June ate to her heart’s content.
The others watched her with confusion, none dared to take a bite or say a word. Zeus watched her eat and slowly, the atmosphere became chilled.
Not only could he heat up a room, he could also direct the temperature to himself so it was a bit chilly. The others began eating when he finished.
They all joined June who ate until she couldn’t anymore. Zeus watched her fondly and to say Georgina was shocked was the least. This child had never blinked at the mention of a woman.
No one had caught his attention as much as this little one. She wondered if there was something her grandchild was hiding from her. So much so she wondered what it was about this child that made him so different.
After the meal, they all retired to their bedrooms and so did June. Zeus walked her to the floor as their rooms were in the same hallway. Just before she entered her room, she spoke.
“Thank you for today.”
Zeus stared at her blankly. In these moments, she felt the soul of Rafael look back at her. June shook her head and reminded herself that Zeus was merely a look alike.
She wondered if Rafael had survived too. She wondered if he had been given an opportunity at a second chance like herself. She wondered about his welfare and the state of things at home.
“We begin at five.” Zeus left her at the door and entered his bedroom.
June was confused. What was that?
The next morning, three heavy bangs on the door sent her flying from her most comfortable bed. “Who is there?” She muttered sleepily.
Lights from the windows flooded the room, hurting her eyes.
“The Alpha requests your presence.” A foreign voice said from the other end of the door.
June trudged towards the door. Darn this weak body for making her feel so weak! By the time she got to the door, she felt like she was in need of water and a breath of fresh air.
A little walk to the door and she was tired. She wasn’t even overweight!
June opened the door with a sigh. A woman dressed in a battle regalia stood behind the door. Her eyes narrowed upon sighting her. June could read that face anywhere.
She was being looked down upon.
“You should be at the training ground.” The woman said with hostility clad in her voice. “The Alpha is waiting.”
June ignored the bite in her tone and focused on the situation at hand. One look at the time and it was past nine. She overslept!
June quickly put herself together and soon, she was on her way to the training ground. Zeus walked around the training ground with his hands to his back. He was the definition of perfection.
However, it seemed like today was not a good day as he wore a grotesque expression. The entire Night Shade clan stood in attention at the situation. From the years spent training with the Alpha, everyone knew he hated tardiness.
The Alpha hated lateness and had once burnt someone alive for showing up a few minutes after the time. The entire clan was supposed to be on the training ground at five for the morning runs before the training.
June dared to show up four hours after the time.
“I’m so sorry.” June said to Zeus while breathing heavily. “I overslept.”
The woman who brought her was all smiles. Tara was the strongest female in the NightShade pack. She won the position after a tournament was held in the pack four years ago.
Every year, she defended her title and came up top. However, since the previous night, she held a grudge against the woman who suddenly showed up and occupied her seat.
It was general knowledge that no one sat beside Zeus. Everyone knew that the seat beside him was always empty. Zeus intentionally kept the seat vacant. Not even his grandmother could sit on it.
Only for the hungry looking and weak lady to waltz her way into dinner and plummet herself on the seat. And what’s worse, Alpha Zeus did nothing about it. He just let her gobble down food while they all watched like morons.
Deep down, Tara nursed desires to be the Alpha’s bride. She trained herself everyday over the past seven years, beat her peers and ensured that she was constantly in his face and at his service.
Yet she wasn’t spared the time of the day. It was hurtful that this good for nothing clutz he returned with could easily snag the attention she’s pined for years. She couldn’t wait for the Alpha to descend on her for tardiness.
At least she would be rid of her this time.
Zeus walked closer to June with a frown. “You were supposed to be here four hours ago.” He muttered, inches away from her.
June felt the heat of his body. For some reason, Augusta’s wolf leaned forward, and in that moment, Zeus’ eyes widened. He failed to hide it before she saw it. Angus was playing with his fire.
Zeus had never been so shocked. No one, no creature on earth had reached out to his powers and survived it. His fire element was the deadliest side of himself.
One he was still discovering the extent of damage it could cause. He didn’t sense June’s wolf and from all indications, it was clear she was weak and woofless.
Yet something within her touched his gift like it was a child’s toy.
“Get to work.” Zeus said, hiding the situation with a frown. “Tara will train you.”
A gasp escaped the lips of some members when they heard the Alpha’s words. He was letting her… train? The Alpha was actually letting her train despite her tardiness.
The news spread like wildfire within seconds. The members of the NightShade pack who were in the training ground spread the news to others through mindlink and soon, it was all everyone thought and talked about.
Tara bit back a retort and bowed her head. “Yes Alpha.”
Zeus watched June follow Tara to a secluded part of the training ground. “Let’s see what you’ve got.” She said, beckoning June to attack her.
“I have no skills…” June stated, rooted to her spot.
“If you are going to last here, you should start doing what you are told without giving excuses.” She said with a frown. “Attack me.”
An excuse was at the tip of June’s tongue but she swallowed it. This was training. Someone needed to attack first, right? June decided to attack with a punch.
Tara easily caught it. “Pitiful.” She twisted her arm the other way around and June yelped in pain. “Is that all you can do?”
Tara pushed her to the ground. “Again!”
June got on her feet and repeated the process. This time, she tried to do a spin kick that ended up sending her to the ground. Just before she could get up, Tara tackled her to the ground with a devilish smile.
“It’s my turn.” She whispered and rammed her feet to June’s side.
June coughed blood from the impact. Tara didn’t stop. She rained blows and kicks in June until she could barely see. A few minutes later, June laid on the floor, bloodied and immobile.
She couldn’t feel her limbs from the beating she received.
“Welcome to Night Shade, June.” She said with a smile. “You have a long way to go. I suggest you know your place and learn diligently from today’s session.”
Tara looked her over with a frown. “I’d say that your werewolf genes would do the job but I can’t sense a wolf within you.” She asked. “You should see the pack doctor for some werewolf blood. I’d hate to see you in this state tomorrow.”
June couldn’t speak. She felt like all her ribs were broken and something pressed sharply against her lungs with every inhale. During the course of her ‘training’ she puked last night’s dinner and everything seemed bleak.
She needed help and that right now.
June remained on the ground while other members walked past without as little as a glance towards her. She needed help but it seemed like everyone had something better to do or wasn’t so keen on helping her.
Georgina soon came along with the acclaimed pack doctor. “Oh dear! I knew the first training would be bad, but I didn’t think it would be this bad.” She cooed.
June was raised from the dust by two men who accompanied the supposed doctor. A searing pain shot through her body and she immediately wished she was left alone on the ground.
They helped her to the hospital where Georgina left her to the capable hands of the pack doctor. While they administered treatments to her frail body, June cursed the beast inside her for not making her strong.
It was one thing to watch the life of Augusta through a clear lens but it was a different case to experience it. Augusta was too weak and frail, and June hated the effect it had on her.
For the rest of the day, she poked the beast inside her, wanting answers it refused to give. After getting a high dose of werewolf blood, June was healed in a few hours. It was akin to a miracle! She was released to go about her day afterwards.
Meanwhile, Georgina sat in the Alpha’s office with an inquisitive expression. “Is she your mate?”
Zeus remained silent as he scribbled on a paper. However, the change in the room’s temperature told Georgina she was approaching dangerous grounds.
“News is flying around. If she isn’t the one, you need to address the situation. Nightshade eventually needs an heir.”
Zeus stared at his grandma. “What do you want?”
She smiled. “I want you to pick a bride.”