Ash

Jax and I have been travel buddies for about a year now. We have never gone our separate ways. I stopped contacting John a week after I met Jax. I don't want anyone tracing me back to him. I still haven't told Jax about me being a Mura. No one knows except that one Alpha I met in the woods. Jax and I have made some allies with packs in North America which would let us stay with them for a bit. In return, we would help train their pack to better defend themselves against rogue attacks.

A couple days after I met Jax, we were attacked by rogues and to say I was unprepared would be an understatement. I managed to kill one rogue in the amount of time Jax killed five. Since then, Jax has taught me everything he knows and I make a run for his money when we spar now.

I haven't let out my wings since the day I got them, but I did learn about two powers I have. Pyrokinesis and telekinesis. I can control fire which is useful when starting one on cold nights. Jax thinks I am just really good at making them with two stones. If he had half a brain, he would know that two rocks can't make a fire. I'm lucky that he is stupid at times like those. The telekinesis is a bit of a different story. It seems to only work when I am feeling very strong emotions and I have yet to master it so I don't rely on it yet.

***

"Jax, wake up," I shake his shoulders.

"Just one more minute mom," he groans and rolls away from me.

I roll my eyes, "Come on you idiot, we need to get going. I heard we have a message from a pack wanting our help."

Jax jumps awake, head butting me in the process, "Bed! I mean, let's go help people in need."

I rub my forehead where he smacked it, "Watch it Jax."

"Oops."

We pack up our campsite and head off towards Lana's place. She is a witch who helps us out from time to time and it is also how we know when a pack wants our help.

We are only an hour walk away from Lana luckily so we can take our sweet time. The walk is quiet until Jax speaks up.

"We have known each other for a year now," he states.

"Yes, we have," I reassure him.

He seems hesitant as to what he is going to say next. "Why," he takes a deep breath, "Why don't you trust me with your secret yet?"

My eyes widen slightly, "What do you mean?" I try acting dumb.

"There is something off about you and I have known since I met you, but I always kept my mouth shut because it isn't my business. I thought that when you trusted me, that you would tell me what it is. Do you not trust me?"

"I trust you Jax, it's just that...it is something that I haven't told anyone. Only one person in the world knows and that is only because they found out before I did."

He nods a few times, "I understand. Can you please tell me when you are ready?"

"Of course I will," he does deserve to know.

The rest of the way we stay silent, being busied by our own thoughts. I don't want Jax looking at me differently just because of what I am. What if he turns against me? No. He won't do that, he is my best friend, we are like family.

***

I knock on Lana's door and wait for her to open up. We are the only people who can walk easily through her wards without being trapped. I remember the first time she invited us here, she forgot about her wards and we were stuck in one for hours before she came out of her house and saw us there.

"Ash! Jax! So good to see you both again!" She squeals and hugs us both tightly.

"Hey Lana, how are you doing?" I ask her.

"I am doing pretty good. Business is booming. Now, this pack that wants your help is one of the big three."

"Really?" I ask in shock. The big three are the most feared and powerful packs in the North America. Why would they need help from a rogue and a 'human'?

"Which one?" Jax wonders.

"White Stone Pack."

Third most powerful pack. Located in the town called Kilaria. Neighbouring packs are Prowlers, Lightning and Blood Paw Pack. Blood Paw Pack, I haven't been back there since I stayed there for that one week. They are the number one most powerful pack. Many think it would be the Royal Pack, but they fall second to this pack.

"When..." I don't get out the rest of my sentence before Lana teleports Jax and I to a pack house. I guess now is the answer.

Have fun! Love ya, Lana tells me through her telepathy.

I roll my eyes and look at the pack house. It's big and grand like most pack houses. I take a subtle whiff of the area to see where all the wolves are. There are quite a few on the border which is good. Some are in the house including the alpha and then some are in the surrounding personal cabins.

"I guess we knock?" I suggest. Usually the pack greets us outside because they know we are coming.

Jax and I walk up to the front door and knock three sharp knocks. I hear footsteps moving around and a heavy set coming down the stairs. The door opens to reveal the alpha, but something shocks me. It's THAT Alpha. The one that found me in the woods a year ago. There goes my cover.

"It's you? I never thought I would see you again," Alpha Hayden Wes grins.

"It's nice to see you too," I greet.

"How do you two know each other?" Jax questions.

"I met him not too long before I met you," I tell Jax.

"Ah," Jax replies.

"I see you have got the whole scent thing under contr..." I cut him off.

"Yep, can I talk with you for a moment Alpha Hayden? In private."

"Of course."

I follow Alpha Hayden through the living room and up the stairs to where his office resides. He closes the door behind us, creating a soundproof room so no curious ears can hear our conversation. I sit in a chair across a wooden desk from Alpha Hayden.

"I am sorry if I overstepped back there. I didn't realize that Jax didn't know," Alpha Hayden apologizes.

"It isn't your fault Alpha. There is no way you could have known. I just want to keep it a secret if possible. I will tell Jax soon but for now, I don't want him or the others knowing."

"Of course, that isn't a problem at all. Please, call me Hayden."

I smile and nod to him, he is a good Alpha. Some of the alphas we have met have been arrogant and stupid in my opinion. They ask for our help and then criticize us and our teaching methods.

"Why don't we let Jax in who is on the other side of that door right now, trying to listen in, so we can talk about a schedule."

Hayden laughs and goes to open the door to his office. Jax falls on his face causing me to burst out in laughter and Hayden chuckles.

"It isn't funny," Jax pouts.

"Oh but it is Jaxy Boy."

Jax sits in the chair beside me, rubbing his cheek that smacked against the hardwood wood floors. Once Hayden sits back down, we get down to business.

"Why did you call us here?" I ask.

"Rogue attacks have been getting worse and I could use the extra help to train my members," Hayden responds.

"What is your training schedule currently?" Jax questions.

"Weekdays six in the morning to eleven in the morning and then seven at night to ten at night."

Jax and I nod in unison. That's a solid schedule. Some packs only train once or twice a week and only for a few hours in the morning.

"Who all goes to training?" Jax and I ask at the same time.

Hayden looks kinda freaked out for a moment before answering, "Anyone able to fight, fifteen and older."

"Do you hold a separate training session for the younger ones to begin some basic fighting techniques?" I wonder.

"No I don't. That is a good idea though, never thought of it."

"We would like to meet your best fighters and the trainer you currently have," Jax states.

"Of course, I will call then to the meeting room."

We all start making our way up down to the meeting room on the first floor. We pass by the kitchen with some pack members making dinner and then we pass by a games room with some pups.

In the conference room, there are already four people there. Three guys and a girl. I am glad to see a girl here, there usually are only guys at these meetings.

"Thank you all for coming. These two are here to help with training, Ash and Jax. Guys, this is Marlee, my second best fighter, Tyson, my third best fighter, Patt, my pack trainer, and my son Sam who is the best fighter in the pack."

"Nice to meet you all," I greet. They look at me and Jax sceptically, trying to judge if we are the real deal or not.

"I guess we will see you at tonight's training," Sam comments.

I go to answer but Hayden beats me to it, "They just got here, they will start with tomorrow's training."

"Actually Hayden, we would like to sit in on tonight's training so we can see how it all works before we start helping tomorrow."

"Alright."

We are dismissed for dinner and we all walk to the dining room together. The smell of home cooked food invades my senses, making my mouth water with anticipation.

Jax and I sit at the far end of the table away from everyone else so we can talk things over. Once everyone begins eating, Jax and I grab our food as to not seem rude.

"What do you think?" I ask Jax.

"This pack seems pretty organized, I don't know why they asked for our help."

"I guess we will see at training tonight," I shrug and take a bite out of my mashed potatoes.

"God how I missed this," I hum ask I eat.

"Me too. Remind me again why we don't just buy a place?" Jax wonders.

"Because you never want to be tied down and neither of use can really cook like this so what's the point?"

"True."

***

Jax and I are out in the training field which isn't far from the pack house. Everyone has gathered here and are prepared to start training. Patt instructs everyone to start off with a run around the territory which Jax and I join in on. We purposefully run behind the pack to see if anyone cheats or stops along the way which we are happy to say that everyone is playing fair.

Next, combat. Everyone gets into pairs of two. I will suggest pairing them up with people of similar combat ability instead of them choosing themselves. Jax and I walk between pair and judge their capabilities. Most of the fighters here are decent. They have some tweaks that they can fix, but who doesn't?

I find Jax after we both have gotten a chance to see everyone fight. I meet him by the tree line.

"What do you think?" I ask Jax.

"They are probably the best pack we have been asked to help so far," Jax responds and I agree.

"Demonstration?" I suggest and Jax nods.

Everyone has stopped sparring and I decide to speak up.

"I am pretty impressed by all of your capabilities. We have some suggestions for you as well as Patt. First, Patt, you need to choose their partners for them based on skill level. This will make it a challenge for those succeeding and a little easier for those failing."

Patt nods and Jax speaks next, "You all need to learn better defence. I can tell you focus mainly on offends which won't help when your opponent is stronger than you or more skilled."

"Jax and I like to do a demonstration of a fight for all of the packs to see different techniques and how quickly people can move."

People start to stand by the tree line and leave a big spot of grass in the middle for Jax and I. When we fight, the only thing off the table is killing the other. As long as you don't do that, anything and everything Else is fair game.

I stand in a defensive position and Jax does the same. We watch each other, study one another. I watch how he walks and how he moves his arms slightly. This will all help when it comes to fighting. His stance changes as he prepares to attack. His foot goes forwards as his fist flies towards my stomach, but I know better. Jax always does that trick move. Goes for the stomach and as you jump back, he punches you in the face. Learned that the hard way. Many times. To twist to the right, just missing his fist by an inch. I am quick to retaliate as I send a punch to his right flank.

We back up from each other to gather our bearings. Jax charges at me and I drop, sticking my foot out in the process to knock him down. As he falls, he managed to catch my leg between his so I can't move. He is using his wolf strength. Fine then, I have a few tricks up my sleeve too Jax. I grab a small knife from my belt and slash one of his legs causing him to let go. He grabs my wrist with his hand and bends it to the point of it almost snapping causing me to let go. He picks up the knife and backs away from me once on his feet.

I stand up and grab another knife from my belt. I twirl it in my fingers as I prepare to throw. Jax notices this and fear creeps it's way onto his face. I smirk and lift it to throw the knife at his right shoulder. I know Jax will dodge left so I make sure to adjust my throw for that. I release the knife and Jax moves left, only to grunt in pain as my silver knife plunged into his right shoulder. Right where I wanted it. Jax knows that when it comes to throwing knives, I never miss a target.

Groaning, Jax removes the knife from his shoulder and throws it to the side along with the other knife he was holding. Here we go, I got him all riled up and not he is shifting. Jax's blueish Grey wolf, Max, emerges and growls threateningly at me. I smile innocently at him. Max hates it when I use silver to my advantage. Only one of those knives have silver and I always keep the best for last. Max limps slightly on his right leg from the wounded shoulder.

"Does it hurt Maxy?" I taunt which seems to get him more angry. Good. Anger is never a good emotion to fight with. You always make mistakes that can and will cost you your life.

Max launches himself at me and we both topple to the ground. His claws dig into my arms, shoulders, and chest. I grunt as I move to get my legs beneath him. There's his mistake. He forgot to pin my legs. I push with half of my strength which sends him flying into a tree. The pack members had to rush out of the way to not get hit by the flying wolf.

I stand up, my wounds want to heal, but I let it happen slowly. Another ability I have, superhealing just like Jax. However, I can heal silver fast unlike him. I don't want to raise suspicion to Jax or any pack so I refrain from using it.

"Calmed down enough Max?" I question.

Max's big dog...sorry wolf head nods slowly at me.

"Ready to end this?" I ask him. He nods slowly. I think Max knows something. He always seems to know that he isn't going to win the fight. I mean, he never does anymore, but it's more than that.

Max runs and I go to slide under him when I realize my mistake, Max wasn't going to jump. Oh no, he is going to slide. Why did I have to distract myself with those thoughts? Max clashes within stomach and chest. We slide right across the field. I can feel my consciousness slipping away. Next thing I know, I can see a fuzzy outline of Jax standing over me saying something I can't quite hear.