either. "Sure," I said, accepting the invitation.
"Perfect! You both still live at the apartment complex, right?" After Mateo nodded, he added, "Great, I'll swing by at 11, and then we can head to my house. Sounds good?"
We both agreed with a nod. With that settled, we finished our meal and departed, Marcus heading home while I accompanied Mateo.
"Is something wrong?" he inquired.
"Not really, why do you ask?"
"You're not supposed to go with me. You're with Jackson, remember?"
"I'd rather not see him right now."
"Did you guys have a fight?"
I gave a slight nod. "Is it something you can share with me?" he pressed.
I nodded in agreement, feeling the need to confide in someone. Since Mateo was already aware that we were mates, discussing it with him felt safe. I told him about Jackson's first mate, the whole agreement situation, and what I had mentioned the day before.
"He's really firm about keeping things under wraps, huh? Maybe it's best to give him some time," Mateo suggested.
"It's tough to do that when he keeps pushing me away and acting like this," I replied.
"Try not to stress too much. Just let time work its wonders."
"Alright..."
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"Let's go for a run," Marcus announced, already taking off his shirt.
"You've been saying that since we arrived. Fine, we'll join you," Mateo chimed in, stripping off his clothes as well. I wasn't particularly keen on going for a run, but the thought of being left alone in Marcus's house didn't appeal to me, so I followed suit.
We had only been at Marcus's place for about two hours. It wasn't far from the apartment complex. His home had a cozy vibe, with walls covered in black ink, inscribed with a language I couldn't understand. Intricate animal drawings adorned the walls. Despite the peculiar decor, Marcus's lively energy made the space feel warm and inviting.
He guided us to the backyard, where a few houses were visible, but the trees dominated the area. "There's a large black tree near another house, not too far from here. Let's race there," Marcus declared as he shifted into his wolf form. Mateo and I followed suit.
And off we went. We dashed through the trees, the wind whipping against my fur as I weaved around leaves and branches. Marcus led the way, sprinting as if his life depended on it, with Mateo trailing behind me.
That's when I caught a glimpse of it. A black wolf perched on top one of the trees before it vanished from sight. Puzzled, I slowed down, which allowed Mateo to surge ahead of me, letting out a small howl of triumph.
Maintaining an average pace, I glanced to my left and noticed a wolf keeping pace with me, just a short distance away. Its fur was a muddied brown, making it difficult to determine if it was dirt or simply its natural color.
With Marcus and Mateo far ahead, it couldn't possibly be either of them. Scared, I quickened my pace to catch up.
Suddenly, the wolf's head snapped in my direction, and it shifted its course, sprinting toward me. Before I could sound a warning howl to my friends, the wolf lunged at me.