Rex pov;
Sunlight streamed through the window, warming my skin as I stretched, my muscles aching from yesterday's tension. The weight of my new reality settled over me, but I shoved it aside.
Today was my first day of training with the Awoke Pack. I needed to prove I belonged—even if I technically didn't
After a quick shower, I pulled on the workout clothes Rose had left for me. To say I was nervous would be an understatement. I had no idea how this pack trained. Hell, I had no idea how any pack trained. Rogues didn't get the luxury of structured training.
But I knew how to fight. Maron had made sure of that.
The real question was whether my skills would be enough here.
Exhaling sharply, I shook off the doubt and headed downstairs—only to find the pack house eerily empty.
Shit.
I was late.
Panic surged through me, and I was about to bolt for the door when I spotted Rose outside, arms folded, waiting.
"Are you waiting for someone?" I asked, masking my concern.
Rose grinned. "I'm waiting for you, silly."
I raised a brow.
She winced. "Okay, so... I may have forgotten to actually tell you what time training starts. So, I figured I'd just wait until you came out. Smart, right?"
I shook my head, amused despite myself. "Wouldn't that just make both of us late?"
Rose blinked. "Oh, crap. We're so dead."
Before I could respond, she grabbed my hand and dragged me toward the training grounds.
The moment we arrived, I felt it.
The shift in energy.
Conversations hushed. Eyes snapped to me—some curious, others openly hostile.
Great. Nothing like being the rogue outsider to make things interesting.
I ignored their stares as Rose led me straight into the lion's den—right in front of the man who had been the most vocal about not wanting me here.
His sharp gaze raked over me, and for a split second, I swore I saw the ghost of a smirk on his lips. Maybe I imagined it. Either way, I didn't like it.
"Rex, this is our head trainer, Phillip," Rose introduced. "We're sorry we're late—I forgot to tell her the time, so it's kinda my fault."
Before Phillip could respond, another voice cut in.
"You're always late, Rose. And now you're dragging the new girl into your bad habits."
A sleek figure stepped forward, moving with effortless confidence.
She was beautiful—flawless skin, toned body, the kind of woman who knew she was attractive and made sure everyone else did too. But there was something sharp in her tone. Superior.
Trouble.
And then I saw it. The resemblance. Standing beside Phillip, their features eerily similar—aside from the scar marring his face.
They were related.
Rose tensed beside me, but Phillip spoke first.
"Well, ladies, since you're late, you missed the easy part of training," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "We're moving straight to sparring. You can join in for that."
Rose groaned under her breath as we moved toward the back.
"Who was that?" I asked, keeping my voice low.
Rose huffed. "Lisa. Phillip's daughter. And self-proclaimed assistant trainer. She's talented, sure, but she knows it—and she makes sure everyone else knows it too."
I nodded, filing that information away.
"And," Rose added, lowering her voice, "she goes around calling herself the next Luna. Always trailing after my brother like a lost puppy."
Something tightened in my chest at that.
I told myself it was just the lingering effects of rejection. Just instinct.
But the feeling gnawed at me.
"Not that it matters," Rose continued. "My brother isn't interested in girls like her. She can try all she wants, but trust me—someone needs to knock her off that pedestal."
A sharp clang rang out across the grounds, signaling the start of sparring.
Phillip stepped forward. "Our Alpha has decided to grace today's training with his presence."
And just like that, Aries entered.
He moved with the effortless authority of someone who didn't demand respect—he simply had it. His Beta and Third flanked him, their presence crackling with power.
Everyone dipped their heads in acknowledgment.
I kept my chin lifted, my expression neutral. I wasn't about to start acting like I belonged to him.
But no matter how hard I tried, my eyes kept finding him.
And worse—I could feel his gaze on me too.
I forced myself to look away, willing my heartbeat to steady.
Focus. Don't get distracted.
I wasn't here for Aries. I wasn't here to fall for an Alpha.
I was here to survive.
Phillip's voice rang out. "First pair—Rose and Lily."
Rose groaned beside me. "Figures."
A girl—Lily—stepped away from Aries' side, making her way to the sparring ring.
I was about to comment when a sudden burst of laughter slipped from me.
It wasn't even that funny. Just the irony of Rose dreading Lisa, only to be matched against someone else entirely.
But the moment the laugh left me, I felt it.
A presence.
When I turned, Aries' gaze was locked onto me.
Not cold. Not harsh.
Just intense. Like he was trying to unravel something he hadn't quite figured out yet.
Heat crept up my neck, and I quickly looked away.
I needed to focus.
Aries could wait.
For now.