His Alpha's Guardian
Chapter 18

I rolled out of bed, turning off my alarm, groaning as my feet touched the hardwood floor. Eventhough he told me that their training started at 5 a.m., I was unable to allow myself the extra sleep. Iguess old habits die hard. I wondered how pissed Alpha Ezekiel's pack warriors would be if I tried toconvince him to change the time of training to 4 a.m. I shrugged my shoulders and silently laughedto myself. They would be pissed. I am sure my warriors would have been pissed if it was not for thefact our training had been at 4 a.m. for as long as I can remember.

I made my way to my suitcase that I never unpacked yesterday and pulled out my sports bra andsome short leggings. I felt that today was going to be different. I had a feeling that somethingdifferent was going to happen today and I was not sure if it was going to be a good thing or a badthing. I guess we will see how much more the Moon Goddess will fuck with my life.

I stretched my back, wincing, as it cracked in multiple places. Despite the fact that I had one ofJustin's shirts on and I was immersed in his scent, I struggled to sleep comfortably. I tossed andturned for most of the night. I guess it does not help that the mattress in this room is hard and stiff.It makes me miss the mattress in my house. I sighed. There were a lot of things I missed about myhouse and pack. I never realized how much I would miss it until I was in another pack.

Even though the assignment had just begun, I was going to be excited for it to end. The quicker itends, maybe I will be able to visit my pack for a day or two...I missed them.

I felt a stirring in my mind before I remembered that Skye was slowly coming back to me. She hadbeen gone since Justin died, but something about this pack was bringing her back.

"You know, if you were not so stubborn, Kat, then you could have taken the Alpha up on thosebetter accommodations.’ Skye told me.

I scoffed. “You know, Skye, if I wanted your opinion, then I would have asked you for it. As itcurrently stands, I did not ask you for your thoughts or opinions regarding anything that I do." Icould feel her discomfort being in another pack. She was uneasy. Today, though, is different. Sheseemed more energetic and excited. This is the most she has spoken since Justin's death.

I could tell that since that accident happened, Skye and I were not going to see eye to eye. I missthe old companionship that I had with my wolf. I understand that she is grieving our losses, but I amgrieving them too. It feels weird and awkward to be at odds with her. Oh well, I sighed to myself, Iguess I had better get going to this training session.

Alpha Ezekiel asked me last night to help lead his training session, with the help from his Gammaand lead warrior. He then told me that his Beta and he would be there too if I needed furtherassistance. I truly doubted that I would need any assistance. He may just want to be there to makesure that I don't harm too many of his pack members.

I forgo getting breakfast, deciding that I would eat something small after training. My nerves arefeeling pretty shot right now, which is weird for me. Normally, I don’t get nervous.

I made my way to the training grounds. I stood at the entrance to the field, searching for the Alpha.I found him standing at the front having a conversation with his Beta and Gamma. Once I saw him, Iquickly made my way to them. I didn’t miss the weird looks I was getting from the warriors thatwere already there waiting for training to start. They were definitely going to be in the shock of theirlives. This pack is not used to women training.

"Good morning, Kataleya,” the Alpha said as I approached him.

"Good morning, Alpha Ezekiel. Are we ready for the training to begin?”

He shook his head. “Not quite. I am waiting for my lead warrior to get here, so that we can officiallybegin. He has been having some issues lately at home, so he told me he might be a few minuteslate. Let me introduce you to my Beta and Gamma.”

He first points to the guy standing to his right, who is about six feet tall with muscles for days. Hehad dark brown hair that he currently had in a man bun and dark brown eyes. “This is my Beta,Jefferson.” I nodded my head in greeting as he turned to the guy that was standing to his left. Theother guy was about five foot nine with a six pack. His hair had been dyed a light green and he haddazzling green eyes that sparked when they were caught at the perfect angle by the sun. “This is myGamma, Henry."

We waited for another fifteen minutes before a heavenly scent invaded my senses. Coffee andcinnamon. My Goddess, it smelled fucking heavenly.

I stopped in my tracks. No...no, no, no, no...this can't be happening. No, Selene. Don't you fuckingdo this to me.

The last time that I had smelt something this heavenly was with...no, it hurt too much to even thinkabout that ...I sighed internally...why does fate have to fuck with me like this?

I knew something was going to happen today...I just was not expecting it to be something like that.I slowly turned around as Alpha Ezekiel started talking. It sounded like he was introducing his leadwarrior to me, but I was not able to focus...I could not understand a single word he was saying. Ilooked up at the handsome man before me and I was met with piercing blue eyes that felt as if theywere looking deep into my soul

Fuck. Mother Selene, help me.

*...Carlisle Patterson. He will be helping you run the training session today."

I still could not say anything...I stared at the man before me, utterly speechless.

I swallowed audibly. “Let's get this started then,” I managed to stutter out. Goddess, I am trulyfucked, aren't I?

I went through the normal routine of formally introducing myself to the pack warriors and thentelling them about what I am and what I can do. I was waiting for the blow up. Not many men arewilling to take directions from a woman. Usually, they will ask for a demonstration because it will behard for them to believe what I am and what I could do. I was about halfway through my speckwhen, no surprise, one of Ezekiel's warriors was skeptical because I was a woman and he did nottrust my skills, so once again I had to put another egotistical male warrior in his place. Usually, I dothis by making the one that questions my abilities first become the test subject, or victim, whateverway you would like to describe it. I made the warrior step forward and we both took a fightingstance.

I beckoned him towards me and he rushed at me. Before he could even touch me, I took my fist andjabbed it into his throat, following it with a kick to his ribs. The entire time I am fighting with him, Iam explaining aloud to the rest of the men present what this warrior is doing wrong, which justseems to piss the guy off even more. I ended it when he rushed me once again and I flipped hisentire body over me. He landed on the ground with a loud thud.

"Warrior! What's your name” I questioned.

“Felix,” he grumbled.

“Well, Felix, I hope you have learned a lesson from this. Just because I have a pair of tits and avagina, it does not mean that I am any less than you. It would behoove you to think next timebefore you act or speak.”

He nodded his head in acknowledgement and got back in line. I shook my head condescendingly athim before I continued on with the training. I could feel everyone's eyes on me and the shock thatwas radiating from them. They probably were not expecting that. At the end of the training, I hadwanted to run, but I knew that was a cowardly thing to do and Kataleya Frost is no damn coward.So, I waited here. I waited for my second chance mate to approach me.

I stood there as I waited for the last of the warriors to leave, waiting to see if Carlisle was going totalk to me.

Carlisle walked towards me and I was shocked at the hostility that I had observed in his movements.I can at least say this, the man was fucking hot, even while angry. He had strawberry blonde hair andhe was incredibly fit. My eyes trailed over his chest, following the ridges of his muscles followingdown to the deep vee that disappeared into his shorts. His eyes. Those dark, blue eyes are probablythe best part of this man. Right now, I could tell he was pissed. Those piercing blue eyes wereglaring at me as he stomped his way over to me.

“Let's get this over with,” he hissed at me. I was shocked at the hostility in his voice. He acts like Iasked for this. Before I could even say anything, he said the dreaded words, “I, Carlisle Patterson,lead warrior of the Midnight Eclipse pack, reject you, Kataleya Frost, as my mate and Alpha.

I watched as his eyes flashed to the dark black of his wolf and he clutched his chest.

I clenched my chest as the agonizing pain shot through my system. I heard Skye’s pained cry in myhead as I fell to my knees. I refused to give him the satisfaction of accepting his rejection. Hedoesn't even know me... I refused to cry out, even though it felt as if my heart was being ripped outof my chest. I looked up at him, the anger I was feeling clearly written on my face. I could feel Skyefading quickly, receding back to her dark corner as she tried to recover from the pain she was in.Well, fuck. That hurt more than I anticipated it would.