I run to the gym. It is next to the high-school of the pack. That's about a mile away, so it will be a pleasant run to relax and get rid of all this anger. I spend a lot of time running on our property and in the gym. I suppose a part of me never stopped acting like a future Alpha: it means being always ready to stand for your people, no matter what.

As I run, I go past the kindergarten. I like this place so much.

Kindergarten and high-school are in the packhouse area. On the one hand, to protect the youngest pups of the pack. Pups are the future of the pack, and it has been the tradition since my ancestors settled our pack to have the pups from birth to the age of five near the Alpha and the soldiers during day time. I love to visit them and spend some time with them.

I may go later in the day.

On the other hand, high school is in the packhouse area to have the teenagers surrounded by the woods as most wolves shift for the first time between fourteen and sixteen.

That would be problematic to have wild wolves going through the streets and risking wounding people when losing control. At least here, they are taken in charge by warriors and healers, and no accidents have happened for almost six decades. Quite effective.

Primary and secondary schools are in the city. There is no risk of shifting kids at their age, and it allows kids to grow up away from the pack's business, as any regular kid should enjoy.

Protecting kids' innocence has always been one of our pack's top priorities.

I unexpectedly decide to stop at the kindergarten for a minute and say hello. These pups are so cute. They are so curious and playful.

I could have become a teacher for the pack, I guess. There is no need to be a wolf, and kids that young only ask for games, dreams, and fun ways to learn: nothing a human like me can't do.

I should have thought about that earlier.

I still can do it anyway, as it seems the Prince does not want me anymore - already.

I will think about that.

Maybe it will somehow complete the void that appeared inside me this morning. I have to try, I suppose.

After a few minutes with the kids, I just keep on running to the gym. I have to hurry, so I don't get late.

When I enter the gym, Caleb is already here with Kate. As usual, she tied her hair pretty well and had fantastic makeup. This girl is sexy as hell whenever it is or whatever she is doing.

I should have called her this morning so she could have helped me to turn into a hot warrior, just to annoy the Prince.

As soon as she sees me, Kate leaves Caleb to join me. She opens her arms and hugs me as I hide my face against her. A massive wave of comfort is overwhelming me.

Moon-Goddess, I should have thought about calling her this morning for sure.I can't help myself and have to tell her how I feel.

"It's just I would like him to let me know it's not all in my head. That the butterflies in my stomach and his loving green eyes were for real. And that he's just fucked up, and that is why he changed his mind. Because it felt so real, Kate." My voice shivers, and I can't keep all the tears inside.

My eyes just fill with tears, and everything around turns blurry.

Crap, I was not supposed to cry; I was supposed to be the strong girl.

"That's gonna be okay, Liv. You're gonna be fine. He is just a man, and you deserve the best. If he does not see that, then he is not the best for you," she murmurs in my ear.

Then she looks at me with her incredible blue eyes and a significant smile.

She dries the tears under my eyes and kisses my forehead gently.

Kate is a Reader. It means she can feel people's emotions and thoughts. As a result, she can calm down people. Being a Reader is a great gift for a wolf.

If you can try to train to feel things, real-born Readers are rare, but Kate is one of them. This is one reason that pushed her to join the pack Health Department.

She is training to be a nurse for the pack, and she's going to be a fucking good one as patients can't keep a secret from her, thanks to her gift. It is pretty helpful to heal sick people.

"Thanks, Kate." My voice seems more confident, and everything seems already better with her by my side.

Caleb whistles as my brother and Julie arrive. Finally, time to get rid of the frustration.

Today's training will be fine despite the pain I felt this morning when I woke up. I feel surprisingly full of energy.

The warm-up consists of running. Let's say I love running as I feel so free. That is the perfect activity to start this morning's session.

Even if I have no wolf in me, I am one of the fastest when it comes to running. Two people are capable of beating me: Eli and Caleb. We run through the forest. I know the place almost perfectly. I start the warm-up running by Kate's side.

"Want some more coffee, sis," Eli calls me.

As soon as I see his playing grin, I know exactly what he wants: a little race, just the two of us.

Before he can say a word, I turn right and jump above a dead trunk. The training field is about half a mile away: just the perfect distance to end this warm-up.

Quickly, my brother joins my side.

"That's a little slack, sis. You should..." Before he can end his undoubtedly annoying sentence, I push him and run faster, jumping and sliding between the fallen trees and bushes on my way.

We reach the training field almost at the same time. He got me by two steps.

"Almost, Liv. Next time..." he says, hugging me and kissing my forehead.

"I'll kick your ass, baby Alpha," I answer, almost laughing.

That's why I love my brother. He always does whatever it takes to make me feel better: challenging me is one of these things.

When everybody is finally here, we start the second part of today's training—the fighting session.

During these sessions, we learn how to protect ourselves if we have to defend ourselves and fight with our human forms one day. Therefore, I can be sure that I will be able to watch myself if I go to live with other humans: humans are indeed weaker than werewolves. It will be a piece of cake if I get into trouble.

Eli decides to train with me. I know that his behavior is above the protecting and loving brother's attitude.

He must be worried: I could almost wonder if he's not testing me for some kind of weird reason.

Today, we mainly work on self-defense moves: hammer strikes, elbow strikes, heel palm strikes, and escape from any unwanted hugs. I like to kick Eli's ass when he hugs me, and I have to free myself.

He holds me, hands restrained by his firm grip, and I have to admit I've got a hard time freeing myself. I decide to make my best move: I put my teeth right into his right hand and bite.

Unconventional method, but it works. I use his surprise to grab him, put him on the ground, and put my bottom on his chest.

"Fuck, Liv. You bite harshly. You've got to stop this," he says, rubbing his other hand on my bite.

"Efficient, don't you think?" I laugh.

"Yeah, let's say that, crazy biter," he answers, pushing me so I can get up.

We keep on training for quite some time.

The fighting session goes so well. Maybe too well for a no-wolf. The only explanation is that my brother wishes to make me feel better, and so he just lets me win.

No way that I can beat my fight against Eli.

Winning against him is clearly impossible, as he is an Alpha, and I'm a no-wolf, but it feels nice anyway. He even faked being surprised. I love him so much.

Thankfully, our link will never stop.

After one hour and a half of training, Caleb decides it is time to end today's workout. So I go to a corner of the room with Kate to speak privately.

As I am stretching, I see a foot next to me. As I did not smell anyone coming, I understand he is one lycan. I look up and see a tall and muscular blond-haired boy.

He has lovely blue, grayish eyes. Totally hypnotizing. But his face is as cold as Alec's one when he is in public.

What is wrong with them?

I recognize the man who must be Alec's some kind of Beta as he is always with him but does not act as some bodyguard would.

"You need something?" I ask with an actual unfriendly tone.

Even Kate is hitting my arm with a really unpleasant look.

"You need to come with me, Liv," he says with a calm voice. Clearly, he does not care about the way I talk to him.

"No, Liv for you. I don't know you. I don't want to know you, and I don't have to listen to you. So 'Miss Evans' will be fine with you. Now, excuse me, please. I need to go." I stand, take my sweater, and put it on.

"I'll see you later, Kate. I need to run a little more."

I'm about to get out when the man puts his hand on me.

"I am Jackson, the Prince's Beta. Now you know me, I have to insist: you must follow me to Alec, Olivia."I look at him, and I understand that he's just Alec's owl, a simple messenger.

Does he genuinely think that he is some kind of God? Do all lycan act this way? Do they believe everyone owes them something?

"You'll come with your feet or in my arms, but you will. So I would truly appreciate you doing it on your own, Olivia." Jackson seems nervous about the idea of being forced to take me to Alec.

If I don't, I could make a Prince angry. I have to admit that I am very tempted, but I know Jackson will be the one paying if something does not please the Prince. I may hate Alec today; I have nothing against his Beta.

"Okay... So let's go meet his Highness," I answer with an unenchanted voice, rolling my eyes.

Well, at least I can tell him what I think about him dumping me.

We leave after that and stroll to the packhouse. We talk about it so that we don't go silent: the weather, the packhouse, the people here, and how different it is from the Capitale.

Before he can tell me about it, we are already at the packhouse.

Before we enter, I stop and wait for him to face me.

"Any problem, Miss Evans?" he asks me nicely.

"Why is he acting like this?" As I see his questioning face, I feel the need to add specific details.

"Like a bipolar douchebag, loving then despicable, with no time to get the change."

He smiles a little before he goes inside and walks to Alec's room.

"He is not a bad guy. Rather the contrary, in fact. He just does not know how to act with you, his mate. That's a significant change that he did not plan. So you should listen to him, really, Miss Evans. And I don't say that because he is my best friend or Prince."

Crap, can he be right? Does the Prince have an explanation for his behavior? Despite the actual words, my rational brain doubts that.

Before I realize it, we are by Alec's room door.

"That was nice to meet you, Jackson." I smile.

Nevertheless, I feel bad. I was mean to him as he is, in fact, an actually nice man.

Maybe all lycans are not douchebags. I feel sorry for him for being stuck with Prince Alec.

"Thank you, Miss Evans. It was my pleasure," he answers with a head sign. Before he goes away, I call him.

"Jackson?" He looks at me. "You can call me Liv in the end."

He smiles with a wink.

"Perfect, Liv. See you around then."

And here I am, facing the door of my fate. Ready to be officially rejected.