The Alphas prize novel Chapter 12

I walked over to the balcony doors and peered out. The sun was shining, and the birds were singing; it was going to be a beautiful day. So I decided to go out onto the balcony and enjoy a bit of fresh air while I waited for Cain. I loved the outdoors; it brought me peace, calmness and serenity, just as it did my wolf, causing her to chuff in approval.

I looked around the yard, and in the very far corner, I noticed what looked like a training camp; I’ll have to ask Cain about that. I haven’t trained since coming here, and I want to maintain my physical shape. Hopefully, they have archery. I crave to feel the bow in my hand, the arrow between my fingers and hear the sound of the bowstring being released.

I was enjoying the sun when Cain snuck up behind me. “What are you doing out here? You should not be out here alone, especially after what happened.” He scolded me.

“I’m fine. I’m a big girl, and I can take care of myself, just as I have, long before you came along.” I informed him.

“Still, I don’t want anything to happen to you.” I stilled, taken aback by his words. Mostly the way he had said it, the truthfulness to those words.

I smiled. “Nothing is going to; I just wanted to get some fresh air before breakfast. By the way, is that a training camp over there.” I pointed in the direction.

“Yes, it is. Our warriors and high-ranking pack members train there. Why?” He raised a questioning brow.

“I would like to train. Since I've come here, I haven’t done any training, and I don’t want to get rusty or out of shape. Also, do you have archery?” I asked excitedly.

He shook his head. “No, out of the question!” Cain replied firmly.

My brows furrowed. “What, why?” I asked, irritation lacing my tone.

His expression turned hard. “Because I said no. You are not training with my warriors; they are animals and won’t care if they hurt you. I also don’t feel like killing one of them if they look at you the wrong way, seeing as most of them are pigs. So I don’t want you around them, period!” Cain’s tone was harsh and firm now.

“This is bullshit, Cain! You can’t keep me locked up in this fucking house for the rest of my life; you will drive me mad. I’ve been training since I was 16, I am damn good at it, and I enjoy it.” I was now pissed. It looks like Cain and I were about to get into a screaming match.

Cain took a taunting step towards me. “Yes, I fucking can! I don’t care how long you’ve been doing it; this is my home, my pack and my damn rules. You will obey and follow them whether you like it or not.” He hollered.

“Fuck you and fuck your rules!” I was so mad; I felt like shifting and tearing him to pieces. The emotions that came over me were so overwhelming; I didn’t know what to do. All I knew was I needed to get away from him before I did something I may regret.

It felt like we may have been making progress, that I was getting to know someone else, a decent person that was hidden away from everyone else, but I guess that was just a mask to hide the monster that he truly is. I stormed away from him and left the bedroom, slamming the door so hard, the wood cracked. As I walked away, I heard him roar out in rage and then something shatter. I didn’t bother to turn around; I just continued walking down the hallway.

As I descended the stairs, I ran into Calyx. I barely looked in his direction, and I didn’t plan on stopping to talk to him. But to my dismay, he stopped me.

“Hey Freja, I was just.... are you ok?” Concern was etched on his face.

“I’m fine.” I continued walking down the stairs, trying to avoid him and the questions about to spill from him.

Calyx grabbed my arm to stop me. “Freja, stop! Tell me, what’s wrong?”

“Just that lovely brother of yours, being an asshole as usual,” I said through gritted teeth.

He sighed. “What happened?”

I sighed. “I asked Cain if I could go train, and he refused.”

He sucked in a deep breath. “I understand why he did; he doesn’t even like some of the female warriors training there. Some of our male warriors aren’t good people, Freja. So Cain is trying to make it, so the female and male warriors train separately.”

“Well, I can handle myself.” I was getting tired of being underestimated, being treated as weak.

Calyx’s features softened. “I’m sure you can. However, it may become difficult, when it’s one small female, against ten large men.”

Calyx had a point, I guess. I know I’m strong, but I also know my limits.

I sighed heavily. “I truly enjoy training, especially archery training. I was damn good at it, and I found it.” I paused, trying to figure out how to explain the feeling I got when that bow was in my hands. “I don’t know; I can’t explain it.”

He pursed his lips. “Let me see what I can do. I’ll try talking to Cain and see how he feels about you doing some training in just the archery section.”

Excitement flowed through me as my eyes widened. “Really? Thank you, Calyx. I really appreciate that.”

Calyx gave me a warm smile. “No problem. Now come on, let’s go get some breakfast.”

I nodded my head in agreement, and we started to walk down the stairs. Finally, we reached the dining room, where our breakfast was ready and laid out on the table, waiting for us; it looked so damn delicious. We both took our seats and began eating. After a while, Cain finally entered the dining room and looked furious. What else is new!

Cain didn’t even glance at me, just stormed past me, went to his seat and began eating his food. He was tense, irritated and on edge, like a ticking time bomb.

Calyx looked at me and then back at Cain. “So, brother, Freja was telling me that she is good with a bow, thought I’d show her the archery range today, maybe let her go a few rounds, see how she likes our equipment. What do you think?” His tone was hopeful.

Cain was quiet, just continued eating. He finally paused, looked up from his plate and stared in my direction, an irritated expression on his features.

“She told you about our little disagreement, didn’t she?” He said while narrowing his eyes.

I glared at him. “Yes, I did. So what? Am I not allowed to talk to other people now either?”

Cain slowly stood from his chair. “Do whatever you want, Freja.” He said calmly, “I’m done.” Cain then left the room peacefully. Ok, that was really fucking weird! He would usually storm out or holler at me or do something, but this time he didn’t. Why?

I looked at Calyx. “That was weird, right?”

“Yea, it was.” He looked just as puzzled as I was.

After finishing breakfast, Calyx took me to the archery range; it was much larger than the one we had back home. There were numerous targets ready to be fired at and various bows and arrows. Ok, I take it back; this is my favourite place now, not the bathroom.

As I stood there, drooling over everything, Eve approached us. My wolf's hackles raised as she began growling at the venomous woman coming towards us.