Upside Down

four

        I wasn't allowed to go to school today. Instead I spent my time training against the fighters, beating most of them. I started to worry about Siqorra and wondered if she would come back. It turns out that Madison and I have three days to train for this fight. As I was stepping on the mat the last time of the day before break someone came up from behind me and hugged me. I recognized the scent as Siqorra's and turned to hug her back. "What's all this training for?" I was afraid to tell her. Alpha Sean pulled her back and explained it. She looked mortified. I assured her that I can do it and got back on the mat. I looked at Camille, her brown hair was up in a ponytail and her blue green eyes were narrowed at me. She clenched her fists and charged toward me. 

When she neared me I ducked away from the first punch and got a hit on her stomach. She bent over to hug her stomach. I winced because she was my friend and I didn't like to see her in pain. "Camille are you fine?" She nodded and alpha Sean called for break. Madison ran over to me, I could smell her sweat from a mile away. "What did you work with?" I asked. "Running and climbing. You?" I crossed my arms, "fighting." She looked down, "I'm afraid they'll shift on us and that'll be the end." Alpha Sean must've overheard this because he mind linked both of us that they couldn't shift.

She breathed out a sigh and started walking to the kitchen. "It still scares me," I said looking at her. "Me too." We walked into the kitchen and there were two plates already set up for us. Sheila walked up to me and patted my back, "you and Madison will do wonderful honey, and it won't be too long until you turn eighteen. You'll find your mate, become alpha." I looked up to her, I looked like her, dark brown eyes with gold specks, and loosely curled dark brown hair. She looked back down at me and kissed my forehead. "Sheila, thank you for the food," Madison said starting to eat. I slowly started eating.

"So, I should have running next?" I asked looking at Madison. She was staring off into space. I snapped my fingers in front of her eyes she looked at me in confusion, "what?" I rolled my eyes and repeated the question. "Most likely. We're only competing on fighting running and climbing."

"I can't believe that I'm not in my room crying about this," I said to Madison who was finishing her food. "I feel the same. I guess it's because we know it's inevitable. We'll have to do it no matter what." I nodded and saw Carter walk in. I have him a half smile, "you're coming with me," he said crossing his arms. I stood up from the table and told Madison goodbye.

I looked at the track ahead of me that belonged to the scouts for racing. Only now did I realize how big it was. It stretched for two miles and scouts would run it full speed twice to get their ranking. I stood beside Carter who was significantly shorter than me. "So since your wolf hasn't come out you'll have a bit of a harder time keeping stamina." I nodded listing to the rest of the lecture.

I stepped onto the paved track with Carter beside me. It was just speed drills so when he said to go I tried my hardest to beat him. I only lost by two seconds. Grace was timing us, a stopwatch was sat neatly in her hand. We took a minute long break before I had to run the entire track, twice. Carter was going to do it beside me so that was good. As I started running I felt my wolf stamina show through. I was trying to think of other things as I was running, maybe that would make this enjoyable. I started thinking about if they were faster than Madison and I. "Carter? Was Madison fast?" He looked at me a nodded, "she climbed a bit better, but she could definitely outrun some of the scouts."

"Thank Moon Goddess," I mumbled under my breath. I realized that I was halfway through coming back. Only a mile left Tara. My mind drifted off to the story Alpha told us yesterday. Why did he never tell us that we would have to compete. What an inconsiderate Alpha! How have they kept this a secret from the wolves of Shattered Moon Pack. I didn't realize that I was running faster until I stepped off the track because it was the end.

'Do not be mad at your Alpha. We'll make it Tara.' I whipped my head around to see if anyone was there. Nobody. Who was that? 'I'm Akino. Your wolf.' My eyes widened as I processed what I heard. So, can I shift? 'For that I cannot tell you. I will say that you'll most likely not be able to. But at least I'm here right?" I nodded to my wolf, suddenly forgetting that she's only in my head unless I shift. I heard her make a little chuckle sound in my head.

I arrived back at the packhouse, it was now around 8:00p.m. I had finished my climbing training as well as going through the whole two lessons another time. I ran to Madison to tell her the news. "My wolf finally talked to me Madison!" I practically yelled. "What's her name?" I could hear my wolf howling out of happiness, "Akino." Madison patted my back, "what a pretty name. Can you shift?" I shook my head. "Still, having her there is enough to make me want to keep going."

I walked to my room, my everything hurt. I may be a wolf, but I was completely wore out. I unlocked the door and stepped inside. My navy painted walls made my room super dark, and I turned my lights on. I stepped into the bathroom and got undressed, and turned the water on. My wolf was aching for a break and to sleep but I had to shower. I stepped into the hot water and felt it pour down my back. My muscles immediately started relaxing and I closed my eyes. I ran my hands through my hair and grabbed the shampoo. I lathered my hair with it. I let it sit in my hair for a moment before rinsing it out.

I got the conditioner and put it through my hair. I sang a song while I was waiting for the conditioner to soak in. As I rinsed out my hair I stepped out of the shower. I dried off and put on pajamas. I jumped desperately into bed and fell asleep. 'Goodnight Tara.' Goodnight Akino.