Settle down and line up!” the guard yelled, snapping me back to reality. I glanced around the lobby of the Tri-River Transition Center, and I saw a gray bus pulling up. The other “graduates”, as they like to call us, and I were headed to the Clear Creek pack to begin our new lives.
Tri-River Transition Center or TRTC was where pups with no living or willing relatives were sent until they found a career in one of the Tri-River packs. Pack life is common here for Shifters. Werewolves aren’t just things of make-believe, we are real. Living normally, well for the most part, in the safety of our pack towns spaced away from human civilizations. TRTC is on a patch of neutral territory at the center of three packs within the Tri-River alliance, Clear Creek, Cedar Falls, and Red Rapids.
I felt the warm stale breath wisp past my ear before I heard him. “Gonna miss you around here Isla…you could always come to stay with me,” Kyson said in a breathy whisper. Yuck. “Yeah, that will be a hard pass.” I spat out, not bothering to hide my disgust. Kyson was 27, un-mated, and a predator to the girls here. I don’t know who let this fool be a guard. Mates are who the Mood Goddess bonds us to. They are your other half, the bond becomes noticeable once you turn 19. You can accept your mate, or reject them, I don’t know why anyone would reject a built-in best friend that will love you deeply and stand by your side. I used to dream of meeting my mate, but that was before my mom died. The Mood Goddess hasn’t exactly been fair to me, so no reason to believe I'll be lucky enough to find my mate.You can choose to mark anyone and forgo the fated mate bond, but those bonds were never as strong, your shifter healing was slowed and the bonds could be undone by another mark or rejected after the fact. I turn 19 next week and he has spent the entire last month trying to convince me to let him mark me. Anger flashed in his eyes as they changed from light blue to the deep chestnut brown of his wolf back to crystal blue. He went to reach for my wrist right as the guard released the locks on the main door, as he said “Grab your bags and get to your bus, don’t want to keep the Alpha waiting!”
As I headed toward the door, an idea popped into my head. I slipped past the others as they were filing out the door before Kyson could lay a sleazy finger on me. I pulled the straps of my satchel tight on my shoulders and I ran. I ran straight past the bus, the forest in the distance was my freedom. I was going to cross the border on the other side and well, I hadn’t that that far ahead. I'll figure it out. I couldn’t risk shifting to my wolf and losing my belongings, this run was all me. I just want to get away from here, it was never really my home. I don’t even remember what it was like to feel at home, to belong, to be wanted.
My lungs burned, the crisp breeze slapping against my skin as I pushed my legs harder. My wolf lent me her strength as we closed up on the tree line. “Just a bit further and the trees can hide me,” I told myself. “WATCH THE BORDERS, WE’VE GOT A RUNNER” a male's voice rumbled through my mind link. Shit, now all patrols were going to head back this way. Distracted by the mind link, I didn't notice the low growl coming from the brush ahead when suddenly a large sand-colored wolf breaks into my path. “ FUCK OFF KYSON” I wheezed over my shoulder as I quickly changed direction. Still looking over my shoulder as his wolf bounded towards me, pain erupted in my shin, a yelp leaving my lips as I tumbled and skidded through the dirt.
Spots danced across my eyes as I looked around to see who took me down. You’ve got to be fucking kidding me, a stump.
Literal animals surround me and a stupid old half-rotten stump was the one to take me down?? Kyson waltzed up having witnessed the entirety of the comedy hour I just provided. He snickered, the cracking of his bones as he shifted back.
Pulling the shards of bark from my bloody shin, there was no way I could get free now. Kyson was within arms reach, patrols had been notified and the adrenaline was waning away allowing the pain to come fully forward.
“Tsk tsk you naughty, naughty little wolf,” Kyson said, shaking his head as he pulled on a pair of basketball shorts he grabbed from the patrol basket. Nudity was normal with shifters, but Kysons body was not one I wanted to see more of. Kyson grabbed my wrist, pulling me up as Mr. Andrews approached.
Oh, goddess, my leg hurt when I tried putting weight on it. “Isla, I thought we were past this. You’re lucky to find a spot in a pack with such a kind Alpha,” he said, shaking his head. “I don’t feel lucky” I mumbled. Mr. Andrews sighed, rubbing his temples slowly as he tried to figure out his next move. He was looking at me, his eyes swimming with sadness and irritation. He sucked in a breath, “ I get it, you haven't had it easy, but you are so strong. Clear Creek is going to be your home, you can make a new life there, a good life.”
Rolling my eyes as I sighed, I slowly started limping along back toward the bus.
A new life, hmmph. I mean making a salary and being left alone wasn’t the worst deal in the world.
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The packhouse was buzzing with activity today. The TRTC was bringing in four new pack members. We even had a warrior recruit this round, I had my reservations about her, she is on the smaller side, but all her training test outs had high marks. I’ll have to see for myself how she ranks up. Looking over the single page in the file the center sent over, it didn’t offer much insight... ISLA GRACE MILLER DATE OF BIRTH: JUNE 18TH AGED: 18 HAIR: AUBURN EYES: GREEN HEIGHT: FIVE FOOT FIVE INCHES GUARDIAN - JUNE DANIELS, RELATION: MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER, DECEASED- CEDAR FALLS. SCORED HIGH MARKS: TRACKING; HAND/HAND COMBAT; TEAMWORK; FIELD FIRST AID NOTES: RUN RISK LEVEL 2; ONE ATTEMPT YEAR ONE AT TRTC. RECEIVED COUNSELING. MEDICATED WITH ANTIDEPRESSANT FOR YEARS 1-3. CLEARED FOR DISCONTINUATION OF USE AFTER REASSESSMENT. “Alpha, you’re needed in the main hall” Grayson, my Beta’s voice filtering through the mind link. Bringing me back from my thoughts, I closed the folder and placed th
“Isla, hun, we’re here” Mr. Andrews spoke softly as he tapped my shoulder. Stretching my arms up as I yawn, I take in my surroundings. Outside the bus is a massive building, which must be the packhouse. This packhouse was far more elegant compared to the packhouse I grew up in. This place looked like a fancy hotel. Three stories, stonework from the ground up, rich wood doors and windows. Wow, I thought to myself. Glancing down, my shin is all healed so I grab my satchel, and make my way off the bus. Standing out front of the packhouse was a statuesque blonde-haired man. He must be a ranked member by the size of him and his muscles. Well if I’m going to live here, at least the sights will be nice. His lips curled up in a smile that showed his white teeth that contrasted against his lightly tanned skin. “Welcome to Clear Creek! I am Beta Grayson and we are so very happy to have you here. I’ll take you inside, show you around the common areas and get you set up with your pack sponsor
The patrol had nothing to report, which is a relief before we head into the ceremony tonight. Making my way through the packhouse to my room, my wolf pushes forward stopping me on the second floor. Something smells delicious, and sweet, like honey and cinnamon. Mhmmm. Someone must have gone to the bakery after the shift. After a quick shower, I tug on some jeans and a nice button-up shirt. My dad was always one for a suit or slacks at the least. That just isn’t my style, I don’t dig the formal look, I like to look professional but approachable. I decided when I became Alpha to not be one of the stuffy ones, to treat my pack as my father did, like family. No need to instill fear into them, they should respect me because of the way I lead and how I act, not because they are scared I will throw them in the cells and beat them. Rolling my sleeves up, I spray a bit of mousse on my hand and waggle my hands through my hair. Rinsing my hands as I glance at my reflection, I’d say I look re
Sitting at a table with Kyle, Steve, Suzie, and Grayson I cannot stop myself from staring at Alpha Zac as he addresses the pack. I thought Grayson was delicious-looking, but fuck he was just a snack compared to Alpha Zac. He is built like a sex god. He was at least a foot taller than me, with chocolate brown hair that was perfectly tousled. Longer on the top, short on the sides. Piercing blue eyes, the same color as the rivers around us. A slight bit of scruff was neatly outlined on his sharp jawline. I could see every budging muscle under his dress shirt. Corded forearms were showing as his sleeves were rolled back. He wasn’t an Alpha that stayed inside behind a desk, no, his skin glowed with a tan that had to be earned from working in the sun. I’d like to climb him like a tree. I shake the thought from my head. Who am I kidding? Like he would ever be interested in me. I attract weirdos like Kyson… and Kyle apparently because he is sitting across from me waggling his eyebrows
I had just sat down on the couch in my office with a whiskey in my hand when a light knock came at the door. “Come In,” I said. Fiona walked into a file folder in her hand. “Alpha” she purred, tossing the folder down and making her way toward me. She wasted no time dropping straight to her knees in front of me. I could smell her arousal as my jeans started to get tight. She ran her hands up my thighs, reaching my waistband. She licked her lips and fluttered her eyelashes as her hands started undoing my belt and jeans. Slowly she freed my hardening cock, her eyes filled with lust. I tipped back my glass, finishing my whiskey in one gulp, and setting the glass down. I ran my hand through my hair right as she swirled her soft tongue around my shaft. Fuck that felt good. I lean back, relaxing on the sofa. Fiona takes her time easing her mouth over my cock while her hand starts to pump. Finding a rhythm, she starts bobbing her head, twisting and pumping her hands over my full erection.
I don’t even remember falling asleep when I am jolted awake by the blaring of my alarm clock. Today is my first day of training and after that encounter last night, I better be on my best behavior. I can’t believe my nerve of Kyle. Who does he think he is, trying to answer for me and at that making it seem like we were involved? He was the last guy I’d want in my room. Turning the knob of the hot water in the shower on, I strip down. I catch a glimpse of the light pink raised keloid scars on my back in the mirror. Trouble is the last thing I want to be in today. Reaching in and testing the water, it's perfect. I step in, letting my body relax as the warm water wraps me up and I close my eyes. My mind starts to wander back to what I saw last night…Alpha Zac’s huge appendage was out on full display. I didn’t realize he had a girlfriend, couldn't be his mate, they weren't marked. His rock-hard cock consumes my mind as my hand trails down to my wet slit. I didn’t get to look long but
“Isla, come in, close the door and take a seat,” I say motioning to the leather chairs across my desk from me. I take a minute to appreciate this gorgeous auburn goddess in front of me. She is still in her workout clothes from training. Her perfect tits are spilling out the top of this black sports bra and the way those leggings hug her juicy ass has me sporting a semi. She sure as hell showed why she is here as a warrior, all my doubts surrounding her size are well gone. I must be staring well too long because she speaks first. “Al-Alpha, I apologize for the uh, interruption last night, it was a misunderstanding and won't happen again” I can smell her fear, does she think she is going to get punished for this? “Well that is not the reason I called you in here, but it would be appreciated if you kept your socializing to your room and didn't enter my office without knocking “ Her cheeks flash pink, “Yes Alpha” she nods. Turning back to the paper on my desk, I clear my throat and s
The last few days have been a blur. I have spent so much time on calls with The Great Council getting as up-to-speed on Isla’s dad as I could be. My wolf and I were still so angry at the thought of Isla being beaten almost to death. Who does that to a child, their child, a child with no wolf to heal her? It does answer the question of her scarring. I get chills thinking of all those scars. Each scar was an everlasting reminder of a beating she took, the pain she had to bare. Did it go on for years? Did Alpha Damon know? Surely he didn’t. What kind of sick fuck would let that go on in their pack? I have not yet had to hand down any severe punishments in my pack but I know that for certain I wouldn’t have stood by and let that happen. I have Grayson reviewing all patrol schedules to ensure there are no week spots in the coming future. Alpha Garret said he would let us know the day of transport, but due to security measures he couldn’t give more advance notice. We were going t