Know Your Worth

Chapter 2

You guys can use your imagination. No picture book here ;-)

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I clasped my hands behind my head listening to the noises my hammock made as I rocked lightly back and forth. My thoughts went back to what Trent said the day before. He was right that I needed to participate in a session with one of the fighters to earn my job as an active. I promised myself as a child that I'd become a fighter when I turned eighteen. But that obviously didn't happen. Five years later and I'm still working on it. My father, the elder, thinks I was meant to tend to the women and children whenever there was a war. In my pack, our job is to conceive children, care for the house, be a supporter of our mates, which I'm not looking forward to, and providing for the household. If I manage to meet my dream then I'd be the first active woman ever in our pack history. That's something to look forward to.

I wasn't looking to become a legend. Hell no. But I've always thought women can do more than just house duties. With my fighting skills, I knew I had the potential to be with the men. I already know that if I train with them, they won't teach me the proper way. Hence the reason I have my own trainer. 

(snap)

I opened my eyes slowly. I've learned to maintain a calm heartbeat so enemies wouldn't know I heard them. Hearts tend to beat faster than the normal heart rate from adrenaline with the possibility of someone or something being nearby. Like the way I'm feeling right now.

I prepared to flip off my comfortable hammock by gripping the fabric on my right. Keep to the right.. I threw my leg in the air and forced it to the right so that I fell off to land on the surface. With my right hand still clinging to the tree bed and my left hand on the ground, I snarled searching for whoever was spying on me. No one is supposed to know where my comfort place is.

But when I found it with an acorn stuck in it's mouth on all fours, I couldn't help but growl at the rodent that disturbed my peace. I took in a deep breath and stood at my full height. "You're lucky I don't let my wolf eat you." I sneered at the squirrel,"Next time you won't be so lucky." I said walking past it. 

***

"Where have you been?" my father half yelled. He stood there in a white t-shirt and jeans. I can tell he showered. His hair was combed back and I can smell the Brut aftershave from where I stood. But boy did he look mad. The prominent jaw line that became more visible, crossed arms, and hard face almost made me cower in submission. Almost.

"Relax, dad," I stopped when he stood in front of me with an elbow raised and a pointed look. I rolled my eyes. "I only went by the lake to give my wolf some much needed time to herself. She needed to be let out." I lied. Partly. He seemed to buy it cause his shoulders relaxed instantly. 

"She needed to be let out for hours?"

"Don't act like a wolf should only have five minutes to themselves. She needs all the time she can get. Besides, if you and mom need hours and sometimes days to yourselves, why can't I get any with my wolf ?" I challenged. He always backed down whenever I go to that topic. I do it on purpose so conversations I wasn't comfortable with would be cut short. Quickly.

He chuckled. "I suppose you're right." He turned around and walked up the stairs to go in the living room with a smirk on his face. The fuck ? 

"When am I not?" I followed him, curious about the way he was acting. 

"The reason why I wanted you here was because I have something for you." He grabbed a box I didn't notice sitting on the porch and then handed it to me.

I grabbed it, surprised by its slight heaviness, and gave it a soft shake.

"Don't shake it!" he yelled right when I heard a yelp come from inside. I took a step back from him and set the box on the ground. I quickly opened it coming face-to-face with a dark brown puppy. Brown eyes were happily looking into mine. I fell hard for the animal right away. I reached out to let the puppy smell my hand so that it can become familiar with me before I picked it up. I looked up shocked to find the puppy weighed around twenty pounds. "It's an Irish Wolfhound. A girl. They say the first person those puppies set eyes on is the one they'll remain loyal to. It will be your second shadow." he explained. His voice wasn't right.

I looked up to see a glint of mischief in his eyes before it was quickly masked with appreciation. I narrowed my eyes. "And what did I do to deserve this?" I questioned. There hasn't been any reason to reward me. If anything I caused a little trouble these past few weeks. 

I let the puppy go to let it sniff around making sure I kept an ear out in case it went too far. 

"There is another wolf pack coming to move across the street. The alpha is in search of his mate and I've allowed him to see if one of the girls could be his." He rushed out like it was no big deal. "Including you might I add."

I felt my mouth and heart drop. I felt my stare turn into a glare. "You think that mate is me don't you?" I asked, hearing my voice rise. I tightened my hands on the side to prevent me from ruining his well ironed shirt. He was the elder after all. 

"It could be Lana. You're one of the only women here who don't have a mate and the poor guy has searched everywhere." he defended using his voice of authority. People from inside were starting to crowd on the porch to see the commotion. Oh great, an audience.

I paused. "You're telling me that if I end up being this guy's mate, then you're just going to send me off with him into the sunset. Is that it?" I yelled.

"What I'm saying is that if he is, you will not reject him. You'll be shunned if you plan on going that route. And even if you were sent into the sunset, you'll be right across the street from us."

I couldn't believe this.. "It doesn't matter ! Don't you care how I feel about this father? That I'm not ready? I have other responsibilities to attend to for heavens sake. Not just wiping my mate's ass for the rest of my life." I yelled back. I heard my puppy whine from beside me.

Which reminds me...

"And you use the puppy thinking that I'll take this information better. That's so low of you." My wolf was uncomfortable with the thought of my dad using the puppy to manipulate me into having better feelings for meeting this guy.

My mother came down the stairs lifting her skirt so she wouldn't trip on it on her way down. Her presence always calmed me down. By the look on her face she was shocked at the scene in front of her. "What is going on here?" she asked.

"Did you know about this?" I pleaded hoping she didn't. She looked between father and I and stopped when she spotted the dog. Her hands dropped to her sides as she turned slowly to father with a glare on her face. "Dad got me this puppy and decides to tell me I might meet my future mate tomorrow." I sneered looking back at him.

"Seriously Harvey?" my mother asked putting her hands on her hips. Unlike everyone else, my mom supports me with my idea of becoming a fighter because she tried when she was a teenager and didn't succeed.

"She is different from the others Mallorie. It has to be her." he explained. He turned to me, "Listen to me Lana, when he comes tomorrow you better cooperate. I'm serious. Be glad I'm not the type of father who would blackmail his daughter into something as small as this. You're making a big deal over what ? Nothing ! You should be proud for the possibility of finding who you're meant to be with tomorrow." And just like that he walked away leaving my mother, the group that had gathered on the porch, and me standing outside. He was fuming.

"At least I'd have a choice if I was being blackmailed!" I yelled back. More at myself since he was already inside. The possibility of having a mate tomorrow had me pretty pissed off as well.

But of course, my wolf felt pure joy.

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Another update ? You guys are too spoiled :-)