Chapter 31: Simon

The morning started early. I was up before dawn I got a ten-mile run before training. I loved the brisk air in the morning and the fog split as I ran through it. I normally hated waking up in the morning, but today felt different. I felt all my senses were awakened and I breathed in the forest around me. It was as if I could smell the very life in the trees. I hopped over a log that was across the trail I followed around the lake with ease.

I noticed I approached the little cabin that sat across the lake from the packhouse. The one that was housing the witch. It was dark, the witch must be still asleep. I breathed in and stopped mid-stride. A faint smell of flowers, mixed with vanilla mingled with the smell of the forest. It smelled amazing. I looked around at what could have caused the smell, nothing but the forest surrounded me. I shook my head as if to get the smell out of my nose and continued my run.

I made it back to the training grounds in record time. I saw Jared and a few other wolves warming up and I approached them. The pack members looked down avoided my gaze and said, “Alpha” in unison.

“You’re up early and look well rested. Not the typical Alpha Simon.” Jared said jokingly to me.

“I just felt like a run before training.”

Jared nodded his head and crossed his arms over his body. “So that means you’re ready for a tough training session.”

“Bring it on!” I said to him, I jumped high into the air, and pumped myself up. “Let’s go!”

Jared pulled out all the stops during training. Fast sprints, long jumps, hand to hand sparring. Anything he could think of to get me to quit, but I continued until he sat down on the grass.

“Give up?” I said to him as I nudged him with my hand and continued to jog in place.

“Yes, please dear goddess stop the madness. I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but you are like the energizer bunny. You keep going and going and going and going.” Jared fully laid down on the grass.

I stopped jogging. “Fine. Let’s go get cleaned up and ready for breakfast.” I offered my hand to Jared and helped him to his feet. “Race you to the pack house.” I said as I turned around and ran to the packhouse. Jared sighed behind me and started to jog but then gathered enough energy to sprint.

I beat him by a long shot. I made my way to my room and got ready for the day. We had a lot to do today and not enough time to do it. Jared and I would review all the applications and send out contracts to those who got hired. We had over a hundred applications to review. It was going to be hard to narrow it down.

I sped through a shower and got dressed. I pulled on my favorite sweater and jeans. I was ready for the day. I threw my hair up in a bun. It was going to be a nightmare to brush through later, but I was starving.

I made my way through the packhouse to the dining hall. The majority of the wolves that were at training scarfed their food down. As I walked passed, they nodded their heads in respect. I waved slightly and continued toward the food.

Everything looked magnificent. There were eggs, sausage, pancakes, and waffles. Coffee and orange juice sat at the end of the food line. I grabbed a plate and piled the food onto it and poured myself a cup of coffee. Normally I would need a few cups to get me through the morning. But today, I felt energized, as if I didn’t even need this cup.

I sat down at an empty table and started to eat. Jared made his way to the table and sat across from me without a word.

“Still bitter about being beat in training and our race?” I said and gave him a cocky smile.

“You know what. It’s not fair that I’m pitted against Captain Raging Boner.” He said as he tried to keep a straight face.

“It wasn’t even a fair match. Next time I should tie a hand behind my back and give you a thirty second head start or something…because that’s the only way you could win against me. Captain Raging Boner.” I said as I put my hands on my hips in a superhero pose.

“Some days, I just don’t know what to do with you.” Jared said. He shook his head and started to eat.

“You love me though.”

Jared sighed and rolled his eyes.

“He better not love you more than me.” Greta said as she sat her plate down next to Jared and took a seat. “What are we talking about?” She said as she grabbed her fork and shoveled food into her mouth.

“Just how I utterly beat your mate today in training and in a race.”

“And I said, it’s hardly a fair match when I’m pitted against Captain Raging Boner.” Jared gave his excuse.

Greta snorted. “Oh god, eggs almost came out of my nose.”

The table laughed at the joke as we continued to eat our breakfast. I took a sip of coffee and thought about how I was feeling. I have never felt this good, ever in my life. I always felt bogged down like some invisible ties were keeping me down. Today, I felt as if I could fly. I smiled at my cup of coffee.

“What are you smirking about?” Greta eyed me from across the table. Jared shifted his gaze from Greta to me and waited for me to answer.

“Just I have never felt this good in my life. Like I’m really living for the first time. That there are possibilities around the corner.” I took a sip of my coffee. “That’s what I’m smiling about.”

“You definitely do have a different demeanor.” Jared eyed me as he took a drink of his juice. “You are actually pleasant to be around.” He smiled.

“Hey, I’m still your Alpha.” I smiled back at him.

“Alpha or not, you do seem happier.” Greta chimed in. “That can’t be a bad thing.”

“I just hope this feeling stays.”

“Trust me, I do too.” Jared chuckled.

“I think we should get started. We have a lot to accomplish, I want to send out all fifty-six contracts by the end of the day.” I said as I stacked my dishes on my plate as Stella is made her rounds.

“Alpha, did you enjoy your meal.” She beamed down at me.

“It was very delicious. Thank you.” I smiled back at her.

“It is my pleasure.” She said as she gathered the plates on our table and put them into the dirty dish bin, she carried around the room.

“Let’s get to it,” Jared said. “What will you do today, my love?” He looked at Greta.

“I have south gate duty today. Since it’s our main road hopefully I will get some action,” Greta said. She pulled on her jacket from the back of her chair.

“Stay safe.” Jared leaned down and kissed her. Though it was short, it was filled with passion.

“You too, babe.” Greta said as she pulled away from the kiss. “And you, don’t get too Captain Raging Bonery.”

I chuckled at her. “I’ll do my best.”