Chapter 33: ; They never see me as their competitor

Cheska couldn't believe her eyes when she saw all the participants from yesterday's event are present at the Thunder's training ground. Matthew had mentioned this earlier, but she thought he was joking and wanted her to feel trouble.

"See? They work hard even though they’re not officially members of the pack... I wonder if you can be like them," Matthew remarked while looking at the group.

Cheska couldn't agree more. Everyone was there, patiently training under the scorching sun and drenched in sweat.

"Cheska," she heard Ava's voice and turned around to see her friend waving from the shade of a tree.

"So you're telling me I'm not working hard because I prefer to rest at home for today?" Cheska responded to Matthew's remarks before waving back at Ava, who was now walking towards them.

"Good morning, alpha," Ava greeted Matthew with her innocent smile, but he ignored her and turned around. Before he could walk away, he said, "I'll accompany you to the spring, so wait for me and don't come alone…"

Cheska apologized to Ava for Matthew's behavior and watched as Ava shook her head and smiled brightly. "He's been like that since we were kids," Ava explained.

Cheska wondered if the two had a past, but she didn't ask.

"By the way, my mark came out last night… How about you?" Ava asked as they walked into the snack house.

"Really? That was fast… Congratulations," Cheska replied, happy for her friend, but couldn't help but sigh. "Mine hasn't come out yet, but I'm not worried because I'm not in a hurry. I know I still have a lot to know and learn before it comes out," she added with a smile.

Ava wrapped her arms around Cheska. "Right… I will put my heart and soul into this and work tirelessly. I want to show Matthew that I am worth being his Luna…"

Cheska didn't know how to respond to that remark. She couldn't declare herself as Matthew's mate and put an end to Ava's ambition of becoming the Luna of the Thunder pack. After all, she was Matthew's sister! To hide her disapproval, Cheska decided to smile and not comment.

"By the way, I didn't see you in the city before? Do you live abroad?" Cheska asked, wanting to change the topic.

Ava nodded as she sat in a chair at the side of the snack house. "My brother and I stayed on the east coast for five years… We had been back for a short time, so we only had the chance to meet yesterday."

"So that is the explanation. Perhaps you will leave the city the day we arrive… same with Matthew," Cheska said.

"So the legendary bitch of the town is finally back…" Samantha Perry and her friends interrupted their conversation.

"Yes, Samantha, I'm finally back… Do you think I will be gone for good?" Ava retorted, her lips twisted in a smirk.

"With the sin you committed against Matthew? Yes, we expected you not to come back!" Samantha sneered. "And seeing you with Cheska… surely you aren't wasting time pursuing your evil plan towards the alpha," she added, looking at Cheska in disbelief.

"Why? Are you trembling with fear as you picture my hands reaching out to grab Matthew?" Ava didn't deny Samantha's remarks, which made her even more furious.

Cheska felt uneasy with the conversation between the two. Even though they were unaware, she was their most formidable opponent in the battle they were fighting over Matthew.

'Silly! They will not think of you as their rival because you are Matthew's sister! Cheska reminded herself.

"Ha Ha Ha! Looks like you haven't heard of Eunice… Why don't you ask your new friend?" Eunice murmured as she looked at Cheska.

Cheska didn't have a choice but to answer. "She's the daughter of the Shadow alpha, currently leaving on our house," she replied honestly before looking at Samantha. "Will you please leave us?" she asked politely.

Samantha glared at her while clenching her fist. "My advice for you is to choose your friends wisely…" Samantha said before leaving with her friends.

"Wow! Does Samantha follow your request?! That is amazing!" Ava commented, laughing.

"Technically, because of Matthew… Last time Samantha came to me as she did to you," Cheska explained and giggled.

Cheska was taken aback when she saw the emotion in Ava's eyes. She couldn't figure out what it was because it disappeared immediately and was replaced by a smile.

"What did Matthew do?" Ava asked, her curiosity piqued.

"It was just a warning for Samantha,"ll... I'm a daughter of the Luna and Technically her little sister ao he doesn't want seeing me being bullied by others," Cheska replied tersely, not wanting to explain further.

"Matthew may not get involved in petty fights, but I know he doesn't like to see you unhappy, or getting beaten by a weakling." Ava said, taking a sip of her milk tea with a smile on her face.

"Hmm, I'm not sure of that..." Cheska commented while shooking her head.

Cheska didn't understand Matthew and Ava's relationship, but she didn't have the nerve to question her friend.

After eating, they joined the training, and Cheska soon found out that apart from Ava, the other participants had released their marks.

'What is wrong with me? Why the pack mark is still not showing up? Am I not qualified to me their member? Cheska couldn't help but feel a little anxious that hers hadn't come out yet.

As she walk, Cheska also noticed Neo watching her every move, the guy she fought yesterday. She wanted to talk to him regarding his remark, but she knew it wasn't the right time. "The pack member is checking on him so ita not appropriate if I talk to him now..."

That's why Cheska decided to left the training ground and headed to the spring, a serene place hidden within the lush forest of the pack forest.

As Cheska walked through the dense forest, she felt a sense of safety and protection it provided. "I don't need someone to accompany me," she muttered, referring to Matthew.

Cheska wanted to explore the forest alone, to find peace within herself and clear her mind.