When I woke up it was nearly noon. Mmmmm I feel good. I little stoved-up but gooood. Drugs don't usually help me sleep but muscle relaxers do the trick. I stretch and yawn and stand up. My stomach grumbles.
"Lunch time!" I yell running to the bathroom and getting ready. In no time I'm in the kitchen piling a plate with food.
"Slow down tiger!" I hear a familiar behind me. I set my plate on the counter and turn to meet him.
"Rickey!" I yell and run into his arms.
"Aww come on Lil... Eric or Erickson I'm not a pup any more!" He says with a laugh as he picks me up spinning me around the kitchen.
Erickson is Gamma of the pack. At 30 he is the youngest in our leadership. He's kinda like a big brother to me. Eric is in charge of the warriors. Delta David took over so Eric could go on a search for his mate. He sets me down giving me a once over.
"You're bulkin' up lil spitfire." He says.
"Yeah Carson and David have been training me." I tell him.
"How's David been with my warriors?" He asks.
"Great I've been training with them." I tell him.
"Hmmmm...well Spitfire I'm gonna have a look myself here in an hour or so... eat quick and I'll judge for myself how well our dear Delta is doing." He tells me.
Oh great another grueling training and I know Eric isn't going to go easy on me. He's gonna push hard to prove David wasn't good enough. David and Eric have butted heads since Eric was a pup. He always got in trouble and David always caught him. It kinda became a rivalry. Once Eric's father died a few years ago making him Gamma, thus outranking David, things got worse. Fun times ahead.
I scarf down my food as quickly as I can and head toward the training grounds. I make it to the front door and sprint out.
"Woah! Where's the fire!" The voice fills my ears as tingles rise in my arms.
"Aaron hey!" I say wiggling out of his grasp and continuing on my way.
"Hey, we're supposed to talk about last night!" Aaron says as I jog away.
"Can't training with the Gamma. Talk to Dad. He'll fill you in!" I tell him and turn to sprint to the training grounds.
"Tardiness is not a good start, spitfire!" Eric calls as I approach. The warriors are running laps and Eric is timing them.
"Sorry got caught up... and you didn't give me a time anyhow!" I tell him.
"True enough!" He says with a laugh. I give him a hug and turn to join the warriors "and who is this?" Eric says and I turn to see Aaron charging up and punching Eric in the nose. Eric falls to the ground but pops up ready to fight.
"I thought you said no other guys!" Aaron shouted. I looked at his balled up fist and clenched my jaw. He quickly put his hands behind his back. "Explain!"
"Who does this guy think he is comin' in here like that!" Eric says wiping the blood from his nose.
"Aaron this is Eric our Gamma and basically my big brother. Eric this is Aaron Alpha of the midnight moon pack and my..."
"Mate!" Aaron finishes for me
"Lil spitfire's got herself a mate, hu?" Eric says with a smirk to me. "Wanna join our training, Alpha Aaron?"
"He's supposed to have a meeting with Fath..."
"Love to!" Aaron cuts me off. Eric smiles.
"Warriors on me!" Eric yells and the 8 warriors that were running come up to him with a "yes sir!"
"We have two Alphas that want to train with us. Who would like to take one of them?" Eric asks. They all seem unsure of taking either of us one on one.
"I'll take Aaron!" a voice calls behind me as Beta Carson runs up.
"Carson, nice to see you!" Eric says shaking Carson's hand. At 37 Carson would be next youngest in leadership of
Our pack. Eric and Carson get on well.
"Pickin' a fight already Erickson? You just got back!" Carson says.
"Come on Car. He started it. Besides we need to see of the love birds can fight together." Eric says.
"Good point." Carson says to Eric, then to Aaron and I, "You two ready?"
I square up with Eric and Aaron with Carson.
"Let's see how well you can fight now." Eric says. We fight a bit and I hold my own. He lunges at me and I dodge him the speed of his attack leaves me a little off balance and he comes in with a kick to the ribs. I stumble backwards. As soon as I catch myself I hear Aaron grunt in pain and look over to check on him as Carson punches him in the nose. My distraction costs me as I fail to see the the fist that impacts my cheek bone.
Alpha Aaron's POV
I fight the Beta knowing I can take him. His fighting style reminds me of my father. I dodge him and land a few blows. All was going well until I hear Lilly yelp. I look over and see her recovering from a kick to the ribs. When I look back to my opponent I receive a fist to the nose. Lilly cries out again and I can't help but look. This is going to be a rough fight.
Random warrior POV
We watch as our Beta and Gamma fight Lilly and Alpha Aaron. The Alphas seem to have the upper hand at first until Gamma Eric lands a blow.
The Alphas keep checking on one another leaving themselves open to attack.
They keep going for about 20min. The Alphas taking more blows than their opponents. Eventually we can see them wear down.
"You have to be able to fight along side him, Lilly." Gamma Eric says.
"If you are going to lead together you have to be able to focus even when she is in danger." Beta Carson says.
They continue to trade blows but I can tell both Beta And Gamma are ready to go for the kill.
"You need to be able to fight together!" Gamma Eric says.
"If you can't fight together!" Beta Carson adds.
Both of them take their Alpha by the throat and throw them on the ground pinning them next to each other
"You'll die together!" Both Beta and Gamma say simultaneously.
Lilly's POV
"Let me up Eric!" I say swatting his hand away. He gets up and grins at me.
"Lilly, I hear Aaron is here will you escort him to my office." Father mind links me. Perfect timing dad. I'm covered in blood and dirt and so is he... got ta love it.
"We're on our way." I link back.
"Come on Aaron father wants to see us." I say. Aaron gives Carson an angry look as he stands up.
"Let's go!" He says taking me by my arm and leading me away.
"Have fun you two!" Eric calls after us and I roll my eyes.
I pull my arm from Aaron's grip and he stops.
"That was humiliating!" He says turning to me.
"I know." I respond.
"No you don't!" He yells "I am an Alpha... the strongest Alpha and I am bested by a Beta?!"
"It is distracting fighting along side you." I say... "and I got beat by a Gamma if we are talking rank... at least Carson has Alpha blood you have an excuse."
"And you're not a full Alpha yet that's plenty excuse." He says.
"Ok here's the deal Aaron. I could have won that fight... and you could have won yours. We need to trust each other." I suggest.
"We have to trust the other can handle themselves and focus on our own fight." He adds.
"Exactly... now let's go. my father is waiting." I say and we make our way back to the pack house.
I knock on father's door and enter.
"Afternoon father." I say.
"It's about time you two got here." He says not looking up from his paperwork.
"Hello Mason." Aaron says.
"Hello Aaron." Father says as he finally looks up at us he starts to laugh. "Well don't you two look rough."
"Yeah... Eric asked us to join in training." I say.
"Umhumm.... and it didn't go very well by the looks of you." Father laughs.
"Go to the infirmary and get cleaned up you're bleeding on my carpet, and Aaron your nose needs set I'd hate to see that pretty face of yours damaged." Father says still laughing "come back after and we'll talk."
"Yes father." I say and lead Aaron out.
"Well, that could have gone better." He says as we head to the infirmary.
"Probably not actually... at least he wasn't mad... And your nose is a wreck." I tell him.
"Well, thanks a lot, Lilly!" He says laughing.
"What do you say we get a rematch after we talk to father?" I suggest.
"Sounds good to me!" He responds as we enter.
"You two look awful!" Doc says when he sees us.
"Alpha Aaron." Aaron says holding out a hand to the doctor.
"Doctor Frasier." Doc says shaking hands.
"Can we make this quick Doc?... we have a meeting with father." I say
"By all means little Alpha!" He says grabbing some supplies. "Have a seat you two!" He says gesturing to two beds. We sit down facing each other. "Sooo lovers quarrel gone awry?" He asks as he grabs Aaron's nose and jerks.
"Owwww" Aaron moans as it snaps into place.
"Quit being a baby, Alpha!" Doc says. Aaron growls and Doc ignores him. Only Doc can talk to anyone like they are a whiney pup complaining about a paper cut and get away with it. I chuckle.
"No Doc, just some sparring that got a little intense." I tell him.
"Well, you two should keep your hands up!" Doc says as he cleans the gash by my eye and Aaron's busted lip.
"I'll keep that in mind." I say. I start to laugh but that causes my side to hurt. Doc looks at me and feels my side.
"Really Lilly?! You just want to waste all my time don't you?" Doc says taking a bandage from a nearby cart. "Have to go and break your ribs!" He listens to my lungs. "Well they did their job protecting your organs. Good job little guys." He says looking at my side.
"Excuse me, Alpha!" He says as he pulls a divider between us. "Your shirt." I pull of my shirt and Doc examines the bruising. "You'll be fine but I'll wrap you up to help you heal." He wraps the bandage tightly around me. It hurts at first but once I relax it feels better. I put my shirt back on and Doc removes the divider.
"How about you Alpha any hidden injuries?" Doc asks.
"I'm fine... let's go!" Aaron replies eager to leave.
"Not so fast, pup!" Doc says with a hand on Aaron's shoulder.
"Remove your hand, Doctor." Aaron says.
"You came here for my help. You don't leave until I say you can. You may be an Alpha out there but in the infirmary Doctor trumps Alpha." Doc tells him. Aaron looks mad he stares at Doc a few moments then takes a seat on the bed removing his shirt. I see many scars across his muscular torso. I know he said he fought in a few wars when he was a teen but all of those scars can't be from that. My jaw drops.
Alpha Aaron's POV
The doctor bandaged up Lilly then turned to me. He asked if I had any other injuries. I know that I am bleeding from my left side where I landed on something that cut me open but I won't be admitting that to him. No one sees me without a shirt. I can't stand the questions about my scars. They were my father's way of punishment, training, and I'd say sometimes simply his amusement. I tell him I am fine and get up to leave.
"Not so fast, pup!" The doctor says stopping me. This old man is on my last nerve I am NOT a pup.
"Remove your hand, Doctor." I tell him trying my best not to yell at or injure one of Mason's pack members... it would not help our relationship, especially his pack doctor.
"You came here for my help. You don't leave until I say you can. You may be an Alpha out there but in the infirmary Doctor trumps Alpha." The doctor responds. I stare him down but the old wolf doesn't budge. Finally I relent and walk back to the bed removing my shirt. I can see Lilly's jaw drop as she examines my scars.
"Now, that wasn't so hard was it?" The doctor says examining the fresh cut. He completely ignores the scars and I am grateful. "You need stitches, Alpha."
"I'm good Doc... what's another scar? Just clean it up and I'll be on my way." I say. Really I just want my shirt back on to stop Lilly's looks.
"Do we really need to go over this again, Alpha? Lay back so I can work." I groan and look at Lilly her eyes still haven't moved from my chest. The doctor catches my stare. "Lilly, I'm done with you. You can wait outside." She starts to protest "Now Lilly." She leaves and the doctor returns his gaze to me. "Lay down, Alpha." He says and I obey.
"Thanks Doc." I say and he nods.
"Your pack doctor... still Green right?" I nod at the question and he continues. "He can take these out in a day or so... honestly Alpha you know this is too deep to heal without help. What were you thinking?" I sigh at the question and watch the needle pull through my skin.
"You're not gonna ask?" I say.
"None of my business... I'm only concerned with present injuries. Your past is your business." The doctor responds. "All done you can go now" the doctor says once he finishes. I put my shirt on and head for the door. "Have a nice day, Alpha."
"You too, Doc... and thanks again." He just nods waving me off.
Lilly's POV
Doc sent me out and now I just have to wait... I am not very patient. What happened to him? He has more scars than clean flesh!
"He is hot!" My wolf says. I can't even think like that I'm more worried about him.
"Alright let's head back to Mason." Aaron says as he exits the infirmary. I nod and walk along side him... I want to ask him about it but how do I bring it up? What if it upsets him? I really don't know what to say. Aaron stops and grabs by arm shaking me from my thoughts. "Just ask already, Lilly. I can't stand the quiet." I look into his eyes. Vulnerable is not how I would ever describe Aaron but in this moment... he just gave me a free pass into his soul.
"How did you get those scars?" I ask in a whisper.
"Mostly my father. A few from fights... but yeah... he was tough...mad... crazy... it started once my brother left and I was considered his heir... I was 11." He explains not looking at me.
"I'm sorry, Aaron... thank you for telling me." I say. He shrugs.
"It's in the past. Come on let's go!" He says as he continues down the hall.