Chapter 18

OAKLEY

They gave me a break from the evaluation in human form before the evaluation in wolf form. I didn’t need a break but I grabbed some water and used the bathroom anyway. I got back out to the training field to where Greg and my grandfather were standing talking to a female. She was tall, pretty well built. She looked like she worked out quite a bit. She had long brown hair and Brown eyes. She looked a little familiar but I couldn’t place where I had seen her before.

“Oakley, this is Bethany.” Greg said as I approached.

“It’s nice to see you again Oakley.” she said. I must have looked confused because what she said next cleared up a few things.

“We met last night at the festival. Melissa introduced you to us. we all talked about going to the lake on weekends.” She explained.

“Ahh. Forgive me. A lot happened last night and I met quite a few people.“ I told her.

“That’s totally understandable. You’re new to the pack. You will get to know everyone as time goes on.” She said. I hoped that she was right.

“Bethany will be your sparing partner in wolf form.” Greg said when we finished talking. She smiled at me. She seemed more genuine than serenity and I wondered why they had chosen her to spare with me in human form when she was clearly not very good. I wasn’t about to question their methods though.

“Do you see that building over there on the side that looks like a stable? That building is for those who don’t like to undress in front of others to shift in. There is a place where you can store your clothes in the stall and even lock them with a finger print code so no one steals your clothes.” My grandfather said to me as he pointed to a large building that I had seen but wasn’t sure what it was. Most wolves didn’t care about being naked in front of each other as it was a normal thing when shifting. Especially if one had to shift in a hurry Cause their clothes to shred. My grandfather knew enough to know that I avoided being naked in front of others but I also suspected it had something to do with my being mated to the alpha and not wanting any trouble. I walked over to the building with Bethany. When we were out of earshot of Greg and my grandfather she started to talk again.

“I have no idea what they were thinking, pairing you with serenity. Maybe they thought you could teach her a lesson. Clearly you did but she obviously didn’t get it. You don’t have to worry about me though. I am nothing like her at all. I will not jump on your back when you have turned around and the fight has been called. Oh gosh! I’m rambling now.“ she said. I giggled at her.

“That’s okay. I tend to ramble when I am nervous. I don’t know serenity or anyone here but I am sure that I will find out. I could kind of get a feel of what type of person she is though.” I replied. We had reached the building and went inside to the different stalls. They were massive with lockers that lined the back and a curtain so when one was shifted into their wolf form they could easily get out Without worrying about opening the doors. I removed my clothes and put them into an empty locker. I set it with my finger print so that no one would take my clothes. Then I called Haven forward. I could feel her excitement and it was contagious. With the sound of bones cracking and rearranging we shifted into wolf form. I can still remember the pain of the first shift but it got easier as time went on. we landed on four paws and shook out our fur. We stretched some and then decided it was time to head out. I had heard Bethany leave already so I knew they were all waiting on me. As we made our way out to the training field I could feel everyone looking at me. I knew it was because of how haven looked. She was prancing, all proud of herself and she hadn’t even done anything yet. we reached where my grandfather and Greg stood as well as a regular size brown wolf, which I was guessing was Bethany. I could see the surprise in her eyes at the way Haven looked. My grandfather looked at us with admiration and I knew he was remembering my mother since I’m told her wolf looked exactly the same way.

“Alright. There is no going for the throat or dismembering or anything like that. You guys know the rules. The fight goes until one of you gives up or we tell you to stop.” Greg said after he got over his shock of seeing haven as well. I knew it was also his first time. We walked out to the middle of the field and faced each other. I could feel someone pressing at my mind for a mindlink so I opened it up.

“my wolf

does not want to fight yours. She

said that your wolf is special and that we will not win at all.” Bethany said in my mind. i had a feeling that she was going to say something like that.

“Tell your wolf

that it is fine and is all in fun. Haven will go easy on her. She never uses her full strength unless she absolutely has too. they will not know where to place us in training if we don’t do this evaluation.” I told her in response. I could see the hesitation in her eyes and how she was conversing with her wolf about this. There was some confusion as well but in the end I think Bethany won. Also the commands from the sidelines telling us to hurry up and get started probably helped her decision.

She crouched down in a fighting pose, ready to come at me. I gave Haven full control and watched as she also got into a fighting stance. it was probably comical to see our wolves looking ready to battle from an outsiders perspective. Mine being twice the size of hers.

They both slowly started to circle. Each waiting for the other to make a move. I could feel Haven getting impatient but I also knew she would not make the first move. We had always been taught to be on defense first, then we could see our opponents fighting style and learn to anticipate their next moves. It wasn’t always accurate but a majority of the time it was.

Bethany’s wolf seemed to be getting impatient as well as she came at haven in an attempt to jump on her back. Haven quickly rolled away from where Bethany would land, causing bethany to stumble some but she caught herself before she could completely fall. She snapped at our tail as we turned to face her but missed it by inches. Haven gave her a toothy grin at the fact that she missed which seem to make Bethany’s wolf mad as she growled and came at us again, snapping at our leg and attempting to claw our side. Haven side stepped Bethany’s wolf and decided she didn’t want to play anymore. She pounced onto her back and grabbed her by the scruff of the back of her neck. Haven rolled off of her, not letting go and flipping her over us where she landed on her side. Haven let go of her scruff and went to stand on her side. Bethany’s wolf was snapping at our legs but then haven put one of her front paws on her head, holding it down. She struggled for a few moments and then let out a whine as she stopped moving. I knew we had beat her.

“Alright ladies. That’s enough. Go shift back and change.” Greg shouted out to us. Haven got off of Bethany’s wolf and backed off. I could feel her communicate with her. I knew she could talk to other wolves and I could feel when she did it but I couldn’t hear what was said. I knew if it was important she would tell me. We walked side by side back to the building to change. We went to our separate stalls and shifted back to human form, getting dressed. I fixed my hair and then made my way out of the stall. Bethany was waiting for me when I came out.

“Your wolf is amazing! She is so beautiful and powerful!” she exclaimed.

“Thank you.” I smiled back at her. We chatted as we walked out to the field where my grandfather and Greg awaited.

“Well that answers so many questions but also causes more at the same time.” Greg said when we approached. I figured that would be his reaction.

“Well we can discuss it all later while you decide which training group she will be placed into. For now we need to get home so she can get ready for her lunch date.” My grandfather said. Bethany looked at me questionably but I just blushed and looked down at my feet. We all said goodbye and he ushered me to the car where we headed home.