Shocked to the Core #3
That was complicated. It wasn’t like I hadn’t wanted to hug Dalton over the years. I wanted to be back with them how we were before that fateful night on my shift… and honestly, it’s what I wanted afterwards too.
There was a sense of belonging when I was around Red Run wolves… but at the same time a sense of not belonging. Which didn’t really make sense… but it was how I felt. I was nervous when Haley popped in and started to ramble.
I was nervous... because I’d wanted my scars gone for so long. Haley popped me away. My mate’s mom smiled at me saying, “You ramble when you’re fucking nervous. Why are you nervous?” Xander popped in and I nervously asked about my back.
Haley, thankfully, had no problem with healing the scare. In fact, she looked excited that I’d asked. I quickly took off my hoodie before I could lose my nerve. I swore some rain clouds blew in for a brief second.
Under any other set of circumstances, I’d have laughed over Haley’s new nickname for Trevor. Freya chimed in, “Trevogre is quite fitting.” It was a good one, but I couldn’t focus on it. My back could be healed shortly. I was too scared to be excited.
I’d tried everything I could to get rid of them... now though… maybe they would be truly gone forever. No concealer to temporarily take away some of them... they would just be permanently gone. Xander confirmed they would be.
When they started to heal me and my mind drifted into that peaceful place. Freya purred, “This is amazing.” I asked my wolf, “Are you going to tell me why you don’t think anyone will be at our first shift?” Freya offered, “I can tell you later.”
I pressed, “Are you really sure they will all miss it?” Freya chuckled, “It’s not like it will happen on your birthday. How would everyone know to be there?” Well, that was true. I sighed, “But won’t Xander be there? I can… link anyone… Fairies are around… they could pop in.”
Freya was quiet then said, “No, mate won’t be there, but we will get to him shortly afterwards.
Or that’s the sense I’m getting. I don’t have confirmation though.
” I frowned, “Get to him? Does someone take him? They’ll RUE the day.
” Freya emphatically said, “No one takes him.” I could tell my wolf wasn’t going to say any more.
It felt like seconds before my eyes snapped open. I cautiously reached my hand up behind me and felt smooth skin. I ran to the first door I saw hoping it was a bathroom. Thankfully, it was. I turned around and tears filled my eyes as I looked into the reflection.
My scars were gone, really gone. The words, and even the ugly whipping scars... the words… I just kept staring at the reflection… they weren’t there anymore... as if they never happened. I ran my fingertips over where the words had been.
Xander came into the bathroom and held me as I fell apart with relief. It was over. Trevor didn’t have that power over me anymore. I knew it was silly… but those words gave him power over me sometimes. Now, he had nothing.
I could beat him in a fight easily. Now, Trevor had nothing to make me feel ashamed of. All his tools to make me feel like nothing were gone. I had to hug my future mother in law. I ran into the living room and threw myself into her arms.
I thanked her repeatedly. Haley whispered into my ear, “You are a fucking badass. Trevogre has no power over you, and he never did. He is nothing. His vicious words mean absofuckinglutely nothing.” I just kept thanking her.
It didn’t surprise me that she understood how I felt about this. I knew about her childhood. Haley probably did understand better than anyone how those scars made me feel. When I pulled away from her Xander popped us back to our room.
We ate pizza together, but I felt exhausted and completely drained. I fell asleep snuggled in with Xander. I woke up feeling completely energized. I grabbed a tight red hoodie and some leggings. I left quietly and found my new spot to dance.
I danced for an hour, but I still felt energized.
I went to the gym next. I wasn’t surprised when KJ, Fowler, and Chason walked in behind me.
I laughed asking, “Do you guys sleep?” Fowler yawned, “Do you?” I nodded, “Yes.” KJ snorted, “I don’t think you do.
” I argued, “I sleep so much now.” All of them stared at me for several seconds, but I was serious.
Chason broke the stare down, “I’ve got a young pup who wakes up early. So, I took the morning shift with him so my wife could sleep. It’s actually my workout time.” I told Chason, “I’d love to meet them… I mean your family… umm sometime.” Chason laughed, “My mate would like to meet you too.”
Fowler said, “No mate or pups for me yet. My little sister would like to meet you though.” I smiled agreeing, “I could do that.” KJ grunted, “It’s just me. I have friends in New York, it’s part of why Eric sent me. I’ve got contacts around the Philly area.” Yet he was here… hmm.
Freya chuckled at my thoughts. I moved over to the heavy bag and started to warm up.
I heard an angry throat clear behind me after I’d been in the gym for ten minutes.
Freya growled in my head. I sighed, “Let me guess… that obnoxious throat clearing belongs to... Bradford.” I could smell it did, but I was giving him a chance to go away.
I turned around then muttered, “Of course it does.” Freya asked, “He’s not really doing this, is he?” I didn’t reply. My wolf nearly shouted, “Right?” I warned her, “He definitely is.” My wolf growled. Bradford’s eyes narrowed as he challenged me, “I want to fight you in the ring.”
I laughed, “My advice of saying…. no you really don’t, would fall on deaf ears... wouldn’t it?” Bradford snorted, “So you were good at fighting in Black Path, so what? They are shit.” I snorted, “Formerly, they are just fine now.” Bradford shot back, “You aren’t there.”
I replied, “Caine is and I trained him. Along with several others, they are just fine. Besides, I didn’t just take down people in Black Path.
I’ve taken down Alpha’s. Several, in fact.
I feel the need to point out… you don’t have any Alpha blood.
You’re going to challenge my authority….
because you’re not asking for a friendly spar.
I take those very seriously…. and always did because I had to. ”
EJ’s Beta walked up. I smiled greeting, “Good morning, Toby.” Toby raised an eyebrow, “Is it? Is it really? We have different definitions of good. Bradford, cool your jets. She is your future Luna. Not only that, she’s ALEXANDER’S Luna for god's sake.”
Bradford didn’t back down. Toby continued, “This is practically suicidal. The harder trainings Alexander’s done previously will pale in comparison for this act alone. Think of the other Warriors here.” That could not be his argument.
I laughed, “Toby, haven’t you noticed he’s not the brightest?
Nor does he care so much about others. Bradford’s pride was hurt, and mommy dearest couldn't save him. In fact, she took quite a hit herself. Where is your dad by the way, Brad?” Bradford said, “It’s Bradford.
” I replied, “I know…I’m testing out different names…
so you sound less pretentious. Brad’s not gonna do it with your attitude. ” Several people snickered.
I looked around and spotted Bradford’s dad.
I hummed, “You look a lot like your dad. You don’t act like him though.
I fought with him to defend Alpha Theo’s pack.
Do you really want to do this? You’ll end up seriously injured…
and your pride even more wounded… and with a lot of time to consider your actions. ”
Bradford snorted, “No, I won’t but you will.” I sighed, “Statistically speaking, you’re wrong… and this is going to end poorly for you. I really want people to like me here so… I’m not sure if you’re like in the popular crowd… I mean I doubt it, other than a select group of like minds… but still.”
Bradford growled, “I have friends.” I replied, “I literally said you did. A group of like minds… that’s… I said that.” Bradford grunted, “I’m still fighting you.” I groaned, “Fine. Get in the ring.” Freya said, “We’ve got this.” I knew that.
Toby groaned, “Why me? Ok. I’ll just be doing something over here. Linking Alexander would be a bad idea. Dad. I’ll link my dad. He’ll have an idea. Any of my cousins would do something bad. Well, that’s not true. Phil would just get out a chair and sit down.”
I laughed, “All of that is true. Which is why I’d lay odds that Gage will walk in shortly… because one of them linked him.” I pointed at KJ, Chason, and Fowler. Toby snorted, “Gage won’t do anything.” I hummed, “Uhhh false.”
I knew exactly what Gage would do because I’d studied him. Toby shouted, “What?” I said, “I mean probably… it’s highly likely… but your dad’s idea will be Eric coming… so… that’s all bad for Ford… no that’s too serious. We need something fun with is attitude.” Toby winced as I got into the ring.
Bradford smiled saying, “I don’t have a nickname, I just go by Bradford.” I reasoned, “I’m just trying to help you. So…I’ll figure out a better name.” Bradford sneered, “It’s time to teach you how things go around here.”
I laughed, “You’re going to teach me something? You? Who doesn't even understand how a pack works? That will be the day. You can’t take me….or come close the knowledge of this pack that I have. Or how packs work in general.” Freya snickered, “No, he can’t. You tell him!”
Bradford warned, “I’ve been training since I was little.” I smiled, “What a coincidence. So have I. In fact, I was beating Warriors when I was a pup. Our Male Lead Warrior had me in his personal classes… well former. Wait… Do I smell Zane here? I totally do.” I turned and spotted him.
Zane nodded to me, “Take him down, Ladybug.” I choked down the emotion I was feeling because he looked so confident in my skills even though he hadn’t seen me fight since I left. Zane linked, “You got this.” I knew that, but it meant a lot he’d linked me….I stuffed those emotions away.