Nina POV
Buzz buzz buzz, my alarm clock on my phone goes off. Goaning, I rolled over and pressed dismissed. I am so not a morning person. Can’t I just have five more minutes? Then I remembered I needed to get back to running and working out. Too many days have passed since I have done any form of training and, since I am over the age of 18, I will be expected to fight to protect the pack. It may not be my pack, but since I am staying here, it would be disrespectful not to. Rolling out of bed, I grabbed a bright pink sports bar, black leggings with a pink strip down the side and my black tennis shoes. No reason to do my makeup since I will be sweating it off. I pulled my hair into a pony tail and started stretching.
Alright, time to get this over with. My clock read 6:15am. If I run for an hour, then people should be showing up for training, so that the weight room should be open. I walked to the front door and went outside. I stood there for a minute and took a deep breath. The scenery was beautiful. I don’t think I will ever get tired looking at anything. Spring was in full bloom with summer right around the corner. Trees were full and thick, wild flowers had taken over the forest floor like a blanket and there was a warmth to the wind that just calmed your soul.
Suddenly, the front door opened and Wyatt emerged looking as hot as ever. He had on grey sweats, black shoes, no shirt and he had some impressive bedhead. His chest was solid muscle and I instantly wanted to lick them all. Shaking off those thoughts before they got away from me, I said, “Can I help you?”
Wyatt smirked, “not a morning person I see. I was going to go to training early. Are you going for a run?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
“Hmm, well maybe I will run with you this morning and let someone else take over training for the day.”
I about snapped my neck turning to face him. “And why would you do that? I am old enough to run alone sir” I said, annoyed. I swear, my mouth will get me into trouble one day.
“Well, then maybe I just want the company. Let’s go princess.” And with that, Wyatt started to slowly jog away, pulling my arm, forcing me to move.
Ripping my arm from his grasp, I kept up with his pace. We ran in silence for a while before. We ran down a dirt road. Forests lined each side to remind me how hidden this place really was. The road had a few curves in it and there were random dirt paths off to the side.
“Turn here” Wyatt said. It was a turn off the main road and led into the forest. I followed him and kept up with him. This dirt path was very narrow and I had to run behind him. Of course, that view made it all worth it.
“Where are you taking me? To my death?”
“If I wanted you dead, you would be by now. I just have a place I wanted to show you”, Wyatt said, laughing. It was a deep throaty laugh that made my knees buckle.
“You could try, but I can hold my own.”
“So, I have heard.”
“Oh, and from who exactly?”
“Do you honestly think we would have let you into the pack house without looking into your background?”
I rolled my eyes, “Or Zach opened his big mouth. Either way, all you had to do was ask and I would have told you.”
“You sure about that? You didn’t keep anything from my dad initially when he asked?” Wyatt challenged. I was saved from answering when he came to a stop and walked through an opening into the trees. It came to a clearing with a small pond in the middle. There are purple, pink and yellow wild flowers blooming with thick grass. Birds were flying around and the rabbits were bouncing nearby.
“This is beautiful!” I said as I looked around in awe. I was slightly out of breath.
“Yes, beautiful” Wyatt said. I turned to look at him and he was looking straight at my face. I felt my cheeks turn red and walked more into the clearing, towards the pond. There was a small rock looking over the edge and I sat down on it as I felt Wyatt sit down beside me.
“What exactly do you want to know, Wyatt? They aren’t secret, but it’s not something I want to talk about either. It’s not like I am holding information that will bring harm to the pack. I am just a girl running away from her problems.”
“Tell me about the ‘Three Bandits’ then,” Wyatt challenged.
I sighed, “I honestly don’t know much about them. I know we killed them, I think we were in the wrong place at the wrong time and we got lucky.” I shrugged my shoulders and threw a rock into the pond.
“You honestly don’t know why they were there?” Wyatt asked as his eyes bored into mine.
“I honestly don’t, Wyatt. I am not lying. I am horrible at lying. A 5-year-old would know if I tried to lie.”
“Have you felt like you were being followed or watched?” Wyatt asked quietly.
I turned to face him again with a questioning look. Followed? Why would I be followed? I never did pay attention to the guy from the other pack I saw yesterday. That could have been a complete consequence. Slowly a bad feeling came over me. My spine stiffened and I became instantly alert. I heard Wyatt ask what was wrong before he followed it with a growl. I noticed the wildlife was missing. I turned to look at Wyatt and his eyes were glazed over. He was mid-linking someone.
“Rogues, come on!” Wyatt said as he grabbed my arm and yanked me up and we started sprinting. “Where is a safe house under the pack house. Go to the kitchen and pull the third knife from the left on the block and a door will open. Code is 5696. Go and protect the women and children there.”
Nodding my head, I turned to take off to the north as Wyatt went East.
“And Nina!” Wyatt shouted, “Be safe princess”, and he turned and shifted in to his wolf and took off.
“Should we shift?” I asked Raven.
“Not yet, I will give you some of my speed, but let’s wait to see if I need to. I just don’t feel like it is the right time to shift yet,” Raven said. She was on full alert, ears straight up and listening.
“I can hear the growls; the fight isn’t that far-away” I said. I came out of the forest and I could see two rogues walking into the pack house!
Holy Shit, I can’t mind-link anyone for help! Running at full speed, I was just hoping they got to safety before I could reach them. Did they not have anyone watching the packhouse? Flying through the open door, and following the smell and before I reached the kitchen door, I heard a scream. Instantly, I kicked the door down and I saw a rouge standing over Brooke! She had blood coming from her head but she was alert.
The rogue had his back to me so I jumped on his back and snapped his neck like it was nothing. He fell to the ground dead. Brooke looked at me in horror.
“Help them!” She screamed and pointed to the open door. I didn’t even hesitate as I ran through the door.
I saw a rogue stalking toward a group of women in the corner with a couple of children. I didn’t look to see who they all were. I focused my energy on the rouge.
“If you want a woman, come get one” I challenged.
He snapped his neck around and looked at me. Suddenly, he changed into his wolf. It was a smaller wolf, his hair was matted in dirt, blood and sweat. He looked like he might be grey, but it is hard to say with all the mud. His eyes glazed over for a second and I took the opportunity to run towards him and punch him in the throat. He recovered quickly and we started circling each other. I kept my back to the women and children so he didn’t take the chance to hurt them. Finally, he lunged at me. His hand was in the air to strike me and I swerved at the last minute, causing him to miss and slide, hitting the wall. I quickly jumped on his back and used my claw to dig into the throat and rip it out. He slumped on the floor and blood was squirting out. His eyes glazed over again and I stomped his face, causing him to pass out. I am not sure what message he wanted to send but I am pretty sure I didn’t want him to send it.
Looking up, I saw everyone looking at me with terrified eyes. I just saved them. Why are they looking at me like that? I heard some growls so I took off to the front of the packhouse. There were only a few rouges left and it looked like they were being handled, so I ran back inside to see if Brooke was okay.
When I got back to the kitchen, she was passed out and there was a pool of blood under her head. I gently picked her up bridal style and saw Ashley standing in the door way, very pale.
“Where is the hospital?” I asked quickly.
“I’ll show you!” Ashley said and even though she looked like she would be sick, she took off running.
I could feel the blood running down my arms, chest and stomach. She needed help badly. I hope I got to her on time! Ashley took a left-hand turn and I could see the hospital ahead.
“Message Wyatt and tell him Brooke is hurt. See if he can find Zach too!” I said to Ashely and sprinted to the hospital, leaving Ashley behind. I just knew I needed to get her here now!
I busted open the doors and there was already a nurse waiting for me. “Take her in here!” She ran into a room and I placed her on the bed.