My heart thumps against my chest like a hummingbird. Sweat dripping down my back as I kick and punch the bag in front of me. Nick walks into my private gym covered in blood.

"How was it?" I ask as I spin kick the bag.

"How do you think?" He chuckled as he wiped his face with a towel "They screamed in terror, tried to flee, then begged for mercy. You know, the usual."

"There's nothing that I love more than their screams." I smirk as I close my eyes and picture their terrified faces. I despise all rogues, especially the ones that try to threaten me. Over the course of the last three years, we've been under constant attack. Rogue wolves and vampires alike trying and failing to get into Ember Territory. Yesterday's attack came in the form of a bomb. A group of rogues bombed the eastern border and injured one of my wolves. Thankfully he's recovering.

Being under continuous attack has its pros and cons. For one thing, we get to perfect our fighting techniques as a pack. We also get the added benefit of watching those who threaten us tremble with terror and beg for mercy. But I learned a long time ago that there is no such thing as mercy.

"Did you uncover a motive?" I ask as I throw a succession of powerful punches making the red bag explode. Its contents spill onto the matted floor. Sighing in annoyance I walk over to the wall and grab a new one. Nick takes it from my hands and neatly hangs it up on the hook before grabbing a broom to push aside the mess.

"No." He finally answers "No motive, only cryptic remarks. Same as usual. Though he did say that he knew we'd come for them, that we were predictable."

"Oh? And what was your clever response to that?" I chuckle as I jab and kick. Nick's witty comebacks and unorthodox sense of humor amuse me.

"I said they should've locked their doors." He shrugs and I pause to look at him with a raised brow. He grins "It's something the kids in the pack came up with."

"What is?"

"They came up with this adorable chant for us." He says, eyes shining with amusement.

"Well? Let's hear it." I grin while resuming my punches.

"Hush now, lock your doors.

When the lights go out

Hear us roar

All through the night

Our enemies shocked with fright

As they hear the thunder that our flames ignite."

Nick smiles and I chuckle a bit while nodding "Well...Aren't they creative little scamps? I had no idea we had poets in the pack."

"So," he says stretching out the 'o' "Jocelyn tells me you received an invite to the meeting today?" He asks while holding the bag in place.

I stop punching to look at him "Doesn't that girl ever keep her mouth shut? Yes, I got the invite and no, I'm not going."

"Alora." He says with a pointed look "The remaining alphas are gathering for this meeting. They wouldn't all meet if it wasn't serious. And they sure as hell wouldn't include you if they thought they could handle it alone."

"Nick. They are all a bunch of insecure, sexist jerks who have nothing better to do than waste my time. The last time we attended one of their ridiculous meetings proves my point. Plus they are more than likely going to talk about the most recent attack which we already know about. We're always one step ahead of everyone else so there is no need to waste our time."

"L, think about how close these attacks are getting. It would be wise to cash in on some long overdue favors from our 'allies.'" He reasons with his pleading brown eyes.

"And risk appearing weak to the enemy? Since when does the Ember Pack ask for help Nick?"

"It's not about needing help. I have no doubt in my mind that we are ready for them this time. I just think that the other packs could serve as a distraction to them if nothing else. I'm only trying to look out for us and make sure we come out of this with as few casualties as possible. Better they die than us."

Punching the bag full force I turn around and leave the room, passing several pack members on my way outside. They all bow down as I pass, love shining in their eyes. As tough as I am on them, they know it's only to strengthen us as a pack. I will lay down my life for them, and they know it.

I walk past the training grounds and into the thick forest, ignoring Jocelyn's watchful gaze. My wolf hums contently inside my mind as a delicate breeze blows my red hair across my cheek. My mind wanders as I make my way to the border of Ember territory.

Three years ago this was nothing but a farmer's land. Tom, had been his name. The sweet old man took pity on a group of terrified teens and welcomed us into his life and onto his farm. We landed on his farm after days of running. There were thirteen of us in total, only eleven of us made it. Lost and exhausted we asked him where we were and he stated Blackbird Forest with a proud smile. Tom had a nice chunk of land that he made sure tourists stayed away from. He was something of a hermit, but he took us in as his own. For the first few months, we had allowed ourselves to feel safe and cared for. We began to feel content with living a simple farmer's life, milking cows, planting crops. It was nice, safe. Something that we were in desperate need of.

Until we found Tom lying face-first on the dirt, a rogue eating at his corpse. It was then that our purpose resurfaced. It had been rogues that massacred our family, destroyed our homes. I remember the painful howls with perfect clarity. Remember the fear in my sister's eyes. And although the rogue that killed Tom was a regular rogue, I killed him as if he'd been one of them.

I reach the border and three wolves stop and shift. Bowing their heads in respect.

"Alpha." Says Julian, my strongest warrior. "Are we switching schedules already?"

I look at him and shake my head "Not yet. I need you to inform the rest of the border patrol that Nick and I will be leaving the territory later this afternoon. I am leaving Jocelyn in charge. As soon as we leave you are to triple rounds and go through scenarios nine and twelve okay?"

They all nod "Yes alpha."

"Keep me informed if anything goes wrong."

"Of course." He states as he bows his head in respect. I nod at him and watch as they shift back. Julian was one of the thirteen from the original pack. We grew up together and I respect him in more ways than one. His bravery and devotion to me as his alpha speaks volumes of his fierce loyalty. We counted on his keen sense of tracking to lead us away from danger when we were on the run.

As I turn around they resume their watch and I make my way back to the mansion. Nodding at pack members along the way. Stopping only when I spotted a group of pups, no older than seven years old, fighting. I cross my arms and lean against a tree as I watch them, they appear to be training. I smile as they have yet to notice me.

"Come on Tracy! You can do it!" Shouted a boy in encouragement.

"Seriously Trent pin her down! The Alpha would be ashamed of you!" Shouted another.

The two wolves growl at each other before lunging again.

"Cute huh?" Says Nick as he leans beside me.

I chuckle and nod as I watch them "They have a long way to go. They haven't even caught our scent yet. Fatal mistake out in the field."

Nick rolls his eyes at me "So what's the verdict? Are we going to the meeting or not?"

"Yes, Nick. We're going but if it's a waste of time it's silver training for you."

His eyes widen but he nods "Yes Alpha."

Looking at his lips I bite my own and meet his gaze. "I love it when you submit."

"You're my alpha." He replies huskily as his eyes drop to half-mast. I feel the need for him pool in my lower half and bring his lips crashing down on mine. He responds hungrily as he presses his body flush against mine.

Nick and I's friendship has the added benefit of sexual release. Something that we both fully enjoy, but lately Nick seems to be enjoying it a bit too much. I pull back and press my hand against his chest. He looks at me in confusion and tries to pull me towards him again. I grin and pull away entirely while jerking my head in the direction of the kids. His eyes flicker with understanding and he huffs out in disappointment.

"Alpha Lume?" Says a little boy as he looks over at me with a shy expression.

"Yes?"

"We didn't mean to overhear but, what is silver training?"

"Trent!" Gasped a little one from the group in horror "It is not your place to question the alpha!"

Fighting back a smile I squat down to eye level and Trent does his best to appear unafraid while staring into my fiery gaze. "Well Mr. Trent, silver training is where we cuff you with silver chains. You then spend the entire night training while we inject you with small amounts of silver."

His blue eyes widen "But silver hurts us. Doesn't it?"

"Yes it does, that's why training with it builds your tolerance. That way enemies cannot use it to weaken you."

He nods in understanding and then looks at Nick "Do you silver train often Beta Nick?"

Nick chuckles "I try to avoid it as much as I can. It makes you strong but it hurts like hell kid. You don't have to worry about silver training until you graduate high school. Now run along, Alpha Lume and I have very important matters to attend to."

"Yes, Beta. Excuse me Alpha Lume." He says bowing. I nod and he runs to his friends as they all excitedly whisper about the encounter.

"You're a legend to them." Whispers Nick as we walk back towards the mansion.

"And why is that?" I question in amusement as I see the deep brick red color of the packhouse come into view.

"You rebuilt this pack with nothing but a bunch of teenage misfits and a farmer. You brought down two tyrannical alphas and offered their members refuge in our pack. They are so grateful to you, they worship you. They would die for you. You're a badass, a hero, a legend." He explains with a proud smile as he slings his arm over my shoulder.

Rolling my eyes I shove him "It's not like I did it alone. That ragtag team of misfits helped me do it." I joke as I step out of his arm.

He smiled and his eyes glimmered with joy. I give him a questioning look and he shakes his head "It's just rare to see you joking and smiling. It's nice is all." My smile disappears and he sighs "Spoke too soon I guess."

"Let's just get this train-wreck over with. The sooner we leave, the sooner we come back." I say as we get inside the car and pull out of the driveway. Passing by border patrol, Julian's sandy blonde wolf nods at me and they all begin to howl.

"Relax." Says Nick "They'll be fine, they've been trained by the best."

I nod and drive out of the territory, beginning the hour-long drive to Wolf Bay.

~~~A/N~~~

Here's the aesthetic for Wolf Bay 😍 Ugh I'm in love with this story already.

P.s.