Page 23 of Rejection on the Full Moon

“Everyone ready?” I ask, getting a unanimous yes. With that, I quickly run into the forest, sensing everyone else falling in behind me. I keep my pace slow and steady, knowing that many of the Forest Paw wolves have gone downhill in training. Dominic and I lead the group through the trees, and every now and then, there are attempts to take the scarf from my waist, causing me to dodge just to the side out of reach and increase the speed. My wolves keep an even pace with Forest Paw, even though the other pack is starting to struggle, and their breaths becoming more ragged with each new kilometre we run. After the second lap of the territory and what I deem to be about two hours into the run, some of my wolves link me, letting me know that some of the Forest Paw wolves are getting desperate, their bodies begging to ripple.

“If anyone shifts, the whole group will run one-hundred suicides as well as run for five hours as punishment,” I call out in warning. These words garner a few unhappy curses and frustrated growls, only encouraging me to up the speed as punishment. My pack mates were laughing at the sorry state Forest Paw is in. Their bodies were covered in sweat even in this cold winter afternoon, as the snow holds a challenge for us to run in. Dominic and I chat back and forth about what we can do when we get back home. Getting bored, I turn around and begin to run backwards, taking in the look of my packmates who take the chance to throw snow balls at each other.

“This reminds me of when I first trained all of you,” I call out, getting a chuckle from everyone.

“Yeah, but back then, you had us working as a team,” Greg calls out with a laugh.

"We all lost because we couldn't move and had to keep doing that until we finally got that damn scarf and could keep up with you. The number of times you taunted us was sad." Thea, a skilled Tracker in my pack, states with a sigh. She was one of the few that tried following me in the trees when I first trained Blood Moon, and one I trust on covert missions.

"She still taunts us. Hell, last week, her and Miles tag-teamed us in training, and I swear that if it weren’t for her damned fur, we would have lost her." Dominic calls out, causing my pack to chuckle. I roll my eyes at my friends, deciding to ignore them all as I turn around and continue leading the run. A few seconds later, a heated gaze causes goosebumps to form along my skin, my body sensing predator intent behind me. Taking a quick look over my shoulder, I notice Leo with his eyes trained on my form. I hated the way he looks at me, as if his gaze could undress me here and now. It ignited a small spark in the dying embers of our mate bond, reminding me that even though we rejected each other, we were still connected by a fraying thread that I wish would break already.

Sensing someone catching up to Dominic and I in the lead, I force myself to move faster. It’s about time to pick up the pace and make Forest Paw work harder. The predatorial gaze intensifies as the presence behind me is just inches away.

[Keep running, Fire. It’s Leo.] Dominic’s voice filters into our link, his voice holding concern and worry. With his encouragement, I run faster. My goal is to stay as far away as I can from the man who caused me so much pain. With determination, I make this chase harder for the man I deem my sworn enemy and focus on running. My mind tunes out the world around me as I find my Zen state, my body moving fluidly through the forest. I hear the ragged breaths of the wolves behind me, one, in particular, forcing himself to try his best to keep up with me, even if this wolf is on the verge of collapsing. My focus of keeping away from my ex is broken at the sound of my stomach growling with the need for food. Deciding that it’s time to end today’s training, I come to an abrupt stop and turn to face the crowd. Leo reaches his hand out to grab me, causing me to dodge and take sanctuary on a sturdy maple branch high above everyone. I look down just in time to watch the cocky bastard stumble face-first into the tree in front of him and collapsing onto the ground unconscious. This was the wolf the Moon Goddess paired me with; how pathetic Leo truly is.

The rest of the group slowly files in, some leaning against trees for support while others fall to the ground, laying on the cold, snow-covered floor gasping for breath. I think it really is time to call it a day.

"I'm starving,” I yell, my stomach emphasizing my statement.

"When are you not starving!” Greg exclaims, sending my pack into a laughing fit at the truth of his words. So, I liked food, sue me.

"A- You all suck," I say, giving my friends a glare while they try their best to compose themselves. Even Dominic snickered in the corner, trying his best to hide his laughter with coughs as my glare is directed at him.

“And B- we’re done for the day. Everyone, head back, get some food and rest. Tomorrow, we will be doing this all over again, bright and early. Also, have someone carry your Alpha to the pack hospital to be checked out.” I continue, my pack doing their best to stifle their laughter at the statement of Leo needing to be carried. I knew many relished knowing that the man who rejected me is now lying unconscious from bumping his head. Miles is probably pissed off for not catching it on camera right now. With the Forest Paw wolves reminded once more to be on time to training tomorrow, I turn to my pack mates and grin.

"Last one to the Forest Paw pack house has to do the dishes, ALONE," I state, turning around and taking the forest highway through the trees. I knew this forest like the back of my hand, having ran the length of it multiple times both on the ground and through the trees. No one would beat me to the pack house. The rustle of branches behind me indicate at lease five other members have joined me in the treetops, the barren trees providing us easier access to the sturdy branches unobstructed from view. In record time, we exit the forest and land swiftly on the ground, knowing the six of us have a head start before the remainder of our pack catches up. It was childish of us to race this way like pups, but it brought us a sense of joy in our everyday training. That and the punishment at the end always had everyone training harder.

The six of us race through the pack lands of Forest Paw, all of them following me through the terrain until we find ourselves waiting patiently for everyone else. Dominic and Christian arrive next with Lease and Concra, their eyes amused at the fact I am first. Next comes Bill, Miles, and a few Hunters, slightly out of breath. Of course, with running all day, their bodies would be worn out. But they are still better than the Forest Paw wolves who still lay in the forest where we left them. More wolves trickle in, and I direct them towards the large dining hall while Dominic, Christian, Miles, and I wait patiently for the rest to come. Finally, all but one person is accounted for, and we smile when Greg comes running in, his face out of breath. Reason why Greg is a Hunter is because he is directionally challenged, always getting lost.

"Guess you get dishes." I chuckle, heading inside and making a turn to the right to the pack dining hall, where the smell of a hot, freshly cooked meal has my starving stomach grumbling even more. With quick strides, I cross the room to the buffet table, where I load up a plate with as much food as I can. Dominic chuckles, adding a few more sausages to his plate, knowing full well the honey garlic ones are my favourite. Smiling up at Dominic, I lead my friends to a quiet table, where I promptly begin to devour my meal.

“How did the first day of training go?” I smile as Blue’s voice reaches my ears, his hand moving fast as I turn to face him stealing a sausage from my plate, causing me to glare at my adoptive father. A chuckle from beside me has my glare directed at Dominic, who promptly replaces my stolen morsel with a new sausage. I happily devour it while protecting my plate from Blue and his quick hands.

“It went well. Mia will be in the pack hospital for a few days and has learned never to mess with me again. The rest of the Trackers and Hunters have learned just how ruthless I can be. I think the image of me from years ago has changed.” As if directed like actors in a play, the Forest Paw wolves we left behind in the forest come trudging in just as I finish my words. Their bodies slump with exhaustion and their appearance is haggard, with twigs and dirt covering their bodies. The crowd makes their way towards the water station, many ordering the Omegas to bring more pitchers of water, as some have already started to chug what was placed out for lunch like it’s the last time they’ll ever see water again.

“Seems like you’re doing a good job. These wolves need to get off their asses, and I’m glad you’re the one to do it.” Blue states, his gaze following the movement of his pack as many sit in the corner, some sipping from a pitcher of water while others finding the energy to gather food.

“I’m proud of you, Amberle.” Guilt clenches at my throat with how distant I have been from him. It's not Blue’s fault for having a good-for-nothing son. Blue took me in and raised me, but after the rejection, I rarely spoke to him. That had to change. With a smile, I invite Blue to join us at our table so he can sit and eat with us. I wait for him to grab a plate of food before introducing him to all my friends from Blood Moon. Christian and Blue hit it off right away, though I could tell that my adoptive father was wary of Dominic and I being so close to each other. But he knew my stance of ever accepting his son and, thankfully, never brought up the issue. It was time for us to head back to the guest cabin to rest, and Blue decided to walk us outside. Everyone else had gone ahead, giving Blue and I some space as we slowly trail behind the Blood Moon wolves.

“I’m glad you found a place of your own.” Blue begins awkwardly, his eyes watching my pack as they joke around with one another.

“After their death, Forest Paw never felt like home. I’m home at Blood Moon.” I reply with honesty. Forest Paw is where I was born, but with many turning on me after my parent’s deaths and then the rejection from Leo, I knew I would never belong there.

“I know, Amberle. I’m sorry for everything.” A long sigh escapes from him, and at this moment, Blue looks like he’s aged a million years. My heart breaks at the sight of one of the strongest men I know looking so lost and defeated. Without a second thought, I wrap my arms around him, burying my face into his shoulder and cry.

"I missed you, Blue," I whisper, my sobs filling the twilight air. I feel his arms wrap around me comfortingly as Blue allows me to cry. I felt like a pup again being held by her father, and he was. Blue took the role of my father the day my parents passed, and I was too much of an idiot to notice it.

"I missed you too, Am." He whispers back. That’s all we needed to say for our relationship to mend. I sense him before I hear him and gently pull back from Blue to look at Dominic, whose worry-filled eyes send me a questioning look.

“I think that Alpha of yours might be the one who is truly meant for you. As much as I love my son, even I can tell you’re too good for Leo.” Blue states out of nowhere, causing me to let out a carefree laugh as I dry the tears from my face.

“Just let Dominic know that if he hurts you, Axel and I will kick his ass.” He continues. It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders after so long, and I knew that everything between Blue and I would go back to normal again. No matter what, he will always be my father.

After exchanging phone numbers, I say goodnight to Blue and head back to the cabin with Dominic, my heart and mind feeling much lighter.

Maybe coming back to Forest Paw was a good thing after all.

Chapter 15 – Let Bygones Be Bygones

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