“Of course, I need someone to help with my newfound powers,” I tell him. “I can’t always ask Jade to rush here and train with me, after all. And I can’t always visit you in your cottage. I have a pack to lead.”
He tilts his head. “That makes sense.”
Jade looks at me, raising her brows and giving me an impressed look.
“We would be really happy to have a man of your knowledge in this pack,” Harmony adds earnestly.
Grandpa considers our words for a moment, then he nods. “Well, how can I say no to that?”
Dad sighs slightly. “I should have had Celine ask from the beginning,” he mutters.
“For real,” Jade grumbles. “It just takes his granddaughter praising him and another pretty she-wolf telling him he’s awesome… and he agrees to stay.”
We all laugh at her pissed-off expression.
*VALERIE*
“Okay, guys and girls,” Garret approaches everyone with a broad smile while tugging me along. I’ve always been a bit scared of him because of his bulk and height, but now that I’ve gotten to know him better, he looks more like a soft giant, like a sweet teddy bear. “As I’ve already mentioned, we have a guest in our class.” He grins, nodding at me. “Our little Valerie will train with us. By now, you all know she’s a healer because this pack can’t keep a secret to save their lives.”
Everyone laughs at his words.
“Our little gem here can’t shift yet, but we are hoping to slowly get there. She’s training wolf-less, so I want you to show her some of your best moves.”
Alpha Celine deliberately put me in the advanced class because she plans on having the class help me and teach me as a group. She and Alpha Elden think that would be way more effective than if I joined the usual beginner classes where everyone is still learning and trying to progress fast.
“And now guys, and only the guys, raise your hands.” Garret puts both his hands in the air, showing them what he means. Everyone else follows. “Perfect,” he states. “Keep these to yourself and not on Val!”
Everyone bursts into hysterical laughter, some of the female warriors seem to find his joke particularly funny. Even I can’t help but giggle slightly.
I was so scared to train with them, but now that I’m here and Garret has introduced me so casually, I don’t feel anxious at all. I’m here to learn after all, and they are all eager to help. It seems each and every one of these warriors is honored that our Alpha deemed them worthy of this task. I will be damned if I don’t put 100% effort into this.
First, Garret puts me in a group with three female warriors to show me some moves while the others proceed with their normal training. They point out what the others are doing and why it’s working so well for them. They improve my posture, my breathing, and my footing. Eventually, Garret switches the teams up, and I’m now with one male and a female warrior. This guy is a bit older, and I know him. He’s a friend of both my father and Annalise’s father. He immediately gives off that fatherly vibe toward me.
I finish training with a good feeling inside. I don’t think I did amazingly well, but I don’t think I sucked either.
“Is our little warrior coming for a drink with us?” one of the guys beams at me. They’re all smiling at me like I brightened up their class just by being there.
“Hey, Pete,” Garret hollers from the side. “What did I tell you about keeping your hands to yourself!?”
The others burst into giggles again, and I grin too. “I would love to,” I say sincerely. “But the Alpha thinks my life might be in danger. It’s safer for me to stay on pack grounds.”
“Val’s right,” Garret says, his voice now serious. “I’m going to accompany her back to her family and friends right now.”
The others nod in understanding.
“Don’t worry, little one,” one of the she-wolves says. “We will watch over you.”
One of the guys flexes his muscles, making the others laugh again. “I’ll be damned if we don’t protect our little princess.”
“Awesome,” Garret says dryly. “I will take the princess with me now. Could you wannabe princes and kings be so kind as to put all the equipment away?”
More laughter.
I look at him in amazement. He’s the perfect teacher; fun, strong, motivating, and he makes sure things get done. No one was slacking off during training. If all teachers were like him, I think everyone would love to study.
“And how did you like your class?” Garret asks while he walks me back.
“It was great,” I say with emphasis.