The Falcon Ridge Series Book 2 Not Just A Girl
Chapter 1

(Chapter song ‘Run The World’ by Beyoncé)

SARAH

I adjust my helmet and scan the dirt area.

I lean forward and pull the throttle on my dirt bike. The bike shakes and vibrates between my Jean covered legs as the engine revs.

I eye the hydro plant up ahead. I shouldn’t be here, but it’s fun to run around and release some pent up energy.

With the kick of my converse sneaker, I put the bike in gear and hit the gas. I slam my visor down and lean into the handle bars as the wheels spin in the dirt and take off.

The wind whips past me. My hair on my back blows all over as I speed down the road to the main gate of the abandoned plant.

We downgraded due to unnecessary need. My pack is tiny, but I’ll talk about that later. Anyway, back to my task at hand. Mental distraction.

I dip the bike around the half open gate into the hydro plant. I run around the towering electrical towers. This place is now more of a pit stop for the power coming from Falcon Ridge, our Alliance Leaders, so there’s still a very good chance I could kill myself. Whatever.

My bike tears up the dirt covered roads around the plant. I run it up a piece of concrete and jump my bike off it with that dirt bike Rev I love so much.

I get to the parking lot and pull out several doughnuts and figure eights.

As I turn back between two tall electrical towers, I hear honking and a blip of a siren. I look behind me and a security SUV rolls up.

Shit.

I look ahead and hit the gas. I can’t get busted for trespassing…again.

The plant whips by me fast as the gate gets closer.

I weave my bike around the gate again. As I pass it, it starts to open more. Ok, we’re not stopping at the gate.

Let’s see how you do off road.

I look back to see the SUV exit the plant.

My bike tires hit the half dead field just off the two lane highway road. It takes the dips and jumps of the uneven ground with ease.

Dirt clouds pour from my back tire as I try to outrun this rent a cop, as the humans call them. We call them patrollers.

Who is we? Shifters. Wolf shifters. Inside all of us is an animal that is a complete loose canon unless trained. Mine’s trained, but she has this thing inside her that makes me make questionable life choices. So, it’s not that bad. It’s fun…until I get caught.

The patrollers siren blares across the empty field attached to the back of town.

I give my bike more gas and jump a tree stump. The dry grass crunches under my tires and tears it up in its tread.

I swerve and hit the back trail I used to get out here. He can’t follow me this way.

I look back and he veers off toward the road. A smirk crosses my lips as I get to the soccer field of the elementary school.

I jump the curb and hit my towns street. He gave up.

I get to the main street intersection and stop for the sign. I pull off my helmet and shake my hair out. I was about to go when I heard the siren again.

Are you freaking kidding me?

I thump my helmet back on and hit the gas. I burn rubber on the asphalt and turn down the street.

I speed around cars and he’s right on me.

I need to ditch this guy.

I turn down a side street and whip around corners. He doesn’t leave me for a second. This guy’s good.

At a cul-de-sac, I turn the circle and spin him around it few times. The circled dead end, lined with small houses, is pretty much awake now. I’m laughing when I come to the exit. Idiot, I think as I pop a wheelie and head back to the main street.

Our main street isn’t large at all. In fact…I’m out of options.

I fish tail my bike as I pass my house. My twin brother, Shane, is sitting on the porch. I wave to him as I whiz by. I see him get up and go into the house. Most likely to rat me out. Dick.

As I enter the square, I think I’ll just spin around here a few times and head back out of town.

I look back and then ahead just in time to see a woman with her pups crossing in front of me.

OH CRAP!!

I swerve, lose control and ditch my bike.

My back skids across the square as my bike flips and crashes into a store.

People jump out of the way as I hit the center garden and roll across it into the large pine tree standing in the middle of it.

I lay there for a second and absorb the pain in my road rash covered back. I already feel the skin stitching up and the pain receding.

I take off my helmet and blow out a breath, thumping my head back into the dirt.

As I close my eyes, my shoulder is grabbed.

I’m pulled out by my pink, leather coat. Now, not so pink.

I’m dragged to my feet and meet extremely irritated eyes. Eyes of my Alpha. He’s pissed and I shrink.

I give a little smile and tick my head. “Hi…Alpha Duke…Um…Nice day for a bike ride?” I giggle nervously as he growls deep.

“Does the Terror not have anything better to do?” He grits.

I shrug. “Not really.”

He throws me to the waiting patroller. “Take her home and make sure she’s properly punished!” He walks away. “And impound that damn bike!” He leaves, grumbling as people follow him.

“How was I supposed to know the Alpha was addressing the pack? I was just minding my own. It’s your fault for chasing me!” I point in the patrollers face as he drags me to his car.

“Sarah, shut up. You know how this goes. Get in.” He opens the door and shoves me in.

I slump in the back seat. “Yeah, a month of grounding.” I scowl as he drives me home to face the music.

“Sarah! Get up!”

The harsh knock on my bedroom door, pulls me out of a hot, steamy dream. I was just about to plant a big, wet one on Chris Hemsworth, when my mother’s irritated voice smashes it all to hell.

I roll over, groaning as my eyes blink to adjust to the light flowing into my bedroom window. I rub the sleep out of my eyes and pick up my phone to look at the time.

7 am. Ugh. I throw my phone down, pull the covers over my head and try to get back to Chris’ hard muscles and kissable lips.

I was just about there when another knock came. “Get up, loser. We’re going to miss the bus!”

Argh! I throw the blankets off and spin around, planting my feet on the floor. I’m not a morning person at all.

I scrub my hands on my face and stumble to the bathroom. I’m still groggy as I look in the mirror.

My blue eyes are puffy. My long blonde hair is a rat’s nest. I look like hell, which is a perfect reflection of what waits for me today.

My hydro plant stunt was the last straw for my dad. Add that to the recent pack war with the Dragons, there was only one thing they could do with me.

Caledon Boot Camp for Minor Recruits.

I stare at myself in the mirror. “Fuck.” I grumble and head for the shower.

My name is Sarah Reynolds a.k.a The Terror Of Black Lake. Not really a terror, more like bored out of my freaking mind!

I live with my parents, my older sister, Maddie and my twin brother, Shane, in a tiny town called Black Lake. It sits on the southern border of Falcon Ridge.

I just turned 18 last month and that’s when my hell began.

It’s been six months since the news of Torrent’s attack on Caledon spread across all territories. I wasn’t part of the fight. I don’t know anyone who was, but I heard it was a good battle.

Torrent was killed by the Luna of White Rock. The girl’s bad ass. My freaking hero. I’ve only seen her once on TV, but she looks fierce.

After the victory against the Dragon Pack, Caledon decided it would be good to start training everyone. Not just those with certain skill sets. So, they came up with the Caledon training camp. A boot camp for kids like me. 18 to 22. Four years of training to either leave with skills or join the Security Unit.

My parents are sweet people, but a bit paranoid. They’re convinced the Dragons will make another uprising. I don’t think so with girls like Luna Anna, there’s no way they’d be stupid enough to return.

Anyway, they are so worried about us, they signed us up for this stupid boot camp. So, we could learn to fight if the Dragons ever came back. Bonus gift! They get rid of me. They would never say it, but I’m sure they’re thinking it.

Hey, I’m all for sports, but fighting? I don’t fight anymore. I used to and all it got me was more punishments.

I’m not a criminal or anything, but yeah, I get into trouble more often than I should.

I once broke into my high-school with friends to party in the gym. That got me six weeks detention, but it was so worth it.

I’ve broke into the rec hall kitchen more times than I can count and climbing the water tower to turn Black Lake into Black Cake was probably not a good idea, but I was bored. There’s nothing else to do here.

So, yeah, I may be what you’d consider a problem child.

I clear my head and get dressed in sport leggings and a white sweater. It’s spring now, but we still get some cold days. It’s a good thing us shifters run hot most of the time.

I pack my duffle and head downstairs.

My mother is cooking breakfast and my brother is wolfing down a plate of scrambled eggs.

“Good. Sit down. Hurry up and eat.” My mother fills a plate for me and passes it over.

I drop my bag and sit. “Ugh. I don’t want to go.” I whine.

“Honey, this is important. You need to learn to protect yourself and this will teach you discipline.” She pours a cup of coffee for my father who should be down any minute.

My sister saunters in. She’s 20. Gorgeous. All the guys love her.

“How come Maddie doesn’t have to?” I press my whine further.

My mother folds her arms and leans on the sink. “Because Maddie’s too old.”

Maddie smirks at me. “Besides, I’m landing myself a big, strong Alpha to protect me. I don’t need to fight.”

I roll my eyes hard. “Yeah, ok, Mad.” I say sarcastically.

Shane drops his fork on his empty plate. “Come on, Sarah. Won’t it be cool to be able to kick some ass.”

My mother hits him with a towel. “Language!”

He looks at my mom. “Sorry.”

I swallow. “No. I’m not interested. Mom don’t make me go, please.”

“You’re going and that’s final.” A deep voice came from the hallway. My dad. Big guy. He practically fills the place with his body. “You need this. You don’t know what’s out there. The next threat could be even worse than Torrent.”

“Geez, dad. Lighten up.” I roll my eyes again.

My mom gets up and takes our plates. “Alright, come on. Get in the car and we’ll drive you to the stop.”

“Fine.” I grab my bag and push my dumb brother out the door because he’s a dick and likes to stop dead, blocking me.

We climb into the car and the car ride is a short 10-minute drive to the outskirts of town. There are about ten kids with parents already waiting.

I get out of the car and I’m slammed by my best friends, Sam and Ashley.

Sam is like a second brother. He’s cute. Perfect. Has a great body and awesome tattoos. We even kissed once when we were 12, but I don’t think of him that way. He’s just fun to be around.

Me and Ashley are thick as thieves. When she heard my parents signed me up, she begged her mom to death so she could join too. When it comes to me and Ashley you get one, you get the other one, too.

“Hey, sunshine!” Sam greets me in a hug.

“Hey, bro, what’s shaking?” Sam greets my brother in a side clap.

I drop my bag. “Sammy, you signed, too?”

He puffs his chest out. “Of course, I missed the last fight, I am not missing the next one.”

I shake my head.

Ashley wraps her arms around me. “Hey, girl! You ready?”

“No.” I grumble.

“Oh, come on. It’ll be fun. Besides, lots of cute guys go to these trainings.” She wiggles her brow.

“Well, at least that’s one bonus.” I smirk.

My dad glares. “You’re there to train, Sarah. No boys.”

“Yes, dad.” I shoot Ash a wink.

Sam steps up. “Don’t worry, sir. I’ll look after Sarah.”

“Thank you, Sam.” My mom smiles.

I scoff in response.

The loud bus horn rips through our tiny town. You could almost call it one horse.

Our pack was larger at one point, but through constant rogue attacks, we dwindled. Over time were deemed unsafe by new members so we never grew.

It wasn’t until Falcon Ridge popped up, that our town seemed to be getting back on our feet, but we still lose a lot to the Security Unit.

“Bye, mom.” Shane gives her a hug.

My dad hugs him. “Take care of your sister.” He says.

“I will.”

“Bye, honey. We’ll see you on the next break, ok?” My mom hugs me.

“Ok.” I mumble.

My dad walks up to me. “You behave yourself. What do we say?”

“Our behavior reflects on our family.” I groan.

“Good girl. Bye, sweetie. Try to have fun, ok?” He hugs me.

“I’ll try.” I smile.

We leave for the bus, waving as we go.

It’ll be a grueling year of sweating, no fun and barking orders. I’m so not looking forward to this at all.

We leave our tiny town and hit the highway to the west side of Caledon where the boot camp was created.

From the brochure we have, it’s huge. Wide open spaces. 5 dorm buildings filled with semi private rooms and all kinds of training equipment at our disposal.

I don’t how many will have signed up, but I’m hoping I’ll get tossed out.

At least that’s the plan.