Kacie
Jake ended the night by scheduling the next training and Jamie stepped forward and dismissed everyone. I may be Luna but on the field, I’m just like everyone else; a pack member with the wish to become stronger.
The members gathered began pouring off the field and the promise of a hot shower had my feet moving in the same direction. The shuffling of tired feet and side conversations told me I wasn’t the only one ready for bed.
I was already aching and I let out a grunt when someone fell against me. A hand gripped my side and pulled me aside. “Excuse me,” the pack member said to me before continuing on. I quickly turned to see Jake staring down at me with a flirtatious grin. He wasn’t out of breath or sweating. Must be nice.
“I saved your life, Luna,” he said.
“Beta,” I said. I rolled my eyes and pulled away from his grasp. I turned and continued walking. Jake fell into line beside me but I didn’t pay him any mind.
“Did you guys miss me last night?” He asked. My steps faltered but I quickly recovered. A smile threatened to break free as I realized what he was talking about.
“Did you miss me?” Jake asked. Without a second thought, I playfully elbowed his arm but he only laughed. If people heard they would definitely misunderstand. Only Viktor, Jake, and I knew he stayed in our room sometimes. The next words out of his mouth only told me he didn’t take me seriously. I may be tired but I still had a few punches left in me.
“If you need, I can keep you company tonight,” he said jokingly. I looked up at him and his eyebrows wiggled suggestively. Before I could even think about what my next attack on him would be, Athena took control, swung me around and I kneed him in the balls.
“Oh, for the love of the Moon Goddess!” He groaned as he hunched over and grabbed his pearls. I bit my lip to stifle a giggle, turned forward, and began walking again.
A few minutes later when he caught up he didn’t say anything. For a second, I thought we would finally walk back to the packhouse in silence.
“Luna?” He asked.
I was wrong. I sighed, continued walking but threw him a glance. Jake leaned his head to the side as his eyes found mine. I could see he was nervous; feel it. I wondered if it was because of my itchy knee or if it was something else. He reached up and scratched the back of his head.
“That’s me,” I said. The irritation was evident in my voice but I was too tired. I didn’t have any strength left to be patient. “What is it?” I asked.
He cleared his throat. “I’m escorting you back to the packhouse,” he said. “Alpha’s orders,” he stated as my eyebrows furrowed. A smile pulled at the corners of his lips and I glared at him. He pursed his lips and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “We need to make sure you get back safely.”
I opened my mouth and closed it. I didn’t want to take any anger out on him. I would talk to Viktor when he got back home. Thoughts of what he might find out drifted to my mind as I thought of him.
Taking my silence for what it was, Jake continued, “Alpha isn’t here. It’s understandable that he would be nervous about you being here alone without him…after what happened.”
“Jake?” I asked.
“Yes, Luna?” He asked instantly.
“I get it,” I said.
“Yes, Luna,” he said. His obedience was funny and a little cute.
We walked off of the field. Most of the pack members turned left to head to the member homes away from the pack. Only one of the Deltas and a couple of friends turned right to head in the direction of the packhouse.
“How do you feel about today?” Jake asked. I didn’t look at him as I continued to walk. I kept my eyes on the trail ahead of me as I turned right.
“I almost got my butt whooped,” I replied.
“I know, I saw,” he said. I glared at him and he laughed. “What I mean is how do you feel about the response the others gave you? It must feel good to know they’ve accepted you and you can train alongside them with your fire?” He asked.
I smiled.
“Oh, that,” I said. “I was surprised by their reaction but I feel great knowing I can train and push myself to the fullest of my ability…”
“But?” He asked, “I’m hearing a but at the end of that sentence.”
“There is a but. It makes me nervous,” I said. The roof of the packhouse signaled we were a little halfway there. I know what I can do and I don’t want to repeat it. I would need Jake or Viktor there during training until I was more confident. I didn’t want to hurt anyone and my mind began to think about Diana.
“What will you do if the elders don’t have any information?” Jake asked, his voice pulling me from my thoughts.
“Our only choice would be the witches,” I said honestly. “I’ll train hard to make sure I gain control of this… gift but if I can’t, I would need someone strong enough to help me practice. Both instances would point to the witches.”
We walked the rest of the way in silence and I counted my blessings as the front door came into view. I wish I could have gone with Viktor but he assured me he would find out everything he could before coming back.
I moved towards the front door but a hand on my arm stopped me from reaching the doorknob. I turned to look at him and he sped past me. He opened the door and stood aside.
“Luna,” he said as he looked down at me mischievously.
“Thanks,” I murmured as I walked past him and into the lobby. The room was filled with people from training and I didn’t want to stop to talk. “I’m going to go take a shower, I’ve made it back to the packhouse safely so you’ve done your duty.”
“It’s not—” he started but I cut him off.
“Goodbye, Beta,” I said, dismissing him. I turned on my heel and headed to my room.
“Bye, Luna,” he murmured from behind me.