"These past days we've been practicing in our human forms. Today you'll be sparring in your wolf forms for now. But in a few days time, everyone will be tested and similar to what we did last class, I will begin to keep score of those who lose and win their matches. Clear?" annouced Jay when everyone settled into the clearing.

When I first arrived here, majority of people were sending me questioning looks. Of course, everyone was curious what the Alphas mate was doing here. Mason had sent me a nod as if he was saying an easy hello and then he went back to talking to the guys he was with. Honestly, that kind of hurt but I ignored it and waved hello to Rose who welcomed me with an easy going smile and a hug. She knew how much I wanted this.

"Everyone partner up with someone who is about their size. Those who have no partner stand beside me and I will put you in a group of three," Jay says his voice blaring out loud.

Rose gave me an apologetic smile just as another girl stepped out from behind me.

"Come on Rose," the girls says totally ignoring me. She turns and heads away making Rose run after her after she patted me on the shoulder. Well now I felt awkwardly alone.

I walked towards Jay noticing how no one else stood beside him. It felt totally awkward because everyone was observing me as if I shouldn't have been there. OK, not everyone but most people were. Others sent pitiful smiles towards me which made me wish the ground would swallow me up on the spot, but that didn't happen.

"Annabel you go with," his eyes went around before he pointed towards a group in the corner," them."

I followed his finger only to notice the group I was in. They were no older than sixteen. I observed them with a shock expression before concealing it and turning my head to face Jay who was already walking away to help someone.

"Is this some kind of joke?" I questioned following him. He turned around not surprised at my refusal to be with a group of kids.

"Luna, I need you to go with your group. Everyone here is skilled and I cannot just place you in a random group."

I stubbornly turned around before stomping towards the group. People glanced at me as I stormed towards my group but I paid no attention to that. I saw Rose and even Mason glance at me and both even tried mind linking me but I put my walls up.

Approaching the group of girls, I couldn't help but notice how they had a sort of fear in their eyes. I calmed myself down just as I reached them.

"Hi," I said trying to sound cheerful. "Should we start?"

The girls stood still as statues. They didn't have the fear anymore but I could tell they were very cautious. Suddenly, they snapped out of it before nodding.

"My name is Annabel," I state trying to start this off nicely.

"My name is Lisa," she gives me a small wave before pointing towards the girl beside her, "and this is Gabriella."

Gabriella, shakingly waves at me.

"I apologize for before," I retorted noticing they way Gabriella relaxed slightly.

"Do you want to spar first?" One of the girls asked. I raised an eyebrow,

"If that's all right with you two."

-

-

After several matches with the girls -I won all my rounds- Beta Jay called everyone to meet him in a half circle.

"Good job everyone, I've seen many improvements since last week and to end this class," he says pausing for dramatic effect,"I've constructed a game of capture the flag."

Many cheers escaped and I admit I let some out.

Jay divided everyone into two teams, making some guy named Kevin team captain of the blue team and a girl named Zoey team captain of my team, the red team.

We immediately split off, each team heading for their own sides. I went along with my team remembering all the rules of the game. When we were in a good distance, Zoey called for a group huddle.

"Alright team," she began, "here's the plan."

Wow, I already liked this girl.

"Chase, Kacey, Daunte and Chad, you guys are coming with me, Dasi, Hunter, Manny, Gale, Rose, Tricia, Jake and Matt. The rest are spreading out, guarding our flag."

I felt a bit upset that I wasn't in the main action part but I kept my mouth shut.

"The first group I made, you guys are first line of defense. You guys will be farther ahead then the rest. My group we go in and since Rose is the fastest here-"

"Actually Annabel is much faster than I am," spoke up Rose. All eyes turned to me making me want to go hide, but my wolf refused. She didn't want anyone to see us as weaklings so with her help, I straightened up and awaited for Zoey to speak.

Her eyes simply observed me before continuing.

"I guess we'll give Annabel a chance here. As I was saying, since Annabel is now the fastest runner here, my group will distract the others while Annabel comes behind and snatches the flag. Of course that might not be easy which is why, Annabel you have to be quick and blend in with the other team. When you get the flag, you need to break into a run as quickly as you can and get back here. Clear?"

We all nodded and as I began following Zoey, she suddenly pulled me aside.

"Sorry about the whole taking control Luna, I'm very competitive."

I shook my head giving her a smile. "No it's alright. No need to apologize." She seemed relieved but almost immediately she went back to the front of the group. I was actually really excited to finally be in on the action.

When we were all set up Zoey must've told Beta Jay that we were all ready because he annouced the start of the game.

I immediately began following the others before Zoey suddenly broke off from the group and came to me.

I'll be going with you, she mind linked, but we will be going around the whole thing. Understand?

To be honest I didn't so I shook my head. She led me away from the group and broke it down again which I was thankful for.

Afterwards, she patted me on the back before leaving me alone. I crouched low and observed the area before finding a cimb-able tree. I quickly climbed as high as I could and observed my surroundings from the top.

Sitting in silence, I waited for Zoey and the others to go ahead of me. I took a deep breath and tried to spot trees where I could climb just in case the other team made it so far in. When I spotted a few good trees I jumped from my spot and hit the ground hard. But good thing I landed on my feet.

I immediately began a slow paced jog keeping my guard up. When I stepped on a broken branch, I cringed at the loud crack that broke the silence.

When nothing happened, I immediately moved faster. Zoey and the group could have already been near the other teams flag while I was still here.

I rushed until I reached the other teams base. I didn't try to step any closer, I just found a tree and began climbing it. When I got to the top, the blue flag was nowhere to be seen.

I raised my eyebrows up in confusion. Where was their flag? I glanced all over the clearing before mind linking Zoey.

I can't see their flag anywhere.

She replied instantly. Are you sure? Check everywhere, up, down, left, right. Tell me when you find it.

I did what she suggested and my eyes instantly zeroed in on a piece of blue on my farther left side from the top of the tree.

I found it, but it might take me a few moments to get it.

I guess Zoey took that as a go because moments later the group was charging into the center. The other team tried to take us down but I didn't focus too much on this. I was reaching towards the blue flag that was obviously being hidden. Wasn't that sort of cheating?

Anyways, I reached for it not believing how no one was guarding it from up in the trees. Too bad I wasn't paying attention.

When I retrieved the flag, I wrapped it around my fist and turned just as someone beside me spoke:

"Did you expect it to be that easy?"

Without any thought, I jumped from the tree branch to another tree branch and jumped onto the ground. I could hear loud feet catching up to me but I tried blocking that out and ran as fast as I could to the first line of defense.

My side seeing me with the flag immediately sprung onto whoever was behind me. I didn't stop even as I heard grunts of pain as people collapsed.

One of the guys on my team ran beside me guarding me. I was thankful for it because I was afraid of getting knocked down when we were so close.

Surprisingly, we both make it back and just like that, the game is over since we won.

I got pats on the back by my fellow teammates and even Beta Jay nodded at me. I felt really proud of myself.

I walked back to the pack house with Rose and she even introduced me to some girls. Of course I wouldn't remember most of them.

When we got to the pack house, I noticed some people cleaning. I remembered Thaddeus telling me that the people who left me at the club were going to be doing chores for a while as punishment. Thinking of Thaddeus had me cringing which made Rose suspicious.

Is everything OK?

Later, please, I replied. Unexpectantly, she took my hand and squeezed it. I'm here for you, remember that always.

When we arrived at the pack house, we all suddenly remembered there was no food in the kitchen. That made everyone, even Beta Jay indicate some sort of sign of annoyance. He blew out through his lips before turning away and heading somewhere.

"Don't you have food at the Alphas home?" Asked one of the girls.

I shook my head. "He got rid of everything just to be on the safe side." That might be true, I suddenly thought. The girl who asked and everyone else who was listening in doesn't need to know that I just lied though.

One of the workers said that the ones who were sent out to get things wouldn't be back for another two to four hours. Everyone grumbled and left to do whatever they can do to pass the time and try to ignore their growling stomachs.

During this time, Rose and I left the pack house and just like the first time we were here, we ventured into the woods leaving everything behind us.

At first when we left the pack house, I was thinking of taking her to the small stream where I had gone earlier but I thought otherwise. I didn't want Thaddeus getting mad at me for showing someone something he wanted me to see. I felt like I was special in a way.

Anyways, we ended up walking for a bit until I sort of just gave up and leaned against a tree before sitting down and letting the tears out. Rose didn't say anything; she simply wrapped her arms around me before rocking me back and forth.

When I had settled down, she stopped rocking me and moved back to give me some room. She placed a comforting hand on mine and waited for me to say something.

"I think I'm done with him," I finally stated shocking not only Rose but myself.

"What do you mean 'you're done with him?'"

"I mean exactly that," I retort. "I wait every single day for him to accept me but it never happens and I'm just done with waiting. I can't believe I'm saying this but I want to reject him but I think it's too late to do so."

Rose glared at me. "Annabel, if he doesn't make it clear to you how he feels, than just wait longer. I don't care how long it takes for him to make it clear but I don't want you to even think about doing what you just said. Everyone deserves a mate and some people don't even get one. Be thankful that you have yours."

"It hurts though," I say glancing up at the sky. "Everytime he gets mad at me I feel like he'd physically hurt me. Damn it, I'm afraid of my own mate."

"Those stories about mates hurting each other are false," she says, "just some idiot who made them up for some stupid reason."

I was stuck in the middle. I want to tell her about what I read about Thaddeus in his journal but at the same time, I don't want him to get mad at me. Rose just didn't know my predicament and I couldn't tell her.

"Can I stay with you at the pack house tonight? I really need to clear my head."

"Will the Alpha like that? I really don't need him slamming my room door open and walking into my messy bedroom."

I made a face at the thought. For some reason, I could see him doing that.

"By the way actually, you should clean your room," I state getting to my feet.

"Yeah, I know."

-

-

Rose and I continued to walk around before someone mind linked everyone about food arriving here.

"Race back?" I asked her.

Rose simply shrugged before suddenly taking off. I smirked knowing that even though she just had a headstart she still won't be able to win.

"That wasn't fair," complained Rose.

"You had a headstart," I argued before rolling my eyes. "I should be the one saying it wasn't fair but I still beat you."

Rose huffed before we fell into a silence as we both walked into the pack house. I stiffened when I noticed his scent nearby. Rose was slightly ahead of me but when she noticed the Alpha she turned and watched me for a while. She gently gripped my wrist before stirring us away from him. I was thankful for that.

"You want to go eat in my room and I can bring the food up?" She asked.

I nodded letting my eyes drift towards a plate of food some child was holding as he walked by. "Sure."

I headed towards her room and when I opened the door, I noticed Mason. He turned around and when his eyes set on me, a shock expression replaced his calm demeanor. "Hey, what's up?"

I shrugged nonchantly. "Not much, just my best friend seemingly avoiding me."

"Anna, I'm not," he replied weakly. "It's just, I don't want you to get hurt."

"What do you mean you don't want me to get hurt?"

"You're my best friend and I'm so used to protecting you. I guess I just didn't want you training with us because I still wanted to protect you, if that makes sense."

I raised an eyebrow. "Honestly, it doesn't but knowing you, your probably just having mixed feelings about something."

He rolled his eyes before coming over to me and wrapping me up in his arms.

"So you're not mad at me?" He questioned hopefully. I pulled back slightly.

"I can't be mad at someone as dumb and stupid as you," I joke. "But Rose and I are having a sleep over in here tonight so you should bunk with someone else for the night. Perferably, a male seeing as Rose obviously wouldn't want you sleeping with another girl."

Just then Rose walked in holding two plates of food. "Damn straight."

Mason smirks at her before heading out after kissing her on the head.

She hands me my plate before settling down on the small carpet surrrounding the bed. Instead of settling next to her though, I sit on the bed. When I'm feeling comfortable, I glance at Rose who is raising an eyebrow at me.

"What?"

"You want to sit where Mason and I have se-"

"Stop!" I suddenly exclaim getting her message. I quickly get off and sit next to her feeling completely disgusted. I immediately glance at the washroom in the room.

"Chill, we clean the sheets once and a while," Rose says with a giggle noting the way I glanced at the washroom across the room.

I sighed and quickly ate my burgers before leaning back with a satisfied sigh. When Rose was done she did the same and put her head on my shoulder.

A thought suddenly occured to me. "Hey Rose," I spoke up. "Who do you think slipped the silver into the drinks?"

She shrugged before letting out a low growl. "Some stupid person."

"What if it was the same person who brought the body into the pack?" I asked catching her off guard. With wide eyes she turned to me.

"Maybe," she says, "but does he know?"

I shrugged.

-

- Beta Jay

"What if it's someone from the old Blue Bloods pack?" Questions John. "What if the mole is one of them trying to get out of here?"

I watched Alpha Thaddeus as he thought over this. For a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of something but it was gone. In its place was the dark look he normally wore. He must have been thinking of Annabel.

"What if its not them?" I asked breaking the silence.

"Are you suggesting that one of our own is helping Brayton?"

"John," spoke the Alpha, "you say 'our own'. The new members are part of this pack now. If there is a problem, you are free to express it now. In fact, if anyone here has a problem, I'd like to hear of it properly."

John physically gulped before replying. "There is no problem Alpha."

Robert choose that moment to speak. "Beta, I agree with John. It would be most likely that someone who knows Brayton would obviously be able to work with him rather than someone else. How would anyone besides the past members of the late Blue Bloods pack know of Brayton anyways?"

We all took in his words before Alpha Thaddeus glanced at me.

"Robert we can't just come up with things without finding evidence. But since there is really no other place to start, I want you and Ken to start with the past members of the Blue Bloods.While John and Jay look through the files of our new pack members, the rest will have to continue looking around the city and town."

When the meeting is over, Alpha Thaddeus pulls me to the side.

I want you to keep a careful eye on John.

I nod understanding what he meant. John wasn't very trusted around here but since he's been around longer than any of us, he has some valuable use to us.

"Mind my asking but what will you be doing?"

He didn't respond but knowing him, he was just thinking over his words carefully.

"I need to pay someone a visit."

-

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