The Alpha’s Getaway (Fated Souls #3)

Chapter 1

EVAN

“Goddess, I pray you guide me in the right direction,” I murmur as I press my cold palms together.

My eyes are bolted shut, and I try to keep my face as neutral as possible while shifting above the grains of rice that pierce the skin on my knees.

“I know I have done bad things,” I whisper with trembling lips. “But I don’t want to be like my brother. I never wanted to do the things he asked of me.”

The underdeveloped muscles in my legs begin to shake from the uncomfortable sensation of the rice. But this is a punishment to myself—proof that I will do anything for forgiveness.

“I’m sorry for what I have done. I’m sorry I am a disgrace to this world. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me,” I rasp with a tremor in my voice. “Even if I can’t forgive myself.”

When I peel my eyes open, I glance up at the clock on the wall. It’s approaching midday, and training starts soon. If I’m late, it’s only going to add to the stereotype I’ve adopted.

Well…I guess it’s not exactly a stereotype.

I am an Omega, which means I’m at the bottom of the pack. I’m the outcast who had nowhere else to go. If it weren’t for Alpha Jaxon saving me, I’d be dead. Sometimes, I think it would have been better off that way.

I sigh as I fall onto my ass, pick the grains of rice out of my knees, and scoop the rest up from the floor. I slide them into a metal container and hide it in my bedside drawer.

After getting dressed in suitable clothing, I head towards the clearing outside the house. The large patch of grass is littered with people from the pack, ready to give their all for our Alpha, who is training us to be nothing but the best.

A lot has changed since I first arrived when I was seventeen. It’s been three years, and I haven’t improved much. Given Kayden, the Beta, has taken time out of his day to help train the most inadequate among us, I’m still struggling to pack on muscle like most wolf shifters.

There is a light elbow in my ribs, and I glance at Ava, our Luna, standing beside me with a bright smile, rosy cheeks painting her ivory skin, and her dark hair swept back into a neat ponytail. “Hey,” she says softly. “Are you ready for Jaxon’s new training regime?”

I internally grimace. “No. Not really.”

“Oh, come on, don’t be like that.” She straightens her spine and shakes her head. “Besides, he ran it through with me. It’s good—the best we’ve ever had.”

“That’s if I can keep up,” I grumble under my breath.

Ava nudges me again. “You’ve got this.”

“Right, everyone, listen up,” Jaxon shouts across the clearing.

All attention is immediately drawn to him with his voice of authority.

“I’m sure most of you are aware I’ve been recruiting for multiple trainers within the pack to make us the strongest we can possibly be.

The training schedule will be changing, and we’ll be adding extra hours to the current week.

We’re incorporating our human strength, archery, and many other elements to raise our skill set to the highest.”

Goddess. I can barely run in wolf form and keep up, let alone learn how to use a bow and arrow. I’ll be like Bambi on ice—except with a dangerous weapon.

“We will be training together as a pack, but also in smaller groups, to ensure each and every one of you is receiving close inspection for any issues,” Jaxon says as he stands tall, arms tucked behind his back.

I gulp. Any close inspection of me and they’ll know I’ve outstayed my welcome.

My eyes flick across the clearing until they land on Kayden, his face void of any emotion.

He can be lethal when he wants to be, alongside our Alpha.

You wouldn’t want to see them coming. I’ve heard the horror stories of what they did to my brother, and as much as I hate violence, it’s a relief to know he’s not here anymore.

He deserved death more than anyone I know.

Kayden’s eyes lock on mine as we listen to Jaxon’s declaration. He nods once in my direction, and I inhale a sharp breath. We might be working close together on building confidence, but when I’m with everyone like this…it’s intensely overwhelming.

“I don’t want to see a single person slacking off. I need you to be fearless and brave. I want you all to be as physically fit as possible.” Jaxon’s gaze flicks over us. “And I know it’s doable because you all have incredible potential. So, we’re going to work hard. Does everyone understand?”

“Yes, Alpha.”

He nods curtly. “Let’s not waste any more time,” he murmurs before splitting us up with our new training mentors.

When he calls my name, I immediately go to my designated trainer, Cyrus. He’s been working with Jaxon over the past few months, and he’s brutal when it comes down to training, which could either be good or incredibly bad.

I loiter at the back when people gather around him, and I find myself out of my depth. They all have muscles bulging from their arms and loom over me. I’m barely five foot eight and struggle to put on weight.

I’m a sad excuse for a wolf.

Cyrus beckons us closer, and I wish I were anywhere but here.

“Today, we’re going to train in our human forms.” Cyrus claps his hands together. “Both need to be at an exceptionally high level to reach new achievements. We’re going to focus on stamina and maintaining energy today. We’ll warm up, then I’ll create a path, and you all will follow.”

A shiver runs through my body as I glance around once more. It’s obvious I’m physically the weakest here—probably mentally, too.

My confidence starts to crumble, but I try to channel Kayden’s words from our private training sessions. This is a slow process, not a race. All progress is still progress.

“What’s wrong, Evan?” a voice echoes from beside me.

I glance up to find none other than Sam. My eyes resist the urge to roll. He thinks he’s better than everyone else, always has his head up his own ass—or Jaxon’s—and he sure loves to torment others who don’t rise to the same standards.

“You look a little terrified.” He grins, but it’s not a welcoming smile.

No, I know that look. He’s trying his hardest to intimidate me.

“I’m not,” I respond lamely.

He releases a chuckle. “I’ll see you when I’ve lapped you, yeah?”

My nose turns up at his patronising tone. I shake him off, telling myself to focus on everything I’ve been working on over the last few years.

Cyrus takes us through a thorough workout, one that has me sweating from every crevice before we’ve even started the main event. I sigh and try not to let the struggle show on my face, but it’s nearly impossible.

Then he takes us through our trail run. I don’t want Sam to be right, but I am at the back. Immediately, my legs feel like they’re about to cramp up. Everyone else seems to be good at long-distance sprinting; I’m more of a slow short-distance jogger.

Most wolves would take one look at me and know I’m not in the same realm as them. But when you spend a few years fighting for your life and being severely malnourished most of the time, it takes its toll on you.

Let’s go, Evan. Cyrus’s voice floats through our mindlink. Keep up.

I release a groan, bile burning the insides of my chest. My speed quickens, but my lungs are ready to burst.

It would be easy to give up, but that won’t impress Jaxon, and I know I’m already on my last legs with him. Not because I’m not trying, but because I could easily bring the pack down if something were to happen to us.

When I realise how far behind I am, I start to panic internally. The second I finally reach the finishing point, I’m exhaling like I smoke fifty a day.

The rest of the group glance over as I press my hands to my knees and try not to dry heave. All I can hear is my erratic breathing, and shame swarms me.

Cyrus steps forward, and I glance up to find an unamusing expression on his face. “I’m going to have to report back to Jaxon,” he says before folding his arms over his chest. “You’re just not at an acceptable standard. We have goals to hit, and you’re dragging us down.”

“Please,” I rasp. “I need more time.”

“How much more time?” Cyrus waves a hand. “You already do extra lessons with Kayden, and you’re not improving. I have to be honest with Jaxon.”

The sound of Sam’s laughter behind Cyrus makes my skin crawl.

My entire body begins to shake. “I’m trying. I really am.”

“It’s not good enough, Evan.”

The gaping hole in my chest begins to spread, and my eyes sting.

“I’ll do better. I promise.”

Cyrus sighs heavily. “It’s my job to make you better, and I get you’re trying, but I still need to report back to the Alpha.”

“Okay.” I hang my head.

He turns back to the group and claps his hands, the sound echoing around the trees. “Now it’s time to step into the circle, and we’re going to spar one-on-one.”

I close my eyes in defeat. Great. Another nail in my coffin.