Part B: Chapter 35

"Come on faster, even my grandma could run faster than you,” Carter hollered from the sidelines where he sat watching me train. “Is it just me or are your legs shorter because that would explain why you run like such a baby.”

I scowled but didn’t stop. I had to prove that I was physically fit, something that Carter claimed was a tradition and a rite of passage of every lycan born and initiated into the pack which I found stupid considering he woke me up at four in the morning and when I tried to get Aidan to tell him off, he just rolled over on the side, facing away from me. How rude!

“I’m going as fast as I can, stop yelling at me,” I shouted back, pushing my legs harder and faster. I could already feel my calves burning from the exertion that all I wanted to do was to collapse and pry the water bottle he was holding in his hands.

“I’m not yelling, just pointing out everything you’re doing wrong,” Carter yelled back and I could hear the smile in his voice.

I glanced back long enough to see a smug smile plastered on his face, his arms folded behind his back as he watched me. I also noticed Shelly sitting on one of the chairs that Carter had made the omegas to set up. She sat next to Gerald who had a bored expression and Ivan sat on her other side, looking at her like a lost puppy while he scrolled through her phone without a care in the world. Huffing, I pushed myself harder, I didn’t want to look weak in front of Gerald and Shelly, the Goddess only knew how much I was surprised when I saw them appear but no Aidan which I suppose was probably for the best.

“This is a waste of my time,” I heard Gerald sigh out loud, slouching the contents in his glass which I suspected to be whiskey from the colour. “She is obviously weak and lacks enough training. How can we accept someone like that? This is the Black Wolves Pack, not the pathetic society she comes from.”

“Gerald, please reserve your comments to yourself or I will have to ask you to leave as well as report to the Alpha,” Carter said, using a voice I had never once head him use. It commanded respect and held a huge amount of power, but not like Aidan’s. Was this what they meant by Beta?

“Watch your mouth youngling, I raised you and made you who you are today,” Gerald snapped back, anger laced like venom in his voice. “You will do no such thing.”

I was still running, not looking back at what was happening but I could hear everything clearly, though not as clear as if I let my lycan out.

Sighing audibly, Carter clicked his tongue. “And I appreciate you taking me in but from what I recall, your wife raised me not you and Aidan gave me everything I have hence why I’m his Beta,” he replied coolly. “Last I checked, the Alpha’s mate is more important than his father who should have been long dead.” The last part came out low and harsh but everyone heard it.

For the second, I stopped running and turned behind and watched what happened next. Gerald got up and walked over to Carter, grabbing him by the collar but Carter just looked bored and uninterested.

“Plead for your life you pathetic little scum,” Gerald growled.

Instead of reacting, Carter gently pried Gerald’s hand away and patted him lightly on the arm. “Now listen to me Gerald,” there was more emphasis on his name. “I don’t take orders from you and don’t get it wrong, you are as pathetic as they get and just because I followed your word like the soldier you trained me to be doesn’t mean I have no brain of my own. And if you think you have a say then think again because all the estates legally belong to Aidan. So, sit down and be quiet, leave or I’ll ask someone to escort you out, your choice. What’s it going to be?”

Gerald looked stunned and so did everyone else. I don’t know what had come over Carter but this was a side of him I never wanted to see again. I liked the playful and sombre side, not this side of him who looked like he couldn’t care less about anyone’s feelings.

“You little,” Gerald began but Carter cut him off.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, that’s not one of the options Gerald. I thought you knew better.”

“I’m not going to stand here and watch you insult me, Shel let’s leave,” Gerald replied then turned on his heels and walked away from the training grounds - another part of the Carmichael estate I only knew existed a few hours ago.

Shelly huffed, flipped her sunglasses across her hair then stormed off after her father. It was truly a sight to behold.

“Now,” Carter clapped his hands together, pulling my attention from Shelly’s fading silhouette and back to him. “Now, let’s get back to training shall we, show me what Ivan has been teaching you for the past few weeks.” He walked over to the cooler and came up with a water bottle then called me over.

I ran over and he handed it to me.

“Sorry for that, you shouldn’t have had to see that,” he said whilst rubbing the back of his neck. “I just kind of snapped, you know.”

I shrugged as I chugged the water down, letting it cool me down and when I was done, I capped the cap back. “It’s cool, sometimes people snap and that’s okay.”

Carter laughed and from the corner of my eyes, I saw Ivan get up and walk over to us. “That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day, thanks, you really are a gem,” he said after then he turned to Ivan. “You will stand here as I evaluate your teaching skills.”

“Sure, but I-” Ivan started but he was cut off by Carter.

“Ivan, chill out. I know you did your best and no one is judging your skills, why else would we entrust the pack to you when Aidan and I aren’t around?” Carter asked, that charming smile of his ever so present. “I just want to see what she needs to work on and what she’s good at.”

“Come, come Jemila, let’s see what you’re made of.”

Carter and I walked to the makeshift training deck and he just stood, waiting for me to take my stance.

“Aren’t you going to take your stance?”

“That’s for amateurs and I like to stalk my prey, let them take the first move and think they have the upper hand before I strike.”

My blood ran cold at his words and I lost all confidence in everything that I had learnt from Ivan. Was I really going to go up against the Beta of all people? Was I crazy or just outright stupid?

“I think I’m starting to feel sick,” I lied, holding onto my head slightly to make my point. “I’ve been having them a lot lately.” Not a complete lie but another was better than training with Carter.

Carter sighed and took quick steps towards me. “Let’s get you some rest.” He wrapped an arm around me and helped me back to Aidan’s quarters.

Once we were there, he helped me onto the couch and came back with a glass of water as he sat down.

“Thanks,” I took the glass from his hands and held it in mine.

“You didn’t have to fake being sick, I would have gone easy on you,” he said, sighing. “Sorry about getting into your word, it’s not something I can control at times.”
Crap, he knew I was lying. “What, no I wasn’t,” I lied again, gulping down the water.

Carter laughed as he leaned back on the couch. “Nice try but I know when someone is lying and you are frankly a terrible one,” he replied flatly. “Next time I won’t let you get away that easily.” He stood up and walked out, leaving me alone and feeling ridiculous and tired.

I placed the glass onto the coffee table, grabbed the TV remote and turned it on. After that, I mindlessly scrolled through the channels until I found the music channel where I left it and laid back, staring at the ceiling.