CHAPTER 3

Alexis's pov

On my way to the classroom Nathan approached me.

"Hey stranger." I couldn't help but smile at that.

He was the first friend I ever made back in the pack house. At first I thought he'd grow tired of me as time went on but he stuck around till this day.

He's practically my best friend and family. Plus the only reason school isn't so unbearable.

"So basing on that look on your face you ran into trouble again."

It wasn't a surprise that he'd guess. He's been with me long enough to know every emotion of mine and what it meant .

"Just Natasha being the usual bitch that she is..... nothing I can't handle." I responded.

"She's worse than a bitch. She thinks she's untouchable. Someone has to put her in her place."

Nathan has always hated Natasha even when we were still little and most kids wanted to be her friend he'd completely ignored her.

He even almost got into a fight with her the day she slapped me and falsely accused me of stealing.

It was so bad that they called his mom. If the former beta wasn't a reasonable person Nathan would have been seriously punished.

"Well every dog has its day. She'll get a taste of her own medicine one day."

As we we're talking I felt a presence behind me, like someone was there... watching.... but when I turned there was no one in sight.

Must have been my imagination.

We headed in and took our seats next to each other.

Time flew by as we studied calculus and before I knew it the bell sounded.

Our next class was combat training which I dreaded for specific reasons.

I parted with Nathan and headed for my locker.

I'd always wait till all the girls were gone before changing because every time they saw me they'd make fun of my body.

To them having a little bit of fat on you was considered ugly and I hated the way they'd make fun of my body until I myself started feeling insecure about it.

Our uniforms were the same. fitted leather pants with a tank top and combat boots.

As I walked into the training room I spotted Stacey, Nathan's girlfriend and mate.

She motioned for me to go to her which I did.

"What's going on?" I asked as I gave her a brief hug.

"We're training with the boys starting today onwards and every girl seems to be excited about it."

She said.

I could feel the color drain from my face. It was bad enough that I had to be made fun of by the girls but now the boys too.

"Hey it's gonna be fine. No one will bother you." She said as though she knew what was going on in my mind.

As if on cue the boys matched into the training room dressed in leather pants, combat boots and fitted shirts, same as ours.

Some of the girls started pretending to stretch in a seductive way to get the boys' attention and it seemed to be working as some of them started approaching those said girls and talking.

Nathan spotted us from a distance and ran towards us, giving his girlfriend a kiss on the chick.

Typical love birds I thought to myself.

Jake walked in a few minutes later with Michael.

We all went into line forming a circle around them.

"As you all know we've been getting attacked more often and have lost some of our good soldiers."

Michael said in calm tone that held a lot of authority in it.

"I need you all at your best to prepare for what's coming next. Strength and resilience will determine whether or not you have what it takes to beat the enemy."

"You will be paired up, male and female and train together to better yourselves."

One of the boys raised his hands.

"Will we be able to pick out who we wanna train with." He asked already eyeing one of the girls with a smirk.

"No. You'll pick slots to determine your partner"

And just like that we spent the next twenty minutes drawing out slots and finding our partners.

When it reached to me I was surprised to find out I was with Jake himself.

I felt heat rise to my face as I walked towards him.

It felt awkward.

""So your my sparing buddy." He said with a grin as I approached him.

"I guess so."

I smiled awkwardly.

"Look who's finally getting attention."

I heard Natasha say from behind me.

"She thinks she's special just because she's with the beta." Her friends sneakered.

Jake saw my discomfort and shot them a fierce look which made them to shut up.

"Thanks."

I said shyly.

"No need. " He replied.

"Whoever messes with my partner messes with me."

He said with a dramatic look on his face.

I couldn't help but laugh. He was funny and kind. Not at all what I expected and I liked it.

At least I won't be having a hard time with him.... hopefully.

We went through the usual drills which involved running, push ups and sparing one on one with new partners.

Jake was a hand full but I could tell he was holding back a lot.

"Tomorrow we'll be doing weapons." He said to us as we finished up our last rounds.

Before I could go he called out to me.

"You did pretty good today. But I might have to be a little harder on you next time."

"I totally get it."

I replied.

"Also..... can we exchange contacts since we're partners and all."

That caught me by surprise but I agreed.

He saved me as Lexy with a heart emoji and I rolled my eyes at him while laughing.

My eyes swept the room and came across Michael standing a few feet away from us.

He looked angry as he stared directly at me.

Maybe he thought I wasn't good enough to be with his beta.

"I should probably go."

I said to Jake as I ran for the lockers.