Page 19 of Rejection on the Full Moon

“Why don’t you shove an icicle up your ass,” I grumble, accepting the large travel mug of coffee from Miles holds out to me while trying and failing to stifle his laughter. He tugs at his own uniform, inherited from his father. Dominic just rolls his eyes at me, knowing that unless I’ve had a good eight hours of sleep or three cups of coffee in my system, to expect a grouchy version of myself. I liked my sleep, and nothing has changed about how much sleep means to me since teenaged me first discovered her love of sleeping in.

The rest of our wolves soon assemble, ready in their own pack-issued uniforms, looking like a perfect squadron in our pack army. Some are blurry-eyed, still needing a few more hours of sleep like myself, while other bounce around energetically. I repeat—stupid morning people.

We decided to carpool, making sure at least two wolves were in the car together to save on the cost of gas for this trip, as well as to relieve the boredom of the six-hour drive through the long Canadian winter roads. Dominic calls shot gun in my car, getting a grumble from Lease, who wanted some girl time, and me to once again glare at my friend. If he’s going to wake me up early and send me on the highway to hell, the least he could do is drive there.

“It’s only for a short time, Amber. We train, we get out, and we will be home again.” Christian says quietly, handing me a new large travel mug of coffee while Miles piles into his own car. It felt weird to say that I spent months tormenting Christian back when I first became a rogue, and now he’s here comforting me as one of my closest friends.

“I know, Chris. I just hate having to go back there. I made a vow the night I left that prevented Leo from finding his second-chance mate. The pack probably hates me, and it’s their hate that I fear will hurt our own pack.” My reply is quiet enough for only the two of us to hear. I can feel Dominic’s questioning gaze from the car, probably wondering what’s taking us so long to head to our designated vehicles, but I was reluctant to go. As part of my duty, I knew that I would have to help ally packs, but Forest Paw territory is the one place that the thought of stepping into made my anxiety climb a few levels.

“Walk in like you own the place. You’re Fire Foot, the wolf who gave us hell. So use that hellfire and pay them back.” Chris playfully punches my shoulder, getting a low chuckle from me. But Christian is right. I used to raid from Blood Moon like I owned the place, and he reminded me that I needed to bring out that confident wolf now to conquer whatever waits for me from everyone I left behind. With a sigh, I reluctantly walk towards my Mustang and climb into the driver’s seat. Driving away from the place I call my true home, I sigh and give Dominic a small smile.

The drive towards Forest Paw is slow going on the slick roads, but the wintery scenes of the forest bring a gleaming smile to my face. I always loved the winter and being able to run around in wolf form most days. Dominic and I joke with the others in our link, playing random road trip games; currently, we’re playing ‘I Spy’.

[I spy with my little eye something that is red.] Greg’s voice reverberates through our link, causing everyone to groan.

[I swear to the Goddess, Greg, that if it’s Amberle’s Mustang, I’m kicking your ass.] Lease growls, causing Dominic and I to laugh. I learned through my time with the pack that Lease and Greg have had this love-hate relationship since they were pups. The two of them grew up together, and from what I’ve been told, she was the only one who put up with Greg’s shit growing up. The game ends with Greg’s crappy attempt when he confirms that the guess was my Mustang, and there was a unanimous vote to grab something to eat.

We stop at a café just off the highway, and all fifty-four of us file in. Many of the humans in the area send us questioning gazes, but we just stay to ourselves. The waitress is kind enough to take down our orders, including the ones we’ll be taking with us on the road, while many of us refill our travel mugs with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. I’m just sinking my teeth into a delicious turkey club BLT when Christian decides to join me at the small table hidden away.

“How are you holding up, Fire Foot?” His question causes me to laugh around a mouthful of food, leading to me trying to gulp down hot chocolate in hopes of getting the stuck food down my throat.

“Better, but still unwilling,” I grumble once I manage to clear my throat. Glad for the company, Christian and I start talking about training ideas for Forest Paw. We wave over Miles and Dominic to join us once those two have procured food and drinks, and I begin explaining the training that Forest Paw used to be drilled in. This included the torturous tasks that Abby used to have me perform under the suggestions of Mia and Zack. Speaking of Abby, Dominic informed us last night that she had stepped down to raise her pups, causing the hope and curiosity of Zack having more children and me having more nieces and nephews. Maybe I could meet them this trip and try to talk to my brother about patching things up if we could. Abby stepping down also explained why the Trackers were out of shape, considering that she-wolf is tougher than any Alpha I know. She would have every Tracker in the pack running laps around the territory daily to keep up our speed and stamina.

After coming up with a few ideas, namely being the ways I first trained the Blood Moon wolves, Dominic motions for everyone to grab their final orders of food and drinks before we all climb into our respective vehicles. We still have another hour of travelling before reaching Forest Paw territory.

“You okay, Amberle?” Dominic asks as my Mustang nears the territory line of Forest Paw.

“Not really. I never thought I would step foot into this pack ever again, if I’m being honest.” I reply, my gaze focused on the snow-covered forest. Dominic reaches over with one hand off the steering wheel to give my own a reassuring squeeze. Silence covers the air between us. Not much can be said about how much I still dread this trip, but I have to do my job.

Taking a final turn off the highway and onto a small dirt road, we reach the Forest Paw pack line, where a group of Hunters await our arrival.

“Alpha Dominic DeValorse, I presume?” A wolf asks, his face coming into view just as Dominic finishes rolling down the window.

“Yes, as well as my Head Tracker,” Dominic answers, motioning to where I sit beside him. The wolf at the window just nods, his eyes glazing over for a few moments before he allows us to enter. Chills run up my spine as the power of the magic border caresses my skin, reminding me that this was the place I was born. The thought of seeing wolves from my past has my mood dampening as I direct Dominic to the guest cabin that we will be staying in for the next few weeks. The three-story wood cabin soon comes into view after another hour of driving, and each car parks in the lot beside it. Everyone soon rushes into the house, getting ready to claim their ideal room, with the rule of the third floor being left to Dominic, Miles, Christian and I. I chuckle at my pack mates’ pup-like antics while I haul my suitcases up the stairs and claim a room where the windows face the forest.

I remember when this cabin was built. The old one had succumbed to a brutal snowstorm when I was eight. Blue had to wait until spring, when all the snow melted away, to bulldoze and rebuild a new guest cabin for visiting packs. It took the pack from March until October for this building to be completed, and I remember spending hours in the pack kitchen helping the Omegas and the other she-wolves make meals for those who volunteered to help build this cabin.

I bustle about the room putting clothing away into the dressers and closet provided. A knock on my door has me turning to see Dominic leaning against the door frame, a grin on his face.

“All the wolves are settled in. Some of the mated pairs are taking the time in their own rooms to get a little closer if you know what I mean.” Dominic informs me, causing me to chuckle as my friend walks into my room and throws himself onto my bed.

“They spent six hours, almost seven, in a car together. There is going to be either a high sexual tension or high murder rate when mates are left alone in the car to annoy each other.” I point out, taking a seat next to Dominic and running my fingers through his hair. My friend sighs at my words, knowing I’m right. His eyes close, and a small growl of pleasure escapes his lips while my hands continue to play with his locks of hair.

My thoughts wander to the plans for the next few days. For the next three weeks, I would have to train the new Head Tracker as well as the wolves while Miles trains the Head Hunter of Forest Paw. We would have to touch base and teach the two how to train and work together like the wolves at Blood Moon do if Forest Paw ever wants to be a formidable pack again. With a sigh, I decide to check out the supplies left in the cabin for my pack and leave Dominic to relax on my bed for a moment.

Nodding to Miles, who cuddles in bed with his mate through his open door, I make my way down the two flights of stairs and into the large kitchen. Lease is taking inventory of the food in the pantry and fridge, so I decide to help her out. We start jotting down what was given to us, deciding on what meals to make that my pack members will enjoy while the other wolves come and go, taking some form of snack with them as they explore the cabin.

With inventory jotted down and everything planed for the next three weeks, I grab a protein bar from the basket Lease placed on the kitchen island, and take a bite of the chewy goodness.

[Training in ten, everyone be outside in the field and ready to go.] I link the fifty-three wolves that are a part of our training group, hearing a few groans. I chuckle at Lease, who sticks her tongue out at me and mouths the words “you suck” before bounding out the door. I catch sight of Chris ushering wolves down the stairs and hear Dominic going from room to room, making sure to grab the late stragglers.

With the cabin now empty and all wolves outside, I make my way out into the cold winter air and turn to look at my pack, The wolves are in the middle of stretching their muscles in preparation for training. They may hate my strict training, but they all had to be honest and agree that every one of them has grown stronger in the last year and a half since I joined the pack. Joining the group, I lead a few into the stretches I prefer to perform, watching the younger wolves who were picked to gain experience on this trip come to follow me. The crunch of approaching footsteps in the snow suddenly catches my attention. There goes my plans for a quick sparring session.

"Stand." I signal, watching my wolves leap to their feet and quickly form into five even lines behind Dominic, Christian, Miles, and me. The cold wind silently blows towards us, making us all shiver slightly. The scent of the winter forest surrounds us and carries the newcomer’s scent to where we all stand.

"It can't be, mom?" It's been years since I have last heard her voice. But that high-pitched, nails-on-a-chalkboard voice could only belong to the main culprit of the torture that I went through for seven years of my life. I nod to Dominic, who sends me a questioning glance, reassuring him that I could face the wolves whose scents carry on the wind towards my pack members, towards me. I turn to face the group of wolves, and a collection of gasps come from each of their mouths while Dominic and Christian tense beside me.

“Hello sis, it's been a while, hasn’t it?” I state, nodding towards Blue, who shakes his head with a grin in my direction. Dominic steps forward, moving to stand just in front of me—protecting me—as he takes in each wolf before us.

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