We both giggle and walk down the log hallway towards the common area where most people are milling about, having either eaten already or just getting back from a training session and socializing before they go in.
“I didn’t realize how many warriors were actually here.” Gasps Jena.
“I know! It takes a little while to get used to, but a lot of the warriors who have been around for a while don’t live in the compound dorms. This is mostly for the newbies, because we train more often and the trainers need more access to us. But everyone eats here, especially dinner. It’s the one time most of us are together.”
“Okay, it makes sense, it’s just going to take a bit to get used to. There’s Wyatt.” She points to our usual table.
“Hey! I hear I’m the odd man out tonight while you all get to go on a grand adventure.”
“I will trade you my spot next to Xander. I bet you’ll look fabulous in a dress fit for me.” I laugh at him.
“On second thought, you keep your position and I will stick to guarding Nathaniel and the new girl here.”
I shove him. “So you are going to be there? Why would you lie to me? I’m not really good at the feeling bad for you thing.” I laugh.
“It can’t hurt to try and see how you feel about me, Midge. Just have to keep checking, you know.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me and I respond with an eyeroll.
“Are you riding with us then, or does Warrior Osiston have something else set up for you?”
“I get to escort the ladies to the ball.” He says in a terrible English accent. “Nathaniel is on his way with all the gear Jena needs to beast mode him in the tech department. Speaking of, I think our ride is rolling up now.”
We are all still laughing as we head towards the door. We get about halfway across the common room when my second least favorite voice wafts out of the crowd.
“If it isn’t the golden child. Where are you off to now? Going to go warm someone elses bed to get your way? Or get captured like the weak link we all know you are.”
“Who the f*ck are you? And what the hell are you talking about?” Jena says before I can even get a word in to move on from having this stupid conversation.
Audrina’s hand is on her hip and she’s flipping her pony tailas she talks. “Audrina, your superior, remember that. And everyone here knows that Sky has just slept with whoever she needed to to get her position here. She hasn’t even been on the compound long enough to earn any kind of title other than sl…”
“Don’t even finish that sentence.
Midge earned her spot, stop trying to spread gossip. You’re not the
favorite and let me tell you a little
secret, you never were.” Her eyes go wide at that. “Once you figure out that actually showing up, working hard and being easy to work with Midge.
will get you sent on is all of those things and you are none of them. That’s why she just got back from a mission where she rescued an Alpha female. You don’t compare, stop trying.”
Wyatt turns around wraps an arm around each of us and leads us out to the front of the compound where a car is waiting for us. No one says a thing as Jena and I climb in the back seat and Wyatt takes the front passenger.
“Is she that aweful all the time?” Jena breaks the silence.
“Only when it comes to Midge here. She’s always had a ‘better-than-thou’ attitude, but she is a decent warrior. I think being made a floor leader went to here head though. Then our Midge came in, three years too young to even do trials for the program, and blew everyone out of the water. Even giving War Brogen and Alpha Prince Xander a run for their money. She also has a special relationship with Alpha King Reggie and Luna Queen Anne, as you will see in a minute. Midge was also special requested for the mission that ultimately ended with us finding you. So it was clearly the right choice.”
“Wait, three years too young for the program. How old are you? I figured you were just tiny, maybe an Omega who could really fight. I know you’re not now, cause I can feel your aura almost as strong as mine. “Wait! All the time you guys have been together, her age never came up?”
“We had other pressing matters to deal with. She was capable and smart, her age didn’t matter at that point. Staying alive did.” She looks right at me expectantly.
“I turned sixteen just before I was taken.” I am pointedly staring out the window not wanting to make eye contact as that information sets in.
“Holy sh*t! Now it makes what Micheal was going to do so much worse. Did on the
y campus with you and Tyle right? Wait! How did you get into college in the first place? You were actually in class with those losers. I have so many questions, but they will have to wait. Wow!” Her attention is all over the place as we pull up to the castle and and ow? I mean he was towards the hidden entrance.
