I rested my hands on my knees, sweaty and panting for air. Training was brutal today, even moreso than most, and they're never easy sessions. Our leaders push us hard, and walking away with a few cuts and bruises wasn't uncommon, especially for us lower ranks. I'm just one of many Omegas in the Grey Marsh pack, a small pack, but with a enough of a reputation for pure viciousness that no one really messes with us. Which is also why no one is exempt from these daily training sessions, every single pack member is expected to be able to hold their own, and then some.Thankfully, real fights are rare, as there isn't much competition for our territory. Our namesake, the Grey Marsh, is a dark, thickly-treed, perpetually misty marsh that lays in the valley between the greener, fertile inland plains, and the jagged, black peaks of the mountain range that rims the western edge of the continent. No one ever dares to wander into that mountain territory, and aside fr

It was a fitful night of sleep, plagued with dreams of being watched by glowing golden eyes, stalked by huge black shadows, and marked by long, glistening Lycan fangs. Nightmares, really. I awoke amidst one of being surrounded by long, thick fur, black as night, and kicked and struggled at the blanket, crying out. It brought both Mike and the nurse rushing in, then shaking their heads at me."Well, good morning," Doctor Mike said dryly, "Sleep well?" He didn't really sound like he wanted an answer, so I didn't bother with one. Checking over my more superficial wounds, he seemed satisfied, though didn't spare much of a glance at my neck, with the nurse in the room. "The radiologist should be in soon," he said, unwrapping my ankle and bending it carefully in different directions, "If she gives you the all clear, you'll be fine to go. No training for a few days though," he looked at me sternly then, "or long runs." His meaning was very clear. Hear

As we finally pulled into the carpark of Greenvale's larger shopping mall, Sam reached over and ruffled my hair, that was already looking a little windblown. After I got out of the car, I tried to straighten it a little in the car window's reflection, and suddenly there were two extra reflections either side of mine, almost identical to each other. "It looks just fine to me, sweetheart," one deep, smooth, masculine voice said from my right, "Mmmmm, smells just fine too," the other said, stepping closer and burying his face in my neck, nuzzling right near my marking spot. "Get off me," I said impatiently, tring to turn and step away, but they blocked me from each side, the first putting his face near my neck now, from behind. "She tastes good too," he said, making me frown, "And when the hell did you.." I started to say, but as the other grinned down at me, I froze, and my breath caught in my chest as I realised exactly where we'd met before. Sam's voice came from behind the car then

The sun was almost wholly obscured by the mountains as Sam parked his car, and got out, grabbing the bags. He grinned at me, a mischievous glint in his eye, "How much do you want to bet that there's at least two sets of sexy lingerie that found their way into your bags?" he teased as we made our way inside. I rolled my eyes at him as we walked into the kitchen, but his face quickly turned serious, and I looked around to see our Dad staring wide eyed at us, seated at the table with Doctor Mike. I swore internally, wondering what the doc had told him, and Sam suddenly grabbed the bags from me, "I'll just take these," he said carrying the lot upstairs all at once. The air was thick with tension, and this didn't seem good at all. Doctor Mike was the first to speak, "Laila, how's that rest going?" he asked dryly, and I cringed. He likely wouldn't approve of how long I'd spent on my feet today, even if it was just walking. "Oh, uh.. great, it feels really good again, Doc, thank you," I sa

After a little while, Sammy squeezed me gently, "You should get some proper rest," he said, sitting forward and pulling some of the pillows out from behind me. I nodded gently, rolling onto my side and curling up, and he covered me with the blanket, climbing in and snuggling up to me from behind. I sighed softly, and he draped an arm over me, squeezing me gently again, "It'll be okay, Lails," he said softly. I didn't answer, but snuggled closer into him, closing my eyes, and sleep came soon enough. It was a fitful sleep, plagued with nightmares of handsome smiles twisting into deadly beasts with long fangs and golden eyes, and fun, casual laughs turning to deep, evil sounding, mocking ones. I awoke with a start several times, and Sam tried to soothe me back to sleep. It seemed like he wasn't sleeping so well either. Eventually, the soft light of dawn shone behind the curtains, leaking into the room around the edges, and I woke to find Sam prodding me annoyingly, "Lailaaaa.. ugh, c'