"It's time you get proper training Alex," was the first thing that came out of Theo's luscious lips earlier this morning.

Apparently, the statement, "Good morning," didn't dare exist in his dictionary.

After eating a surprisingly undisturbed breakfast, I gathered up all my energy to change and pick up my somehow heavier legs to the training grounds.

And like always, I was late.

Jesus, I have so many skills and strengths that two hands isn't enough to count them all.

I groan and move towards a shirtless Theo with heavy footsteps. And because I had no dignity to begin with, I shamelessly glanced up and down his perfect body. Covering his lower half was a pair of black sweatpants.

Oh my.

Something about sweatpants just makes my heart skip a million times per second.

"Liking the view, babe?" A familiar sultry voice calls out. I clasp my hands together and grin at him, nodding at the same time.

"Yeah, the sun's unusually bright and sparkly today," I release a loving sigh.

"Just like someone today, I see," Theo says, his eyes scrutinizing my full black outfit. He smirks at me, somehow giving out a hint of satisfaction.

"Geez, thanks," I scoff. My eyes glaze over the empty field. There were shirtless men all over the place. Some of them panted and consumed deep breaths barely at the warmup while others finished the task with ease. The routine continued in every group led by Scarlett, Celestina, and Theo.

I chuckle, glad that the warmup was at its peak and I didn't have to suffer having to do it due to my extravagant way of showing up to schedules.

Still scanning the field full of busy werewolves, my eyes finally land on a very interesting person—a slender woman with waist-length dark hair and green eyes: Cara.

I hum and nudge Theo, "Don't you think I should train with Celestina instead?"

He raises a brow upon seeing the mischievous and overly excited smile on my face. He turns his head so that his line of sight would be the identical to mine. When he realized who I was looking at, he releases a hopeless sigh and says, "Whatever you feel like doing, Alexandria."

I resist the urge to skip while I make my way to Celestina and the other women. On my way, Theo's voice calls out, "Try not to create trouble, my little mate."

I smile to myself. Alexandria without trouble isn't Alexandria.

I turn to look at him and shout back, "Yeah, yeah. It's not like I'm gonna pull a Mulan and come up with something tricky or something."

"Right," Theo breaths out. "You're an Alexandria and that makes every trick 100% worse."

"I love that you know me so well, Theo. I'm off!"

I march towards Celestina who stared impassively at the group of werewolves before her. When she heard my footsteps, her head snapped to my direction and a smirk reaches her lips.

"I guess we have a new guest with us today," she mentions to herself loud enough for me to hear. "And a tardy one, I see."

"Well, good morning to you too, Celestina," I tell her.

She nods at the group of women who quietly looked at her, waiting for a command. Among them was a very happy Cara. A satisfied smile tugged at the corners of my lips when her grin dropped and her brows furrowed upon seeing my marvelous presence.

"I won't be going easy on you, Alex," Celestina adds. Still, something about her made me feel like she wouldn't dare let anything dangerous happen to me no matter how much she would deny it.

I tilt my head and scoff, although a smirk was present on my face. "I didn't ask for it anyways."

I step away from Celestina and walk towards the sort. They tried so hard not to peer at me, but the side glances I saw through my peripheral had defied them.

I disregard them and look up at Celestina, also waiting for her order. Then, I cross my arms and put all my weight on one leg. C'mon, girl. People are waiting.

Finally, she opens her mouth to speak. "Actually," she starts off. Her pretty blue eyes meet mine and remains in contact. "We're going hunting."

"Now that's how I like it," I whisper, a barely noticeable smile entering my face.

There was a series of groans and discontented sighs among the crowd.

"You guys are doing the hunt with me or running the rest of the two hours. Nonstop," Celestina demands. "Either way, I don't want to hear 'ughs' and all your pathetic complaints. So I suggest all of you to cut it."

There was an immediate silence.

Celestina smiles at us, her cold demeanor prior to this long gone. Moving away from us and towards the region surrounded by evergreen trees and mysteries, she says, "Follow me."

I pick up my pace, wanting to be the first to reach the hunting grounds. When I passes by Celestina, I wink at her and say, "Feisty, I like it."

Sorry Mason.

She rolls her eyes but there was an evident smile on her face.

When everyone finally came along the woodland, Celestina speaks with a thrilled image on her face, "Since everyone is here and not a single person decided to back out, there should be no complaining, grouching, and all that dumb shit. Am I right?"

Some replied, "Yes Gamma" while others simply lowered their head as a sign of submission and respect.

I, of course, remain silent and still.

"Let's start, shall we," Celestina says and steals a glimpse of me before her eyes wandered once again over the mass of women. She paces back and forth with her chest high up in the air, as if challenging us. "Like always, this is a contest. Whoever brings me the best prey based on my standards triumphs."

Many broke out in whispers, feeling motivated by challenge.

Celestina continues to speak. "This time, the winner may request anything she wishes for and I will do my very best to grant it. The rule, though, is that it must be reasonable and harmless."

An irresistible grin tugs on my face, content with the prize.

"You absolutely may not harm anyone in this pack and you cannot steal one another's prey," she also mentions with much more emphasis. I didn't miss how her head whipped to me for a fraction of a second.

The corners on my lips lifts into a lopsided smile. Secrets exist for a reason.

"And lastly," she concludes. "You all have the rest of the two hours to fulfill this mission."

I nod in response.

"You may begin," she finally says. "Oh! And by the way!"

Those hasn't left yet paused to listen for her final statement.

"I'd like a good meal," she smirks.

I turn away from her and walk towards the hidden land masked my the humongous trees. I hear the familiar sound of nature, the crunch of the ground beneath my feet, and that same feeling of freedom.

I was a rogue in its natural habitat.

___

I notch and arrow, pull the bowstring back with steady hands, and lift the bow in the air, aiming for the already injured deer. The arrow lands precisely on its stomach and the poor deer collapses.

This was my 5th prey. At this point, I was playing to hunt and not for a mission. My rogue habits was yearning the be set free and Celestina gave me the chance to do so.

I drop the bow to my side and move towards the lifeless animal when suddenly, a scream rips through the air.

I was slightly surprised, knowing that I was at the very edge of the pack border and I was almost sure that no one else would risk endangering themselves.

I immediately turn motionless, using the best of my senses to alert myself of any signs of danger.

Silence.

Wind.

My eyes dart to my left and my right rapidly. Cmon, ears do your work.

All I heard was silence. Uneasy silence. Bile forms on my throat as the tension in the atmosphere continues to show its presence.

I resist the urge to cuss out loud.

Again, there was only silence.

I narrow my eyes in concentration, refusing to close my eyes. My heart beat like crazy.

Now, you may think that scared would be the least I'd be because of my previous rogue status, but I wasn't that type of rogue.

As a rogue, I travelled a lot. Still, I made sure I was near people—near towns, near homes, near civilization. I made sure I heard people's voices or signs of existence whenever I settled myself somewhere—anywhere.

People were the sole thing I wanted to avoid so badly yet were also the existence I needed most.

I despise the feeling of not knowing what happens because I always had a plan. I wasn't scared of facing whatever was out there but the it was the unknown itself that scared me. It was the simple act of not knowing.

"Come at me, beast," I mutter to myself, disrupting the quiet environment. "Let's get it over with."

My ears perk up.

Leaves. The repeating crunch of leaves followed by another and another almost simultaneously. Seems like someone's getting chased.

I try to pick up more sounds and hints—one runner and 3 attackers and approximately 1-2 miles East within pack borders.

The rapid beating of my heart ceases to its regular pace as the fear is no longer present.

I follow the sounds without thinking.

Just kidding, of course I think. I just don't care. One day you'll get yourself killed, you idiot.

I continue to run speedily, yet maintain my light footsteps in human form.

If only I could shift at will, damn it.

It took me the next 4 minutes to get close enough to the suspects (I had masked my scent beforehand).

Then, I drop to my stomach and put my weight on my elbow as I hide myself behind the crowded, tall trees.

I eye the three menacing rogues that halt in my line of sight. There was a gasp and a thump from a girl in front of them as she dropped to the ground in trembles.

Well, well, look what we have here.

"Ha," I release under my breath as I take in the wonderful view that lay in front of me.

This is interesting.

I felt for my quiver and eye any movements the 4 individuals made. I then attach the arrow on the string and pull back. It zips through the air and hits the target with a 'thuck .'

3 pair of eyes turn to me, acknowledging my presence. One of them was the vibrant green eyes of an infuriating woman with raven black hair.

She stares at me in shock, her lips parted and her eyes wide open. I give her a cocky smile and mouth, "It's me, bitch."

Then, I dart my eyes to the two huge wolves that gaped at me in anger.

I won't just be bringing you a meal, Celestina. I'll bring you the whole buffet.