Chapter 22
“Thank you Mateo.” I whisper, but I know he can hear me.
That was the first night in a long time that I cried. I never cried after getting beaten by Kaley and her
friends, I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction and I have never been close to my dad so there was
never an emotional connection to feel sad about. But Mateo. Mateo was a loss that I didn’t know
hurt me until now when I got a glimpse of what we had before he started focusing on his duties as
the next beta. I fell asleep hoping he and I could have the close relationship we did when we were
little. Today was just one day though, and they only noticed me after they found out I was better at
something than they were. And the only reason they even noticed was because Sierra happened to
partner with me. So, we’ll see how long this lasts
The morning came quickly after that. I was actually too antsy to sleep much. At 4 I finally decided I
needed to go for a jog, my wolf agreed. A run in the forest really early helped clear my mind and
settle conflicting thoughts. It’s like everything falls into place out here. I was trying to gather my
thoughts on my emotions. Was I more excited or scared that they were going to join me? I was
planning to ask Sierra if she wanted to come anyway, but adding the guys was something I never
thought of. They always had their own things going on and too busy to look in on how the rest of the
pack fared or trained. I walked back into my house at 5 after running half the patrol border route and
went to start breakfast. It’s the one thing I did on the weekends for my brother and dad. Neither
acknowledged or thanked me, but there was never anything left, so it must be at least decent. I
plated everything and left it on the island then I went to knock on Mateo’s door to make sure he was
up and getting ready.
“Hey sleeping beauty, you up?” I sing in at him. “We have to get moving or we will be late and I don’t
actually know what Oliver does to people who are late, nor do I want to find out the hard way.”
“I think I actually hate you. Why do you sound so chipper already?” He grumbles with his face still
firmly planted in his pillow.
“Lies, you love me. Get in the shower, it helps and I made breakfast and coffee.” I smack him on the
back and he groans again.
“How long have you been up exactly?”
“Little while, I went for a run and made breakfast, no big deal. I do it every weekend. This is my
normal.”
“Wait, you run and make breakfast…before you go to training. Since when do you make breakfast?”
“I always make breakfast on the weekends, it’s the only time Gretchen takes off.”
“Does dad know it’s you and not her? Cause, I had no idea. I just thought she came in and made
quick stuff before spending the day with her family. I am feeling more and more inferior the longer I
talk to you.” He groans, finally stepping away from his bed toward the bathroom.
“Whatever, Beta, get ready fast, you only have 15 minutes before we have to meet the guys.”
I walk out of his room smiling. His subtle compliment gives me a little more hope that we can be
friends. It’s a bit strange. I haven’t had this much conversation with my brother in years. My dad has
had him so busy training for becoming the next beta that he hasn’t had any time for me since he
was about 10. But, as strange as it is, I would be lying if I said that I didn’t enjoy it. Even if it is only
temporary. I know they are all only coming today because Oliver felt a slight to his male ego
knowing that I train more than he does, even with the extra time they put in with their dads. He
needs to know if he could handle it. The rest of the guys are coming to either cheer him on when he
does it, or have proof when he fails. What he doesn’t know is that I don’t do half the things they do. I
don’t go to parties, or hang out with friends. I don’t go to study groups or hold meetings with our
current leaders to understand how the pack functions. Physical training is my only escape from the
hell that Kaley and her friends bring me.