One

Catriona's POV

For the umpteenth time this morning, my back hits the ground hard, stealing the breath from my lungs.

"You are so predictable." My sister Hela scowls down at me on the training mat while I try to catch my breath. "Stand up. How many times do I have to tell you? You can't attack while leaving yourself open. You'll get yourself killed."

"I'm trying." I growl and push to my knees, resisting the urge to rub over my rib where her boot connected. There might be something fundamentally wrong with my lungs because they are just not getting enough air.

"It doesn't look like it." She growls. "Quit stalling and stand up."

I glare at her but press my lips shut against the thousand excuses begging to spill forth. She is so much bigger than me, all my siblings are. They are all confident fighters that have never had to second-guess themselves. They have all manifested their wolves too, making them faster and stronger than I could ever be, evidenced by this humiliating experience this morning.

I'm the last born of four children and unfortunately for me, I was born weak. While my age-mates ran and fought and climbed trees without breaking a sweat, I could never keep up and everytime I tried, I returned with enough battle wounds that the pack healer got a permanent bed for me in his workroom. Even more unfortunately, I was born into a family that prizes strength above all else. Being Alpha Hugh's daughter means there is a certain level of strength and power that is expected of me, a level I have never been able to scale. I've disappointed everybody enough times that that standard has been lowered to heart wrenching limits and I. still. can't. meet. it.

I hate this.

"Don't be so hard on her." Orion says, throwing his arm over my shoulder. "Come on, let her catch a break."

"I can still fight." I dodge under his arm, frustrated with his coddling habits. I'm not a child anymore but between him, my parents and my oldest sister Vekra, they still conspire to treat me like one. Once they realized I was weaker than an average werewolf, all of their overprotectiveness came roaring to the surface, smothering me with too much love and affection. There's definitely something like too much love and attention because I'm suffering from it. Hela is the only person I was able to convince not to give up on me, but judging by the disgusted squint of her eyes, even she doesn't think I have any hope.

"We'll take a break." She says and stomps off.

"You're welcome." Says Orion pointedly.

"I never said thank you, I had it under control." I growl, finally drawing a full breath.

"Control weeps for your sake." He replies, typical Orion-fashion.

"Great." I mutter, plopping my ass on the mat and gulping down water while I watch Orion and Vekra. Their fight is like a deadly, choreographed dance with lethal punches, swipes and kicks. Watching Vekra in particular is like poetry in motion. She is the firstborn and heir of our pack and has earned every ounce of her deadly reputation. She is so fast that the only thing I can track is her golden ponytail, the same golden shade as all four of us, at least I'm similar to them in that aspect. I hold my breath as Orion dodges each of her powerful blows then finally attacks but she grabs his fist and uses the momentum to break his nose.

"I want to become that good." I tell Hela when she plops on the mat beside me and she scoffs but remains silent. I glance at her, noting the tightness of her jaw and her darker-than-usual glare. I thought she was just broody this morning when she ordered me to the mat but now, she just looks particularly pissed.

"Is it Hirshan?" I nudge her shoulder. "You know he'll come back."

She and her boyfriend have been on and off for two years but no matter how many times they separate, they always come back together. Both of them have such a nasty temper that they are either disgustingly in love or they can't stand each other, there's no in-between.

"It's not Hirshan." She says through gritted teeth. She finally meets my gaze and her eyes have a suspicious sheen that sends a bolt of alarm straightening my spine.

"Hela what's wrong?" I demand and she sniffs.

It feels like I was smacked at the back of my head. Hela is alot like Vekra, they are always strong, stoic and she never ever cries.

"Dad is presenting me to Alpha Kael tomorrow morning." She says.

"He is what?!" My jaw drops. "Why would he do that?"

On the mat, Vekra has defeated Orion and they are going for round two but Hela has my full attention.

"Right? It's so stupid. I'm a warrior not a broodmare to be gifted to some barbaric war alpha." The tears are gone and her voice now vibrates with anger.

"It's not that bad right? A whole procession of ladies will be presented to him to pick from. Surely you can do something to make him dislike you on sight. I mean, just be yourself." My terrible attempt at a joke is met with a bone crushing punch to my arm. I wince and clutch it, gritting my teeth through the pain but it is worth it to see the small smile on her face.

"Asshole." She mutters before her face falls again.

"That won't work at all." She wails. "You know the stupid procession is just for show. He will definitely pick the alpha's daughter, it can't be Vekra and it definitely can't be you."

For the first time ever, I'm more than happy to be excluded but Hela doesn't deserve this fate either. She has trained since birth to be an Ironbound warrior like Dad, like Mum, like Vekra and Orion, to defend the Ironbound pack till death and in a way... I suppose she is still defending our pack, just not in the way she envisioned. Our pack is in desperate need of this alliance with the war alpha. Our resources stretch thin and no one wants to admit it but it was only a matter of time before the War alpha overwhelmed us with sheer might, him being the strongest pack and all. A fortnight ago, Inya, the pack Wisdom was struck with the sudden wisdom that if you can’t beat them, join them and here we are. Not only will the alliance strengthen our borders against other wicked werewolf clans that are becoming more vicious and desperate by the day, it will unite our packs under one banner once Hela’s children with the war alpha come of age. Blood-ties cannot be broken and this alliance between the two most powerful werewolf clans would literally be the greatest nightmare of both of our enemies. In truth, Hela will be solidifying Dad's power more than any of us ever could but she will be sacrificing all of her dreams. And oh goddess, what about Hirshan?

My hand flies to my mouth to silent my gasp and her eyes water again.

"Oh goddess."

"What is it?" Vekra strides forward. When I'm done telling her, she has the same stoic, emotionless face she had before I started.

"You knew!" Hela snarls and leaps to her feet, shoving our older sister's chest. "You knew and you didn't say anything to me!"

"What use would the information have done for you?" Vekra asks.

"This is my life we are talking about!" Hela yells. "You all made a decision about my life without even asking for my input."

"Your input was not necessary, it was the only choice." Vekra says reasonably and Orion and I groan simultaneously.

This is not the first time the both of us watch while Hela's fire meets Vekra's unflappable cool and her calmness always sends Hela to dangerous heights of rage.

"You fucking traitor!" She shrieks and turns on Orion. "Did you know too?!"

He raises both hands up immediately. "I swear I'm innocent, surprisingly."

Hela glares, no doubt holding herself back from tearing into him anyway because there is no one else she fights with more than Orion. Between Hela and the two of them, it's always a chaotic house here and as usual I watch, wondering when the adults will come douse this recent fire... except they started it.

"Do you even care that I am in love with someone else or does that not even matter anymore?" Hela turns back on Vekra.

"The boy is a dimwit with the emotional maturity of a toddler." Orion drawls. "You're not missing out on much."

"Orion!" I chastise, throwing my hands in the air. Of course he's not missing a chance to rip into Hela.

"How dare you?!" Hela growls.

"You know it too, or you wouldn't dump his ass everytime but have no other option than to take him back when he comes crawling because apparently his few brains cells are dedicated to screwing your brains out." He continues. "Did I say the last part out loud?"

Hela tackles him to the ground and he shields against her punches while I stare at the absolute commotion. Vekra looks at me and sighs.

"Come on, they'll be at it for a while." She says and leaves. I spare my fighting siblings one last glance but from experience, know better than to get in between them.

Vekra and I walk in silence for a while.

"Hela will never get another chance again." I say and she nods, knowing exactly what I'm referring to.

"Once she belongs to the war alpha, she cannot." Vekra replies.

More than Hirshan, more than anything else, I know that is what pains Hela the most.

"What if I go with her? For a few months at least."

Vekra looks down at me, her brows scrunching and I wonder if she still sees only a gangly teenager when she looks at me because she is getting that patronizing look she and my parents always get before they tell me I'm too weak, too fragile.

"I'll be safe." I continue hastily. "Nobody would be stupid enough to attack the war alpha's territory. And she should not be alone." I add silently.

"I'll bring it up with Dad." She says and I sigh. That means I'm not going. If Vekra treats me like a teenager, I swear Dad hears goo-goo ga-ga everytime I open my mouth.

"See Fain about your back, and your arm." Vekra says before she turns into her hallway. Fain is the pack healer. "And get some rest."

"I will." I reply and wait a moment so she thinks I'm heading for the healer then change direction and head to my room. I don't have time to see Fain and my back is just fine.

There is a buzz of anticipation stretching my skin and quickening my feet. Hela may not be able to try anymore because she is going to another pack but I still can. I'm following her tomorrow so I have to use this last chance. It no longer matters that Dad forbade me from trying and everyone thinks I'm weak, I have to try at least once before I leave.