Chapter 7 - Mira
Several new programs have started on the compound. Training for various sectors, offered to the Omegas, which surprised the hell out of me.
But what surprised me even more was when I got assigned to lead one of the training programs.
I’m not a leader! I don’t know how to talk to people or deal with big groups of them. How the hell did anyone think this was a good idea?
But I was assigned the task, and I know better than to go against my superiors.
It’s early Wednesday morning, the first day of my first teaching experience, and I am sick with anxiety.
Along with my new role as a leader, they have upgraded my office, and I’m no longer tucked away in the back of the building. I now have windows with incredible views that stretch over the lake.
I’m busy gathering my lecture notes when Kelsey walks into my new office.
“Oh wow, you weren’t kidding, this place is amazing!” she says, flopping down onto my sofa. “Being Luna certainly has some perks, I mean, apart from being married to the hottest man on the planet,” she giggles. “SO, how is he in the sack?” she teases.
“You know that’s not going to happen!” I snap.
She laughs and holds up her hands in defense. “Hey, girl, I’m just saying that you don’t have to like the guy to want to ride his…”
“Kelsey!” I snap.
She laughs again. “But this office, though…” she grins, changing the subject.
“I know, right. I wonder if Barion is pissed off and going to take it out on me,” I roll my eyes.
“Barion doesn’t work here anymore,” she furrows her brows. “I just walked past him on my way into the building. He had a box of his belongings in his arms, and he was muttering about being fired.”
“No, you must have heard wrong…” I say in disbelief.
“Dude, I’m not blind or deaf,” she snorts.
“Sorry, I know, that’s just really weird.”
“Anyway, I came to say good luck for the lesson thing and to find out if you’re joining the training session this afternoon,” she says, putting her feet up on the glass coffee table.
“Training session?” I ask, confused.
She sighs, leaning forward to pull a piece of paper out of her back pocket. It’s scrunched, folded, and worn. “Here,” she says, tossing it toward me.
I catch it before it flutters to the ground and unfold it.
“All Omegas are invited to join pack training with the Alpha in command. Should you wish to join the security force, you will need to pass all five levels of training,” I read out loud, thinking it must be some kind of a joke.
An Alpha has never invited Omegas to join the army force.
We aren’t viewed as valuable in that sense.
“I’m definitely going. Maybe I can finally get off this stupid security duty, wandering around the perimeter, and I can actually join the real team,” Kelsey is clearly excited.
“Kels, is this real?” I ask.
“Of course it’s real, dumbass. Your brother even handed me this brochure personally and told me to spread the news,” she scoffs. “So, are you coming?”
“Uh, sure. I’ll come by after my lectures are finished. I’m a little overwhelmed right now, this is… It’s a lot, you know. There are going to be so many people there.”
“How many people signed up?” She asks.
“Well, they put out an announcement on the pack WhatsApp inviting all pack members, Omegas included. Those interested in potentially working in the technology field were invited to attend this introductory lecture. I only got told a few minutes ago that over thirty people are coming,” I scoff.
My stomach knots with anxiety.
“Did you prepare a good intro lesson?” She asks, standing up and walking over to me.
“Of course, but that’s a lot of people to handle…” I mutter quietly.
“You are brilliant, Mira. Don’t let your nerves stop you from being brilliant. They signed up because they were interested. It’s not a room full of people who are forced to be there. They chose this,” she says.
“I suppose that’s true at least,” I agree, already feeling a little better. “Shit, I have to run, I’ll see you at training.”
***
My first lesson is a little bumpy, but when all of the same faces show up for the next lesson, I think to myself, I must have done something right.
During the second lesson, people also get bolder and start asking questions.
They take notes, draw diagrams, and start designing their first basic project.
I’m super excited about it and love picking out the students who show real promise from those who are more into it as a hobby.
During my second lesson, Jace steps into the hall and throws me off guard.
I trip over my words and get shy; luckily, one of the younger Omegas, Lila, puts her hand up to ask a question, giving me enough time to recover.
“Yes,” I answer her. “And if you reverse the polarity of that current you’ve mapped out, you’ll be shocked by what happens,” I laugh.
“What happens?” she asks, her eyes wide.
“You learn best by doing things yourself, so why don’t you give it a try and write a report for me as your next assignment?
” I say, my eyes constantly drifting toward Jace, standing with his back against the wall and his arms folded over his chest. Even from here, my body is drawn to him like a magnet.
“That’s all for today, guys. You each have your assignments. I love all the ideas. On Monday, I want you to bring all the supplies you need to start the project now that we’re moving past designs and into practical.”
“We get to actually build these things?” Penelope gasps.
“How else will you test revered polarity?” I grin.
My students filter out of the lecture hall, talking excitedly about their ideas.
Jace walks toward me, and I push my shoulders back, pretending to be busy with my paperwork so that I don’t have to look at him.
I hate the fact that he can sense and smell every reaction my body has when I’m around him. And from what I understand, once he claims me fully, once I bare the mark of his teeth on my skin, he will be able to feel what I feel and vice versa.
I’m not ready for that.
“Why didn’t you join the training yesterday? Your friend seemed sure you were going to come?” Jace asks, his voice cool and calm.
“The lesson went on longer than I’d planned. The students were all so excited, I didn’t want to stop them when they were in the flow of it all,” I explain.
“And this evening? Your class is finished now, isn’t it?” he asks, standing too close to me. I can’t resist taking a deep breath of his scent.
When I glance up at him, his eyes are locked onto mine like a hunter's.
“I, um,” have completely lost my train of thought.
He raises his brows impatiently, and the expression on his face reminds me that he’s an emotionless being and doesn’t give two shits about me.
I huff. “Sure, I’ll stop by this evening,” I say.
“I’m on my way there now. We can go together.”
“No, I need to stop home first and get changed and…”
“I’ll walk with you, come on,” he says, not taking no for an answer. I swear, this man just likes getting his own way. No matter what, that bully in him never left. I just evolved. He’s smarter about it now. More covert in letting people know he’s in charge, and he always wins.
Sighing, I don’t bother arguing. I shove my books and papers into my leather bag and sling it over my shoulder to follow him out.
It’s heavy, and I have to lean to the side to even out the weight of it.
But to my surprise, he takes it from me and drops it onto his own shoulder as though it weighed nothing.
“I can carry my own bag,” I snap.
“I didn’t say you couldn’t,” he snaps back, placing his hand on my lower back and ushering me toward the door.
His touch instantly has bolts of electricity shooting through me.
Heat pools between my legs, and I let out a silent groan as I try to calm Mika.
“Your wolf will enjoy the training,” he tells me as we walk out of the building.
“Do you even know her name?” I blurt out rudely.
He glares at me so intently that I instantly regret my bad manners.
“Jux is well acquainted with Mika,” he says coldly.
I nod, knowing what he means because Mika screams in excitement every time Jux is near her. Of course, he knows Mika. I’m just being childish and petty.
At the cottage, I change into my workout gear, slipping on a pair of dark blue tights and a matching blue sports crop top with extra support for whatever bounding around they are going to expect from us.
I stare at my reflection in the little mirror on my bedroom wall and grimace.
I don’t really have a figure that looks good with clothing this tight.
I’m made for comfy oversized sweaters and, only at a push, a crop top.
I’m a nerd. I don’t think I’m built for army training stuff at all.
Sure, I enjoy a good run. I crave it! And I love going to the gym, but this is a whole different level of training, and I can’t help but get the idea that Jace is only doing this to belittle the Omegas and prove to them how much weaker they are than everyone else.
Once a bully, always a bully.
I sigh, brushing my hands over my body. Let’s just get this over with, shall we?
Jace walks into the training area near the forest with his arm around my waist. It feels weird when every single person there turns to stare at us. I bet they are all wondering what the hell someone like him is doing with me.
I bite my lips when he gestures for me to join the others on the training floor.
Kelsey runs to stand next to me and laughs when I groan and pull a sour face. “You came!” she says excitedly.
“Not by choice, by obligation,” I mutter.
Training begins.