From The Ashes

Chapter Three

I slowed my pace and tried to keep my head down as I arrived in town. I just wanted to get to the training arena without causing any issues today.

 I glanced up as I passed my favorite bakery. It was owned by Artemis's family, the Henley's, and was one of the only places I could just hang out without people making jabs at me. I smiled and waved at Mrs. Henley through the large, glass windows that made up most of the front, but I didn't stop to visit. My mind was focused on getting to the arena and doing my routine.

 We didn't have an actual session scheduled today due to graduation, but most of the warriors of my class would be there anyway. We were all pretty serious about keeping up with it.

 A few minutes later, I was pushing open the heavy wooden doors that led into building connected to the arena. I turned right down a hallway and entered the girls locker room. As I was making my way to gather the wraps for my hands, a leg shot out in front of me, while a palm was pushed flat against my back. I tumbled onto the ground and landed in an unceremonious heap.

 Groaning, I turned to look at my perpetrator and was met with a sparkly pink smirk and icy blue eyes. "Next time watch where your going, Omega." She spat as her two cronies in the back snickered. I shot them a glare and took in their appearances. 

Although we were all related by our father, I looked nothing like them. They all had varying shades of blue eyes, Gina's being the most vibrant. She was the oldest of the three, but was still two months younger than me. Her hair was as long as mine, but that was where our similarities ended. Hers was a warm honey blonde, streaked with lighter blonde highlights and molded into big, voluminous curls. She was long, lean, and tanned and she had wiggled herself into the tiniest training uniform she could find. I'm not sure why she did it; as much as I hated her she was definitely beautiful and she attracted a lot of attention.

 Jackie and Jamie, my other two half- sisters, were still smirking at me and mirroring Gina's body language. They weren't actual twins, but being only 12 months apart they got lumped together a lot as children and I guess that stuck with them as they grew. 

They both had medium length dark blonde hair and pale blue eyes, but Jackie had more delicate, soft features, whereas Jamie's face was all angles and sharp lines. Gina and Jackie were also blessed with full, pouty lips, and you could see where Jaime over lined hers to try and fit in with her sisters.  

I wasn't in the mood for a confrontation right now, so I muttered a half-assed "sorry" and attempted to get up. I was unsuccessful, though, as Gina's designer sneaker pushed me back down. 

"We heard daddy invited you to the castle tonight for a little talk. You better not tell anyone about it. And don't you dare be seen entering the castle. we don't need any pack members thinking you mean anything to us. Remember your place and stay out of our way," she all but snarled at me.

I grit my teeth, but nodded my head. 

"Good," she smiled and removed her foot. She flipper her curls, then stepped over me and walked out the door with Jackie and Jamie in tow.

I got up and made my way to my locker and threw on my red and gold training shirt. It wasn't anything special, just a plain maroon-red t shirt with the name of our pack, Moonlight, written in gold lettering on the front. I retied my hair into a ponytail and walked into the arena. 

I was greeted with the sound of clanking swords, and fists connecting with flesh. I breathed in and smiled. This was my happy place, the place where I really excelled.

 The arena was built almost like an amphitheater, with rows of seating circling the grounds and ascending up the sides. The grounds themselves were divided into sections. In one part, there were all kinds of workout equipment; like treadmills, weights, and punching bags. Keeping up your stamina and building muscle was an important part of training, even from the very beginning.

 There was another section a little further along where warriors trained with weapons. This included swords, daggers, armor, and even a small patch of field lined with targets to practice  shooting archery. To my left was the medical station, where we were bandaged up after trials if needed. 

We could also learn basic first aid for the field. A lot of warriors skipped out on that class, as it was optional, but I had taken it because I didn't have anyone besides Artemis that I could rely on if I were to ever get injured in battle. There was also a water station, with ice baths and stretching mats included. 

In the middle of it all was a large ring that sat on a raised platform and was surrounded by rope. This was where the trials and battles happened. Our trainers decided what kind of battle you would do- whether it was hand to hand combat, or weapons- but we weren't allowed to shift in here. 

For fighting in wolf form, we would go into the forest near a stream about a half mile from the arena. Trials were held when members of one class wanted to move up a level. I had worked really hard to beat all the trials thrown at me and become the top warrior student.

I rolled my neck and shoulders and approached a punching bag near the workout station. I finished taping my hands and began flying my fists. I could go faster, but I didn't want to wear myself out before the ceremony tonight.

 My fists kept coming in contact with the bag though, and soon my hands were aching so I began rotating with kicks. I took a break and sipped some water, wondering where Artemis was. She had told me she would meet me here

. A creeping feeling went up my spine, but I shrugged it off and went to the weights section. Just as I was about to lay down on the bench seat, another werewolf slid onto it. 

"Move it Omega, you probably couldn't even bench the bar anyway," said Marc.

 Just my luck. He knew I was top of the class, but it pissed him off that someone of lower rank and different genitals could be better than him. He was the Beta's son, and he sure did act like it. You'd think he'd pull his head out of his ass at some point, but nope, he was still going strong.

 "Seriously Marc? I need to get my benching done. Why are you even over here? You were jogging literally just a second ago," I replied. 

"I was, but now I'm doing this so get out of here," he said. I huffed and faked like I was walking away, but turned around and quickly shoved him off and took my place. I smirked and began my presses. 

"Thanks so much for seeing it my way Marc." He growled at me and shook his head, but walked away. 

When I was finally finished with my workout, which included more lifting and practice with daggers and archery, I was relaxing in an ice bath when Artemis suddenly appeared in front of me. 

"Where have you been? I did my whole routine alone and you were gone. What's up?" I asked her. She shrugged. 

"Mom and dad needed help at the bakery. Besides it wasn't a scheduled day anyway," she replied but I noticed she wouldn't hold my gaze for long. I brushed it off. 

"Fine, I forgive you. This time," I smirked at her and she smiled. 

"Okay, you seriously need to get out of that bath and get over to my place. Aunt Maddie gave me the go ahead to make you drop dead gorgeous for tonight!"

"But-" I spluttered, but I was already being pulled out. Artemis threw a towel at me.

 "Hurry up, let's go! We only have thee hours!" She called over her shoulder as she was already booking it to the exit. I laughed and tossed the towel around my shoulder before following her out, feeling calmer than I had all day. Maybe things would be okay after all.