My Best Friends Mate

Chapter Thirty Six

I woke up early feeling relieved it was almost the weekend and I wouldn’t have to deal with awkwardness of everybody during training. I could get through one day for my brother. I felt like two different people sometimes.. I felt strong and powerful and free on the mats but I also felt annoyed that a warrior was all people saw when they looked at me and sometimes I just needed a break from the fighting. I felt like two different people with Ryan and Craig. They were like fire and water, yet both so comforting and consuming in different ways that affected my body, mind and heart. Getting dressed, I heard my phone ring. It was Emily. A pang of guilt hit me. I hadnt talked to John or Emily in a while. I wanted to but a lot had been going on.
"Hey Emily" I said, answering her call.
"Hey Kiara. Its so good to hear your voice" She said smoothly on the other line.
"Im sorry Emily.. theres been a lot going on"
"So ive heard..." Hearing her say that made me wonder exactly what it was she had heard.
Breaking the silence she said
"Dustin talks to John a lot"
That still didnt answer my question and by the tone of her voice, she sounded like she might be uncomfortable to talk further.
"Can you believe Dustin is going to be a dad?" I was trying to make small talk but Emily didnt fall for it. She knew me too well. She knew small talk wasnt my forte.
"Are you ok Kiara? Dustin told me about you finding your mate "
There it was.
"I guess he told you about Ryan too huh?"

"not in great detail, just that hes part of the picture" she said.

"I see" I said giving her a short response.

"your brother is just being protective and hes worried about you thats all. He also said your uncle Gabriel showed up!"

Yeah, change the subject Em...

"Selene told me she had two older half brothers but she had no idea where they were. I didnt know she was half lycan. Im glad you found a relative Kiara. Family is everything."

"yeah, Gabriel is great." I paused. "how is everything back home?" I asked hoping to change the subject.

"Well.. Marcus and Wyatt have been gone for about a week out of the month visiting other packs so we've been busy. The warriors are being sent out to do the crucible after this weekend and...um, Jo and Tyler are expecting their first pup, a boy."

I wasnt expecting to hear that last part. Surprisingly it didnt hurt anymore, it just surprised me. I missed Jo and I wouldn’t mind seeing her again, but would that be awkward?
Time has slipped away from me, as I began thinking about the Crucible. The crucible is a 72 hour training event where our warriors are released into the forest to implement the skills theyve learned as a warrior. Aquatic, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Shelter, scouting, fighting. Theyre released and the instructors become the mock enemy. The warriors run on very little sleep and food rations. Its more psychological than anything but it also tests their body along with their mind for real life situation and warfare. Wars dont happen in training arenas. I needed to get with Dustin this morning and talk to him about this.

"Thats great Em. Im happy for them and I hope the warriors do well at the crucible. I should probably get going and talk to Dustin about doing that here" I said.

"Ok sweetheart, ill talk to you soon hopefully. please call me if you need anything"

"I will. thank you. and im sorry ive been out of touch" I apologized.

"No worries. I get it" and I hung up the phone.

Before leaving for the training arena I sent JoAnna a text.

"I heard the news. Congrats Jo"

Immediately I heard a ding.
"Thank you so much! I miss you Hudd."

Leaving my phone on my bed. I made my way to the training arena. My brother, first one there as always, stood at the heavy bags watching Craig gracefully and beautifully deliver blow after blow. It was so fluid and as if I was watching it in slow motion. I smelled Ryan as he walked in the door and my attention left Craig. When he saw me, we couldn't help but smile but when he turned his attention to Craig, he quickly kept a straight face and walked passed me. Behind him was Beta Jasmine. She walked towards me, planting herself to my right and we watched Craig in silence.
"Ive lost count how many heavy bags ive gotten him over the years" she said still looking at him.
"Hes always boxed?" I asked her, my gaze not faltering from Craig either.
She chuckled and turned to me.
"well he was always punching and kicking things. it wasnt until he joined the human military where he was trained professionally"