Chapter One

Fifteen.

The amount of punches the girl gave to the boy by her right. Without a single break.

Three.

She gave three to the girl at her left. And ended the fight with an uppercut to the right boy's head which ended with him on the floor, probably concussed.

Hopefully, he's okay and not concussed.

How many minutes did this fight take?

Five minutes.

Quite impressive for people that were going to defend the pack if the need arises. If just their human abilities could do this, imagine training them using their werewolf abilities.

My mind started conjuring images on new training moves I could use for their werewolf training, we had to work on their senses, teach them how to fight werewolf to werewolf and probably fight other supernatural creatures like the vampires and witches. I'll probably start drawing the fighting moves as soon as I get home and start them as soon as I get approval from dad.

I crossed my hands from where I stood, my eyes fixed on my students as they packed their stuff and drank water from their bottles. And to think this were people that could hardly throw a punch few months ago and loved to stuff their faces with whatever food they could find at events.

How time flies.

Sunlight pierced through the windows, bringing with it a heat that was so light and warm, it reminded me of those times when I was little and I would put my hands close to the fireplace during winter while Dad made smores.

And speaking.... Or thinking of Dad. He just materialized from nowhere. He does that at the end of every training session.

"Even the omegas of this pack can take on the alphas of other packs!!" Dad said from where he stood at the entrance "My daughter is the best trainer of all time, training them to use..."

I rolled my eyes at his comment, he loved doing this, embarrassing me for no good reason.

"Dad please" I sighed "I am not the best trainer of all times, James ...."

".... James is" He completed the sentence. It was the same way we greeted each other Everytime we saw each other for the past few weeks.

With pursed lips, I took in the scene before me, my eyes searching and searching for something.

My dad walked away to one of the omegas, probably quizzing them on what I taught them today, what they learnt and how they could improve. The perfect alpha always checking on his pack. Making sure they were okay. And protecting them when the need arises.

He looked so put together physically, his brown hair fell over his face, his chin taut as he listened to one of the omegas describe some moves I taught them. He looked healthier today, bigger. The gray t-shirt he wore hugged his frame perfectly, showing the outline of his muscles. Today was definitely one of his good days.

"Omegas, how many exits are here" I shouted. It was sudden, something I didn't do often and they never knew when to expect it. It was something I told them about when we started.

One of the girls spoke "Two?" She asked unsure. They stared at me, waiting for my verdict.

Another eye roll.

"Ten" Another said.

"Eleven"

No, no, no. Thank the heavens for their excellent fighting skills.

"Ehem" Dad cleared his throat "How many exits are here Avery" He raised an eyebrow at me.

"There are about fifteen exits in this room, give or take" I sighed softly and placed an hand on my dad's shoulder "The alpha would tell you all about it"

With that, I turned and left. Away from my safe Haven into the embrace of the Nightshade pack.

Nightshade pack, one of the biggest pack in the states. Ruled by Alpha Julius, the big bad alpha as they called him. He ran the pack with his beta with me acting as a supplementary adviser sometimes. It was one of the beauty of the pack.

"Justine, come back here"

"Come and catch me mama"

"Would you like some new weapons"

Goodness.

The pack was unusually noisy today, everyone moving up and about their business, trying to finish everything before eight tonight. Full moon and all. A few waved at me and I waved back before they went back to whatever they were doing, one even tried coming up to me but I pushed someone in their way and turned to the other side. I was not in the mood for any conversation this evening. Just wanted to have a nice relaxing shower and then start my preparation for .....

I heard him before I saw him. Or rather, I smelled him. And it wasn't something pleasant.

"Hi princess"

My luck ran out early today. Just a few more steps and I would have been home bound.

I turned around slowly "Lucas, how lovely to see you today" I said before crossing my hands over my chest "Did you forget to take a bath?

Lucas raised an eyebrow "No 'Dont call me princess' today, I'm really getting through to you, ain't I "

"You wish" The smell hit me again "Seriously Lucas, why didn't you take a bath before coming to meet me," my nose scrunched up "You're stinking the whole place up"

"Well princess, I had to do some animal duty and I didn't have time to freshen up" He winked. And that did nothing but made him look like someone trying to remove dirt from his eyes "But don't worry, during the run I'll be as fresh as a daisy"

Okay okay, enough of this conversation. I told him bye and continued the trek to my house.

Lucas was nothing like I remembered those years back. I turned around and watched him walk away and realized that he changed, that event four years ago changed him more than he liked to admit. It changed me too, changed everyone in the pack.

Lucas was to me what his father was to my father. Best friends who did everything together, well almost everything and told each other everything. He was to become the next Beta of the pack and some years back, my supposed mate.

Watching him walk away now, I realized that everything changed. He still looked the same physically, tall with slim muscles that could deceive anyone that he was weak, beautiful green eyes and a head filled with the most shiny black hair I had ever seen. He was the beauty of the pack. And the brains too, you could always find him in a library or in the war room, finding new strategies for building our defenses or treatment for some supernatural sickness.

Now, the only place you'll find Lucas when he wasn't cleaning animal remains was in a bar. Drinking till he couldn't think straight. Just thinking about this brings memories of me trying to carry him home few months after the event that changed everything.

The door screeched loudly as I opened it, probably waking up more than half of the population in this block. I needed to put some some oil in it's hinges and soon. Can't have dad catching me going on some midnight rendezvous and asking me questions. The house was empty, as usual.

But what's that smell?

Lavender? A breath of fresh air after Lucas assaulted me with his stench.

Dad must have cleaned and sprayed the house with the new air freshener I bought from the store. It smelled quite wonderful. I dropped myself on one of the couches and before I knew it, I was gone to a land where wishes came through.

The door screeches woke me up from my nap. I did not feel well rested, just groggy and I needed more sleep. I turned to look at who was moving the door and making me wake up. The person's boot came first and then his butt as he bent to untie the laces showing me his butt crack.

"Dad no please" I cried out, shielding my eyes in defense. "I'm too young for this"

Dad chuckled before turning to me "There's my little girl, I honestly thought you'll be in your room writing or drawing or doing whatever you do up there"

I scratched the itch at the back of my neck "Well I fell asleep here, the air freshener is lovely"

"I knew you'll like it"

Dad walked to the kitchen, probably wanted to start dinner so we'll be stuffed before the run this night. I went into the kitchen too, to help him and also ask some questions.

"So how did the students fare when I left? " I started "Were they able to understand the importance of learning all the exits once they enter a place or was I too fast ...."

Another chuckle from Dad made me stop my rambling.

"Yes Avery, I taught them a bit about finding the exit in whatever building they entered, the importance of that also" He flicked me on the nose "I'm sure they learnt it alright"

I nodded though I wasn't convinced.

"What's all this about?"

"I don't think I'll be able to take on the Luna role next week, I'm not ready"

"Woah woah" Dad raised an eyebrow "What's all this about? Is it because of your brothe....."

I knew he wouldn't understand. Sweet heaven please.

"Dadd, it's not because of my brother. I still cannot transform to my wolf" I cried out "I cannot even communicate with her, she's dead and it's all my fault"

"What? I don't understand, you told me therapy went well and you would be able to transform before your twenty first birthday...."

Well news flash Dad, I lied. I shouted before running out of the kitchen to my room. As soon as I was in, I took in the scene in front of me through tears filled eyes. Everything was all set. I picked up the bag closest to me and locked the door tight.

"I'm sorry Dad, I need to do this"