I stayed on the couch wallowing in my pain until the smell of dinner lifted my spirits. My grandma was cooking again and as much as my Dad protested I could tell he had missed her cooking.

We sat around the table eating dinner and exchanging stories. Dad wanted to know all about what I had gotten into while I was gone.

"So you already finished high school?" Sean asked, I could tell he was somewhat jealous. Sean graduated a year ago at the age of 18. While I was home schooled, he was forced to go to the local public school.

"Yup, I officially graduated." I teased, sticking my tongue out at him.

My Dad smiled at us as we bickered, "Now only one more year to go and you can find your mate." My Dad winked at me. My nineteenth birthday wasn't for a couple months now.

From eighteen every werewolf is able to sense their mate. That is, if they're within sniffing distance. Though I haven't.

"Jeez, can you imagine that. Her mate is gonna have to put up with a lot." Sean smirked at me.

I rolled my eyes at him, "I'm definitely not going to make it easy on him."

"So, who the hell trained you while you were gone? Alpha's been here for a week and I haven't seen anyone able to keep up with him." Sean frowned, obviously interested in my trainer.

Me and my grandma met eyes just for a second.

"It didn't feel like I was keeping up with him." I shrugged, wincing at my sore shoulder.

"You definitely were. Everyone else got pummeled bloody." Sean cringed. "He made each of us fight him one on one to see what were capable of."

"So that means he wont be my partner tomorrow?" I asked cheerfully. My dread about tomorrow was dissipating by the second.

"I guess not." Sean shrugged, "Now tell me, whose your trainer?"

Stifling a nervous giggle, I replied "Oh just grandma's neighbor. He's really skilled in jujitsu and stuff." I shrugged as if it weren't a big deal.

I shot my grandma a sly look and she winked back at me.

"Do you have any plans for the weekend, Lola?" My Dad asked in between bites.

Tomorrow was Friday, leaving Saturday and Sunday training-free.

"Mm, not really. I don't exactly have friends here anymore." I shrugged. In fact, I hadn't had any friends all year. My only company had been grandma, Chris, and the employee's of the supermarket we would often go to.

I didn't feel the need to surround myself with people anymore.

"You could always talk to Breyona y'know." Sean shrugged as if it weren't a big deal.

I sighed and bit my lip, "I don't know about that. She's probably still mad at me, I know I would be."

Breyona was one of my closest friends, but when Tyler and I started dating I set her to the side. Tyler had his own group of friends that didn't care for Breyona and like an idiot I chose them over her.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Sean shrugged "I talked to her during practice and she asked how you had been. She said she felt terrible about what happened between you and Tyler."

"Really, she said that?" I felt myself smile in spite of everything, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to talk to her.

"She did. It's been a year since then, Lola. She might've moved on from the past." Sean shrugged.

After dinner I hopped in the shower, practically swaying on my feet from exhaustion. As sore as I felt, I knew it would only be worse in the morning.

I flopped down in my bed and heard something crinkle beneath me. Groaning ever so dramatically, I rolled over and picked up the crumpled piece of paper I had laid on.

Welcome Home, Lola.

The hand writing felt somewhat familiar, but I couldn't place where I had seen it before.

"What the hell." I mumbled, stuffing the note in one of my dresser drawers.

"Weirdo." I shrugged it off, letting my exhaustion take over as I fell asleep on top of my covers.

I awoke in the morning bright and early, actually having remembered to set an alarm on my phone. One less thing to be called out for.

I slipped on a grey sports bra and a matching pair of shorts. I even managed to put my long hair in a neat ponytail.

I arrived at the pack house just in time. Feeling energized from breakfast and a full night of sleep, I made my way over to the rest of the trainee's. As always the large room we trained in was bare, only thin foam flooring protected us from the hard floor underneath.

"I see you're not late today." Sean smirked at me.

I smirked back, "I'm the poster child for responsibility."

"Hey, Lola." A feminine voice called out to me.

I turned and looked into a pair of familiar dark eyes. Breyona gave me a small smile. I noticed how different she actually looked. Her dirty blonde hair was cropped short in one of those pixie cuts.

"Hey, Breyona. Good to see you." I smiled back at her.

She gave me a small smile and a nod, "You did good yesterday."

I scoffed playfully, "Tell that to my sore body."

I ran to the locker room and shoved my bag inside one of the lockers, rushing to get back before training started

"Attention everyone." Alpha Asher's deep voice called out. Not that I'd ever admit this, but his voice alone was incredible.

His voice demanded your attention, while his words demanded your obedience.

"Pair off with your partners. You will each take turns switching between offensive and defensive moves. Alexander and Jax will provide help." Alpha Asher called out to all of us.

"He looks even better today." Maya smirked.

"Hush, were supposed to be paying attention." I grumbled at her.

I let my eyes drift from his untidy hair to his honeycomb eyes. He really did look good today. He wore a simple black t-shirt and a pair of loose work-out shorts.

Once he was finished speaking everyone paired off into their groups. I stifled a groan as I saw Alpha Asher make his way over to me.

"I see you've managed to arrive on time today." His honey comb eyes stared down at me, not conveying a single emotion.

My eyes flickered to his chiseled jaw and I noticed the muscle in his jaw was still. I couldn't help but wonder if it only moved when he was pissed.

"You're going to test that theory aren't you." Maya sighed, shaking her head.

"Don't tell me you aren't curious." I smirked when she remained silent.

"Unfortunate isn't it?" I sighed, batting my eyelashes at his unwavering face.

My stomach did a little flip when he ran his fingers through his tousled hair, keeping a straight face as he looked on at me.

"Start with defense." His rough voice commanded me, and I huffed at him. Before I had the chance to take a damn breath, he was charging at me like a freight train.

Defense is my stronger point. I'm small and fast, so I can typically get out of situations easily.

Fighting against Alpha Asher was an entirely different story.

Every single move he made was calculated specifically for me. It was like he instantly knew his opponents weaknesses and adjusted his technique to use it against him.

The only thing I had against Alpha Asher was my agility. I had taken gymnastics until I was fourteen, and still practiced what I had learned. Agility would've been more helpful if Alpha Asher wasn't so damn fast.

After what felt like hours, we switched to offense. I found it harder and harder to focus on training when this god-like man was trying to kill me.

Even when he was being murderous he looked good.

"You need to gain muscle. I can hardly feel your blows." Alpha Asher snapped, pulling me from my creepy thoughts about him.

I groaned and rolled my eyes at him, "I'm only 105lbs, there's only so much muscle I can have on my body. Not all of us can walk around jacked."

"If you fought as well as you talked, you may actually be a match for me." Alpha Asher said in a cold voice.

I ground my teeth together, trying to fight past the anger that boiled in my veins. I felt my fists clench and my fury take control.

There was nothing I hated more than being treated as weak. Tyler would never let me start training, insisting I was too small to survive in a real fight. Jokes on him.

Channeling my anger, I lunged at Alpha Asher. I managed to easily dodge his attempt at slamming me to the ground. Rolling to the side and jumping to my feet, I swung my fist at the side of his face. I used all the strength I had in my body.

I smiled as my fist made contact with Alpha Asher's cheek. I also could've swore I broke my knuckle.

Much to my dismay Alpha Asher looked completely unphased.

Training had ended and after some weary glances in our direction, everyone either headed to the locker rooms or out the main door. He gave me a strange, speculating look and nodded once.

"Much better." He grunted, showing none of the signs of pain I had hoped for.

"Your anger makes you stronger." Alpha Asher pointed out, his honey eyes had gold flecks swimming within them.

Unable to hold the words back, I smirked. "Thanks, I was thinking about you."

Before Alpha Asher could respond I ran to the locker room. All of the girls were clearing out rapidly and I grabbed the clean clothes from my bag.

I cursed, noticing I had forgotten to grab a regular bra. I slipped my sweat soaked sports bra off and slipped a t-shirt on. I swapped my work-out shorts for a simple pair of jean shorts.

I slammed the locker shut and turned around, nearly toppling over.

Alpha Asher stood a few inches away from me. His cold stare made me gulp.

I felt my back hit the lockers as Alpha Asher took a step forward.

"Do you get a kick out of being disobedient?" His voice was quiet and rough. His eyes swirled with gold, making them even more mesmerizing.

I took a slow breath, noticing how good he smelled. Husky from training yet earthy. The smell of sweat and cologne mixed to create something entirely new.

I smirked up at him, hoping he couldn't hear my rapid heartbeat. "I get a kick out of a lot of things. Being disobedient is just a personality trait of mine."

"You will obey your Alpha." Alpha Asher snapped, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

"Don't you dare, Lola." Maya snapped, knowing what I was about to say.

"And if I don't?" I teased, keeping my eyes locked on the golden flecks that swirled in his orbs.

"Oops, too late." I snickered at Maya.

"If he kills us I'm never talking to you again." Maya growled.

Alpha Asher took another step forward and I could feel his chiseled abdomen against my chest.

I found myself wanting to look down at his lips, and instantly rejected the idea. Now wasn't the time to act like a dog in heat. I was playing with fire and I needed my wits.

I felt my nips stiffen as they brushed against Alpha Asher's abdomen and I resisted the urge to cringe. My stupid body was reacting in a way I hadn't expected.

Alpha Asher's gaze never left my own, but I was almost positive he could feel my hardened nips grazing against him.

"Don't test my patience, Lola." Alpha Asher snapped, but I held my ground.

For a second I worried I had pushed him too far, but not a single one of my instincts thought he was going to hurt me. For whatever reason, I felt safe. That thought didn't make me magically like Alpha Asher though. I knew who I was toying with, and sooner or later it may come back and bite me.

I tried not to freak out as I realized how close he was to me. I could feel his breath fanning my face.

"My apologies, Alpha." I smirked, batting my eyelashes.

His eyes had progressively gotten more gold, and I let out a fast breath when he turned away and stormed out of the locker room.

"You got lucky." Maya huffed.

"I don't know about that." I mused. "He didn't seem like he was going to hurt us."

After taking a few much needed moments to calm my hammering heart, I left the locker room and headed outside.