Chapter 14: Chapter 14

VALERY

“All right guys, one round around the pack house, human form!”

Sam gives instructions for the training. When I woke up in the morning, Sam knocked on the door and told me Alvarius had something important to do and helped me get around. After seeing the wolves start their round, Sam comes jogging up to me with a smile.

“C’mon. You set the pace.”

I nod and we start jogging together. My stamina is really poor, even though I work hard physically. After a while, I stop to try to catch my breath. The others are already long out of sight. Sam hands me a water bottle.

“Ugh. Thanks. I’m sorry.” I take a sip and give it back to him.

He shakes his head with a smile. “Don’t worry. It’s always hard at the beginning. We’re almost there. Take deep breaths.”

I nod and do as instructed. After a few minutes, I can’t keep back my thoughts. “Can I ask you a question?” At his nod, I continue. “Is the other pack still a threat? I mean, I assume they are, but I don’t want to ask Alvarius. He wants to protect me, so I know he’ll just sugarcoat everything.”

Sam looks up at the sky and then nods once. “As my luna, I’m going to answer you,” he says as he glances at me. “Yes, they’re still a threat. We decimated their numbers, but their alpha is one messed up son of a bitch. Knowing Alvarius is the stronger alpha, he ~should~ back down, but he refuses.”

He notices the worried frown marring my brow. “Alvarius is a tough alpha. We’re strong as a pack under his leadership. I truly believe we can defeat them.”

I nod at the sincerity I see in his stare. “Thank you.”

We pick up our jog once again and arrive back at the yard, where everyone waits for us. Sam jogs up to the front.

“Okay, break’s over. Pair up to train!”

They groan and get up one after the other. Sam jogs back to me and smiles again.

“All right. Let’s get to it. You’re ready?”

I take a sip of the water bottle he gave me when we arrived back here and sigh. “How are you so fit? You didn’t even break a sweat. You’re breathing like you didn’t just run three kilometers around a fucking giant building.”

He chuckles. “I’ve been training as a warrior for ten years. At the beginning, I was like you, wondering how the hell Alvarius was able to kick my ass so much with a smirk on his face. He knows how to bring people to their limit.”

I laugh, knowing exactly what he means, and put the bottle away so we can start practicing.

After an hour, he gives me a little break and sits next to me in the grass. “You’re improving fast.” Squirting water from the water bottle into his mouth, he hands it to me and tenses. His eyes sparkle golden, and he’s silent for a moment before turning to me.

“Sorry, Valery. Give me a second.”

I nod and he seems to be talking with someone with that mind-link thing while getting up.

“Rogues at the borders to the north and west! One till twenty to the north! Twenty-one till forty to the west! Dale, to me!” He shouts his instructions, and everyone stops training and transforms into their wolves. One guy comes running to us, and I freeze when I see him. He returns my confused expression with a smile and bows.

“Yes, Beta?”

Sam nods toward me. “You keep her company until the alpha is back. Afterward, come to the borders.”

Dale nods. “Understood.”

Sam transforms into his wolf and turns to me with a nod before running off into the forest.

I can’t stop staring at who Sam called Dale. Finally, I find some words. “Mr. Lamberg, you’re a…”

He grins and looks at my necklace. “So, the alpha fixed your necklace. I’m glad.”

I nod awkwardly. “Yeah, thanks for that pouch. Oh right, I have it back home. I didn’t know I’d see you here.”

He chuckles. “I’ve been a part of this pack for a long time—since our current alpha was little.”

I hold up my hand to stop him from continuing. “But you’re younger than my dad was.”

He laughs at that. “No, I’m older than your dad. He just ~thought~ he was older, and I let him believe it. Werewolves age differently. We live longer, age slower.”

“So, this whole time… I had no idea you were a werewolf.”

He grins. “That’s kind of the point. Humans are afraid of what they don’t know. My kind was hunted to near extinction—of course, I’ll admit they had good reason since we hunted them as well. I’m getting older and can’t hide my scent all the time, so teaching veterinary science at least allows me to stay close to my passion.”

A reason that has made me hesitant about all of this suddenly comes to mind, and a smile appears on my face. “You know Becca.”

Mr. Lamberg nods. “Your best friend. She’s backpacking in Europe right now, isn’t she?”

I smile. “Yes. It feels like I haven’t spoken to her in ages. She wanted to be totally off the grid, so she’s not using her phone unless it’s an emergency. Anyway, I’ve been trying to figure out how I’m going to tell her about all of this when she gets back. But my parents must have known about you, and they never said a word, so—”

Mr. Lamberg’s eyes widen, and he shakes his head. “No, Valery. You can’t tell Becca.”

“Why not? She’s my best friend. I trust her as much as I trust you.”

Mr. Lamberg sighs as he picks up a rock and tosses it absently a few feet away. “I understand that. I do. And I’m glad you have such a good friend.”

He touches my arm so I’ll look at him. “But what happens if Becca tells someone ~she~ trusts, who then tells someone they trust? What if ~that~ person can’t be trusted at all? As I said, humans are afraid of what they don’t understand. I never told your parents what I am, and you can’t tell anyone.”

I dip my head, acknowledging what he says, but it doesn’t sit well with me. How can I ~not~ tell them I’m dating a werewolf and will be the luna of his pack? That I’m going to gain some sort of abilities? Will my eyes change color too? What will I tell them when that happens?

As if in tune with my thoughts, Mr. Lamberg’s eyes twinkle golden and he nods to the house. “The alpha will be here soon. Come with me for a sec. I need to get him some clothes.”

I tilt my head, and he grins. “You and the other girls might want to see him walk around naked, but the rest of us don’t. C’mon. I don’t want to get scolded.”

I blush and follow him. He grabs some jeans from a room, and we head out again. Alvarius is already waiting in his wolf form, and I run to him and hug his fluffy silver fur.

He rubs his snout into my side, making me smile. After a minute, he pulls away and looks at Mr. Lamberg, who bows to him before looking at me. “All right, gotta go. See ya later, Valery.” He pauses. “I should have said this a long time ago, but outside of class, call me Dale.”

I nod at him with a smile, and he transforms into his wolf and runs off. Meanwhile, Alvarius already turned back to his human form and put on his jeans.

“Hey, kitten. I see you’ve discovered the true identity of your professor.”

“I had no clue! So, anyone I run into could be a werewolf?” I ask.

Alvarius tilts his head in thought before nodding. “Yes, but remember, werewolves can sense each other, and if you decide to be my luna, you’ll sense them too. It’s kind of like a gut reaction—you just know.”

He pulls me in for a hug and kisses my forehead. “Sorry I had to leave so early.”

I shake my head. “It’s okay. I was a bit sad when I woke up, but Sam took good care of me. He said I’m improving in training.”

Alvarius smiles proudly and nods. “That’s what I like to hear. Guess I’m gonna have to reward you for your efforts. Anything you want?”

“Don’t worry. I don’t need anything.”

He studies me for a moment, then frowns. “Something’s wrong. What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?”

I bite the inside of my cheek. “I was just thinking of something Mr. Lamb—Dale said. He said I can’t tell my best friend about any of this. Is that true? I mean, I don’t have many close friends, and Becca has been there for everything—she’s practically family. I always tell her about major things happening in my life. This is pretty major.”

He sighs and pulls me to his side. “I’m sorry, kitten, but he’s right.” He growls. “I wish he would have left it for me to tell you.”

He’s silent for a moment, but then he kisses the top of my head before looking into my eyes. “Is that a deal breaker for you?” he asks softly.

“It’s just…” I step away from him. “I’ve never lied to her before—not about something like this.”

His shoulders slump, and there’s a hint of sadness in his gaze, but he nods. “I get it, but, Valery, you’ve been in the company of wolves for a couple of weeks now. We’ve let our guard down with you, but even then, if you didn’t know, would you suspect we’re werewolves?”

I think about his words, and I know he’s right. Mr. Dale Lamberg has proven that point time and time again in all the years I’ve known him. I never would have guessed.

Alvarius turns me so I’m facing him and puts his hands on my shoulders while he looks deep into my eyes. “Please… Will you just take some time to think about it?”

I wrap my arms around him. “Of course, I will. Please don’t think I’m taking any of this lightly. It’s a huge decision, and it’s all still so new to me. I’m trying to get my head around everything, but it’s going to take me some time.”

He buries his nose in my neck as he holds me close. “I love you, kitten, and even if I don’t like the decision you end up making, please know I will support you and try to make it as comfortable as possible for you.”

The atmosphere around us is too heavy, and I try to lighten the mood by poking him in the side. “Are you trying to butter me up?”

He chuckles and kisses my cheek, following my lead. “Only if it’s working.” He hugs me close for a few moments and then releases me and takes my hand. “Come. Let’s go get some rest. You must be exhausted.”