“You’re going to wish they hadn’t left.” Trenton teased as he began to tickle his mate’s sides. She squirmed and he groaned happily as her body pressed closer to his. He would definitely take her again tonight. He chuckled to himself; we’re going to be having many more babies in the future, he thought as he pressed his body over top of his mate.
Chapter
Twenty-six
The honeymoon vacation was a fun and refreshing time for the newly wedded couple. They roamed freely throughout the island and even stopped a few times to swim in the buff on the bare abandoned beaches.
When it came time for them to head home they were more than eager to see their children. They happily took back their parenting roles and tended to their children’s every need with the exception of pack meetings and emergencies where the alphas were required to leave them behind.
With the help of the whole pack the children began to grow into strong and unbelievable future alphas. “Okay are you ready to begin your training?” Trenton asked cheerfully as his children gathered around the table on the night after their sixteenth birthday. They had begun their strength training in their human form from the day that they first could walk but for their wolf training they had to wait until their first shift. As expected Grayson, Riley and Demetri had their first shift last night. Brooklyn on the other hand was a little small still for her shift. Well that’s what the doctor had told them the night before when she didn’t shift along with her siblings.
“Yeah!” yelled the two boys and Riley. Brooklyn slumped into her chair her eyes fell down and she couldn’t feel anything but sad for she had never been left out before and now she was going to have to sit on the sidelines while her family trained.
“It’s okay sweetheart, you’ll shift in time.” Kailee cooed and wrapped her arm around her smallest child. Brooklyn was a beauty. Petite for her age and soft blond curls which flowed down her back. Even with her lack of shifting, she caught every boy’s attention. Simply a stunning child.
“Tomorrow morning you will begin training with Garret and the guys.” Trenton told his children after he finished his last bite of his hamburger.
“Ah man.” Riley complained “it’s all boys isn’t it?” She whined. Being the alpha’s children they needed to train whether they wanted too or not which most likely would mean there would be only one girl in the class… and that would be Riley.
“Oh don’t complain.” Grayson laughed. “Everyone knows you’ll enjoy watching the guys.”
Riley rolled her eyes and walked away. “8 am.” Jake called behind her.
“Why don’t you come and watch, you know get the jist of what is going to be expected of you when your time comes.” Jake urged.
“I’ll think about it.” Brooklyn replied quietly, as she turned to go up the stairs to her room. After she entered her room she slowly slid down into the soft warmth of her covers. “Why me.” She groaned.
Chapter
Twenty-seven
The next morning bright and early, three of the Mars children got up with the sun and slowly groaned and wound their way to the kitchen. Kailee and Lilly along with a few other mothers were standing around sipping coffee while cooking breakfast for the pack. “Good morning” Kailee chirped. “Where’s Brooklyn?” she asked concerned.
“She’s probably hiding in her room.” Demetri laughed.
“Dude back off!” Grayson defended. “She feels bad enough; she doesn’t need your crap too!” He punched at his brother’s arm. Grayson and Brook were closer than any of the other children. Grayson looked after his shy and tiny sister, defending her, protecting her, and doing what any big brother should do.
“Go bark up another tree!” Demetri shoved him back.
“BOYS!” Trenton groaned as he pushed them both back into chairs. “Leave each other alone and leave Brooklyn out of this.” He shook his head. It was always the same thing when it came to Brook; Demetri would pester and tease while Grayson would defend and protect. “Gray go get your sister out of bed and have her be down here in twenty minutes.” Trenton demanded.
“Sure thing” Grayson shrugged. He knew his little sis wouldn’t like it but he was going to get her moving. He made his way around the house and up the huge staircase coming to a stop at the door that lead to Brooklyn’s room; a light shade of purple defined it as her own.
Grayson grinned evilly as he walked closer to the small girl sprawled out on the bed. Her hair was a small halo above her and the blankets were tucked neatly around her, peacefully she slept. As he crept closer he couldn’t help but feel guilty about what he was about to do. Having shifted he had better agility and speed then his sister who still hadn’t. He crouched low and got ready. Grayson took a deep breath and jumped.
“AH!!!!!” Brook screamed. “Stop….please.” She laughed as Grayson pinned her down and began to tickle her. She squirmed and wiggled but still couldn’t get free.
“That’s what you get for not getting up.” Grayson laughed in return. He rolled over to the side of his sister and stared at her while she caught her breath.
“Why should I?” Brook pouted.
“Because you have to go to training with us; I guess you’re going to be watching until you shift,” Grayson shrugged. “That’s what I assume. Now let’s go before I begin tickling again.”
“Like you need to train and get more muscles.” Brook poked at Grayson’s protruding bicep muscles.
“Hey we all need to learn new things once and a while.” He teased tapping Brook’s forehead.
With that Brooklyn jumped up and rushed after him. She still wasn’t quite as fast as Grayson not many were so she just shrugged and went toward her closet as her brother left her room. She pulled on a pair of black yoga pants and pink yoga tank top then went on to the bathroom. It only took her a moment to pull her messy hair into a ponytail and brush her teeth.
Grayson was waiting in the hallway waiting impatiently beside the door when Brook emerged. “Hurry up slow poke I don’t want to know what will happen if we’re late.” He cringed and grabbed hold of her wrist and tugged her down the stairs.
As they passed the kitchen, Kailee shoved a breakfast bar and a bottle of water into her daughter’s hand and watched as the last of her older children continued out the back door.
“It’s nice to see everyone join us.” Garret frowned. He was a great trainer but he was sick of doing the job. He had been doing it for nearly twenty years now and it was about time to pass it on to someone else. “Brook, I know that you can’t shift yet but that’s fine. For the first part you can still train and exercise with us when it comes to the shifting part well… we can just have you watch.” Garret continued “Now get in place.”
Brooklyn and Grayson quickly made their way to the places. Brooklyn being a small person was in the front of the batch while Grayson was in the back row. Their first event consisted of stretching and exercise. They jogged and ran around the yard, jumping jacks, pushups, pull ups, sit ups, and even yoga for flexibility.
Once this task was all through the group began kickboxing practice. “Why do we need to do this?” complained Riley.
“In case you’re caught off guard or lose your ability to shift for some reason.” Preston replied emotionlessly. He too was eager to pass the training position on to another.
“Oh! So like Brook.” Demetri laughed.
In an instant Garret moved with more speed and grace than any of the students could even comprehend. The experience of many years behind him, Demetri stood no chance. His hand flung out. His large hand gripped Demetri by the throat, effectively lifting him off the ground and up into the air in one fluid motion. “I know you must be joking.” Garret answered sternly. Knowing Demetri was a pure blooded wolf and strong as any of the other students, he showed no mercy as he thrust his hand back. Demetri was tossed through the air like a rag doll. Hitting a nearby tree he let out oomph as the air in his lungs rushed out. “Now anyone else want to taunt another or complain?” Garr
et asked.
All the students stiffened and shook their heads frantically. “Okay so now we’re going to do one on one practice.” With that Preston began to assign groups. Thankfully to Brooklyn, Preston and Garret had assigned her with Grayson she may have been small but Grayson would take it easy on her and he would still push her. After all the groups were assigned they split off and began their practices. When it came time for the wolf training Brooklyn was grateful to sit down for a few moments. Having not shifted yet, her stamina was not at its peak and the werewolf students she was practicing with had much more than her.
She curled up in a shaded area and rested while she watched practice go on. Another hour and she was free. The summer was quite warm and the sun was beginning to beat down upon the hot weres as they tiredly entered the house for lunch. During the summer practices having so many young werewolves in one place the Alpha had arranged for lunch to be prepared by multiple cooks.
As the hoards of young students entered Trenton caught Garret’s attention and pulled him off into his office. They shut the door behind them and began to talk. “So how did she do?” Trenton asked.
“I think she did very well. You know with the exception of not shifting, she is just like any other were. I am guessing when she shifts she will be a very good competitor for Grayson.” Garret admitted confidently.
“That is amazing!” Trenton answered proudly. “I can’t wait. Make sure that you keep pushing her though. We know how much this whole not shifting thing is making her … depressed.” Garret nodded and with that their meeting was finished. “Thank you. Now let’s go enjoy lunch.”
Chapter
Twenty-eight
As the summer progressed so did the training schedules. Brooklyn chose to practice with Grayson more often, even on their free time. He found Brooklyn becoming a very good competitor even though she had not shifted yet. She had begun to grow in speed and strength causing Garret and Trenton to assume she would shift any day.
As the seasons changed Brooklyn still hadn’t shifted. She found herself becoming more and more determined to shift even though you can’t convince a wolf to come out when it doesn’t want to. When the others went out for a run Brook would usually stay behind.
A year had passed since their sixteenth birthday and the siblings were now looking forward to their senior year of school as well as finding their mates had become top a top priority on their lists.
Brooklyn’s depression grew with each passing month. She felt more and more alone even though she could keep up in human form, she stood no chance against the big wolves of the pack in her human form.
“I am retiring soon.” Garret announced as he began training one afternoon. The training schedule had been shifted from the summer hours to the fall school schedule; an hour after school and five hours on Saturday or Sunday depending on which day Garret and Preston had chosen. “I would like you all to meet Beckham Alexander. He will be the new trainer when I retire. I will oversee him for the next few months and then he will take over. Please welcome Beck.”
A young man about his late teens early twenties walked out. Beck was a tall man, his features were well pronounced including the tight muscled abs which shown since he hadn’t worn a shirt to practice. His eyes were a brilliant blue and his hair was a short chocolate brown mess. Standing straight up and proudly before the students he lifted his arms and placed them on top of his head digging them into his hair. “So this is my new pack mates.” He said. His voice was deep and smooth like silk as the girls before him began to swoon and sigh. But as he began to speak again he noticed one in particular that caught his attention.
Chapter
Twenty-nine
Beckham straightened and took a deep breath, the scent of a females lofted through his nostrils and he smiled. “Yum” he whispered.
“Beckham is a strong fighter.” Preston began. “Former trainer for multiple packs… Beckham travels a lot between packs to train and build up strengths against rogues.”
Beckham stepped forward. He flexed his muscles once more before he spoke. “It is my job to get the newly shifted wolves up into top shape and quality. I have heard of the Mars’ Alphas and how their pack is run. Saying this I am proud to take on their pack’s training program.” Beckham smiled.
Stepping back and waiving a hand, Beckham pronounced “let’s see what you got!” he called.
Each student broke into their groups of two and began to square off for their hand to hand combat training. Each giving their best efforts to show Beckham what they had.
“He’s just some blowhard.” Demetri scoffed, refusing to practice.
“Shut up, De.” Grayson announced.
“I think you’re going to get yourself in trouble.” Brooklyn huffed.
“I think your correct.” Beckham said breathing the words from behind Brooklyn. He placed a hand gently on her shoulder and stepped between her and Grayson. “Now…” Beck smirked as Brooklyn maneuvered around behind Grayson nervously.
“He’s an idiot, just ignore him.” Grayson tried.
“I think…” Beck tilted his head slightly “I think he needs to learn his lesson.” Beck squared his shoulders and stepped closer to Demetri.
Laughing Demetri pushed Brooklyn out of his way and shoved past Grayson as he walked toward the center of the lawn.“You … ha!” Demetri chuckled. “I am the son of an alpha!”
Demetri twirled around and lunged. Beckham just chuckled as he moved easily and swiftly out of the way.
Chapter
Thirty
As everyone watched Beckham and Demetri Brooklyn slipped away. Finally sick and tired of being pushed around she was leaving. What good did it do her to be in a pack when she couldn’t shift?
She had thought about it earlier and even spent time packing a bag. So when the fight broke out between Beckham and Demetri she knew the time was right.
Everyone had been watching her stupid brother attach the new trainer. He deserved whatever he got for attaching a guy with so much muscle.
Brooklyn made it up to her room quickly and hoisted the backpack over her shoulder and her duffle over the other. With her purse in her hand she took off full speed down the stairs to the kitchen.
No one was around, the house was quite. Brooklyn made her way out and grabbed her keys free from her pocket before quickly tossing her bags inside.
Her father surely would kill her if he see her take this car… let alone all the bags within it. She loved it, the car was a deep purple with black accents. Firebird. It still gleamed and sparkled and even smelt of new leather interior. She had never really driven it.
Each of her siblings including herself received a car of their choice on their sixteenth birthday, but now seventeen she still hadn’t really driven it.
The engine roared to life, she pressed the garage door button just before turning the key, and now… fully open she floored the gas pedal.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lindsey Owens currently lives in Michigan with her husband and two kids. Together they care for a fish tank, enjoy fishing, and bike riding during the warm months and during the winter months lots and lots of reading and writing.
Please visit me on goodreads.com
Thank you everyone. We hope you enjoyed the first book of the Wolves Series.
Please look for more of Lindsey Owens’ books.
Joining the Pack
One’s True Love
(Wolves Series)
Table of Contents
One’s True Love
Midpoint
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