Finding Destiny

The Boys

“Rise and shine, your majesty!”

Eli - damn him. Ugh what time is it? I hadn’t even opened my eyes yet and I could tell it was still pitch black outside. These damn wolves and waking before the sun was up to “train” - No one dared to wake me before 8:00AM at home and I still managed to train every day after the sun had risen!

“Come on, lover boy. Reese has a full agenda today revolving around the ball. Get up and meet us out back,” Hunter’s gruff voice echoed in my room before I heard my door click shut. I’ll have to remember to put a locking spell on it tonight.

After I forced myself out of bed and threw on a pair of gym shorts and training shoes, I finally managed to make it downstairs and out back. Eli and Hunter were stretching already, presumably to jog down to the training yard. When they had designed this pack house, they also decided both packs would train together so they would work better together in fights. The training yard was a little over a mile away from the pack house, set deep in the woods. I stretched my legs and arms for a few minutes and felt ready enough.

“Alright, let’s hit it,” I said as I folded over and stretched my legs one more time. Both of their eyes glazed over as they mindlinked someone.

“River will meet us down there,” Eli said as he nodded to Hunter.

“Dax is a few minutes out. I told him to head straight there,” Hunter said.

We started our jog, Hunter out in front with Eli and I flanking him. Some things never changed - Hunter always, always had to be in charge - obviously, since he was an alpha. Yet Eli wasn’t that hellbent on pulling that alpha card too often. Eli was more relaxed and didn’t go all macho unless it involved his mate or their boys.

“So anyone going to tell me why River and Dax aren’t here? Running late? I figured the two of you being alphas wouldn’t accept tardiness,” I broke the silence. Eli and Hunter both snorted, as if they had some sort of inside joke in the matter.

“That, my friend, is a whole other story which I’m sure Dax and River will be more than happy to vent to you about,” Eli said just as he sped up and passed both Hunter and me. Hunter growled, obviously not liking being second and sped up in chase after Eli. These two and their stupid alpha male personas. Hell. I put on the gas and sped behind them, not wanting to be last either.

We all sprinted into the training grounds, still trying to beat each other out. River was stretching with a group of warriors and ran over as soon as he saw us.

“Kai! How’s it going? I hear we are having a werewolf witch ball!” River said as he clapped me on the back.

“Hey man! Yeah, I think your sister just wanted reason to throw a ball,” I laughed as I caught my breath.

Dax appeared jogging in from the other side of the training grounds. He looked..well there really wasn’t a nice way to put it, he looked like hell. Dark circles under his eyes, hair a complete mess. And he looked absolutely annoyed. He ran over to us and immediately started a cool down stretch.

“Don’t ask,” he said as he eyed all four of us. Hunter and Eli threw their hands up in surrender and River just shook his head and laughed.

“Hey, we know exactly what you’re going through. No reason to get your panties in a knot,” River said and instantly dodged an incoming blow from Dax.

“Okay, what’s going on with you two?” I asked because I was obviously missing something.

“Elaine is pregnant,” Dax said.

“And so is Aly. They are due only one week apart from each other,” River said, a grin plastering his face.

“And they are both suffering from their mates being extremely demanding at all hours of the day - whether it be demanding food, cuddles, s*x, emotional support,” Eli told me with a smirk on his face.

“Congrats, guys! I had no idea!” I pulled them both in for a hug. I was happy for them, even if I felt a tad bit of envy towards them.

“It’s been a f*****g nightmare some days. Elaine keeps me up all hours of the night - she never gets tired or satisfied from s*x. It’s nonstop. Don’t get me wrong, I love it, but I’m f*****g exhausted.”

“It’s completely normal - I read most women’s libidos increase a ton during pregnancy and it’s actually healthy. It helps with an easier labor,” Hunter added and I had to hold in a chuckle. Reese had complained so much about Hunter and his reading while she was pregnant - he read about anything and everything pregnancy related.

“Aly isn’t THAT bad - She’s more tired than anything right now. She has a schedule every night - the four S’s - s*x, snack, shower, sleep. It’s like clockwork,” River said, shaking his head as he laughed. What I wouldn’t give to be going through any of this right now. I knew I had a mate..I just needed to find her.

“Alright - enough chit chat. Let’s start the training,” Hunter said as he clapped his hands and made his way over to the pack warriors.

We trained for the better part of all morning. One thing I could appreciate about training with a bunch of wolves was their stamina. They didn’t give up easily - they kept pushing and pushing until they had nothing else to give. While I couldn’t shift into a wolf, I could use my magic to help train the pack warriors. Most of these warriors had trained with me before from past trips when I had visited, but there were a few new faces - and those new wolves had never fought against magic, especially the magic of a witch as strong as I was. They definitely learned a few things today - one of those things being to never let your guard down when fighting witches.

After training, all five of us walked back to the pack house. Dax and River joked more about their mates and their funny pregnancy cravings - Elaine craved Koolaid constantly, while Aly craved Hot Cheetos. Just as we came into eyesight of the backyard, Reese, Elaine and Aly’s high pitch squeals rang out.

“That’s all on you, man,” Hunter said as he patted me on the back and walked in front of me into the house.

“Good luck,” Eli said with a snicker, following behind Hunter.

River and Dax at least stayed behind with me as I entered the house. As soon as I walked in, I wished I hadn’t. There were huge cork boards throughout the main living room - every single inch was covered in ideas for this ball - from decorations, color schemes, food, drinks, invitations - you name it, it was on there. And right in the middle of the room were the three girls that would plan it all, with the biggest grins I had ever seen in my entire existence.