True to his word Kyle left the room precisely ten minutes later. I was still brushing my teeth the bugger. I slapped the cap back on my toothbrush holder and chased him out of the room without rinsing. I felt incomplete and gross. I always rinsed. I'll just have to brush again when I make it back to the room. That way, I can wash my toothbrush out properly too.
“You could have finished brushing your teeth, you know, and just caught up later.” Kyle glanced back over his shoulder as I trailed along behind him.
“Huh,” I say stupidly. I was too hung up on running my tongue across my teeth.
“Your teeth, it's bothering you. Why didn't you just finish brushing them.”
“How” I go to ask, but then I remembered we could feel each other's emotions. He could probably just feel how annoyed I was and put two and two together.
“It's fine. I wanted to go with you.”
Just like David had said, dad and John were both already waiting in the office for us.
“I am so sorry to keep you both waiting”, Kyle apologised. First, he shook my father's hand and then Johns before taking the seat behind his desk. I gave my dad a quick hug and John a brief, polite smile which he returned and went to stand behind my mate.
“I trust you both know what we are here for?” Kyle asks.
“Yes”, both my father and John echo back immediately.
“And John, your still happy to retire from your position?”
“I relived to be stepping down.” John nodded.
“Did the two of you decide to discuss anything during your time in here?” Kyle asked.
“Uh, not about training Alpha, we mainly just got to talking about our kids. I was telling him about a few of the things we do here. Just general chit chat” John explained. He seemed like a nice guy to me.
“Okay, well, as I said to Mitchell, he can sit in on your classes the next few days. Involve him as much as you can. Discuss how you teach, what rotations you work etc. Mitchell, you’ll still have the opportunity to make the class your own. You don’t have to do exactly as John does, but at least you’ll have a better understanding of the training the wolves have so far received. Then when you're ready, John steps down. I trust the two of you can handle that between yourselves, yes?”
“Yes,” Dad replied.
“We can manage, sir.” John answers.
“Good then, if everybody is happy, I don’t know what else we could possibly go over. I wish all my meetings were so easy.” Kyle stands from his chair.
“Wait”, I exhale nervously. I’m not sure why I was so nervous. I always was when I really wanted something.
“Yes, darling?” Kyle raises his brow.
“I want to join, training. I mean, I want to start training.”
My father didn’t look surprised, nor did John. Kyle, on the other hand, seemed to be a little conflicted.
“I don’t know, Faith. Training here gets really rough. I’d snap if you got hurt.” His eyes look over me quickly as if he’s already searching me for injury.
“Kyle, I trained every day at Crescent moon. I know how training can get.” I argue.
“Yes, but that was Crescent moon. We train harder here.” He retorts.
“Every single pack believes that they train harder than the last. Plus, you seemed to think they don’t do too badly; otherwise, you wouldn’t have made my father head trainer just now.” I push back.
“I’m just worried about you.” He sighs, his beautiful eyes look at me. He doesn’t need words. I can see his plea to drop this etched in his expression.
“I need this”, I admit. It was true I did.
“Faith is a solid fighter, and she has always done well, even against many of the male wolves. I think you’d be remiss not to give her the opportunity. If she doesn’t like it or you change her mind, you can always revisit the topic of conversation later. But for now, I say give her a chance.” My dad speaks on my behalf just as I hoped he would.
“Mitchell, I have every confidence in Faith, but I worry” I cut Kyle off
“You don’t need to worry. I’m not trying to prepare for battle or some greater life threatening mission. It’s a hobby. It’s something I enjoy doing.”
“Forgive me Alpha, I know this isn’t my place, but your Luna is new here. She’s the hot topic of conversation, and everybody wants to meet her, but she’s always hidden away. Soon the pack will start to pull away from her. I think introducing her in a class setting like that, where she can interact with other wolves on a regular basis, is a good idea.” I didn’t know John, but I liked him already.
“Fine. But you’ll have to start in the beginners class just like the rest of them. You’ll be assessed the same way any other wolf would be, and you can work your way up.” Kyle finally relents.
“Yay,” I squeal and fling myself happily into Kyles's arms.
I’m so happy this went my way this morning.
He laughs lowly to himself, and I snuggle in a little more.
My father clears his throat, and I jump back.
“Sorry, dad”, I apologise as I blush. I do not dare meet John's eyes.
“I was just about to offer Mitchel a tour of the training grounds. Now that you are to join, would you like a tour as well?” John politely asks.
“Yes, I would love that.” I agree quickly.
“Perfect, Mitchell, what do you say?” John checks with dad.
“I’m happy to.”
The three of us go to leave the room,
“Wait. I’m coming,” Kyle calls out as we walk.
I stop for a moment and wait for my mate to catch up.
We follow Johns lead but stray behind just a little.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” Kyle asks, concerned.
“I’m just worried that you might be doing this in response to Declan.” He explains.
“Honestly, I get that. But I’m not. I used to train daily. My 18th birthday was the first time that I didn’t. And then I just didn’t go back. I was too absorbed in all the mate trouble. Declan took so much from me. But there is so much that he can’t. I love training. Still, I miss it. I want to go back. I want to reclaim that piece of me.” I hope he understands all I’m trying to say, but in the end, I can’t make him.
“I’m proud of you, you know, for what it's worth. You are so strong. I love you.” His hand slips in mine and raises it to his mouth for a kiss.
“Come on, you two.” My dad calls out.
I try not to laugh, but I pick up the pace anyway.
We walk into the training hall together. Fifty or so eyes immediately snap to us. I notice a few glances at dad in curiosity, but most are ogling me.
“Do you want to do the honours, Alpha” johns nods to the crowd. Whatever he was insisting on, Kyle seemed to get the hint quickly.
“I’d love to.” He took my hand and led me to the form of the class. Dad and John follow along behind us.
“Good morning, warriors.” Kyle addresses the small crowd.
“Good morning” and a few other various greetings choruses back to us.
“First, I would like to introduce you all to the beautiful young lady here with me.” Kyle smiles down brightly at me.
“She is my mate, my love, my Luna, Faith huntress, daughter of Beta Mitchell huntress from crescent moon.”
In the corner of my eye, I see my father bristle a little at his previous title. I try not to acknowledge it for now as I wave politely back to those who are whooping and hollering for me. It was a pleasant surprise. After Eloise, I expected a little more scrutiny than this. Maybe that was still to come.
“Thank you, everyone, for the warm welcome. I look forward to getting to know you all.” I don’t know if anyone expected me to address the crowd myself, but it only felt natural, and so I did it anyway.
“You may have noticed the gentleman to my right? Well, he is your new head trainer. John will be teaching him the ropes over the next few classes then he’ll be on his own. I expect you all to show Mitchell ex beta of Crescent moon and our newest pack member the same respect you’d show any of our other leaders.” A few surprised gasps echoed through the hall, but the majority of them happily clapped.
“Faith will be joining the warrior's beginners class this evening, but I suspect she will soon be with you all.” A few more claps follow this. I’m so happy that I chose to do this.