Riley
Every limb is crying out in exhaustion. My blood is pumping through my body, and adrenaline has brought a smile to my lips. I'm panting yet bubbling with happiness.
I'm so tired after our early morning workout. In the past, I was never allowed to train with my pack, not as the weak omega. So this is my first time being sore and feeling accomplished.
"Gosh... I can't breathe..." Isabella is panting next to me, holding her hands over her knees while the sun blasts down on us. "I'm going to drink some water... Fuck..."
I smile at her. "Tired?"
"Aren't you? I mean, today was intense..." Isabella dries her forehead on the back of her arm. Her legs are somewhat shaky, but she straightens up to gulp water.
I hand her a tired smile, squinting at the sun. "Tell me about it. My ass is hurting from all the squats we have done today. And I don't even walk to talk about my legs."
Isabella laughs from behind her bottle. "Same!"
"Are the training sessions always this intense?"
"No, but I think my brother wanted to impress you by being a slave driver today. You know, show that he has stamina and shit."
I snort. "I don't think so."
"Oh, I bet that's why he was yelling at everyone. It's the alpha brain in him, you know."
My smile grows, and I look around us. Most people have left the field, but William is still here.
It baffles me how he doesn't even seem tired. His muscles are sweaty, and his chest is bare. His tiny pink nipples are flirting with me, making my mouth water. But he isn't panting.
His eyes travel to mine, and a knowing telltale smirk plays over his lips. He caught me checking him out. A blush spread over my cheeks. I think he is about to come over, but a pack member interrupts our exchange.
"Alpha William?"
William turns around to face the middle-aged man. "Hello, Charles. Has something happened? You look stressed."
"It's the Crescent pack!" Charles blurt out without a bone of shame. His eyes are crazed and terrified. "They killed my daughter on the street! She was a pack member and only eighteen years old!"
My heart stops, and Isabella turns silent too. Even William appears shocked by the disturbing news.
"The Crescent pack killed your daughter in broad daylight on the street without reason?" William asks.
"Yes!" Charles is crying hysterically. "We were going to buy groceries when they attacked us! Suddenly, the Crescent pack leaped at us in their wolf forms and ripped her to shreds! They wouldn't even let me gather her body but chased me away from the scene!"
William's face darkens. "This is a severe matter that needs to be resolved right away."
Charles sobs. "I just want to get to my daughter. She didn't deserve to die, and now her body is spread on the street! It's terrible what the Crescent pack did to her! Lily should be given a proper funeral and not be under someone's shoes!"
William pats Charles's back. "I know. We will immediately head to the crime scene and take care of this. I'm terribly sorry for your loss. Lily didn't deserve to die—"
"YOU NEED TO AVENGE HER!" Charles exclaims. His face is pale, and tears run down his chin. "PLEASE, YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN HELP ME! YOU HAVE TO AVENGE MY DAUGHTER!"
He grabs William's shoulders and looks up into his face. William appears shocked, and Charles wet his lips to continue yelling.
"I KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO! I HAVE SEEN YOUR POWERS! YOU SHOULD PUT AN END TO THIS MADNESS! CHANGE INTO A FAIRY AND MURDER THE CRESCENT PACK! IF NOT FOR ME, DO IT FOR LILY! SHE WAS LOYAL TO YOU, ALPHA!"
Pain washes over William's features. I can tell that he would love to help and end what is happening in our city. But he can't control his fairy blood, not yet. I haven't seen William use his abilities ever since he accidentally shrunk into a pocket-size fairy.
"Charles," William uncurls the other man's fingers from his Muscular shoulders. "With all due respect, we don't have the men to challenge the Crescent pack yet. They are too powerful, and my fairy abilities are not to be relied on. I can't control them."
Charles steps back, still upset. "You have to train!" he says and laughs a little with frustration running through him. "You're our only hope, William! No one else can defeat the Crescent pack's alpha! And if you won't do it, more people will die!"
William takes a deep, calming breath. "I will see what I can, but I make no promises, Charles. The Crescent pack is our enemy, and we will need to train and prepare ourselves for war, but I can't guarantee the future battle is one we will win."
Charles bows. "Of course, of course! I understand... Trying to make a difference is enough."
William and Charles continue their discussion, but my attention travels to Isabella when she pokes my shoulder. I look at her and grimace when I see the creepy smile on her lips.
"You have to help William train," Isabella says. "Maybe he could control his fairy blood if you guys finished the mating ritual? There is a high possibility he wouldn't hurt his mate, and you could help him defeat the Crescent pack."
I grimace. "This again? Didn't I just explain why I'm hesitant about finishing that damn mating ritual?"
"Fair enough," Isabella laughs and takes a few steps toward the mansion. She is wearing a playful smile. "Come on, let's head inside and get some lunch. I'm starving!"
I smile back. "Sure!"
We are both happily walking until Isabella comes to an abrupt stop. There is a black limousine parked right by the mansion. A man is leaning against it while smoking a cigar. He is hot.
"Shit..." Isabella swears. "Dane is here!"
I lift an eyebrow. "How is that a problem?"
Isabell flashes me a guilty smile. "It's a problem since I promised to text him my schedule, but... Kind of forgot?"
I laugh. "Why is that a problem? You can send it now."
She grimaces. "Yeah, that's not how it works with Dane. He will be passively aggressive and watch me like a hawk until I've given him what he wants. I'm already nervous."
I laugh out loud. "It can't be that bad!"
"You have no idea," Isabella tells me with a frightened expression. Her eyes are filled with fear. "Dane can be exceptionally scary."