Chapter Two: Amber

Jake grumbles and sips his dark coffee. Once we arrive at the training grounds, the place is overfilled with she-wolves. It looks like every young she-wolf capable of shifting is here. I give Jake a look and he shakes his head. We hang towards the back, waiting for Alpha Stephen to make his announcement. The she-wolves seem excited while the warriors seem worried. Jake is overly quiet, and I wonder if he knows more than he’s saying. Maybe his attitude this morning was less about the early rise and more about whatever is going on. Alpha finally walks onto a training mat. It’s easy to get a good look at him while he’s standing in front of us. His gray hair is oily and messy, like he’s been yanking on it all night.

Or Luna Monica was yanking on it all night. Vera snickers.

Grow up.

Alpha Stephen’s face has seen better days. The circles under his eyes are several shades darker than normal. His forehead is creased with worry.

“There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to come right out with it,” He pauses. “Multiple she-wolves were just reported missing last night from Lunar Harvest. As you know, that is only 3 hours from here. I gathered you all today to start you on a training regimen. She-wolves have been going missing all over the country.”

Protests break out from the crowd. Alpha Stephen puts his hand up, silencing the annoyed girls instantly. “I understand that this is not how you want to spend your days. However, I would be a terrible Alpha if I knowingly allowed the she-wolves of my pack to remain untrained and unprotected when danger lurks. You will each be paired with a warrior who will be responsible for your training. Beta Luke will let you know who your trainer is and get you set up. This is serious, and I expect everyone to act accordingly.”

Jake keeps his face free of any emotion. Though if I know Jake, I know he’s angry. My face, however, is an open book to the confusion and fear that is pulsating through my veins.

“Amber, you have enough training, so you don’t have to be here if you don’t want to. I could really use Jake’s help with training the younger wolves.” Beta Luke looks through his clipboard. “Actually, you could help us train them, too. Some of these she-wolves are thinking of becoming warriors, but many of them are thinking of more domestic careers. Seeing you out there fighting could give them the hope they need. That they can learn to fight without screwing up their career path.”

“Um, I don’t mind maybe giving them a few tips or even showing up for training to show them. I don’t want to train them though. I don’t think I could do that.”

I know me, and I’m not patient enough to deal with angry teenage girls. I do like his idea of showing them that a woman with a ‘domestic job’ can still whoop some ass.  

“That works for me. Start with that group over there and make your way around to all of them.”

“Amber, are you sure you don’t need more training?” Jake asks.

I shoot him a look, snapping his mouth shut instantly. He knows I’m more than capable of handling myself now. We didn’t train four hours a day for the last nine months for nothing. Beta Luke looks between Jake and me, before turning on his heel and dragging Jake away with him. I turn to the groups Luke asked me to drop in on. The first group I watch only solidifies my decision. Most of the young women aren’t paying any attention to the warriors shouting instructions in front of them.

I step onto the mat. “Is it okay if I show them something?”

The warrior nods with an impatient huff.

I look around the field until I see a warrior that will work for my demonstration. “Hey, Melony, could you help me out for a sec?”

“Sure, what are we doing?”

“These girls couldn’t be more disinterested in what’s happening. I thought we could take on these big, strong men to give them motivation.”

“Hell to the yes. I get Brody.” She winks.

I chuckle to myself. That girl is so in love with him, and he’s not even her mate. That doesn’t stop her though, she just can’t help herself. Loneliness creeps up my spine. Sometimes it’s hard to watch everyone else be loved when I know that I have a loveless future ahead.  

I clear my throat and head. “All right ladies, listen up. Melony and I are going to show you some things we’ve learned in training. Brody and Duke have been nice enough to volunteer, so pay attention.”

Melony and I line up across from Brody and Duke. Their faces hold more curiosity than confusion. I nod at Duke, and he lunges for me. I drop, missing his grasp. He trips over his feet and barely stands above me. I swipe his legs out from under him. Once he’s on the ground, Brody takes off towards Melony. Melony gives him a sweet smile before meeting his attack. He hesitates to hurt her; I spy a little love in his eyes, too. Goddess, what is with me today? Melony doesn’t hesitate, clocking him right in the jaw. I look up to see all the girls with their eyes on us. My plan worked, so it looks like I’m not so bad after all.

“If you want to learn how to protect yourself, you have to do the training. Now, Brody and Duke are your teachers, but I will be around if anyone needs me.”

I say thank you to the guys and Melony before jumping off the mat. I ignore Jake’s heated gaze on me as I walk along the field. A nervous burn settles in my stomach as I check on the other groups. My mind keeps wandering to the missing girls. What is going on? Obviously, something or someone is doing this, but why? How? The unanswered question lays heavily on my mind.