My desire is to gain two things and two things alone. I’m using what little training I receive from each pack and creating it into my own self-defense. Since all training is geared towards the shifting wolf I have to modify it to fit my needs but I’m a fast learner and very creative. It’s in this way that I intend to formulate a means of defending myself strictly in my human form. My second goal is finding my mate. The one and only she-wolf that the Moon Goddess has created just for me, my other half.
I started asking my father about the prospect program when I was eighteen, the youngest that you can be accepted into the program. My plan was to use the program to find my mate. It’s a common method used to get into other alphas’ territories which is usually the best way to find her. My plan, once I found her, is to join her pack if she has a decent alpha, or to run away to the human’s world and live peacefully among them.
He gave me a hard time and several beatings before he caved. I was just shy of my twenty-first birthday when he finally submitted the application to the council. I was accepted into my first run, the Blue mountain pack about six hours south of Whitefield, New Hampshire six months later.
Soon the dense forest thins out revealing a massive complex much bigger than all the packs I’ve been to so far. The pack house is easily identifiable, as it’s always the first building anyone entering the territory by car will see. The complex is well lit giving it the appearance of a small city illuminating the pack house against the moonlit sky.
The pack house is four stories high with what appears to be a massive ground floor. It’s completely white with large white pillars in the front behind a small set of stairs. Large, french style double doors are centered between bay windows with smaller double windows beside them. As the bus continues its trek through the complex I’m able to catch a glimpse of the backside of the house, it extends back nearly twice as far as it is wide.
I look briefly at my watch and shake my head in silence. I knew today would be a long day as my father only signs me up for the packs that are farthest away but I certainly wasn’t expecting it to be nearly nine at night. Even with the early sunsets of late January I wasn’t expecting it to be quite this dark, it didn’t help that the bus got a late start. With fourteen of the twenty-four prospects being brand new to the program and on their first trip out, they were either late getting to the bus or packed more than the bus could carry.
Even though I find it overwhelming to meet new alphas, betas and deltas it doesn’t compare to the gut wrenching, stomach churning anxiety I experience when I find myself returning home. My only friend Jamie once asked me what I would do if I were given the opportunity to stay away from home. I have frequently pondered that question for over a year but still have no answer.
All I know is that years ago I vowed to find my mate and as long as she is residing in a pack better than mine, I would move in with her. If her pack honors the old tradition of the mate’s claiming ceremony, I will request to have one as it’s the only way I know I can rid myself of the Redmen name. I will take hers instead. Neither she nor my children, if my father hasn’t ruined that for me too, will ever experience the hell that I have lived. They will never know my side of the family as they might as well be dead to me. It’s already been made very clear that I am nothing to them so ridding myself of them permanently shouldn’t make a big difference.
It’s the squealing brakes of the bus that pulls me from my thoughts as it comes to a stop in front of a large apartment complex. Based on my previous trips with the prospect program it’s easy for me to guess that this complex, less than a quarter mile west of the pack house, is the prospect’s dormitory. I’m immediately impressed as the grandeur of the apartment complex is equal to that of the pack house, peaking my interest in how the rest of the pack lives. I can easily make out three large, three story buildings. The interior lights of only one building, the one the bus parked in front of is lit. It too, has a double door entrance but instead of french doors they are glass and appear to be motion activated. There are also tons of windows exposing it to lots of natural light and air. The two upper floors have balconies while the ground floor has a small concrete patio. All of them have two outdoor chairs set off to the side.
As I continue my watch out the window my attention is soon drawn to several figures exiting the dormitory and heading towards the bus. It’s only a few seconds later that the door to the bus opens and half the prospects stand, preparing to disembark. The driver holds out his hand, halting everyone's movements before bowing slightly at the neck towards the young man that boards the bus.
“Please, take a seat. It’s going to be a few minutes before you start getting off.”
Dallas, a delta from my pack, doesn’t seem to take the young man seriously and remains standing while all the first timers sit back down. It’s easy to see why Dallas has an issue with his authority.
He looks young, too young to actually be in the program, let alone to lead it. He’s a tall, stocky, fair skinned young male with straight, ink black hair and bright sky blue eyes. A striking combination that I haven’t encountered before. Despite the respectful bow he received from the driver telling me he’s of a higher rank, he’s down on one knee while speaking quietly to the driver. I watch their interaction closely as the driver seems to be keeping eye contact with this young man, something I don’t see back home.
It only takes a moment for Dallas to leave his seat and start down the aisle, acting as if he’s going to push his way by the man speaking to the driver. The young man stands to face the group just as Dallas stops in front of him.
“Please head back to your seat and wait until instructions have been given.”
“Who are you to be ordering us around? We are grown warriors here and you’re nothing more than a pup.”
Now that Dallas is standing close to this upper ranked wolf I have the ability to compare his size. He easily has two to three inches in height on Dallas, who is approximately five foot nine inches, making him at least six foot tall and his young appearance indicates that he’s not done growing. His eyes flash black as his wolf briefly makes an appearance and his aura grows.
“Head back to your seat and wait for instructions.”
He growls out the directive, this time leaving no room for doubt that he’s an alpha. Fortunately, Dallas relents his hardheadedness and starts back to his seat as the driver stands and exits the bus. Seconds later I can hear the under bus storage being opened and conversation between multiple people have started.
“Welcome to Crimson Dawn.” The young man calls our attention back to him.
“I am Alpha Damian Black, son of Alpha Demetri Black, leader of this pack. I will be one of several trainers you will be interacting with during your stay here. Alpha Dominic Cullen is another.”
Alpha Damian has started walking slowly towards the back of the bus as the footsteps of another is heard climbing aboard. A second young man appears at the front of the bus, standing calmly next to the driver’s seat. He appears older, of an appropriate age to be a prospect if he wanted to be. His physical appearance is almost opposite of Alpha Black though much more common. He appears to be of a similar height to the first alpha but sports a buzz cut dirty blond hair with dark brown eyes.
My anxiety is growing at an alarming rate as none of the previous packs had alphas greeting us as soon as we arrived. I can feel my eyes starting to dart around, looking for a quick exit that I know doesn’t exist while sitting on the bus. I’m finding it hard to focus on either one of these two alphas. Knowing that they are both alphas has me on edge as I struggle to keep the thoughts of them punishing me at bay.
“Since it’s late and I’m certain you’re all tired from such a long trip, I will save the majority of the details of our rules and expectations for Monday’s orientation. All prospects are given the same general introduction to our pack before they get off the bus. The time and location of the orientation meeting will be announced Friday evening once we are certain that all five buses have arrived. I believe that my father will be running three different meetings due to the larger than normal response to this run. My father will be the primary speaker but myself, Alpha Dominic, Alpha Lucas, Beta Patrick and Beta Parker will also be there to cover anything that my father misses as well as to answer any questions you may have.
All of us will have some involvement with you during your training here at Crimson Dawn. As I am certain you have already heard, we are a strict and when needed, unforgiving pack and we do implement physical punishment in accordance with council laws.
If you are caught in the act of raping or assaulting anyone; male or female, a member of your pack or a non-pack member, be prepared to present your bare ass to my father in his office where he has a leather belt waiting with your name on it. The penalty for rape or assault starts at ten full strength hits but he is allowed up to half your age. I can assure you from personal experience you will not sit comfortably for a few days afterwards. For those of you who can’t do math, and you will be tested on your level of education, that means if you’re twenty-four years old you can receive up to twelve full strength hits to your bare skin before you are sent home and a report filed with the council. Odd numbered ages receive the lower amount.
We also have a zero tolerance policy for fighting, stealing, unauthorized drug use, and alcohol abuse. Only prescription drugs that we are notified of this week before your physical or those disclosed in your prospect application will be tolerated. If you test positive for any drug that you have not disclosed to us or drugs that are purely recreational in nature, you will be sent home and a report filed with the council.
Stealing and fighting that is not directly witnessed by a credible source will be penalized until an investigation is completed. If the investigation shows that you stole something you will be sent home and a report filed. Fighting is the same as assault. The only difference is if we don’t witness who started it all parties involved will receive the same penalty until we find out who did. The aggressor of the fight will be sent home and a report filed.
For those of you who are twenty-one or older, limited alcohol consumption is allowed on Friday and Saturday nights. However, we will not tolerate anyone getting shitfaced drunk. This is the only intolerance that we have a three strikes rule on. Your first offense will earn you a full lap around the fifty mile perimeter of our territory, second offense is a week on house arrest and your third offense will get you sent home and reported to the council. We expect you to know your limit or don’t drink at all. Underaged drinking will get you sent home on the first offense and don’t try to lie. It takes less than ten minutes to verify your age.
Both blood and urine will be collected during next week's physical. We will be testing for everything. Drugs, sexually transmitted infections, nutritional deficiencies and organ enzyme levels just to name a few. It is important to keep in mind that random urinalysis for drugs is permitted so do not think that you’re going to stop using just long enough to get through the initial drug screen then you can start again.
We are already a large pack compared to most of those bringing prospects in so our standards have been set high for prospects to be invited to a second run. Only thirty wolves from all three runs will get invited back for the second run and our expectations are even higher during that run for you to get offered a position here.
If you have not disclosed to the council prescription medication that you are on or if you have recently been placed on long term medication, you need to request a private meeting with my father. Bring with you all medications that you are on so he can record the type, dosage and doctor that has prescribed it. Also be prepared to discuss why you are on the medication. It is important that you disclose this information so that we can maintain you on the medication you have already been prescribed.
All of you are warrior prospects, training while you are here is your job. You will be tested mentally and physically so we can put you into groups appropriate for your skill level. You will have physical training, eight hours a day in various disciplines Monday thru Thursday and you will have a mix, four hours of physical training and four hours in the classroom, on Friday. Training happens mostly outdoors no matter the weather so dress in layers appropriately. Saturday and Sunday are your days off which is why we will allow light drinking on Friday and Saturday nights as there is to be no alcohol in your system when you report to training on Monday.
Dominic and I will be giving you your room assignment before you leave the bus to collect your belongings. There are twenty rooms per floor, ten on the east side and ten on the west, so four of you will be randomly assigned rooms on the second floor. No one will be bunking together. Each room is an efficiency apartment complete with a full bath, small apartment sized refrigerator and medium sized microwave. First floor apartments have a stacked washer and dryer while the second and third floor ones have a large laundry room located on the southern end of the building. When using the communal laundry room you are expected to know what is yours. Taking someone else’s clothing is stealing and will not be tolerated. Forcing your way into another wolf’s room also will not be tolerated.
Each floor has two closets that you can get everyday supplies from. There are two sets of stairs. One on the east side of the building the other is on the west. Both are on the north end. The closet containing basic cleaning supplies and a variety of laundry detergents and conditioners is located in the room in front of the eastern stairs. The room on the western side contains personal hygiene products as well as bottled water and shelf stable food and snacks that you can take back to your room. The closets are stocked every Saturday and once again, please be adults and do not hoard items from the closets. There will be a total of sixty wolves living in this building by Wednesday.
Second and third floor recreational areas have a television. Second floor has an xbox hooked up to it, the third floor has a PS4. Failure to share the game systems will result in the games being taken away. We took them away during the last run we had so don’t think that it won’t happen as it will. Air hockey and foosball tables are on the second floor and a full size pool table is on the third.
You are all adults and we expect you to act that way. With that being said, disagreements happen, especially when multiple packs are housed together. However, fist fighting is assault and will not be tolerated. If fist fighting is the only way you feel a disagreement can be settled then you are to report it. Your best contacts are going to be myself, Dominic, Lucas, Patrick, or Parker. You can take the matter straight to my dad if you feel the need, he has an open door policy. You will not be penalized for anything you bring to us. If by the time you make the report you still want to fight, then we will arrange a sparring match for the next day. A controlled one on one fight, without shifting, until one party submits with no major injuries. As I said earlier, assault will earn you a one way ticket out of our territory.”
“Sex is allowed, although I don’t smell any she-wolves on this bus so at least for this first night I don’t think that’s going to be much of an issue. Sex is to be protected at all times no matter if she claims to be on the pill or not. A variety of condoms will be stocked in the personal hygiene closets in buildings A and B. Building C is reserved for the female warriors and personal hygiene products are changed accordingly. You will be interviewed about all sexual interactions you’ve had before coming here and notified of any positive tests that come from the STI testing. We will treat any treatable diseases detected during testing.
We know it’s common for males to use this program to find their fated mates. It is also common for relationships outside of fated mates to occur. While relationships are frowned upon by the council during temporary stays at a pack, we have yet to have a group that hasn’t had multiple wolves in relationships by the time they leave. We simply ask that you keep public displays of affection chaste and to a minimum. We do have very young wolves in this pack. Two of those young wolves are my four year old sisters. I will not be pleased if one of them were to come across one of you engaging in a make-out session, hard foreplay or actual sex.
All sexual activity shall be performed in your room, penalties will be given to those who don’t comply. You are expected to remain focused on your training. If you are in a relationship that impairs that focus please alert us to it so we can accommodate you better. We want to see the best side of you that you can present.
Do not present us with false claims of theft, rape or assault as all accusations are thoroughly investigated and if we find a false claim was made with malice, you will be sent home. Bullying is not tolerated and will be promptly penalized. Cigarette smoking is not permitted indoors. If you are a smoker, please approach Dominic or myself about a third floor room. These are the only rooms set up with a butt can outside on the balcony. Improper disposal of your butts will revoke your smoking privilege.
Monday through Friday, you are expected to be up, showered and dressed appropriately for training outside of the dining hall by 7am which is when my father will start morning announcements. Training will start promptly at 8am, penalties will be given to those who are more than five minutes late and those who abuse the five minute allowance. We will stop training at eleven thirty to give you time to make it to the dining hall for lunch at twelve. Training resumes at one and will end at five thirty. Dinner is at six.
We do extensive testing the first four weeks that you are here, your actual training will start once everyone has been tested for strength, endurance, problem solving and morality skills and divided into the appropriate classes for each area. Dominic and I will assist you with keeping the schedule during this first week. I strongly advise you to use any free time you have to get to know the area. You will need to know how to get to the dining hall and the various training areas on your own by next Monday.
Our territory is larger than most and it’s important that you don’t get lost. Anyone without a cell phone should meet with one of the trainers privately so we can get you one. Everyone else, the phone numbers to every person you will interact with regularly, including the Alpha and Luna of the pack, are posted on the white board just inside the dormitory. We ask that you at least program my father’s number into your phone but having everyone’s number will provide you the best chances of reaching someone.
Any common issues that we see will be addressed during morning announcements, any schedule changes for the next day will be announced before dinner. You are not required to stay at the dining hall to eat and you don’t have to report to the dining hall during lunch but the kitchen staff will start cleaning up forty-five minutes after the start of each meal. Lastly, I do apologize as that simple introduction to our pack went way longer than I had anticipated.” He finishes with a smile.
Long before he had finished covering what most wolves would want to know the first night in a new territory, he and Alpha Cullen had handed out the keys to each of our rooms. They started together in the center and worked their way out, returning to their original positions. I have always chosen the seat furthest away from the door as it’s the shortest distance I have to walk to the bathroom.
I’m the last one to receive a key and frown as the card attached to it reads 205A. Looks like I’m on the second floor. Alpha Black is now standing a foot behind me after he’s given me my key. Alpha Cullen has exited the bus prompting the majority of the eager warriors to stand and follow after him. I have always stayed behind as crowding others to get off the bus has never been my style, plus it gives my nerves a little time to decompress before I’m required to function like there is nothing wrong with me.
“One more thing,” Alpha Black interrupts the crowd fighting to get off the bus. “Since we knew you would be arriving late we had the kitchen crew set up a variety of cold cuts and drinks in the entrance hall. You’re welcome to sit and chat with each other or grab a plate full and head to your room.”
He smiles with a nod as two dozen male wolves work on exiting the bus and gathering their things from underneath. Although this is the most comfortable bus I’ve ever traveled on, my injuries have made me incredibly stiff and slow at getting started.
“Hey there, what’s your name?”
I look up, somewhat startled as I’ve never been addressed before getting off the bus. I make eye contact with the young alpha before quickly looking away, head and eyes trained to the floor of the bus. Over the years my father has made me extremely submissive for an alpha.
“Hey, you haven’t done anything wrong. I just wanted to know your name.” He speaks casually with a slight chuckle in his voice.
“I’m sorry Alpha Black. My name is Cole.”
He hangs his head, slowly shaking it back and forth.
“Did I say something wrong?” I ask, already worried that I’m screwing up.
“No, not at all.” He responds with a broad smile on his face. “It’s just the first time anyone has bothered to call me Alpha Black.”
“Is there something else you would prefer to be called?”
I’m failing miserably at steadying my trembling voice and my nervousness has worsened my grasping tic. He places his hand on mine causing me to jump and make eye contact with him. Before I can look away he stops me.
“Keep it, Cole. Eye contact is acceptable here. The only time we expect submission is when you’re being disciplined. Considering you’re from Red Fang I know that we tend to have a lot of trouble with prospects from that pack but something tells me you’re different. Don’t be afraid of us, just be yourself. We are strict but fair and if you stay the full six months you have a chance at the second run. Are you new to this? How old are you?”
“I’m not new. New locations, schedules and people tend to make me nervous until I get used to everything. I’ll be twenty-three Saturday.”
“You're young but older than me.” He says with a smile. “Alpha Damian, okay. Alpha Black just sounds too much like talking to my father.”
I nod my head and offer him a shy smile as I look away.
“Hey,” he says, reaching his hand out to me. I timidly take his hand as he pulls me from my seat. “It’s been a long ride. Let’s get you settled in and something to eat.”
I take a deep breath as he motions towards the front of the bus. I head that direction, taking my time on the stairs. I take a few steps away from the bus once I’m on the ground making sure Alpha Damian has enough room to get off. I look around to see that all the luggage put in storage under the bus has been pulled out and placed on the ground. I immediately spot Taylor and Tyler, fraternal twins, already coming to blows over their luggage. I was surprised when Alpha Damian excused himself from me to break the twins up. I’ve never been important enough for anyone in the higher chain of my pack to be polite.
