“Seriously, guys, it’s only been an hour, and you’re all out of breath. Ten kilometres should be a warm-up for Trackers.” I roll my eyes at the scene before me as I casually lean against the sturdy maple tree behind me. An hour ago Dominic had called all of the Trackers and Trackers-in-training to the training field and introduced me to all of them as the Head Tracker candidate. At first, some questioned his decision to bring a rogue into the territory, but when he mentioned my name and the fact I owned Fire Heart Bakery and Gift Shop, they soon quieted down and gave me the respect of an Elite wolf.
Some wolves groan and fall to the ground as they try their hardest to catch their breath, while others start to puke whatever they had eaten for breakfast this morning. All I can say is how sad this sorry bunch of wolves looked with just a simple run that should have been a walk in the park for them. Clearly, this answered my question as to why a top pack couldn’t catch me when looting their territory in the past.
"How is training going?" A deep voice catches my attention, and I turn to face Dominic, an easy-going grin on his face causing me to glare back at him. I call a water break for the Trackers, rolling my eyes as they cheer for a rest and start planning how to bring their stamina up. Before I start them with advanced training, these so-called “Trackers” need to up their stamina in human form then wolf form.
"They all suck. I normally do a loop around the forest in Neutral Territory that lasts about ten kilometres, and honestly, some are still showing up after falling way behind. I’m scared to see the shape of your Hunters with how bad your Trackers are.” I watch as Dominic’s face falls with my answer, his eyes scanning his Trackers guzzling water like it’s the last drink they’ll ever have as some continue to lay on the ground, their breath finally evening out. I know my words worry him with how furrowed his brow is and his gaze filled with thoughts swirling in them, but it is the truth. As an Alpha, Dominic needs to hear it, even if the truth is hard to handle. I leave him to his silence and turn to gaze at the group of wolves I agreed to train. It is clear that they needed a true Head Tracker who can bring out their potential.
"Well, how about training the Hunters as well?" My eyes widen in surprise as I turn to look at Dominic. A proud grin is spread across his face as his eyes sparkle with more hope. I roll my eyes at him as I turn back to the Trackers who were slowly readying themselves to get back to training. His idea seems logical, though. For missions, Trackers and Hunters are paired up sometimes. Even during times of war between packs, the Hunters rely on Trackers to scout the area ahead and bring back a report to form a plan for victory. Maybe the Head Hunter and I could formulate a training schedule where all the wolves could learn from each other to improve the pack and their defences.
"First things first, the same rule applies. One month, then I let you know if I am staying." I catch Dominic jump from my sudden words. I know that agreeing to this would make my weekends even busier, but something feels right to agree.
"Of course, I understand." Dominic agrees quickly, a relieved expression on his face.
"And I’ll make them focus on stamina first before anything else. This also includes you, Dominic DeValorse. The pack is only as strong as its weakest member, and you’re the Alpha. You need to be the strongest." I add. Dominic’s smile falls as he eyes me for a moment, checking to see if I am joking. I guess he soon realizes that he too will be at the mercy of my training if he wants me to stick around. His eyes gloss over as Dominic looks into the distance, a look of seriousness crossing his face. I take the time to look at him, enjoy ogling at his frame for the moment when I realize he’s linking someone. Soon, a group of wolves appear at the far end of the training field and makes its way towards our group. A wolf I remember all too well splits from the new arrivals rushes over to where Dominic and I stand.
"What’s up, Dom? All we were told in the link is to be here.” Christian the Beta asks as he turns to look at me for a brief moment.
“This is Amberle, the wolf I told you about. She agreed to train our Trackers for a month and possibly become our new Head Tracker. We were just discussing the shape of our Hunters and decided she would help train them as well. This also includes you and I, Christian.” Dominic answers, filling in his Beta on our arrangements. I catch Christian eyeing me for a moment as he takes in my appearance, and a slight frown appears.
“How long have you been a Tracker?” He asks, crossing his arms over his chest. Once again I find myself rolling my eyes at Christian’s antics before answering. I explain to him that I shifted young and began training with my mother, the previous Head Tracker of my old pack, as well as training throughout the years I was left in Blue’s care. This answer seems to be what he is looking for, as Christian just nods and welcomes me wholeheartedly. It is weird to know that the wolf I’m used to cursing at me when in wolf form is treating me with respect. Maybe no one knows I am Fire Foot yet.
“Have you found a Head Hunter yet since Rick retired?” Christian asks Dominic. I’m surprised that this pack had no Head Hunter as well as no Head Tracker but decided it isn’t my place to say anything. I begin to stretch for the next part of my training while listening in on the two talk.
“Not yet, Christian. Amberle, think you could help us out and decide who out of the Hunters has the potential to be a Head Hunter for the pack?” Dominic turns to me as he asks the last part. I’m glad he’s giving me a chance to choose, considering the Head Hunter and I will have to work together for this month to train all of the wolves. It would make it easier for me if the Head Hunter is someone I can get along with.
“Sure. It will make training easier for us if I get to choose someone. I’ll keep an eye on the Hunters during practice, and so should the both of you. We can talk about the options for the best candidates during lunch.” I answer with a smile. Shortly after, Dominic calls for the Hunters and Trackers to gather round as Christian and I take a spot on either side of Dominic.
“Thank you all for coming here today. Normally, we do not train Hunters and Trackers together, but it’s come to my attention that we are thoroughly out of shape. So, I have asked Amberle Crest as our prospective Head Tracker to train you all. By the end of the training we will also discuss who is suitable as our Head Hunter. This wolf will work alongside Amberle to help train every Hunter and Tracker here - both full and in-training wolves.” The crowd gives a big ‘Yes Alpha’ after Dominic’s instructions. My eyes scan the new wolves in the group. All the Hunters have a similar build—muscular and an unmoving personality. Even the she-wolves who are Hunters are built differently from the she-wolves that are Trackers. They sturdy frames broader than the Trackers slim build.
"I will be assessing you all for a month and will tolerate nothing but respect. Dominic asked me to come here to train you, and ultimately it is my decision to stay or leave after the month is over. Remember to follow my instruction well.” I begin, seeing some males roll their eyes at me, and I instantly recognize them as the ones who fall into the traps they set to capture me. I grin as I think of a way to make training harder for these Hunters.
"Most of you have dealt with me already this past year, and I will be brutally honest—You all suck at teamwork and have no stamina." I state plainly, not sparing any feelings. Some wolves growl at my harsh words, only to be met with an even louder growl from Christian and Dominic, the two putting those dissatisfied in their place. Once everyone settles down, I continue speaking carefully, making sure that everyone understands my words.
"So, for today’s training, I will be focusing on teamwork between the Hunters and the Trackers. Your Alpha and Beta will be joining in on this training, as all of you are the backbone to this pack. Your sole goal is to work as a team and improve your stamina.” I state, looking into each and every one of their eyes and watching some show their neck in submission.
“None of you are to shift at all. If you shift, we return here and start from the beginning. At the same time. if any of you quit or slack off, we will return here and start from the beginning. We will continue restarting if we have to until everyone starts to collapse from exhaustion.” Continuing to explain the rules, I chuckle as a few grown in frustration, probably thinking that I am joking, but they don’t know that I have help.
“If you think I won’t know, I have the former Head Tracker sitting by looking at a tablet that is receiving video feed from cameras I’ve hidden throughout the forest. She has already been told to tell Dominic when someone quits or shifts, and he will call for a restart. Any questions?” The clearing goes dead silent as all the wolves, including Christian, stare at me in disbelief. They finally realize that I’m not going easy on them and that training with me will be a challenge. No one raises their hand to ask anything as looks of fear and admiration are directed at me. I smile with pride as the feeling of being a leader rushes over me.
"Who are you?" I hear Christian asks after the silence continues, turning to look at the wolf with a smirk playing on my lips.
"You will know soon enough.” I state with a wink, Dominic chuckling beside me.
“Now, as a pack, you need to trust each other and work as one. The game is simple, take the scarf off of me using whatever means possible, as long as I don't get severely hurt or killed. Scrapes and bruises are fine, but I have a feeling that today’s session will end with me winning." I continue my instructions, taking out a neon pink scarf from the bag I had brought for everyone to take a look at. I catch a few wolves breathing in my scent and smile as a Hunter with a green Mohawk stares at me. His eyes scan my appearance and scarf as he breathes in deeply. It is clear he is taking this seriously, and I take a note to tell Dominic about him later.
“As mentioned earlier, all of you will be in your human form. No shifting whatsoever. I, on the other hand, will be in my wolf form because, in a large green forest, you’ll all be able to spot me easily.” The group chuckles at the end, and I have a feeling they were underestimating me. But soon, they will learn exactly who their Alpha asked to train them.
“I advise you all to take Amberle’s words to heart. You have all met her in the past, and you’ll soon know why. She is a formidable Tracker, and you’ll be able to become stronger and faster with her training.” I smile at Dominic’s words as he gives a knowing smile to his wolves. He knows my secret of who I am from when I saved him nine months ago.
With a nod, Dominic gives me the go-ahead to shift into wolf form, and I take this moment to slip behind some trees that hide me from view of his wolves. I remove my clothes and place them in a hollow in one of the trees, then tie the scarf to my ankle loosely enough so that when I shifted, the scarf will fit snugly on my left hind paw. Once all set, I take a deep breath and shift quickly. I let a moment pass before slowly padding out from the cover of the foliage and take a spot just in front of everyone, my tail wagging gently.
Growls and gasps fill the training field as some wolves me begin to lunge at me as they recognize me for who I am, their intent to capture me as my flame-like fur gives away my identity as Fire Foot. I simply dodge each wolf, finding amusement in their antics while they struggle to even lay just one finger on me. A loud, angry snarl floats over the group, and my pursuers stop suddenly, a look of fear filling their eyes while they scramble to return to the group. I roll my eyes and glare at Dominic for ruining my fun, then trot to stand beside him. I know better than to continue to piss off an already angry Alpha.
“Amberle is the she-wolf I chose to bring here for the sole purpose of training every last one of you with the intent to make her the Head Tracker of this pack.” Dominic begins, glaring at his wolves and watching as they submit to him, their Alpha.
“I have watched her personally kill eleven Soulless, who were the strongest I have ever fought against, and she saved my life in the process. I trust her even if she did loot our pack in the past, but she never caused any harm to us. None of you know what being a Rogue is like, so we can’t blame her.” He continues, looking to me as he gives me a breath taking smile. Goddess help me.
“Instead, we should be thanking her for agreeing to train us all to be stronger, especially considering none of you have ever caught her, nor can any of you match up to her.” Dominic’s voice is loud as he directs the end his speech to the crowd. A look of shame crosses the group’s faces as their Alpha berates them. Power and anger radiate from Dominic and waves of disappointment fill his eyes.
"Alpha Dominic is right. None of us, not even I, could capture Amberle in the past. We need her to strengthen us so we can keep our position as the number one pack in Ontario.” I feel touched by Christian’s words and wat as he smiles a wolfish grin while placing a hand on Dominic’s shoulder, visibly calming down his Alpha. I can see why Christian is Dominic’s Beta. They complimented each other, and Christian knows what he needed to do to keep Dominic calm. It reminds me of how Blue and my Father were in the past.
“So, when do we start, Miss Amberle?” Christian asks after a period of silence has filled the crowd. I send a wink his way before darting off into the trees without warning, my paws digging into the soft earth while I dodge trees and shrubbery.
“I think she means now.” I hear someone say before the sounds of pursuit follow. I laugh as best as I can in wolf form, rolling my eyes at how slow the Hunters and Trackers are. Heck, even Dominic and Christian are a pair of idiots, considering I took off from right beside them. You would think an Alpha and his Beta would be smarter than this, but nope. It took a wolf pointing out that my running away meant to start. I am starting to realize why looting them was so easy a few months ago.