His Beta and His Mate

Military Camp

I woke up to the sound of  horn blaring and it made me really uncomfortable. Where the hell did they even get a horn anyways? I think it was a trumpet...?

I left the tent after the horn stopped and I had gotten changed into some leggings, a tank top and a baggy sweater. They were all waiting outside for me what I got out. It was pretty scary because I could tell they all meant business.

The second thing I noticed was how weirdly Kayla and Alicia got along after one day. I mean, they are tenting together but that was because they both do nothing but talk. However, they are both from the two different packs which makes me think that this rivalry has something to do just with Nathan and Cody for some stupid reason.

I'm going to find out that reason.

"Alright, start running laps!" Rabecca shouted and Sierra nodded to agree with her.

Brianna let out a groan before she started to run. I was really confused, "why is she running too?"

Sierra rolled her eyes, "because you idiot, she's got to start training to become a Luna. You on the other hand, you're way behind and just have to start training to become a werewolf."

"Yea," Rabecca agreed with her, "after you get the werewolf part down, then you can start the Luna part."

I was confused, I had no idea what Luna was or what training for it meant. But I figure I can have question period later on during this camping trip slash military enclosure. Because I feel like I'm being trained to become a part of the military.

So I started to run.

I followed Brianna, though it was really hard. She ran much faster than I ever hoped to run. Seriously, she could be the fastest person on this planet. Sadly, she didn't look like she was trying to give it all she's got.

I was hoping that at some point - probably about ten minutes in even though it felt like hours - my mysterious werewolf blood would kick in and I would get a burst of energy. But it never did.

Figures, when I want it to kick in, it hides deeper in my DNA. Seriously, I don't think I've ever gotten this tired while running. When it all became too much to try and keep up with speedy Fred (AKA: Brianna) I slowed down to a healthy pace that I could keep up with for a longer time.

"Slowing down already?!" I heard Sierra's sarcastic and annoyed voice yell across the way.

Brianna and I were running laps around our rather large camp area that could hold three houses and back yards. It was huge. The rest of them were just sitting in the middle around a campfire they lit and were cooking breakfast that was starting to smell really good right about now.

"She's doing great, stop harassing her," Lauren shot angrily.

I could sense her eye roll that came to follow, "its called motivation and discipline, not that you would know anything about that."

"Stop!" Rabecca yelled rather loudly. "We have to work together if we are going to whip them into shape, that means we have to set aside our differences just for the time being and when this is all over I'll let you fight it out. But right now, lets pretend were friends."

I wanted to agree with her because she made a very valid point but I couldn't find my voice. This running was hard stuff, I can only imagine how hard the rest of it is going to be.

When they let me stop running, they had finished eating breakfast and had put everything but my plate away. Brianna was told to keep running because she wasn't tired yet, and she had already eaten breakfast before they made her run.

I was not allowed to sit down, however. I had to pace while I ate. Because it helps your legs or something.

When I finished, Lauren took me for a walk in the woods to teach me the politics part of my learning. Awesome, this is where I get to ask questions.

"Before you ask any questions," she started.

"Dang it," I said under my breath.

She heard and let out a little chuckle, "Each day I'll explain to you something different and at the end of the week the other girls are going to quiz you.

"Wait, why the walking?" I quickly asked before she could continue with her lecture.

She smiled at me, "you need to get strong and the easiest way to do that is to keep moving, keep practicing." I nodded, a little sad that I couldn't sit down yet. My legs hurt, but they weren't killing me anymore. I bet if I did stop though, I would collapse onto the ground.

"To get started," she began, "you need to learn the titles of the different members of the packs. Every pack has an Alpha; example Cody and Nathan, a Beta; example you and Jeremy, and a pack warrior; example my mate Alex. I'm not sure who your pack warrior is because he wasn't present at the meeting we went to. Also a pack may have a third in command - also known as Delta - who acts as Beta when the Beta is forced to act like an Alpha for a short period of time. Luckilly, your third in command has been taking you place while your, well, human. His name is Garret."

"That explains why you and Alicia are here, and I already figured out why Kayla was here. Sierra is here because she's watching over Brianna who is Nathan's mate and that explains why they are here. That means Rabecca or Rabecca's mate is third in command?" I asked. I think this was starting to make sense.

She nodded happily at me, "good! You're a natural at this! Rabecca is third in command for Cody's pack and her mate is Benjamin. Now, and Alpha's mate is called a Luna if its a girl and Sentinel if its a boy. Sentinel is another name for protector, it may sound funny and out of place but its really not. See, Luna is because we are stronger at night when the moon is shining. Luna signifies that the female Alpha is strong enough to lead her pack alongside her mate. Sentinel tells us that this male lives for protecting his mate and his pack."

I looked at her a little confused, "its difficult to explain. But, you'll understand once you see it out there in the real world. Alpha pairs look after each other and their pack as equals. No one person goes before another."

I nodded, "I understand that. And now I get why we had a whole unit on wolves in grade five. It was for all the werewolves in the school, humans just took it because it was part of the curriculim."

She laughed lightly, "see, you get it! A natural, what'd I tell you!"

We headed back and she allowed me to ask questions about the different rankings and how Nathan was planning on giving someone else my title. It was all pretty interesting.

By the time we had gotten back I had forgotten all about what was waiting for me back at camp.

"Put these on!" Alicia shouted and threw a couple of finger-less gloves at me. She was very serious, I don't think I've ever seen her this serious before.

"For what?" I asked quietly.

She smiled at me, it was an evil smile. I was about to shit myself I was so scared. "Becasue Niki, today I get the honour of teaching you how to defend yourself in a fist to fist battle!"

"Ah shit," I muttered as I quickly slipped on the gloved and pulled the velcro tight on the wrists. She had her fists up and she was ready to start throwing punches. "No tips or techniques?" I asked, my voice a little shkay.

She slowly shook her head, "I believe in acting before thinking."

I let out a little sigh, bring on the burises I guess.