Rejection on the Full Moon (Rejection Series) Chapter 35

[Training in ten, everyone be outside in the field and ready to go.] I link the fifty-three wolves that are a part of our training group, hearing a few groans. I chuckle at Lease, who sticks her tongue out at me and mouths the words "you suck" before bounding out the door. I catch sight of Chris ushering wolves down the stairs and hear Dominic going from room to room, making sure to grab the late stragglers.

With the cabin now empty and all wolves outside, I make my way out into the cold winter air and turn to look at my pack, The wolves are in the middle of stretching their muscles in preparation for training. They may hate my strict training, but they all had to be honest and agree that every one of them has grown stronger in the last year and a half since I joined the pack. Joining the group, I lead a few into the stretches I prefer to perform, watching the younger wolves who were picked to gain experience on this trip come to follow me. The crunch of approaching footsteps in the snow suddenly catches my attention. There goes my plans for a quick sparring session.

"Stand." I signal, watching my wolves leap to their feet and quickly form into five even lines behind Dominic, Christian, Miles, and me. The cold wind silently blows towards us, making us all shiver slightly. The scent of the winter forest surrounds us and carries the newcomer's scent to where we all stand.

"It can't be, mom?" It's been years since I have last heard her voice. But that high-pitched, nails-on-a-chalkboard voice could only belong to the main culprit of the torture that I went through for seven years of my life. I nod to Dominic, who sends me a questioning glance, reassuring him that I could face the wolves whose scents carry on the wind towards my pack members, towards me. I turn to face the group of wolves, and a collection of gasps come from each of their mouths while Dominic and Christian tense beside me.

"Hello sis, it's been a while, hasn't it?" I state, nodding towards Blue, who shakes his head with a grin in my direction. Dominic steps forward, moving to stand just in front of me—protecting me—as he takes in each wolf before us.

"Hello, I'm Alpha Dominic DeValorse. Behind me are my Beta Christian, my Head Hunter Miles, and my Head Tracker Amberle, whom you all already know." I see the shock in Mia and Leo's eyes as they openly stare at me.

"Amberle will be the one in charge of training for the next three weeks, and Miles will assist her." Dominic continues, motioning for me to step forward. I remember Christian's words and sashay towards Dominic like I own the lands of Forest Paw. I was no longer the wolf who left, rejected from this pack. I am a leader, and I shouldn't have to cower before the wolves before me. My eyes scan Axel, Blue, Leo, Zack, and Mia for a moment. I realize that Mia and Zack stand as far as possible from each other. Curiosity fills me, but I quickly store the questions away to deal with for another time. I catch the look of parental pride emanating from Blue, who gives me a wink. I rarely speak to him, and all he knows is that I joined Blood Moon. I guess I have some explaining to do to my adoptive father.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Alpha Dominic. I am Leo Bloodsbain, Alpha of Forest Paw." Leo steps forward, handing a manila envelope to Dominic. Leo's eyes never leave my face, as if expecting some form of reaction from me. A tinge of pain shoots through my heart, but I keep the mask of indifference on my face. I refuse to let the bastard who rejected me see any form of weakness. Dominic hands me the folder, his fingers grazing my own as I flip through the signed paperwork that we had faxed over last night for everyone before us to sign.

"Behind me are my Beta Zack, my Head Hunter Axel, and my Head Tracker Mia, as well as my father, Blue, the former Alpha." His eyes are off me as Leo continues to speak to Dominic, giving me a chance to breathe. I hate being scrutinized by those I consider my enemy and take the time to look for the one part of the contract that states the Head Tracker will be under my command as I train said wolf to fulfill their duty. I couldn't wait to get back at Mia and train her the way she had Abby train me. My eyes turn to take in the four wolves behind Leo, giving Blue a questioning glance as I motion to the paperwork. He mouths the word "Later" to me, and I nod in reply. I know Blue will explain to me what happened since I left, better than Axel or Serena could.

Dominic and Leo continue their conversation about training, with my name being slipped in every now and then. It is clear that Dominic put much emphasis on me training my old pack, his way of getting me some justice for what I went through. I would be lying if I said that it didn't make the butterflies in my stomach flutter with his gesture.

[How you holding up?] Christian's voice fills the link meant for Dominic, Christian, Miles and me. I turn to smile at my friend.

[Better than I thought I would. I'm kind of excited to kick their asses tomorrow.] I catch Dominic trying to hold in his laughter, and Miles coughs to disguise his own amusement. It was clear my friends were ready to make bets on who would get sent to the pack hospital first, between Mia, Zack, and Leo. I go back to giving the paperwork a final check before passing it to Christian to look through. I turn to look at the wolves still standing at attention behind us to make sure they're okay. Getting a subtle nod from Lease, I turn my attention back to Dominic and Leo, catching the latter with his eyes trained on me once again, causing me to suppress a shudder of discomfort. As if sensing my discomfort, Dominic ends the conversation with Leo and makes his way towards me, wrapping me in a hug and resting his head on top of mine. I smile with the feeling of safety that Dominic brings and relax into his chest.