Grayson's POV
"Grayson, make sure you tighten your movements when you throw punches. You cannot swing wildly at your opponent, or they will be able to block your blows easily," my dad says, holding his fitness mitts back up.
"Right," I say, and continue to deliver precise punches while dodging his attacks.
Right now, we're in the pack house gym building continuing with my alpha training. Until I can turn into my wolf form, I'm stuck with basic workouts and hand to hand combat training with dad or Mr. Ward from the local dojo. The gym is pretty big since it holds a ton of exercise equipment and weight lifting areas for the packs warriors and members to use. There's even a track on the second floor and a giant pool outside. Dad and I are at the back of the building where the sparing mats and equipment are. However, my stupid brain can't help but think back to Eli's announcement last practice.
Omega. I still can't believe that Eli is an omega. How can an omega be so strong and good at sports? Let alone challenge an alpha and win. However, it doesn't take much to beat Luke at anything, so maybe that's not a good example. But when we all get older Eli might change, and become soft. Then he'll become someone's obedient mate. For some reason that thought doesn't settle well with me, though I don't know why. Besides, my dad never really said that omegas were spineless or weak, but he did say that they needed to be protected because they aren't as strong as us.
Suddenly a mitt hits me on my left side. "Son, stay focused!" my dad barks, snapping me back to reality.
"Sorry," I say, rubbing my now sore torso.
" You cannot afford to zone out when your enemy is trying to kill you! If you need time to think about other things then we can end training here for today."
"No! No, I'm ready now," I say, getting back into my fighting stance.
"Very well, let's continue."
After two hours of sparring, we take a break since some pack members had to talk to my dad about something. I sit down on a nearby bench and take a few swigs out of my water bottle, enjoying the cool off time. I seriously can't wait to finally have a wolf form, and find out what my wolf is like. My dad says that when you're a wolf you can run faster see clearer, and have an incredible sense of smell; which comes in handy when you're trying to hunt down rogues in the area. His wolf, Saber, is super energetic and funny (at least that's what dad says since he's the only one who can talk to him) despite my dad being a serious and stoic person. I hope that my wolf form looks as cool as dad's dark grey and silver form. Looking up I see my dad approach me with the pack members behind him.
"I have to take care of something at the eastern boarder son, so training will end here for today. Bo here will take you back to the house and you are to stay there until I return, understand?"
"Yes sir."
"Good." Dad and the other pack member leave through the back entrance and into the woods while I follow Bo back home. I can't help but always worry when my dad leaves to deal with rogues or any other threats. Why can't I join him? I mean yes, I don't have my wolf form yet but I can still fight! Or do something other than sit and wait around, oblivious to what's going on. But I know that me being there will only make things worse for dad since he'll have to worry about protecting me and fighting off the rogues.
Come on wolf side, what's taking so long?
*****
"What do you mean you don't want to go with me anymore?" I over hear Eli say. I'm waiting for my friends so we can go to lunch, but might as well eavesdrop on his conversation with Judy Foster.
"I'm sorry it's just that other things came up recently and I decided to go with a group of friends instead. You understand right?" she says, giving him a light squeeze on his arm. That's a load of bull and she knows it. She ended up being a beta and probably doesn't want to be seen at the dance with an omega as her date. What a bitch. Luckily Luke isn't here yet to hear all of this or he might use this info to spark another fight.
Eli pauses going slightly rigid before completely relaxing and smiling at her as genuinely as possible. "Don't worry, I understand. I hope you have fun with your friends."
"Thanks, I knew you would understand." She gives him a quick hug and skips off to who knows where. Once she's out of sight his shoulders slump down and he looks down, massaging the back of his neck. It must be tough on him to have someone turn you down for something you can't control. But why do I care? That's his problem, I shouldn't even be feeling sorry for him. Ugh whatever, I shouldn't even be staring at him like some creepy weirdo.
Eli suddenly looks up and we lock eyes for moment, his forest green ones looking into my rich blue ones. Usually when I look at them, they're filled with anger or annoyance, but this time their different. They almost look like they're filled with hurt and sadness? What makes this weirder is that I almost want go over there to comfort him, like that's what I NEED to do. I quickly look away and walk off, to go look for my absent-minded friends. I shouldn't be associating myself self with the worries of an omega anyways.
*****
"Hey Gray!" Eli shouts, jogging up to me. This is one of those rare days that I'm walking home without Vic and Luke since they had to head home for their own alpha training. Convenient, since handling Luke's temper around Eli is to much of a headache.
"What do you want?" I ask annoyed and a bit curious as to why he willingly wants to talk to me.
"I'm just going to get to the point, since your usually super dense. Are you ignoring me on purpose?"
I slowly stop walking and turn to face him. Okay full disclosure, I have been ignoring him the past few weeks; unless I have to talk to him for practices or games. This is mostly because having an omega as my rival just looks weird and like I only pick on easy targets. Though a part of me still thinks back to that look he gave me, and I don't like the weird feelings that came with it.
However right now he's back to his usual annoyed expression. I return the same expression to him, "So what if I'm ignoring you. I thought you'd be more thrilled to have me out of your hair."
"Trust me the break is much appreciated, but I know that you wouldn't do something like this for my sake. So, what happened?"
"Nothing. Now go away weirdo, I have to get to the pack house." I turn to leave but he steps in front of me and folds his arms, blocking my path.
"What is with you lately? I know you don't like me but lately you've been avoiding me like the plague. Whether it's in the hallways or at lunch you always leave whenever I'm near; even at practices your acting weird. Are you that mad because I beat Luke in that one on one?"
"No, it's because your annoying. Now leave," I growl, shouldering him out of the way.
He looks really pissed and is about to leave, but then some sort of thought seems to pop up inside his stupid head because he lets out a harsh laugh. "Oh, I get it, you're just giving me pity because Judy turned me down the other day for being an omega."
I sigh, and turn to face him again. "That's not-"
"Well listen good because I'm not saying this again. I. DON'T. NEED. YOUR. PITY. I'm the same person as I was before the results, so DON'T fucking look down on me like I'm some charity case, asshole!" He shoves me hard in the chest.
As my rage starts to grow something bubbles up inside me and, somehow, I already know what it is. It must have been triggered by Eli talking back to me but I don't want to have to use it on him to win an argument. Sadly, instincts get the better of me and without meaning to I use my alpha voice. "LOOK I AM AN ALPHA! I CAN'T HAVE AN OMEGA AS MY RIVAL. NOW KNOW YOUR PLACE AND LEAVE. ME. ALONE!" Eli instantly cowers away from me. Even some people passing by are startled by my outburst. Shit.
He looks at me shocked and shivering all over. I try to reach out to him. "Eli-" He slaps away my hand, still shacking but his shocked expression is now replaced with one filled with rage. "Don't." He straightens up as much as possible and storms off in the other direction. A part of me wants to stop him and apologize, but I bury that feeling deep down and continue my walk to the pack house.
About three fourths of the way there I start to feel a strong ache in my bones. My head hurts and I start to sway slightly while I walk. I can't help but growl at my own body for suddenly feeling sick.
You need to find your father.
I freeze and look around for the source of the voice. Did I hear someone or am I going crazy? It almost sounded like it was in my head-
You're not crazy but yes this is in your head.
Who are you?
Your wolf, and you need to get to the pack house before you end up transforming on this sidewalk.
Now realizing what's happening I quickly start to sprint to the pack house, instantly forgetting about the intense argument with Eli. I can already feel my senses sharpening as I run around the pack house to the backyard where my dad is. I crash into his waiting arms as he barks at nearby pack members to leave the area.
"I right here son, it's okay. Remember to relax and let it happen naturally." He uses his pocket knife to cut off my bookbag and clothes as my transformation starts. My dad told me that it would most likely hurt the first time and he wasn't kidding. I can feel my bones shifting around and fur grow rapidly over my skin. My nails grow longer and sharper, and my skull changes shape. It hurts a lot but I try my best to lie down and relax as the change finishes.
After what feels like hours, I finally open my eyes and see that my dad has already turned into his wolf form. He nudges me up and I stand, wobbling as I get used to my new form and being on four legs. My fur is a golden blonde and I'm pretty sure my eyes are the same blue color but the gold in them would be more prominent, like my dad.
"You're okay," my dad says through the mind link while nuzzling me.
"This is so cool!" I start walking, then trotting, then running full speed around the backyard. Some returning pack members have to move out of the way so I don't run into them, but I'm to excited to care. I run back to my dad and we both give a mighty howl. I'm a WOLF!