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Third Person's POV 5 Years Later; Jeremy walks down the line, looking at his men as they perform their final task. He feels a sense of pride as he watches his men go through the movements, and perform each move perfectly. Jeremy never thought he would see the day when he would lead his own team of warriors, but here he is, leading a team of 50 men and women. Even though his cousin told him if he worked hard enough and proved himself, then one day he could have this position, Jeremy didn't believe it. He thought they were just words to make him feel better. Hughes not only kept his word, but he pushed the little Alpha to be better, and try out for the position… After dismissing his team, Jeremy turns around and sees his cousin smiling at him. "I'm proud of you! You have exceeded my expectations. You turned these men and women into real warriors." Hughes said as he tossed Jeremy a bottle of water. "Thank you!" Jeremy smiled as he caught the water. As Jeremy walks back toward
Third Person's POV Emmett watches the large bounce house go up and he gets excited to see the kids play in it. Ruth stood with her shoulders back and her head held high. She was proud of herself that she was able to get the exact bounce house Emmett wanted. Emmett looked around the yard, making sure everything was in place before heading inside to find his mates. Two hours is usually as long as Emmett can go without being near his mates and smelling them. But this time he only made it an hour and a half before his wolf was on edge and whining for his mates. Looking around, Emmett sees the balloons were up, the bounce house was almost ready, and the decorations throughout the yard were set, everything was just right. Relieved, Emmett quickly said goodbye to Ruth before darting into the house. Dominic and Dimitri had just finished wrapping gifts when the door burst open, and a head full of dark hair came bursting into the room. Dominic opened his arms and his little Omega leap
Claudius's POV It's been so hard trying to get back into training ever since I felt him die. I just found him, I didn't even know his name. But as I heard his cry, I knew what he was to me... My mate. .... I had just graduated training, only two weeks after my 18th birthday. I was now considered a warrior, but I was entry-level. It was early in the morning, and we were out training before we took our first patrol shift of the day. We ran the perimeter of our territory and came to a stop in a little clearing to do some mid-run exercises like we usually do, before heading to our stations. It happened so fast, it was the first time I came face to face with rogues as a warrior. There weren't many of them, and we quickly took them down. But as one was dying, his painful cry made my blood run cold, and my head snapped in his direction. I screamed to my team, as I ran as fast as I could. Desperately trying to get there before they killed him. Thankfully they heard my pleas and st
Claudius's POV Hardly any of us did well during yesterday's training. To say Noah was disappointed and angry with us, would be an understatement. We had to listen to a 20-minute lecture before we were even dismissed yesterday. And as a punishment for slacking off yesterday, our whole team had to run for 2 hours straight before training today. Before my mate died, and I took all that time off to grieve him, that run wouldn't have been so hard for me. But the death of my mate weakened me, and the very little training I did during my absence to grieve him and recover, made me weaker, and now I have even less strength, than even the other Delta 3 on our team. Toward the end, I was struggling to keep up. I was so far behind everyone. My lungs burned, my legs felt like noodles, and I felt nauseous. I was disappointed and disgusted with myself. How did I get so weak? I know I'm weak compared to other Deltas, but this is far worse than I've ever been. The 10-minute break before traini
Claudius's POV I took a deep breath as I stood with my legs wide open, before slowly leaning to the left. I bring my knee over my ankle, and my left hand slides down my leg, stopping at my ankle while my right hand is held in the air above me. I held my pose, slowly breathing in through my nose, and then slowly exhaling out of my mouth before I was startled by a loud voice and fell on my butt. "Hey, twinkle toes!" My head quickly snaps in his direction, and I glare at Noah. "Really?!" I said and he leaned forward laughing. "What are you, hiding out over there, and waiting for the right moment to scare me?" I asked as I stood up and dusted myself off. "No, I was watching as I walked up, and waited for the right moment," Noah said, flashing me a smile. I chuckled as I shook my head and his smile widened. "Hey, look at that, you know how to laugh!" He said, and I felt myself blushing as I shook my head. "All right, come on Indian boy, show me what you got!" .... I felt confide
Claudius's POV We both laugh as we grab our bags and run behind a tree to change. I don't know why, but the anticipation of running and diving into the water was so high. Maybe it's Noah's silly nature, that jokester part of him. Or maybe it's because our wolves played the whole way here. Niko was beyond thrilled we didn't lose our friend. Noah and I giggle as we try to change as fast as we can into our swim shorts. This little stinker gets into his shorts faster than I can of course, and I take off sprinting hot on his heels. Noah laughs as he races down the dock before leaping into the water. A few moments later, I do the same. My knees bend, and I push off and leap into the water. As I swam underwater I saw his foot. Unable to resist, I grabbed a hold of his ankle and tugged as hard as I could. I almost choked in a lung full of water, wanting to laugh at the shocked look on his face. He recovered quickly and came back for revenge. I never laughed so hard in my life, as Noa
Claudius's POV The house is quiet and dark. The only light is the candle I have going next to me on the nightstand. It lights up the room just enough so I can see that stain. I flinch at the loud sound of thunder as it rolls, and a flash of lightning briefly lights up my room before I hear the loud sound of rain, as it beats down on my roof. I reach up and wipe my face, wiping the tears away as I stare at that spot, and hope the patch job I did holds, and the roof doesn't leak again. The sound of rain gets louder as the sky opens up and lets it down. The hot tears run down my face faster, and I can't help but wonder if the sky is crying with me. I roll onto my side, finally taking my eyes off that stain. I grab the pillow next to me and wrap my arms around it. I feel so alone, I've been in this house all day. My head has been quiet, too quiet. It's like he's been sleeping all day. Is this how humans feel? I would hate to be one, it's so lonely. My shoulders shake as I cry harder
Claudius's POV I have been a wreck all day. I haven't been able to eat. I have laid here most of the day, staring at that stupid spot. It's taking everything in me to stay in this house, and not go out there to stop him. Today is the day... He's leaving. Everything in me is screaming to go stop Noah and beg him to stay. I turn my head and look at the clock and my stomach drops, I whimper when I see the time. Unable to lay here and do nothing, I race out the door. I don't go to the pack house, instead, I head for the drive that leads to the main gate, and out of our territory. I stopped behind a tree and dropped my clothes before shifting and pulling them on. I'm just in time, and I feel the tears already running down my face as I hear the cars coming. I step out from behind the tree and hold on to it for support. I see the car coming and my heart pounds in my chest. I see his beautiful white hair in the passenger seat. His head turns and we lock eyes. I step forward as the t