Chapter 10

Colt and I walked out of the training hall. We head toward the drop-off zone, and a sense of unease creeps in. I glance to the side and notice Colt is feeling it too. His left foot taps lightly against the ground, his arms are crossed tightly over his chest, and his jaw is set with a faint furrow in his brows.

Damn. What is this uneasy feeling?

I lift my wrist and check the time on my watch.

Just as my nerves feel stretched to their limit, I spot the buses coming into view. I released a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Colt and I share a knowing glance.

The buses pull up in front of us, and the other instructors move into position, ready to greet their assigned trainee groups. The sound of brakes cuts through the air, followed by the hiss of the doors opening.

Colt and I take long strides forward and step up the three stairs onto the bus. I move to the front and position myself at center view. Scanning the faces of the Nightshade trainees, I can already tell most of them are cocky and full of themselves. I tighten my jaw, clenching and unclenching my fists once. Fucking hell. I really want to wipe those smug expressions off their faces and knock them off whatever imaginary pedestal they think they’re standing on. My eyes move over the group again. Most look like trouble waiting to happen.

As I continue scanning, my attention catches on someone sitting near the back of the bus. A smaller figure with his hood pulled up, dark jeans, and a posture that seems closed off from everyone else. Raven-black hair falls softly around his face, and when he briefly looks up, our eyes meet. Just for a second, I catch a glimpse of the most beautiful, striking deep-violet eyes before he quickly drops his gaze again. He seems quiet, almost withdrawn, as if he's intentionally keeping himself separate from the rest of the group.

My mouth goes dry, and something tightens in my chest.

Protect him. Help him. Take him away from everyone on this bus. Hide him away.

The thought hits without warning. Strong enough that it almost steals my breath. The urge is sudden and intense. I have to clench my jaw and tense my hands just to keep my body from reacting to it. 

What the hell is this? 

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Colt react too. His posture shifts and his fists clench at his sides, knuckles tightening as if he’s restraining the same instinct. 

So it’s not just me. Damn.

I kept my eyes on him for a moment longer than I should before forcing myself to look away. Whatever that was, it hit me and Colt with enough pressure to make us almost lose our composure completely. 

I clear my throat and drag my focus back where it belongs.

Focus. Finish the task.

My voice carries across the bus as I lay everything out clearly and firmly. I just hope they actually listen, but judging by the rumors and the expressions staring back at me, I already know better. Most of them look like they’ve already decided not to care. 

I sigh under my breath, Goddess… I hate repeating myself.

“Good afternoon! My name is Alpha Draegan Eldritch, and this is Alpha Colt Eldritch. We are the brothers of the pack leader, Alpha Draven Eldritch.

“We are both instructors at the base training camp and are responsible for training you to be strong, capable, and prepared for any situation that may arise. Having said that, we in the Shadow Claw pack have zero tolerance for bullshit and will not stand for anything we deem out of line.

“While you are staying within our pack, you will be expected to follow the rules. Failure to do so will result in you being held accountable to the fullest extent.

“There will be absolutely no bullying of any kind. There will be no use of illegal drugs or contraband, nor will you bring any into our territory. You are also prohibited from using them outside our territory while holding trainee status or, if you are fortunate enough, after being assigned a permanent role within the pack.

“There will—and I cannot stress this enough—be no forced sexual advances or intercourse permitted. If any of us, or anyone within the pack, receives a report of harassment of any kind, it will not only be brought to the Alpha’s attention but also to the attention of the High Council.

“Our pack has high expectations for its members and trainees while they reside within our territory, and we will not allow misconduct to be swept under the rug. Our Alpha is a leader who is strict but fair in all of his rulings. However, there are certain things towards which he will show absolutely no leniency, especially when it comes to moral integrity.

“Now that we’ve gotten all of that out of the way, let’s get everyone off the bus and line up with their home packs. We’ll gather your luggage, head over to the trainee barracks next to the pack house, assign rooms, and give everyone time to clean up before dinner in the mess hall.” I sweep my eyes over the trainees one last time and glance over to Colt. He gives me a slight nod. Together, we turn and step off the bus.

We walk side by side toward the edge of the drop-off zone, the noise of the arriving trainees and instructors fading slightly behind us. For a moment, there’s only silence between us.

“You felt it too, right?” he asks quietly. “That sudden feeling… wanting to protect that smaller wolf in the back?” He stops walking and turns to face me.

I exhale slowly, trying to organize the mess of thoughts still lingering in my head.

“Yeah,” I admit. “I felt it too. And damn, it was strong.” I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated with how difficult it is to put into words.

“That uneasy feeling we had before the buses even arrived… I think it came from him too.” I paused, choosing my words carefully. “It didn’t feel like danger exactly. Not like he was going to cause trouble. More like… he was the one in trouble. Like he’s been in it for a long time already.” My voice lowers slightly, uncertain. “I don’t even know if that fully describes it, but… it’s the closest I can get right now.”

I hold Colt’s gaze and catch a flicker of understanding in his eyes. Then his attention shifts past me, scanning the trainees stepping off the bus. His expression tightens slightly, like he’s searching for something, or someone. I already know who he’s looking for.

A second later, I see it. A flash of panic crosses his face. Then his expression hardens into focus.

Before I can react, he darts past me toward the bus.

“Colt—” I start, but he’s already gone.

I turn and follow a beat behind him, pushing through the growing crowd, and that’s when I see the same small wolf from the back of the bus stepping down. His legs suddenly give out beneath him, and he starts to fall, but Colt reaches him in time and catches him before he hits the ground. Standing this close, I can really see just how small he is compared to me. And damn, he’s tiny.

Colt keeps one arm around him in a slight embrace, steadying him after the near fall, while I watch carefully as the young man regains his balance. There’s tension in his body at first, like he’s unsure how to respond to being held, but it isn’t resistance. His face is flushed, and his eyes dart away as though he’s embarrassed by what just happened. He looks like he wishes the ground would open up and swallow him whole. 

Fucking adorable.