In Love With My Best Friend

3. A Special Team

Astrea

"The rogues kept lurking in the woods, sneaking near the packhouse, but suddenly they stopped. I think they are up to something." My dad told the royal couple. Sir Elliot frowned as he tapped on his cheek with his forefinger, leaning against his seat.

The Queen, too, seemed to be in deep thought. She took a deep breath and glanced at her husband, her forehead creased. A moment of silence passed by and I started to feel uneasy. The memories of that horrible night flooded back. I had not revealed the secrets of that night to anyone. Only my wolf and I were the ones who were aware of it.

"Ash, I don't feel good," I linked my wolf.

"But… if we don't feel anything strange, do you think we should alert them?" She asked. "It might be a false alarm. The grown-ups already have a lot of things to worry about," she pointed out.

She was right. I didn't want them to worry about me. Perhaps it wasn't something significant. I shouldn't have worried about it. The sound of a deep sigh made me glance at the Queen.

"The rogues… we have been receiving complaints from different packs. Our guards also have mentioned rogue sightings near the perimeters of the kingdom. Do you think Calvin might have something to do with this?" She asked Sir Elliot.

Narrowing his eyes, "maybe," he replied and pursed his lips. The wrinkles on his forehead and his solemn face told us how deeply in thought he was.

"Calvin? Who is that?" Beta Ava inquired.

"A lycan who escaped from the kingdom about five years ago. As you know, after the incident with Zitao, we now closely inspect the activities of our people, especially those who are working close to us. We even used Ava's dad's help to find criminals using magic and during one of those sprees we found out that one of our guards was secretly plotting to loot from the Kingdom's wealth. His name was Calvin. We confronted him and he confessed to it," the Queen shrugged her shoulders.

"Well, he didn't have a choice except to confess. He knew that even if he didn't, we would expose him using Ava's dad's magic. He and his partners were locked up, but one day, we found out that he had escaped. We never heard from him. But I suspect that he would not just remain silent. Five years had passed since then. Perhaps he recruited the rogues?"

The creases on her forehead deepened as she tapped her shoe on the marble floor.

"That is a possibility. If that is true, it could mean that he is fully prepared to attack. Then we too must get ready." Sir Elliot shifted in his seat. "I propose that we train a special team to track them down and spy on them."

"A team of assassins?" I couldn't help but chirp in, but I soon shut my mouth. It was an honour that I was allowed to be in this meeting, but that didn't mean I should interrupt the discussion. The Queen smirked as she glanced at me.

"Yeah. I like the sound of that," she mumbled. "Would you like to join Astrea?" She asked, her green eyes constantly on me.

My heart leapt with excitement. A huge grin spread across my face, but before I said anything I glanced at my parents, secretly hoping that they would allow me to join the Queen's team of assassins. Mom reluctantly smiled while dad heaved a sigh.

I bit my inner cheeks and shifted my gaze to the Queen.

"I would love to, but only if my mom and dad wouldn't object," I told her. Her thin lips stretched into a kind smile. She glanced at my parents.

"Well? What do you think? From what I have heard, I think it is safe to say that Astrea is talented enough to try," she said.

Dad smiled. "Of course, she is capable. I have been training her to be the next alpha. But being in a special team sounds like a lot of responsibility, not to mention dangerous. I would like to know how they will work," he uttered.

The royal couple exchanged glances. Their eyes clouded and several minutes of silence passed. They were having a private discussion among themselves. I fiddled with my fingers in anticipation. Joining a special training session was exciting. After some time, the Queen cleared her throat, gaining our attention.

"I will announce the whole kingdom. Whoever wants to try can come and try out. We will select after conducting a little test. Of course, all of them will be trained before that. Those who get selected will be trained further," the Queen glanced at her husband.

"Elliot will be in charge of the drills. I assure you that they will be well trained before we send anyone out on a mission," the Queen explained.

I glanced at my parents. I sure hoped that they would allow me to join them. I saw my mom's face wilt as she looked at me.

"But… she will be in danger…" she whispered before letting out a deep sigh.

"She will be fine. She is an alpha and I trust her. Besides, she will have loved ones close by, right?"

It was beta Nolan who spoke. His mate Ava nodded in agreement.

"Even being an alpha is full of responsibility and threat. But she is training to do that." She paused. "I know what you are feeling, Calli. I also was reluctant and heartbroken when I had to send Leo to train here. But I'm glad I did. Look at him now, I'm sure Astrea also will blossom into her best form," she spoke, trying to reassure my mom.

Chuckling mom glanced at me, her eyes twinkling with pride. "My baby is growing too fast," she mumbled, making me blush.

I scrunched my nose, wishing that she would stop addressing me as her baby, but she wouldn't anyway.

"Don't we all feel that?" The Queen smiled. "So, I'll make the announcement. When I do, come to the kingdom and join the training," she said and winked at me.

That day, I walked out of the palace with an erratic heart. I was eager to train as an assassin. I was always fascinated by ninjas and their stealthy techniques. I always day dreamed of being a ninja or an assassin. How exciting would it be to actually train like one. As I climbed into the car I glanced at the majestic gate of the palace. Leo was saying goodbye to his parents. My heart skipped a beat when he glanced at me and an involuntary smile curved my lips.

If I could come for training, I could work closer to him.

Smiling, I waved my hand and climbed inside.

"Excited about the training?" Dad asked me as he buckled the seat belt.

Giggling, I nodded. "Please be okay with it, dad… please?" I begged. "I will not be alone. Even Leo is here…" I trailed off when my heart raced as I mentioned him.

"Of course honey. We know you can do it. We will never doubt your ability," mom said, making me smile. I glanced out of the window. Leo was still waving his hand. The smile on his face suited him well. I couldn't stop myself from gawking at his well defined abs to which his shirt was clinging like a second skin.

He looked heavenly….

Sucking in a breath, I forced myself to look away. No, that wasn't right. He was my best friend. I shouldn't be checking him out.

"Smitten," my wolf chuckled.

Rolling my eyes, "come on. He is good looking. But we are friends, nothing more. Besides, we will find our mate anyway," I responded, wanting to shut my wolf.

"True. I hope I find my mate soon. I can't wait to meet my better half!" She expressed her excitement before going silent.

I sighed as I leaned against the seat. I was going to turn eighteen within a few weeks and it was true that I would most probably find my mate that night. However, I couldn't help but feel a little nervous about it. I shook my head.

"It will be fine," I whispered to myself.

"Of course, it will be fine. You will rock!" Dad cheered for me as he drove out of the main gate of the Palace.

Smiling, "thanks dad," I mumbled and focused on the passing by trees. Dad probably didn't realise that I was anxious about meeting my soulmate. I just hoped that meeting my better half would be as magical as I anticipated it to be.