Filed To Story: Secret with Betas Daughter: Skylar Story Series
We play the rest of our day the same. Slerra and I trying to hold awkward, mundane conversations while the guys listened in, but pretended not to pay any attention to us. As I was putting my books away at the end of this mind-numbingly long day while Sierra waited on me so we could head over to check in with Delta Kyle, Kaley walks up and goes to slam my locker shut. This time I don’t let her. My reactions are fast and I’m done with her bullsh*t as much as the guys’.
I catch the edge Of the locker and push it back open, then glare at her. I won’t do anything here at school, my conditioning still won’t let me retaliate against her here, but I’m not going to let her walk all over me anymore either. She lets out a little squeak before she composes herself again. “Whatever you did to piss off our future Alphas, you need to fix now! Your stupid childish games are making life hard for the rest of us. Apologize, grovel, kiss their feet or whatever they want and make this better. They have been yelling and growling at people all day. You even have them raising their voices at me, which is unacceptable. “I don ‘t see how my relationship with any of them is any of your business. And I will not take responsibility for whatever stupidity of yours that got you yelled at. I said without looking at her and finished what I was doing, then closed my locker and turned to walkin the opposite direction,
Sierra close behind. ‘How dare you turn your back on your future Luna and speak to her like that! She grabs my shoulder to spin me around. But before I can do anything a shout from down the hallway stops everyone. “TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF HER!” Oh goody, just another incident where Mateo thinks he needs to step in for me. “And stop talking in third person, it’s weird.”
Sierra adds under her breath. Kaley either doesn’t hear or chooses to ignore it, but doesn ‘t take her hand off my shoulder and it takes all my patience to not rip her fingers off me. “I was just explaining that she needs to be more kind to her future Luna. Her childish behavior is going to get her into more trouble, and I think there has been enough of that, don’t you, Skylar? I mean you have spent more time in the principal’s office than in class. And she is constantly distracting you all which is unacceptable as well.
The guys all 100k at me. It’s actually not true, but I come and go from classes as I need to because I am so far ahead and I am only in one class with her, so she wouldn’t actually know if Pm in class or not. I spent a ton of time there last year though, due to her antics, but she conveniently left that part out. I choose not to answer, they want to think and act for me, I’m not going to stop them. They can prove how well they know me by choosing to believe her accusations or not. I cross my arms and look defiantly at everyone daring the guys to choose, Kaley or me. As predicted, none of them say anything. They are not supporting me or her, which hurts just as bad as if they would have taken her side. At least then I would know where I stand. Based on the look on her face, she thinks that they agree with her. They just showed both of us they think of us as equals or at the very least are chickensh*t and don’t want to look like they are taking sides which solidified my belief in my true place in their life. I roll my eyes and turn to walk away.
“We’re going to be late to meet Delta Kyle.”
I say over my shoulder to no one in particular. “Are we walking together or not?” I don’t get an answer as Kaley grabs their attention again. “Should Marnie, Jeanie and I meet you at the packhouse Saturday for the ball or are you boys going to come and pick us up? I’m sure Daddy can arrange a car to take us all, that probably would be best to really showcase our arrival. I roll my eyes again and start walking faster. As often as they have told Sierra and I that they have shut those three down, clearly they aren’t doing a good enough job. I don’t want to hear their lameass answers, diplomatic and vague replies are clearly not working, not if there is any opening for interpretation. Those three girls only hear what they want, I’m over the back and forth and passive aggressive tiptoeing around her. They are going to have to learn to make solid decisions, even if they make some people mad. That’s part of being a leader, do what’s right and best for the majority, not everyone will be happy about it. Make decisions and deal with the outcome that plays out.
Sierra and I walk into the training grounds surrounded by a bunch of our peers. Delta Kyle is at the front of the group ready to give instructions. “We are going to be pairing you up with a current patrol warrior. This will allow us to give our warriors much needed rest and you all a chance to learn tracking and surveillance skills. For those of you still in school, we have done our best to not interfere with that, but you may need to arrive late or leave early.
We have already spoken to your teachers if that is the case and only those who are excelling in their studies will get that privilege. Patrol is not an excuse to be lazy, your homework and classwork is still expected to be complete and on time. As we are almost into the summer, we will rotate the patrols and your partners on a monthly basis. That will also allow us to account for those of you traveling for training and school outside the pack. If you have questions, ask your warrior partner first then come find me. The list will be on the training announcement board. Take a good look, some of you start training tonight.
There was no direct dismissal from him, but we all took our cue to line up and see when our shift was. Waiting in comfortable silence, the guys roll in looking, if it was possible, more irritated than they have been all day. They head over to Delta Kyle and talk to him briefly before turning around to leave again, with no notice of Sierra or I.
Sierra huffs. “Just go with them.”
I say trying not to sound defeated. “You need to spend time with Sam. This whole situation is stupid and neither of you should be caught up in it. I will have Delta Kyle take me back to my house. ” Knowing the argument that is about to come out of her mouth. “They will kill me once they find out I left you here alone, even if it is with the Delta. I’m not dealing with that. I will just meet up with him in a little bit… After I make sure you get home and can tell them that honestly did. I rolled my eyes at her, but I’m done arguing, this protection detail is getting tiresome. “Fine, let’s get our assignments and then you can go console your suddenly moody boyfriend.”
I try to lighten the mood. “Not my boyfriend, my mate is the only one that will get any Idnd of title. She smiles and winks at me.
“Whatever you say. I smile back at her. It doesn’t take long for us to get to the front of the line. “They split us up, how dare they?” Sierra lets out mock indignation. “At least I don’t have to get up in the middle Of the night. You have fun with that.”
“You act like I don’t do that already. I have to report at 4 which is my usual time to get up, the only problem is I will miss morning training.”
“I’m sure that was by design, based on the last couple of days with the guys. Don’t thinkany of this has gone unnoticed by all your parents. I think they are hoping the separation will be beneficial for you all to at least concentrate on what you are supposed to be doing. I don’t know if you noticed, but none of us are in your group time. I had noticed and unfortunately I felt a surge of excitement to do something without them, followed by a sense of sadness followed by guilt at not being disappointed. I didn’t say any of that though. “Let’s go to the Beta house, so you can give your notboyfriend some attention.
We start walking. “Not home?” She asks cautiously. “No, it’s never been home, it’s the Beta’s house, which is currently my father and then will be my brother and his family. The woods are my home, even the room Luna Ava gave me at the packhouse is more home than what I grew up in. It just doesn’t feel right to go to the packhouse right now. I need that separation. I have to figure out what to do with myself when all six of you leave this summer anyway, might as well get used to it now.”
“So this might get me in trouble, but what about the dance this weekend?” She cringes at me. “What about it?” “You’re still coming right? You promised to go with me since it will be my first and probably my last. But I wasn’t sure how you felt now that things are also strained.. She trailed off, but I understand what she is asking me.
“I will go with you and for you. You have been an amazing friend to me and don’t deserve all the crap you’ve been thrown in the middle of. I will be on my best behavior with the guys and I promise to not start any fights with them. I will not hesitate to finish a fight or leave if they start sh*t though. I giggle at her, and just to make her day I add, “I will even let you do whatever you want with my hair and makeup.”
“YES! This is why I love you! We made it to my father’s house in record time and headed towards the back after checking thoroughly that the guys weren’t lingering. Once I was safely inside I waved Sierra off to go meet up with Sam at the packhouse. I did all my usual things, homework, shower, read and then lay on my bed and stared at the ceiling. Not being able to train alone was awful. Sometime after the sun went down, there was a knock on my door. As usual, I didn’t answer. “Skylar? Sky, I have food out here. I know you didn’t eat lunch and I have no idea if you’ve eaten today or not. I have to go run my patrol shift. I guess I’ll see you at school tomorrow when you’re done with yours. I love you. I hope you know that.”
I heard Mateo sigh then retreating footsteps.
A single tear escaped. Deep down I know they all care and this is punishing everyone, but I can ‘t back down, I need to get out of here and the sooner the better. I la-low I am not weak or useless, but that little voice in the back of my head that sounds suspiciously like Kaley likes to tell me otherwise. I just feel the absolute need to prove myself and my worth. No amount of words from them will make me believe I am good enough until I do. I finally conceded and went to the door and grabbed the food he brought up after I was completely sure he and everyone else was out of my house. I eat slowly, not hungry, but I am tired of hearing how small I am from too much training and not eating enough. I leave the empty dishes outside my door, to show him I took the offering and appreciate the gesture. After the most fitful sleep, I got up groggily and dressed half asleep. I was so tired I forgot to use the window and headed to my patrol spot out the front door. It shocked me for a minute when I bumped into a solid mass as I was walking down the sidewalk lost in my thoughts.
“Whoa there Smalls, I mean Skylar. Cam cleared his throat and let go of me as quickly as he grabbed me. He tried for a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You headed for patrol.”
I just nodded my head and looked away. I couldn’t take the lookin his sad green eyes. Do you want me to walk…”
He gestured back over his shoulder. “Uh, nevermind. Okay, I’ll see you at school later. Training isn’t going to be the same without you, you know. “I agree.”
I gave him a small smile, but couldn’t look him in the eye. “I’ll see you later.”
I move around him and do my best to hold it together, I miss them. I knew I would, but this sucks so much more than I thought. I hurry faster to meet up with Gamma Brett, I really need a distraction now. Breaking out into a run I took in the different shades of greens and browns of the forest and the earthy smell that always calms my nerves. I arrived too quickly at the patrol cabin, where everyone checks in before their patrol starts, a full ten minutes before Gamma Brett did, which gave me time to school my emotions.
“I should have known you’d get here before us.”
He smiles at me and I return it before it hits me. ‘[Who ‘ s us? “1100k at him confused. “We came across an issue yesterday and had to reorganize some of the groups. We figured with your background and level of training it wouldn’t be a problem to double up.”
He shifts and Marnie is behind him looking worse for wear. Her hair is in a tangled mess on top of her head, her eye make- up is smeared and her well chosen outfit looks like she put it on in a hurry and maybe in the dark The bright colors clash with the muted tones Of the forest and aren’t something you want to wear out in the woods like this, unless you want to be spotted…by the enemy. What the f*ck? I say to my wolf You’re asking me? I was going to say the same thing. Watch your back, we don’t know why she was put with you. It could be an honest pairing and Gamma Brett thinks you won’t need as much or any help so he can focus on her. Or it’s a set up to spy on you for Kaley. She’s not supposed to be here, she doesn’t have her wolf yet. I thought that’s what the Alpha said the other day. She must be here to spy, or cause problems. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “So what do you want us to do first?” I ask Gamma Brett, completely ignoring Marnie’s presence. We are going to run the perimeter, in human form since Marnie can’t shift yet, and that will give mea chance to show you ladies the things we are looking for while we are on patrol. The pattern we run is similar to what you were talking about with the Alpha King the other night, Skylar…
Marnie lets out a little squeak interrupting him. “You got to talk to the Alpha King?” Eyes wide at the thought. “Uh, yeah. He stayed at the pack house so we had a couple interactions I kept my information brief and Gamma Brett looked at me with an eyebrow raised. I usually like to talk about strategy, what he doesn’t understand is I like talking with people who understand what I ‘m talking about. Marnie is not one of those people. I can at least say she shows up to training and does parts of the workouts, mostly stretching to get attention from the guys when she’s bent over suggestively, but there is no reason for her to be out here with us, she doesn ‘t like training, she doesn’t like to get dirty and she can’t shift yet. Maybe that’s why she is with Gamma Brett and I. If something happens we can protect her and defend together, rather than her being a liability that would get everyone killed. “Like I was saying, we will run one of seven different patterns that surround and cross the territory. It keeps the patrol schedules less predictable and we focus on the pack territory as a whole, not just the perimeter.”
We start jogging our portion of the perimeter, passing other teams on the way. Gamma Brett is keeping up a hushed commentary of what to look for without stopping our movement, giving us insights to basic tracking. Things I’ve studied in strategy and battle classes, but it is nice to put it to practical use. “We are accomplishing a few things by patrolling. One is to scent the area so outside wolves know where the territory begins. Our situation is unique because we are surrounded by water on three sides. Land based packs define their territory by scenting. There are several small islands between us and the mainland and the mountains that run through the center of our area give us a good vantage point, but you can never be too careful. The mainland is only about a thirty to forty minute boat ride away on this side of our territory and not all the islands from here to there are inhabited, several are considered part of the National park our territory is on and can’t be built on. That doesn’t stop people from using them as pit stops on the way to us. The second reason is having teams overlap doesn’t give intruders much opportunity to pass through our patrol lines undetected. We are also looking for any disturbance in the foliage. There aren’t many small animals that stay here since wolves are predators and they naturally steer clear, so broken branches and leaves could mean a wolf passed through. Pups also can smell the stronger scent here and know that this is the end of the territory and their boundary, it helps keep them safe if they wander off.”
We made it a whole 45 minutes before Marnie started asking when we are done and whining about leg cramps and being hungry and thirsty. It’s not even five in the morning yet and we all run a five hour shift. We have four hours to go. I will strangle her myself if she whines the rest of the time. “I didn’t thinkwe would be running the whole time or I would never have signed up to do this. And when I was told the Gamma would be my partner, I thought they meant Oliver.”
She pouted with her lip out, not looking at Gamma Brett, knowing she probably offended him. “What exactly did you think was? What did you think you were going to be doing Out here with Oliver? We’re here to protect our pack from unwanted intruders, what did you expect?” I couldn’t help asking. Gamma Brett had to stifle a laugh. “For sure not this. I thought we would be cuddled up monitoring some screens attached to security cameras or something. Kaley’s dad said Jeanie and I would be safer with Mateo or Oliver and he would make sure we were all paired up with the best and the men would do the real work, we were just here to observe.”
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.