Broken Wolf

11

As soon as we reach the royal pack and pass through the warriors patrolling the boarder I slip out of the moving vehicle hoping not to be noticed. I follow the trucks and watch as they park outside of a mansion. I see Bane approach a big man. He looks to be 20 max but with our species immortality he could be much older.

I shift to my human form and dress stretching out my sore muscles.

Hannah gets out of one of the trucks holding a crying Oliver. I guess their ride wasn't peaceful. Just as Hannah gets the boy calm Bane calls her over. I watch as he introduces her to the man who turns out to be the king! So he's like old enough to be my dad!

"I know you just got here but it would be easier to start your men with this wave. If you all are ready." The king says. I wasn’t fully paying attention to the conversation but I definitely want in on this special training. I sneakily follow the men to a large open training ground already half filled with men and women.

"Alpha!" A big man calls and the king walks over to him. It's amazing to me to see how the king commands the attention of everyone so effortlessly.

"How's the training coming, Asher?" The king asks.

"Could be better. Not sure this group will cut it." The man, Asher, responds.

"I trust you, Gamma. These men would be wise to follow your lead." The king tells the Gamma but something tells me he is talking more to the men as his voice carries over the crowd.

"Have time to join us Alpha Alic?" The Gamma asks and the king shakes his head.

"Not today, son. I was just checking in on you. Train them well." The king says before leaving.

"Alright men, face front." The Gamma says and everyone snaps into formation including our Ice Winters warriors. "We start with rapid shift training. Show me you can shift in seconds and you will move on into fight training where you will learn to use both forms seamlessly in battle. When the timer dings you shift. Miss a shift?... let's just say I have impeccable aim." He tosses a baseball into the air. "Begin."

On the first ding everyone begins to shift. Only about half of them are in wolf form when the timer dings again telling them to shift back. Balls start flying and I cringe as they hit the warriors. That's gonna leave a mark. I watch as two boys around my age run to collect the balls and return them to the Gamma, laughing all the while.

"I'm gonna try this." I whisper to myself.

I'm hidden in the woods near the clearing and am sure no one will see me so I strip my clothes and start to shift. It took a couple minutes the first time but I kept focusing on each part of my shift. In the span of about 20 minutes I went from a over 2 minute shift to a 45 second shift. At that point I'm panting and collapse to the ground.

"That was impressive pup." I hear and look behind me where a man stands. As soon as I turn he closes his eyes. "Get dressed, pup. We need to have a little talk." I blush at that and quickly dress myself.

"Umm... I'm decent." I say.

"Your shift took less than a minute. How long have you been practicing?" He asks.

"Just for this training session, sir." I respond feeling how powerful he is.

"You have a white coat so you're from Ice Winters. You are hiding in the woods so I'm guessing you aren't meant to be here... which warrior do you belong to?" He asks. Obviously knowing what's going on.

"Not telling. They'll send me back." I say and he sighs.

"Come along pup. You must be hungry. Can I at least know your name?" He asks and I open my mouth to answer but stop. Bane is friends with the king so giving my name could be a bad idea. If this guy tells the king he will tell Bane and it's all over.

"You first." I answer.

"I am Malaki, Beta of this pack, and you are?" He pushes to know my name.

"I'm... my name is... Lexie." I tell him and he chuckles.

"I'm pretty sure that's not your real name but come along, Lexie. We'll get you fed and then we're gonna have a talk." I'm not sure his obsession with feeding me but he is right, I'm hungry.

I follow the beta back to his home and it's crazy! I swear he has 82 kids! Well maybe not that many.

"I know, it's a madhouse but I wouldn't have it any other way." He says leading me into the kitchen. "Ruby!" He calls and a lady comes in giving him a kiss. "This little pup managed to keep up with Asher's training. I think that requires a good meal."

"And plenty of water. Come on I'll get you sorted." The lady, Ruby, adds taking my hand. I guess that's how he knew I'd be hungry. "Mason James Rose! Do not throw that ball in the kitchen! How many times do I have to tell you!"

"Come on ma! I gotta practice!" An older boy complains picking up the ball.

"Outside!" His mother orders and he obeys. "Now, do you like turkey? I can make you a sandwich for something quick."

"Yes ma'am turkey sounds good." I answer and she hums pulling out stuff foe my sandwich. After I've eaten and had two glasses of water the Beta clears his throat.

"I get following your parent when they leave. Wanting to know what's going on... believe me I get it. I've done the same thing, but do you know how worried your parents must be?" He scolds me.

"Parents are dead." I answer.

"I'm sorry to hear that but whom ever you followed here will be a wreck when they realize you aren't at home."

"I have at least a day before my aunt calls him." I say and he sighs.

"How about I make you a deal. You can stay here for the night as long as no one reports you missing. Tomorrow you tell me everything. We'll talk to Alic and I'll try to help you as best I can but you can't just run off on your own. Do we have a deal?" He asks and I nod. It gives me another day to figure out how to get Bane to let me stay.

"Deal."