My Alpha's Mark

114 Edge

Kacie

We were quiet as we shot towards the training grounds. The sun was shining brightly and a sweet wind caressed my cheek.

“Sometimes, I wonder if things could have been different if Viktor wasn’t Clara’s mate. What was the Goddess thinking by tying the both of us to him?” I asked. Jake bumped his shoulder against mine.

“Try not to wonder about what she’s thinking. There’s no point in stressing over things you have no control over, instead, focus on what you can control.”

“Like?” I asked as the warriors came into view.

“Like your relationships, you pack, your own strength,” Jake said as he led me to a patch of grass I knew I would be for the duration of training. “If that’s also a headache, you can watch me. Focus on me for the next two hours,” Jake said graciously as if it were a blessing.

“Oh, lucky me,” I said sarcastically as he walked backward.

He blew me a kiss before he headed towards the group of training pack members. I spotted Haley, she wore a look of confusion as she stared at me and where I sat. There was always tension between the two of us when we sparred but I didn’t mind it. She challenged me and I was forced to rise to the occasion.

I huffed in frustration as I leaned back on my hands. At least I would get to spar with Jake after. It was funny how when we got back, I had this idea of having a lot to do but now I’m sitting. Jake yelled instructions out and everyone split into groups of two.

***

Two hours were nearly up and I waited impatiently praying for it to end. As members lost, they went to sit down and nodded in greeting. Jake was in the middle of shaking a member on the ground by the shoulders. His opponent had knocked him out and Jake was struggling to get him to stir.

A shiver made its way up my spine as the wind came to a standstill and the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. I scanned the surroundings and slid between the shaded areas between the trees as the pack members continue to fight.

Something was off but I couldn’t place my finger on it; it set me on edge. Jake had stopped trying to wake the man on the floor and was glancing around too. It made me nervous and I decided to reach out and link him.

Do you feel that?

I locked eyes with Jake and he gave me one single nod. I knew Viktor was patrolling the territory and would have linked us if something had happened. I reached down and grabbed a handful of grass as I got to my feet.

The trees were quiet and I chewed on my lip in anticipation. A low howl sounded within the trees as I made my way to Jake. There was a second howl not far from the first and I fell still as my heart fluttered in response.

Who’s out there?

Jake and the pack froze, some turned to me, some turned to the trees. I held my breath as I waited for a response, and when none came, red flags went up.

Everyone be on guard.

Everyone moved, some positioned themselves near me, while others stood defensively facing the trees. Jake grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly before letting go. He stared in the direction the sound came from and I scanned the trees again in hopes of seeing something.

Viktor, someone’s here. Are we expecting visitors?

More howls came from the depths of the forest and my eyes widened in excitement as movement caught my eye. I found a large wolf hunched in the shadows between the trees. My excitement morphed into horror as I made out the shape of another, followed by another until I lost count of how many I saw.

No, My Queen. Can you tell who it is?

Were we outnumbered? No, no we weren’t, I tried to compare numbers but sighed when I realized we had more.

Twelve o’clock, Beta. Look straight ahead, if you focus, you’ll be able to see them.

Jake followed my instructions and when he locked on their location his eyes darkened. I spotted Haley as she shifted, her wolf was a mix of brown and gray. Her wolf kept her head low and her canines bared as she looked towards the trees.

I held my breathe as I crept forward slowly, Jake grabbed my hand to stop me but shook him off. I was the goddess-damned Luna and I wasn’t going to hide behind my Beta.

We needed to know what the hell was going on and who the hell these guys were. The last time I’d called on the flames, I was able to defend myself. It wasn’t until I shifted with them that I killed everyone in my way.

I’m confident it was the anger that drove us to it. I needed to show the uninvited guests that we were not going down without a fight. I needed them to fear me and my body warmed in response.

I called on the flames and hoped to Goddess, I could surprise them, maybe end this before it started. Flames instantly flickered in the palms of my hands before they grew until they enveloped my hands. My comrades didn’t show any fear, didn’t falter, or try to move away.

If you lose control of your gift, you could hurt those who stand beside you. I don’t doubt you, Kacie but we need to be careful.

I know, I’ll stay focused and avoid shifting for now. Don’t worry about me, I need you focused, Beta.

I hate to interrupt but they’re coming.

Haley’s wolf’s voice in my head sliced through our conversation. Jake and I both looked at Haley before looking straight ahead. A large wolf stepped out from the darkness and into the light. One after the other followed until we were faced with a pack of rogues.