Chapter One: Amber

“Well, well, well if it isn’t Amber Tremaine,” the pimple faced wolf calls as he steps onto the training mat.

“Mack. How unfortunate to run into you.”

Mack’s face turns red. A sign his temper is on the rise. I smirk. He’s too easy.

“Remember the move I showed you?” Jake whispers.

I nod to him.

“Good. Use it when he lunges. Finish this quickly and I’ll buy you dinner,” Jake replies.

Mack lunges at me, grabbing hold of my waist. I bring up my elbow and slam it down on his spine. His arms loosen, giving me enough space to arch back and knee him in the chest. His hands grab at his chest, trying to help him breathe. He’s distracted and I use that to my advantage. Stepping away from him completely and lunging before he can catch his breath. I pin him easily; his growls fill the training grounds. His body thrashes around, testing my hold. My hands firmly keep his wrists down, my knee pushes further into his chest until he concedes.

Jake whistles. “Good job, A!”

He claps as I take a bow and hop down from the mat.

“Bitch, you might have all of Moonbeam Hills fooled, but not me. I know who you really are.” Mack stands, his words spitting themselves at me.

Jake clenches his fist, ready to defend my honor. I put a hand up to stop him.

“Now, now, Mack. I know you’re upset that your attempts to get in my pants have been futile, but that’s no reason to be so rude. You know your life might be a lot easier if you’d just accept that I would rather die than ride your pencil dick.”

I leave the training grounds as laughter erupts around me. Jake jogs to catch up with me, throwing his tanned arm around my shoulders when he finally reaches me. I shrug his arm off and politely smile.

“Sorry.”

I look up at my best friend. His award-winning smile reminds me of the day we met. Shortly after arriving here, Mack started to cause trouble for me. His sexual advances became too much one day, and I punched him. The Alpha saw, and instead of punishing me, got Jake to train me, so I could fend off any men should the occasion arise. Also, so I wouldn’t break my hand every time I threw a punch.

“So, you owe me dinner. What should we get?” I open the door to my home.

When I first moved to Moonbeam a year ago, I practically begged Alpha Stephen and Luna Monica for a place of my own. I just wanted to live out the rest of my days alone. Thankfully, they allowed my request, blessing me with my sage green cottage.

“I don’t care. You pick.”

“Pizza. You order, I’m gonna change.”

“Pizza again? You are obsessed!”

Oh, Jake. You have no idea. Pizza is Alex’s favorite food, and it quickly became mine after I left.

I can’t decide if that’s just desperate or sweet. Vera smirks.

Desperate, definitely, I reply.

I move into my bedroom and collapse on my bed. As sweaty as I am, I should change or shower, but my energy is zapped. I lay there, face down, letting my mind drift. Over the last year, so much has changed for me. Moonbeam Hills became my official pack three months ago when I definitively decided not to go back to Onyx Flame. I just celebrated my one-year anniversary of working at the daycare. Watching toddlers is exhausting, but I love it. Those pups have become my entire world. I’ve completely stayed away from men and sex. Besides Jake and a few of my coworkers, I don’t socialize. My cocoon of isolation has been a great thing for me. It keeps me safe. I can’t hurt anyone, and no one can hurt me.

The doorbell rings, pulling me out of my thoughts. Rushing around, I pull some maroon sweats and a hoodie onto my body before following the scent of pepperoni to my kitchen. Jake hands me a plate with three slices on it. Grabbing his own, he leads me to the couch.

We eat in a comfortable silence. Only the sounds of Jake’s favorite crime show fill the air.

---

The sound of knocking begs me to emerge from my slumber. My eyes are heavy as I open them. The insistent knuckles on my door don’t allow me to give into my body's ache for more sleep. In a huff, I pull myself from bed and to the door.

“The Alpha needs all the warriors down at the training grounds, so get dressed,” Jake says as he pushes his way in.

“I’m not a warrior?” I yawn.

“No shit, A,” Jake snaps. “I’m sorry, I need coffee.”

“You know where everything is. I’m going back to sleep.”

“Are you not listening? I just said we are needed at the training grounds. Get dressed. We have to be there in 15.”

Goddess, his attitude is complete shit today.

“I’m listening. I’m just not hearing why I’m supposed to care.”

“Alpha asked for all the she-wolves. So, go get dressed and let’s go.”

I say nothing as I turn on my heel, scurrying to my room. The mirror catches my eye as I’m pulling gray sweatpants and an enormous shirt over my toned body. Who knew that training would transform my too thin body into the filled-out frame I have now?

“Ready.”