Page 104 of Alpha Reid

“Alright, line up, let’s do it again!” I call out, clapping my hands together as the young trainees scramble to obey my instruction and get in line.

I hear Fallon chuckle from beside me as she watches the kids practically trip over their own feet to take their places. “Hustle up!” she encourages, sliding me a smirk.

It has been two months now since the war with the shadow pack. Two long, hard months of picking up the pieces and figuring out how to move forward, both as individual packs and as the six-pack alliance. We’ve banded together to fix some of the things that were broken or damaged in the attack. We’ve helped each other heal. We’ve planned for the future and taken on new challenges, like this weekend program that Fallon and I started for high schoolers interested in joining the squad someday.

This youth training program was Fallon’s brainchild- she approached me last month to see if I’d be interested in helping her get it running, and she was so enthusiastic about it that I couldn’t turn her down. Ironically, in the beginning, Fallon was the one who gave me the hardest time, and now I’m closest with her out of all the girls. It’s funny how things work out.

“This’ll be the last time through,” I announce, looking out at the trainees lined up on either side of the indoor arena. “Everyone on my left is on defense, everyone on my right on offense,” I say, pointing to each side to indicate. “Let’s see what you’ve got!”

I rest my hands on my hips, waiting for them to get started, but none of the trainees move- they’re still just standing there nervously.

“What are you waiting for?!” Fallon demands after a beat, clapping her hands together. “Go, go, go!”

The trainees startle, springing into action- they’re split into several lines on each side of the arena and those in the front of each line advance to the center of the arena to take on their opponents.

I elbow Fallon, giggling. “You’re like a drill sergeant.”

“Hey, you think I’m tough, wait till you see how the alphas handle summer training camp in a few months,” she replies, brows raised. “Those guys are the real deal. Scared the crap outta me when I was a recruit.”

“You?” I scoff, wrinkling my nose. “Really?” I can’t imagine Fallon being scared of anything- the girl’s fearless.

“Totally. I mean I didn’t let them see how scared I was, of course, but they don’t mess around when it comes to recruit training. So really, I’m just trying to prepare these kids.” She winks.

“Plus you kinda love being in charge, don’t you?” I tease, grinning.

Fallon smirks. “I really do.”

We both laugh, looking out toward the center of the arena to see the last of the recruits going head-to-head, practicing the basic offensive and defensive maneuvers we taught them at the outset of practice today. As soon as they’re finished, I call for them to circle up and they scramble to gather around Fallon and me.

“Alright, we’re going to start some real combat training next week,” she announces, and I watch as so many of the young trainees’ faces light up with excitement as they exchange nervous chatter.

“If you can, find some time this week to practice the moves we taught you today because they’ll come in handy next week,” she continues confidently as the trainees soak up every word.

“Thanks for the hard work today,” I add. “Now go on, get outta here!”

The kids disperse as Fallon and I head over to the bleachers to collect our things before taking off.

“Hey, are you headed to Norbury to see Chase?” she asks me as I stuff my arms into the sleeves of my black puffer jacket.

“Yeah, how’d you guess?”

Fallon shrugs. “Just figured since you did last week. Mind if I catch a ride? Gray’s out there again today.”

“Sure thing,” I say, snatching my water bottle off the bench, stuffing it into my gym bag, and retrieving my car keys. I turn to Fallon with a smile, twirling them around a finger. “Let’s roll.”

~

It’s dark by the time I pull into a parking spot in front of Dino’s pizza- I spent longer at Chase’s than I intended to and Reid’s probably wondering where the hell I am right about now. I fire off a quick text to let him know that I’ll be home in ten, then head into Dino’s to pick up the pizzas I ordered on the way over.

“Luna!” Dino greets when I walk in the door, his face lighting up and his mouth spreading into a grin.

“Hi, Dino!” I reply cheerfully, giving him a little wave as I approach the counter.

He holds up a finger. “Your order just came out of the oven, give me two minutes.”

“Sure thing,” I smile, watching after him as he disappears through the swinging door into the kitchen.

I hear the chime on the front door ring out behind me as someone enters the pizzeria and turn to glance over my shoulder.

---