Shattered Pieces (Wattys 2024)

Chapter 34 Shiver

Sapphire

I have been in the new pack for a short time now and one thing that hasn't changed is my love for training!

Fighting anyone or anything is the only healthy way I have found to release all the built-up tension I have surging through me, I hate being angry all the time. I don't know how my friends put up with me sometimes. I miss them heaps and can't wait to see them again, including Benny. I miss holding that cute little pup. Mark and I video call him several times a week, but I can see how hard it is for him not to have me there every day to spoil and play with the little guy.

Mark, I'm heading to the obstacle course before we start training, then meeting the kids at the recreation room.

Please be safe and stay in sight of the pack house. I won't be long my love.

Will do.

I leave our room excited for today's training. Mark is helping Zavier with pack business before he joins me.

In my excitement this morning to start training, I arrive earlier than everyone else. There is no one on the military obstacle course. After warming up, I run through the course and love that It is very different from what I am used to, which is good because I have locked every twist and turn to memory of my old course at home.

I love a new challenge and run through the course multiple times. On my third lap, a cold shiver runs down my body, creeping me out. I have a funny sensation that I am being watched. As werewolves, we have inherited behaviours that help us survive and grow a strong pack. One of these is the ability to sense change or danger around us.

I discretely look around while trying not to slow down my pace to alert the watcher that I know they are there. I try to see if I can find where the person is hiding, but I can't see anyone. It feels like the eyes are coming from the forest.

When I see some pack members turn up ready to spar, relief floods through me, I am not alone. I notice they have stopped and are now watching me, now I can feel eyes on me, but it is a different feeling. I shake the feeling as it must be in my head. I hope.

One lady comes over and introduces herself as Harper. She has brown eyes and has dyed her hair bright green, "Can I race you?"she asks.

"Ok, sounds good!" We walk to the front of the course, I recognise her from somewhere.

"Thank you for rescuing me after the rogue attack, I thought I was going to die in the forest."

That's where I had seen her before. How could I forget, she was in a bad state when I found her. Looking at her you would not even know that she was attacked. "You're welcome, how are your legs?" I am pleased that we were able to help her.

"All healed, 100%" she jumps up and down to demonstrate.

"That is awesome." I smile at her.

"On the count of three!" another pack member shouts.

"1.......2........3....... go!" as soon as he said go we both took off running. I can hear the pack shouting out both our names, I'm surprised to hear that as I thought they would all be cheering for Harper.

Harper is a little bit ahead of me, I push my body faster and harder. I manage to get in front of her, the finish line is close I can smell the victory, so I dig deep and finish first.

Harper finishes not too long after me, and we both lean over and put our hands on our knees panting. I look at Harper and smile at her. "That was so much fun, thanks!"

"I can't wait to do it again!" she gives me a friendly smile.

I manage to catch my breath before standing up. "Me too"