The Falcon Ridge Series Book 2 Not Just A Girl
Chapter 3

(Chapter song ‘Worth it' by Fifth Harmony)

SARAH

Remember when Ash said these training places were filled with hot guys?

Damn, she wasn’t kidding. Some of the recruits are hot, but those Alpha dudes, wow. My wolf can feel them from where I am in the middle of the group I’m in.

All of them have hard muscle for days and look damn sexy in their gym clothes. They all look like they just walked out of a magazine. As I walk off the bus, I scan each one head to toe.

Drooling, I swear I’m drooling here. The one has this bad guy look going on. Wearing a black cut off and sweats. The ink on his arms is mega sexy. The next guy is completely hot. He has blonde hair, a big grin and looks like lots of fun.

The third guy is all Alpha. He can dominate me any night with his tribal ink, thick arms and gorgeous brown hair. He’s super large, too.

Next up is… Holy shit, Jayson Duke?!

No way… uh… crap!

Jayson, the son of our Alpha. Man, did he grow up. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen him last and it wasn’t up close. Just… Damn! Can he not be that hot, I’m losing my knees here.

He’s completely ripped. Slightly tanned, perfect skin. Perfectly cut light, brown hair and blue eyes. His chiseled features makes my middle do flips. I get that he’s much older than me, but can I just touch? A little touch. I bite my lower lip as I feel a twinge in my core.

“What’s wrong with you?” Shane looks me over.

“Nothing… nothing.” I shake my head and straighten up. If Shane knew I was crushing an Alpha, he’d laugh me out the camp. I need to calm this down. Besides, it’s not like he’d give me the time of day anyway. He’s 24. I’m sure he thinks I’m beneath him, but a girl can try, right? If not, I’m trying anyway.

I tried listening to Alpha Jackson, but when my eyes caught Jayson’s, it was like I was trapped. I was locked in his stare. His blue eyes dove deep into my soul which made my core heat up even more. I had to break it because I felt my cheeks heat, too.

They divide us into groups and I’m praying to God I get Jayson as our group leader.

I watch them huddle in a circle of beautiful muscle bound Adonis'. They talk and look back at us several times.

Jayson’s flawless jaw ticks and he turns back to Luke.

“KALE, FOCUS! LUKE, DON’T ENCOURAGE HIM!” Jayson barks.

It kind of makes me giggle.

“What are you giggling at?” Ash leans to me.

“The Alphas.” I motion to them.

Some kids fidget in their spots as we all wait impatiently.

“Which one?” She smirks.

“Which one? We have to choose?”

She quietly giggles and I do, too.

“You guys are gross.” Shane scoffs.

“Oh, please. Like you haven’t been checking out the girls.” I wave him off.

“Yeah. They’re my age. Of course, I have. Those guys are old.” He juts his chin out at them.

“They’re not old. They’re mature. There’s a difference.” I fold my arms and raise my chin.

“Yeah, real mature.” He nods his head to the huddle.

Alpha Jackson has the blonde one in a headlock and is trying to wrestle him to the ground while the others watch them.

I smirk as I watch Jayson throw a hand on his face and shake his head. The others may not be mature, but I know Jayson is. I can tell. He seems like he’s all business. I wonder what I can do with that. Maybe the mature Alpha needs a little fun. I’m fun. I’m adventurous and funny. Maybe I can give the Alpha what he needs.

I was thinking of jumping the fence and taking off, but now, I can’t turn away from a challenge. No way. He’s in desperate need of me. Even if he doesn’t think it.

I watch them break their huddle and walk toward the groups. When I see the girl Alpha walk this way, I start to sweat.

No! Go the other way! Not you!

When I see Jayson grab her arms and direct her to the other group, I smile and try to contain my excitement. Yes! The Alpha is coming this way. This place is a dream!

He stops in front of us and plants his hands on his hips. Looking us over, he clears his throat. “I am Alpha Duke! You will only address me as such. Understood?”

We all nod.

“The proper response is ‘Sir. Yes, sir!’”

“SIR! YES, SIR!” We all say in unison.

He catches my eyes and I give a little smile. He completely ignores me and goes on with his speech.

OK. He’s probably busy staying in character. I’m sure he’s not like this all the time.

“Follow me and the tour will begin. Stay together, I will not look for you. No talking and memorize everything I tell you and show you. Your hand will not be held here.” He barks.

Grumpy Alpha for sure.

He leads us around the fields and obstacle courses. There’s a running track and a small patch of forest.

He stops us. “Inside that forest is a electrified fence. There’s also cameras all around the properties. It’s built to keep rogues out of this place. Touch it, you’re dead. You are not allowed off property unless it’s the weekend or breaks to go home. You leave by the front entrance only. Anyone caught messing with the fences will be faced with a court marshal. Am I clear?”

“Sir! Yes, sir!”

Damn. No sneaking off, I guess.

We walk around a sports complex building which we're told has courts and other sports equipment. Interesting, I think as I eye the door locks. Simple key locks. Shouldn’t be hard to crack if I want to explore on my own time.

He leads us up the training field to the dorms where we’ll be living.

“Are there any questions?” He bellows.

“Yeah! When’s lunch?!” A kid with black hair throes up his hand. His friends chuckle and backhand his chest.

He nods with a smirk. “After you do 40 laps.”

The kids laughs, but Jayson’s not. “What?”

“Did I stutter?” He points to the track. “Move!”

The kid grumbles and jogs off to the track.

“Any other stupid questions?” He eyes us all. “Follow me.”

****

JAYSON

I knew I didn’t have the patience for this, but hopefully, after showing what could happen when they fuck around, I’ll have a much quieter tour.

Unfortunately, after we got into the dorms, kids being kids, started rambling on about the rooms and who they’re paired with.

I take a giant breath to not lose my shit.

The rooms are small. Two beds and a couple of desks. There’s one dresser and a pair of cubby closets. This is no 5 star military base.

The showers, change rooms and laundry are all coed and on the first floor. Mates can share a room, but singles can’t share with the opposite sex. So, they’re divided into boy and girl groups.

Once they have their room assignments and confirm that their stuff was dropped off to the right rooms, we continue the tour, showing them where everything is.

“Floors 1 through 5 are recruit floors. 6 through 8 are Alpha floors. Mate floors will always be on floors 4 and 5.” I instruct.

We also hand out schedules of what their training will look like going forward. First years will have the worst schedules and it gets better as they go along. I didn’t expect any backlash, but apparently I forgot who was with me.

I watch Sarah out of the corner of my eye as she whispers to the curly haired girl next to her. She shoots up her hand and I internally groan.

I know I’m going to regret this. “Yes.” I answer her in a gruff voice.

“Um, yeah. Training starts at 6 am?” She asks. Her big, blue eyes are wide as she points to the paper in her hand.

“Yeah. It does.” I confirm.

“K, but, it’s a little early, don’t ya think?” She smirks. Her stance is cocky, typical and irritating.

Chuckles are heard from the group as she arches a brow and waits for an answer.

I close my eyes and sigh. “Sarah, right?” I ask.

“Yeah.” She smiles.

“6 am too early for you?” I arch a brow.

She nods.

“Not a morning person, are we?” I stare at her.

She crosses her arms. “No. Not really.”

I nod with a look of consideration. “Ok. Well, how about we make your training… start at 5am.” I stare at her as her jaw drops.

“What? That’s not fair!” She whines.

“Well, guess what, kid. This is boot camp. It’s not supposed to be fucking fair!” I yell and the kids in front lean back.

She shuts her mouth as I give her a look, daring her to open her mouth.

The other kids stare at me with wide eyes.

“Let’s go.” I grumble.

As I continued the tour, I could feel her eyes on me. Scratching at me with every step. I don’t know why it bugs me so much. I just need to get through this day.

We finished the tours and lead them down to the dining hall. We show them how it works and they all sit to eat.

I sit at the Alpha table with all the other Alphas.

“Scaring the newbies already, eh?” Deacon says, shoving chicken in his mouth.

I swallow my food. “I was shutting up a smart ass.”

I look over my shoulder. She’s talking with her friend and glances my way. I scowl and turn back to my food.

“Well, yelling at them isn’t going to get you anywhere.” Wren says.

“Whatever. I made her shut up. I got what I wanted.” I stuff my mouth. “These are soldiers. We get yelled at all the time.”

“They’re kids, man. You yell, all you're going to do is lose your voice.” Luke shove a fork full in his mouth. “Ugh… This food needs beer.” He grumbles and Cass elbows him.

“You seem a little grumpier than you should be.” Kale says. “You sure she’s not under your skin for another reason?” He bounces his brow.

I drop my fork, raise my head and side eye him. “Kale. I swear.”

“I’m just saying. She’s pretty damn hot.” He goes back to his food.

I pick up my fork. “She’s a pain in the ass. Besides, like Luke says, she just a kid. I wouldn’t go there.” I take another bite.

Kale elbows Cass. “I’d do her.” He snickers.

Cass sighs. “Of course, you would.”

Wren finishes her plate. “Look. We get this gig sucks, but don’t take it out on the rest of us, ok.”

She stands and walks to the kitchen to drop off her plate.

I follow. “I’m just being real, alright.”

Wren turned to me. “Jay. I know you. You’re lashing out. You’re wound too tight. Why don’t I stop by tonight and loosen you up.” She gets close, smiling, playing with my cut off tank.

I rub my nape. “Yeah. Ok.”

She taps my chest. “Go to your office, try and get some work done. We’ll take care of the rest.”

I glance down the rows of dining hall tables and like a fucking magnet, Sarah’s eyes catch mine. We stare at each other and there’s that faint pink color again just before she breaks contact.

I shake my head. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but I need to get out of here.

“Yeah. Call me if anything comes up.” I say gruffly.

“Will do.” She says.

As I head to my office to try and get this fucking girl off my mind, I’m worried about the trouble she’s already starting. I don’t know why I even give her the time of day. We both come from the same pack and I never paid attention to her before. Maybe it’s because she’s directly under me now. I give my head a shake. It’s more than that. I’m looking her way every five minutes and when I do, I hate that I like what I see.

Yeah. She’s cute. Adorable even, but I mean what I say. 18 is way too young.

I’ll just throw myself into my work and I’ll blow off some steam with Wren later. That’ll hold me for a while.