Page 65 of Brutal Reign
“Fuck yeah,” I sigh, pushing off from the building.
Ace always knows exactly what I need to get my head on straight. The best way to burn off this aggression right now is by shifting to my wolf and taking to the forest.
The two of us head for the gate to exit the squad complex, taking the trail to the grove of trees where we typically launch from. After stripping out of my clothes and tossing them in a heap, I call my wolf forward, the air shimmering around me as my body rearranges itself to take on my animal form.
When my paws hit the ground, I finally feel like I can breathe again, sucking in a deep breath of fresh air while shaking out my onyx fur. Ace’s silver wolf waits patiently as I stretch my limbs, then I take off into the forest with my best friend at my side. I can always count on him to lend his support when I need it most.
Though as we run through the trees, I can’t shake the feeling that something’s missing.Someone’smissing.
And I’ll do whatever it takes to get her back.
22
Ibreeze through the open door to the command center for the hunter division, pausing in the threshold when I see Avery and Cam are the only ones inside. That in itself wouldn’t give me pause, but the way they’re currently entangled with their tongues down each other’s throats sure as shit does. Avery’s straddling Cam’s lap in his desk chair, the two of them engaged in such an intense make-out session that they don’t even register my presence until I clear my throat loudly to get their attention.
They both startle, breaking apart and snapping their heads in my direction.
“Uh, you wanted to see me?” I ask awkwardly, conscious of the fact that I’ve only got ten minutes to get down to the practice field if I don’t want to be subjected to running punishment laps.
Avery pushes up off her mate’s lap, lips puffy and cheeks flushed. “Yeah,” she breathes, straightening her top nonchalantly as she starts in my direction.Girl has no shame.“Squad leadership met yesterday, and we’ve decided to move the wolf tournament up to this week.”
My heart stutters in my chest, eyes popping wide.
“Don’t worry, Alphas don’t participate,” she quickly adds.
Well shit, it would’ve been nice if someone mentioned that earlier.I’ve been dreading the wolf tournament since I arrived at training camp. It’s an exercise where the recruits go head-to-head fighting each other in their wolf forms, battling it out in single elimination matchups until a sole victor remains. I’ve been quietly panicking at the thought of it, trying to think of any excuse to get out of participating, but it turns out I didn’t even need one.
Avery grins as she approaches me, setting a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “And since you’re dealing with a lot right now, it’s the perfect excuse to get away from this place for a few days, dontcha think?”
I eye her suspiciously, rolling my lower lip between my teeth. “Did you…”
A devious grin spreads across her face. “You’re welcome,” she quips, flipping her long blonde hair over a shoulder.
I snort a laugh. While everyone else is playing checkers, my cousin plays chess. She has a way of twisting every situation to her benefit, which is definitely an asset when she’s in your corner. I’m thankful she’s always in mine.
“The tournament will last for three days, so just make sure you’re back by Friday morning,” she states, winking. “And give my aunt and uncle a hug from me.”
“You’re the best,” I gush, throwing my arms around Avery’s neck and yanking her in for a hug.
This couldn’t have come at a better time. I know I shouldn’t run from my problems, but after being harassed by Seb and Ace all day yesterday and watching Jake waltzing around with a chip on his shoulder, my head’s a mess. I’m so overwhelmed that I feel like a zombie, just going through the motions. A few days away to clear my head and get a handle on how to move forward is exactly what I need.
“Yeah, yeah,” Aves laughs as I peel away from her. “Now get outta here before this place is crawling with wolves and your own gets restless,” she teases, pointing me toward the door and swatting me on the butt to send me on my way.
I give her a mock salute as I exit the command center, rushing through the hallways of the squad complex to return to the recruit barracks. Once there, I pack a few things up in a backpack, grab the keys to my bike, and manage to sneak by the other recruits before practice even begins.Well, almost.Seb and Ace spot me slinking through the gate and chase after me, cornering me in the parking lot and demanding to know where I’m going.As if they deserve an explanation. I’m definitely not up for another fight, though, so I fill them in on the change of plans, bicker with Seb about needing space to think, then hit the road.
It isn’t long before I’m pulling into the driveway of the Summervale packhouse, a ball of anxiety knotting in my gut the moment I lay eyes on my childhood home. The last time I was here, Jake declared his challenge, kicking off a series of events that I’m still reeling over. I need to formulate some sort of plan if I’m going to weather this storm, though, and I suppose there’s no better place to start doing that than at the scene of the crime.
The door of the attached garage is wide open and my dad’s inside tinkering with his motorcycle. He glances over as I pull up, throwing me a wave before going right back to working on his bike.So obviously, he knew I was coming.
I’d assumed this whole thing was Avery’s doing; it never occurred to me that my old man might’ve also had a hand in the sudden schedule change at training camp. It makes sense that he would, though. Dad will do just about anything to flex some semblance of control over my life.
The purr of the Chief’s engine dies out as I turn the key to shut it off, knocking the kickstand down with the toe of my bootand pulling off my helmet as I dismount. Dropping it on the seat, I turn to start in my father’s direction, finger-combing my windblown hair in a futile effort to tame it.
“Hey, kiddo,” he drawls as I approach, finally looking up from his hunched position and flashing me a welcoming grin. He looks to be in the midst of an oil change, positioned on a stool beside his bike with an oil pan at his feet.
“Avery told you I was coming?” I ask, though it’s not really a question. From his lack of surprise at seeing me here on a random Tuesday, it’s clear someone tipped him off– likely the mastermind herself.
He gives me a single nod of confirmation, swiping an arm across his sweaty forehead and leaving a faint black streak of motor oil behind. “Wanna grab your toolbox, help me with this?” he asks.