Pines Grove

Chapter 10

With a plain expression on my face, I walked out if my room, my boots thudding against the hardwood, my green eyes flicked from side to side. My nostrils flared. Taking in the many scents around me. As I walked I thought, I knew I couldn't simply kill Derek. There would be consequences, I had to challenge him. And to that, I had to find him.

I quickened my pace as I reached the bottom of the stairs. The layout of the house was quite simply. It was large, three-story, no elevator, stairs, the entire house was hardwood floors, antiques line the walls with a few tables here and there, rugs covered the floors. And of course the essentials, the kitchen, living rooms, dining room and many many rooms to house the majority of the pack.

Outside you walked into a large corridor, hedges, grass a fountain. All the normal stuff. The land around the home was forest, miles, and miles of forest. I loved it here, the air was thin and clean. But the memories that came with the familiar landscape caused me to shudder. As I walked down the path I glanced around, I wanted to avoid running into anyone I didn't want to see, let alone interact with.

A small sigh escaped my lips, finally, I stopped, once I was far enough from the house, I wanted to find Braxton before I made any drastic decisions. I inhaled deeply, trying to catch his scent, it only took a few moments for me to pick up his trail. I knew he was close, it was almost as if I could feel him. Just as I was about to pursue, my brother, Slate, stepped into my path. My eyes narrowed as I looked at him. My brother and I weren't as close as we had been when we were children, which was not my favorite thing to think about. I eyed him for a moment before breaking the silence. "Yes?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. "We need to talk Koda." He said quietly and glanced around, almost as if he was wary of someone listening. I shook my head, "Slate I'm busy. Coke by my room tonight, we can talk then." I replied and tilted my head slightly waiting for a response. He hesitated before nodding, looking around once more and walking away.

With a roll of my eyes, I continued my mission to find Braxton. After minutes if trudging through the woods, following a small game trail, jumping over logs and hurdling bushes I had found him. I walked out from behind a tree, he and a few other pack members were standing. Every one of then but Brax looked at me, many of them stepped back as I approached. They were unsure how to react, I wasn't entirely sure myself.

I took my place beside Braxton I glanced around for a moment before his voice boomed, breaking the silence. "I asked a question!" He yelled, his chest rumbling. I watched him in awe, he was very dominant which turned me on but now wasn't the time or place. I pushed my dirty thoughts aside and glanced into the small crowd, a younger Male raised his hand. "The easiest way to take down something or someone larger than yourself is to first tire it out, then go for the legs, and finish with the throat." He said and looked at Braxton with bright wide eyes, I looked at the Male. Admiring him for a moment, I remembered always being the one who had the correct answers in my class.

Braxton resumed the head combat position, which meant he taught lessons on how to hunt prey and fight. He was perfect for this, this lifestyle, this role. My parents must trust him greatly, which surprised me, all things considered.

Braxton nodded to the Male before dismissing the group with a wave of his hand. "I want ten laps." He said this time in a more calm manner. Once they had dispersed he turned to me, a smile creasing his lips. "Hey, Koda." He said quietly and wrapped his arms around me, pulling my small body against his own. I rested my head against his shoulder and took in his scent. Allowing me to relax in his grip. "I missed you," I mumbled quietly against his shoulder, I knew it had only been maybe an hour since I last seen him. But it felt like an eternity.

"I missed you too Babe." He said softly, his voice sent goosebumps up my arms. "When will you be done with class?" I asked and pulled away slightly to look at his face. I examined him for a moment before smiling lightly awaiting his response. "I should be done soon. I did want to ask you if you'd help me demonstrate a lesson." He asked softly with a slight smirk. I pulled away from him almost fully now and crossed my arms. "Oh yeah? Do you want to show everyone how badly I suck at sparring?" I laughed and glanced around before resting my eyes back on him. "Koda you know we always competed for the top position in our class." He said looking down at me, the smirk never left his lips, I wanted to kiss him so badly. "I guess." I paused for a moment thinking on his offer. "Okay, Mr. Hotshot. Let's do it." I said and smiled, slipping my hands into the pockets of my jeans. Under normal circumstances I would decline this offer, I knew Braxton was going to win. He always did. But I needed the extra practice if I thought I was going to be able to take down Derek. 

After waiting only a handful of minutes the group came back, their chests heaving and foreheads beaded with sweat. I took my jacket and hung it on a nearby branch while Braxton began speaking, "I've got something quite special for yall today. This is Koda. Yes, she is the Alphas daughter. And yes, she has been gone. But she's back now, you must all respect her just as you do Slate. Today, Koda and I will be sparring. Take notes, this will be one to remember." With the finish of his sentence, he turned and looked at me with a toothy grin. I let out a soft breath and relaxed, pushing Braxton and everything else from my mind, after a moment I had gathered myself and readied myself, bending my knees and lifting my fists. If I was going to win I couldn't go easy, I cared for Braxton but this kind of shit we both took very seriously. My eyes locked on his as he too began reading himself, mimicking my position. I gave him a small nod and he returned it, at that moment we advanced.