Tasting 77

77-Made A Mistake

Nora:

“Alright, everyone line up, Team B over here, and Team R over there,” our leader Mr. Owen

declared motioning for us to take our positions. Ryker’s crew gravita

toward the open mountain side, while ours formed a line beside the building. The backyard

sprawled out, offering a panoramic view of mountains and a yawning abyss.

Ever since I enlisted with Brody, I’d been pondering how Ryker would take it. I’m pretty sure he

wouldn’t care much. I recall how nonchalant he was the first time I spotted him on the field.

Soon enough, Brody and Ryker strolled in, sporting white shirts and khaki shorts. They both looked

incredibly handsome, but Ryker’s magnetic presence captivated everyone’s attention.

His muscles were prominently defined, especially in his shoulders. His complexion was fair, but his

muscles boasted numerous cuts that stood out.

“We’ll kick things off with a simple striking drill,” Brody began, while Ryker approached his team with

a scowl. I wasn’t sure what he was searching for, but he seemed to scan the lineup, fixing his gaze

on each person until he locked eyes in my direction. He nodded in acknowledgment, and I quickly

averted my gaze, feeling a lump form in my throat.

He briskly moved on, returning to the front to retrieve a register. I noticed him scanning the names

before slamming the register

Mode & Mistake

shut.

Damn! I shouldn’t have listened to Natalya. I don’t know what went down there, but her words got to

me emotionally, and I just went along with it. Even though Ryker had specifically told me to choose

him.

“Let’s pick up the pace, everyone!” Brody motioned for us, and we began jogging toward the trail.

anwhile, Ryker was guiding his team through exercises and their rotations. I couldn’t shake the

image of Ryker slamming the register shut and shaking his head.

“Hey!” I snapped out of my reverie as I glanced slightly to the side to see Brody jogging beside me,

a smile playing on his lips, indicating he was glad to have me on his team.

“Feeling okay? If you need a breather, just give me a heads-up, alright?” He sounded calm, even as

I struggled to catch my breath from the jogging. Despite how far we’d come, I refused to let my

guard down. No way was I letting my wolf out in public.

“Thanks,” I managed a smile before clearing my throat to address something else. “Could you

please look out for Natalya? She’s feeling scared because, you know-,” I trailed off when I noticed a

slight tension in Brody’s body as he looked straight ahead.

“I heard about her and Nora! I’m not one for empty apologies,” his comment caught me off guard. I

had to gather my thoughts before responding.

“What do you mean? Empty apology?” I inquired, hoping he’d sense the concern in my tone.

“She only apologized because she got caught. Do you realize what chaos would have ensued if she

hadn’t stopped lying?” His tone shifted to aggression, but to calm himself, he focused ahead and

took deep breaths through his mouth.

“Because she was terrified of facing bullying every day-” I attempted to explain, but once again, he

remained unconvinced.

“And her brilliant plan was to put ever pack in jeopardy? I don’t understand how she thought she c

face the monsters if war broke out. Did she imagine she could just say, ‘Oops, sorry, I know you

were planning for war, but I was lying’?” he scoffed, referring to her.

I noticed how furious he was with her. No wonder, when he passed by her, he shot her a deadly

glare. Initially, I didn’t read too much into it, but now I could see he was genuinely angry

with her.

“I know she messed up and apologized, she faced consequences. But now-the bullying has

escalated, Brody!” I couldn’t believe he was so unsympathetic. Sure, she wasn’t in the right either.

But she faced consequences and admitted her mistake. If they wanted to punish her more, that’s

their call. But for the girls to threaten to record her while she’s showering and all, that’s just crossing

a line.

“I’ll need some time to accept her apology,” he stated, keeping his expression neutral.

“Sure,” I muttered under my breath, feeling annoyed that this foolish girl had caused tension

between Brody and me.

Maybe I’m overreacting. He won’t do anything to harm her, just avoid her. Maybe it won’t be as bad

as having April as the team

* Abode A Mistate

captain.

“Alright, everyone! Let’s take a break here,” Brody announced, and we all halted. I walked over to

the side of the track and sat down on a large rock with Natalya, who appeared flushed and

hyperventilating.

“I heard everything,” Natalya uttered. I was sure she did because she was right in front of me, and

Brdy was speaking quite loudly.

“I’m sorry,” I reached for her hand, but she sneakily slipped

away.

“I wish you had stopped me from lying,” she turned her face away.

I had no response until I saw Ryker’s team pass us, noticing how upset Ryker seemed with me. He

paused me a brief glance and when I passed him a mild smile, he looked away. It was obvious he

was mad at me.

“You know what, that’s unfair. You can’t just blame me, Natalya. I thought you were taking full

responsibility for your lie. But ever since I came to school, you’ve been trying to make it seem like it

was all my fault that you got into this mess,” I finally said it. The frustration inside me erupted after

seeing Ryker’s reaction and realizing I had upset him for someone who wasn’t even grateful for my

efforts to help her.

She stared at me in shock before uttering, “I know. I’m really sorry. Please don’t end our friendship.”

“I am not going to end this friendship, but please, refrain from such actions,” I warned her with a

sigh. The damage had been

–73 Made A Mistake

done anyway.

I sighed and nodded, but soon we resumed training, and I didn’t speak to either Brody or Natalya.