The Wannabe Warrior
Chapter 5

Madison POV

After Alpha announced that I was to go as a tracker, my dad was really angry. Believe me, he was ready to lock me up in my room. He was so angry that he even tried to argue with the Alpha, but the Alpha had already promised the King that I would be attending. Dad eventually and sadly accepted that I was going. He spent more time with me that night, just talking about mum and our childhood days. The four of us, sitting in the lounge room, enjoying pizza and just talking, that was until he said, that the reason he did not want me to go was because he feared he would lose the only other woman in his life that he loved dearly. I sobbed at that and hugged my dad. I told him to replace a second chance mate, but he sadly said that no one could replace his mate and he did not want to try looking for one. I argued about how the Alpha found one and was happy, but he was not ready to let mum go. I could understand that, I could not let mum go either.

Alpha, the next morning at training, announced that the list was already made and we would leave the next day for the palace as he needed me there as soon as possible.

We all cheered for those who got picked and headed off to pack our things.

Dad helped me pack and complained he would miss his twin’s 18th birthday; mine and my brother Graham’s birthday was the day before we would arrive at the palace.

He gave me a locket. When I opened it up, it had mum and dad’s picture on the left and all 5 of us on the right, it was so cute. I loved it.

That night, we attended a small party at the pack-house. It was to send us all off and offer us good hunting and to come back in one piece and also to celebrate the twin’s 18th birthday. It was sweet that Luna thought of throwing us a birthday into the mix. I would have been happy for it to be forgotten, but my dear Luna would not hear of it, so I laughed and partied till midnight, then headed home to sleep.

The next morning, I rose early, so excited to be on our way. I had never travelled so far from home before. It would take 4 days to drive non-stop night and day. We would only stop for meals and toilet breaks. The warriors would take turns. Every few hours swap over, so no drive drove for more than 2 hours, I wondered if I would be able to sleep in the bus, with it moving all the time, it was going to be a new adventure for me and I could not wait to get started.

Dad insisted we have lots of snacks packed and insisted I take all the bars I had made with me, so I loaded my back-pack with all the home bar energy bars I had baked. I normally bake a load every week. They were a hit with the other warriors. I would go out on patrol with them. Graham was so casual about it all, he did not look excited at all, but I was glad he was part of the team. Having my twins with me made me feel like I was taking part of my home with me.

We all boarded the bus. Dad and my older brother Jamie and his mate were there to see us off and wave us goodbye and good luck and to come home safe and sound. I think I saw dad have a tear run down his face when I turned to wave him goodbye one last time. I got choked up and almost broke down at the sight. My brother hugged me close until we were out of the pack-grounds, Being the only girl, I got allocated a seat to the back, thought easiest way to keep me out of trouble and be last off the bus, so the guys could check out the area before I got off, I thought maybe my dad had a hand in that decision. then the fun in the bus started, one guy pulled out his guitar and another a mouth organ and songs and ditties were sung, others pulled out game boards, chest and checkers and a few decks of cards too, the atmosphere in the bus was jolly, you would not guess we were headed to join a fight.

My seat was at the back of the bus.

Lunch time, everyone got off the bus, and we filled this little roadhouse. It was just big enough for us all to have a seat. I think the owner was still living in the 60’s with a juke box blaring out old-time music and I am sure I heard Bing Crosby croon out a tune during our time there. The café had red and black seating arranged round the room in neat blocks of 4 and 6 seats around tables that had red chequered tablecloths covering them, a little neat wooden holder in the middle of the table that held salt and pepper shakers, some sugar and knives and forks, and napkins in red and black neatly rolled up and held together with a black or red glossy ring, the place was clean and tidy. The owner kept an eye on us all, as we strode into the cafe part of the roadhouse, full of chatter and laughter, and I think he looked worried, though I was not sure if it was because 20 rather large looking men had just walked in or thought that he did not have enough seating, or that I was the only girl in the group, he kept his eyes on me the whole time, and it was starting to creep me out, and that poor cook was run of his feet as he strived to fill the lunch orders and some to go stuff too, we did not need to gas up the bus, once we had finished the lunch we left, to the relief of the cook who I saw sit down and grab a coffee, while mopping his brow with his apron, as I looked out the window at the little place, it had a charm about it, and I hoped we would stop there on the way back.

Dinner was late, it was already dark when we pulled up in a small town. The local Italian restaurant was where we headed, and we only just found enough seats for us all, but the food was amazing and worth the stop. I could still taste the garlic bread and lasagne I had eaten, my tummy feeling full, and even though I doubted I would sleep on the bus, we had barely taken off, and with a full tummy and the soft hum of the wheels and the smooth motion of the bus I was soon fast asleep.