Fire Moon

Chapter 5

“Jordan?  Jordan honey, are you up?” I heard my grandmother’s voice on the other side of the door to my room. 

“No.  I am trying to sleep, Gran,” I said. 

    I had only been asleep for maybe an hour since I got home.  I planned to sleep most of the day today.

“Jordan, you have that training call-out this morning.  You need to get up so you won’t be late.  Your grandfather has already left,” her words woke me up.

“Oh.  Okay I’m up,” I replied as I threw the covers off myself.

    I forgot about the training call-out.  I was so tired from being up all-night last night.  And my body was sore from running around and shifting.  Today was going to be rough.  I just wanted to crawl back into my bed and sleep.

    I pulled on a pair of leggings and t-shirt.  I made sure to apply extra deodorant today before I slid on my sneakers quickly while I still had my toothbrush in my mouth.  Lastly, I tied my hair up in a messy bun and went downstairs.  Since I was running behind, I did not have time to eat anything.  My grandmother went back to bed because she was not downstairs when I left.

    Not wanting to be late, I had to pick up my pace and jog to the training grounds.  I never jogged.  I was not in shape and I was already exhausted.  I could not be late, though.  My grandfather would be disappointed if I was late this morning. 

    Once I could see my grandfather up ahead in a training field, I slowed down to a walk.  There was about ten people standing around including him.  I walked up beside him and he greeted me.  Thank God I was not late.

“Hey there Jordie,” Gramps said.

“Hey Gram---I mean Alpha,” I said.  I wasn’t sure if I should be official or not when addressing him among this group. 

    A couple more people showed up and huddled around with us.  They all looked tough and serious.  There was my grandfather.  Lee Osbourne, the Beta, was there with his son, Luke as well.  Collin and his dad, Delta Mitchell Hote, was present.  There was a group of people I recognized as my classmates standing with us.  A large man was standing next to my grandfather.  He looked older than us, but still young.  Maybe late twenties.  He was ripped.  I couldn’t help but notice his muscles and bulky but toned body.  He was probably a Zeta and our trainer. 

    A Zeta is a rank in the pack that you earn.  If you are not born into an Alpha, Beta, Delta, or Gamma family then you are considered an Omega.  An Omega is a regular adult wolf.  Most of our pack consists of Omegas.  If you show you have special skills then you have the opportunity to rise in rank.  You could become a Zeta or Kappa.  Zetas are involved in the security of our pack.  They go through physical and other training courses and can rise above being a guard to carrying some authority within the pack.  It is an honor to earn the title of Zeta.

    Kappas are wolves that also have special skills but usually skills unrelated to combat and security.  They would be our pack doctors for example.

“Good Morning,” my grandfather addressed the group.

“Good morning, Alpha,” we chimed back.

“Thank you for choosing to come out today.  I know some of you may find today difficult but do not get discouraged if you find yourself struggling.  You are here for a reason.  I am leaving you in the trusted hands of Zeta Brecken Davis.  He will be in charge of your training as a group.  I want you all to treat him with respect,” with that, my grandfather glared at Luke to make sure he got the message.

“Alright, Brecken, would you care to take over?” my grandfather walked back from the group with Lee and with Collin’s dad, Mitchell. 

    They stood there talking but still watching the group for a few minutes before leaving the training grounds.

“Alright young wolves, you are my new trainees.  You will work hard and have a good attitude when you are here.  We will only succeed if we work together, alright?”

“Yes, Zeta Davis,” a few of us replied.

“I said, Alright?!” he yelled trying to get us pumped up.

“Yes, Zeta Davis!” all of us responded loudly this time.

“Alright now, I want you all to take a minute to stretch then we will start off with a two-mile jog, sound good?’ he said.

“Yes, Zeta Davis!” we said again in sync.

    No, it did not sound good.  I already freaking jogged here.  My body was aching and I could not fathom running two more miles.  I walked over by the other trainees and started to mimic the stretches they were doing. 

    I certainly did not know what I was doing.  I just copied this other girl that was there.  Her name was Heidi Sutton and she was reaching over sideways.  Of course, she was here.  She was popular when we were in school.  She was in almost every sport and she was good too.  Heidi was in great shape.  She was shorter and smaller than me but she had muscles.  She was tan with dark black hair.  She was wearing shorts and a tight tank top.  Everyone was wearing shorts except me.  I probably looked like a noob.

“Alright, trainees, keep up with my pace.  Now, let’s hit it,” Zeta Davis said as we started jogging.  

    I was not gonna make it.

*

“Trainees halt!  Take five for a water break, some of you like you’re about to die,” said Zeta Davis.

    It’s me.  I was about to die.  My lungs were on fire and my legs were shaking.  I bent down and put my hands on my thighs to steady myself as I tried to breathe.  Sweat pouring down me.  I’m sure my face was bright red.  My hair was sticking to my forehead.

“Woo it’s warming up out here,” said Heidi. 

    She pulled her tank top off so now she was just in a sports bra.  Heidi went to school with me like the rest of the group had.  Some of the guys started to stare at her breasts that were large considering her small frame.

“Suns out, t**s out,” said Collin as he pulled off his shirt.  “You next, Jordan”

“No, I’m good,” I gasped trying to play cool.

    The rest of the guys took their shirts off.  Shockingly, not everyone had crazy muscles and washboard abs as you would think.  Obviously the more we trained the stronger we would all become but shifting into a wolf and being in your wolf form burns a ton of calories too.  I was hopeful I would start to tone up one way or another. 

    Zeta Davis started walking back over to our group.  Now he was fit.  Muscle on muscle.  He had dark ebony skin and broad shoulders.  His hair was buzzed really close but he wore a hat.  He looked like a sexy drill sergeant. His arms were big and his t shirt was pulled right across them.  I was about to start sweating for a whole new reason when Heidi snapped me out of my trance.

“I know, right?” she said.

“Huh?” I asked.

“You’re hot for teacher, or should I say trainer”

“What?  No.  His arms are just big and his chest is...” I was looking for an explanation.

“Big!  And his d**k is probably big too.  Mmhmm,” she said and then looked up at my gaping mouth.

“Ha, I am just playing with ya.  For real though, I’d let him pin me up against the wall,”

    I tried to force a smile.  This girl was a little strange.  No one has ever really talked like that around me.  She was obviously referring to s*x.  But she wasn’t wrong.  I would let him pin me against a wall too.  My face turned red.

“Unless you’re not into that.  That’s cool.  I understand,” said Heidi continuing the uncomfortable conversation.

“What?  No, I’m not.  Wait, what?” I responded confused.

“Do you like guys or girls?  Or both?” she asked me.

“Uh, guys,” I said.

“Oh, cool,” she said casually as she was retying her shoe lace. 

“Jordan, you with us?” Zeta Davis said.

    I must not have been paying attention.  I flushed red after he called my name. Great.  Heidi’s open and embarrassing conversation had distracted me.  I didn’t even expect her to talk to me at all.  It’s not like she did when we were in school.  I heard Heidi let out a small laugh knowing I zoned out and now got called out in front of the group.

“Yes, Zeta Davis,” I said.

“Alright, let’s head over to the ropes then,”

“Yes, Zeta Davis!” the group and I shouted as we started walking.

“Yes Daddy! Ha ha,” Heidi was beside me. She only said it loud enough for me to hear but I still was uncomfortable. 

    She seemed carefree and fearless.  I was trying not to make any assumptions about her yet, though.  Maybe we could be friends.  

*

“Ouch!  That’s it!  Come here, b***h!” 

    No, we were not going to be friends. 

    Once we walked over to the two climbing ropes, Zeta Davis split the group up into pairs.  I was paired with Heidi.  There were two ropes hanging down from a wooden beam about five feet apart.  The top was pretty high up.  He told us that we had to climb the rope and beat our opponent to the top and ring the bell.  Heidi and I were told we were going first.  Zeta Davis told us to get ready.

“Alright, on your marks, get set, GO!” he yelled as I ran over to the other rope to start climbing.

“No, no, no!  Jordan!  What are you doing?!  You are on this rope!  This rope!” Zeta Davis said and I was instantly confused.

“You and Heidi are on the same rope.  You have to fight your way to the top and ring the bell before she does.  Now come on!  Let’s GO!” he practically screamed at me.

    I didn’t say anything I just scrambled back to the rope Heidi was already climbing and looked up.  How I was supposed to do this, I didn’t know.  I needed to think.  I had to do something and quick. 

    I grabbed ahold of the rope and swung it around like a lasso.  Don’t ask me why that was the first thing to come to mind.  I knew I couldn’t out climb her and she already had a head start.  I swung the rope hard and Heidi spun around and eventually her legs were swinging freely in the air.  I jerked it again harder.  Then she lost her grip or got dizzy or both because she hit the ground with a thud sound.

    Shocked that my impromptu lasso trick actually worked I realized I didn’t have time to stare at her so I started climbing.  And that’s when she yelled,

“Ouch!  That’s it!  Come here, b***h!” 

    The group of trainees below us were making all kinds of sounds and comments.  Some ‘oohing’ and ‘aaahing.’  Some were laughing and clapping.  I just kept climbing.  It was definitely a struggle.  I was not in shape at all and I have never climbed a rope before in my life.  The small satisfaction I got from the crowd below helped to keep me going.  Until someone latched onto my ankle down below. 

“Ha!” Heidi said.

    She was pulling me down and trying to use my foot to help herself climb.  I tried to shake my foot but it did not work.  Then I shook my whole leg and nothing.  At this point I was shaking and kicking both feet and legs and then I ‘accidentally’ kicked her in the face with my other foot.  It wasn’t a soft kick either.  She fell off the rope again.  Maybe she wasn’t good at climbing ropes?  I thought to myself. 

“Ow!  You just kicked me in the f*****g eye!  You’re dead!” I heard Heidi threaten from below. 

    The crowd was really getting a show now.  They were very vocal with their applause and comments.  I wish I could say I was really that much of a badass but all of this happened by accident.  I didn’t mean to kick her in the eye. 

    With Heidi yelling death threats below me, I had an even better incentive to climb fast to get away from her.  I finally made it to the top and rang the bell.  I looked down at the crowd and Heidi, she didn’t even bother trying to climb again after both falls.  Her eye was red and squinted.  She was definitely pissed off and I am sure we will not be friends now.

“Great job, Jordan.  Now slip on down here so the next pair can go,” Zeta Davis said.

    I was apprehensive about coming down because I was scared of Heidi and what she might do to me.  Slowly, I slid down the rope and joined the group on the opposite side of Heidi.  She stared at me while each pair completed the rope climbs.  Surprisingly, there were no other smack downs between the rest of the trainees.  Zeta Davis dismissed us after this and we all went home.