Page 59 of Rejected By the Alpha

“I am Ricky, the wolf you’ll be shadowing this week. It’s nice to meet you!” Ricky continues, moving his focus to the food. Happy to find the wolf that will help me integrate into the pack, I ask Ricky about the training routine of the warriors, and what shifts I will be on as we continue to pile food onto our plates. I find out that the rotations are five days on shift, two days off, and that there are four shifts—day shifts A and B, and night shifts A and B.

Luckily for me, I am on day shift A, working Monday to Friday just like night shift A. It turns out shift A is the main force, working Monday to Friday, while those studying and working outside of the pack take Saturday and Sunday shifts so that we can get a break.

“So why am I starting today?” I ask, considering today is Saturday.

“Today and tomorrow, I will be showing you around the pack. You clearly know your way to and from the pack house from the alpha’s house and the dorms, but you also need to know how to get to and from the many buildings, from anywhere within the pack.” Sitting with Ricky at a nearby table, I take in his explanation and find it fitting. He is right. I need to learn the layout of Ivory Fangs, and if spending the weekend to learn what I can is what I have to do, then I will do it.

With the two of us talking over breakfast, I soon learn that he is actually one of the strongest warriors. Originally, Marco was supposed to show me the ropes, but after David stepped in, citing that it would do more harm than good considering our rivalry for Kaylee, Ricky volunteered and said he would show me around. He admits to knowing about me being Kaylee’s mate, and that the news of what I did has spread throughout thewerewolf community. But he also is on my side, stating that I truly must love Kaylee to give up Oak Fur and the safety of the wolves in the pack. As soon as we finish breakfast, Ricky shows me where to bring my dirty dishes, before deciding we will walk around the pack instead of taking a vehicle.

“So, you already know that the dorms are just over there,” Ricky states, pointing towards the larger building just inside the tree line behind the pack house.

“But we also have a training facility there for our pups. It’s close to the dorms and pack house for safety reasons. If something happens, we can rush there easily.” Walking past the dormitories, I notice a small pond on the way toward the training facility. I find Kurt there, working with a few other wolves training smaller pups how to swim, and smile at the scene. We wave to them, the pups excitedly waving back, before we continue walking to the facility where he shows me the inside. It is a perfect mix of practical and fun furniture, and it makes me wonder if Kaylee and I have pups, would they train here in the future?

“Where do hunters and warriors train?” I ask, excited to see the training facilities here.

“That’s a little further into the forest,” Ricky shrugs, motioning for me to follow.

“We used to have them close to the pack house, but Beta Kaylee and Alpha Amelia said we would benefit from having a facility with both indoor training and outdoor agility courses.” With this tidbit of information, I smile as we leave the pups’ training facility to continue our tour. From what little I have seen so far,I have a feeling it will only be a matter of time until Ivory Fangs is on par with Blood Oath as a strong pack.

***

“So far, you have seen the training facilities, the storage sheds, and the greenhouses. We have a few more places to go to, but that will be for tomorrow.” We had just finished visiting the last of the greenhouses, Ricky explaining that David took over the project to expand the farming here in the pack and offer jobs for the omegas and weaker hunters to make a living within the pack.

“So, what do we do now?” I ask, walking with Ricky towards the pack house.

“Well, Alpha Amelia returned home around noon, and since it is close to five now, I am going to say the bonfire will be happening soon. We should just go enjoy ourselves.” I nearly trip over a root at how relaxed Ricky sounds. How could he be so nonchalant about their alpha returning? Ricky laughs as I stumble a few steps before we continue walking. As we grow closer to the pack house, the scent of fire wafts around me mixed with the scent of food. Everyone is happily mingling, and the pups are playing in the fields just to the side.

What makes me stop walking is Kaylee standing beside a willow tree, her white dress flowing around her in the wind, and I can’t help but stare at her. She looks so happy talking to her packmates, the she-wolves surrounding her and laughing while the males keep a respectful distance. The only two that stand beside her are Royce and Marco, the two looking like guards as they stand on either side of Kaylee.

“Everyone loves her. Beta Kaylee, that is,” Ricky states with a soft voice, his eyes watching the scene.

“She was the one to take charge of identifying our dead after Shadow Moon attacked Silver Paw. I worked with her, as well as a few others,” the wolf muses, turning to look at me.

“We all know she deserves to be more than a beta. She has the makings of a Luna—even an alpha—and we can all see it. So, win her back, make her happy, and raise her into the role she should have.” With that, Ricky pats my shoulder before walking away towards the food table. For a moment I stay rooted in my spot, watching Kaylee. At one point she turns and looks at me, uncertainty in her gaze, before she nods a greeting and returns to her ever-changing crowd. She looks exhausted still, but happy. And it is this happiness that I want to protect.

64

Kaylee

The bonfire is going great. David and Kurt had done a good job organizing it, while Amelia was away at Shadow Moon and I was indisposed. Everyone has come up to greet me, welcoming me back home and telling me to take it easy and focus on healing. Thankfully, no one asks what I have been through, deciding that it is a taboo subject, and I am happy for that.

“He keeps staring at you,” Marco mutters under his breath, as a she-wolf named Clair explains that they have started planning our own decoy town just outside the pack borders. I turn to where the heated gaze I have felt for a while is coming from and find Lucas staring at me. I try to keep listening to Clair go on and on about a fashion boutique she plans to open before someone thankfully calls her name. I nod to Lucas, unsure how I feel about him still, before returning my attention to all the packmates coming to see me. After a few more minutes, I excusemyself, claiming to need a break, and Marco, Royce, and I head off to find a quiet area.

“How are you feeling, Kaylee?” Royce asks, lightly bumping his shoulder against mine.

“Tired. This is taking a lot out of me,” I admit, feeling slightly guilty. My body does not feel so sore from the forced heat, and my energy has slowly grown while doing nothing but resting and watching movies with Adam, Henry, and Lace. But having to socialize and stand for so long still takes a lot of energy.

“Well, how about you find a seat, and Royce and I will bring you food,” Marco suggests, getting an enthusiastic nod from Royce as he agrees. I thank them, and we find a small table for me to sit at before the two rush off toward the long tables filled with food. I can still feel Lucas’ gaze on me, and I look to find him talking with a group of warriors. Marco told me he was going to be the one Lucas would shadow, but David intervened and Ricky took his place. Even I had to admit that this was probably a good idea.

Lucas looks relaxed, something I haven’t seen him be in years. Even the scars on his face seem to have healed a bit since our return to Ivory Fangs. His gaze meets mine and he smiles, his eyes twinkling, and for a moment my heart feels like it skips a beat. I know it’s the mate bond trying to mend itself further, but I don’t seem to want to fight it right now. His gaze holds mine for a moment before one of the warriors grabs Lucas’ attention and I finally am able to look away, with my thoughts feeling like a chaotic mess. Lucky for me, Royce and Marco return with food and drinks in hand, my two friends coming to sit with me.

“He seems to be enjoying himself,” Royce shrugs, nodding in the direction of Lucas.

“It’s the first time in years he hasn’t had to put on a mask,” Amelia says from behind me. I turn to smile at her, offering her the only other seat at the table and she takes it, letting out a sigh as she sits.

“How are you feeling?” she asks, taking my right hand in hers.

“Sore and tired, but better,” I answer, feeling her squeeze my hand.

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