“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.

I watch silently as the young alpha grabs both of their necks, one in each hand and pulls them apart while in a booming Alpha voice commands; “Submit!”

Both of them struggle but eventually fall to their knees, growling loudly at one another.

“I just told you no fist fighting and no sooner than you get off the bus you're coming to blows, over what?”

“He’s taking my bag!”

“No I’m not! Your bag is over there!”

I can’t help but facepalm myself as I listen to them argue. No fighting, no drugs, no raping and no shit faced drunks. Sounds like a pack that just wants you to be responsible, reasonable and take care of one another. Here are the two youngest warriors who qualify for the program and they act like mere children.

I walk over to the matching pack to the one they’re squabbling over and kneel down beside it. I go over it with a fine tooth comb finally locating a tag with the name Taylor on it. I sigh and shake my head as I pick up the pack and walk over to the twins. I stand silently until they stop arguing and notice that I’m there.

“What the hell do you want!” Taylor yells as he tightens his grip on the pack he’s holding.

“I would think at eighteen years old you would be mature enough to check the tag on the bag before arguing over it. Plus you’re twins. I thought everything you owned matched.”

My voice is quiet and submissive in nature. I’ve learned the hard way how to talk without ruffling the feathers of anyone as dad has used any report of disrespect as a logical reason to have me brought to his office so he could beat me as a child, the training center after I broke his desk four years ago.

I reach down to the tag on the bag I am holding and flip it in my hand exposing the name on the tag before looking at Taylor with my head cocked slightly. He lets out a final growl before tossing the bag he’s holding hard into Tyler’s chest. Alpha Damian lets them both go, stepping back as they stand.

Taylor approaches me quickly, snatching his bag from my hand before going towards the pile of luggage I had picked it from. I sigh lightly as I look among the luggage looking for my second backpack and my duffel bag. Unfortunately I don’t spot them quickly enough and someone else has grabbed at least one of them.

I start looking around for sources of water. I’ve been going around to different packs in the warrior program with two of the same prospects for the last eighteen months so I know their games now. It’s only after the bus pulls away that I spot my duffel bag and all its contents spread out in the mud. I sigh and run my hand through my chocolate brown hair, disappointed in myself. I’d win money betting on the idea that the twins were used as a distraction to me.

I walk slowly towards the water, testing the area to see how deep the water is as I don’t think I can handle the pain from the numerous cuts and burns all over my body getting wet, especially the large blister that is wrapped around my left thigh.

I can’t see the rest of the group but I can tell that two more of them are arguing over luggage. Fairly simple rules to follow but Red Fang is such a brutal pack that’s how everyone lives, by fighting for everything you have. Alpha Damian submits them out shortly before hearing another, booming voice. Powerful and unmistakably the lead alpha. I stop on the edge of the water as it seems to be deeper than what I expected for the distance that my stuff was thrown.

“That’s enough! For all the years I’ve been working with Red Fang, never have I encountered a group so keen on bickering with one another over something as simple as luggage! Especially since everything is labeled with first and last name before being placed on my bus. Now, everyone, get in a single line shoulder to shoulder! Damian!”

“Yes father.”

I’m surprised at how calm he is considering his father’s yelling.

“Help the young man over by the pseudo pond. Never have I seen such disrespect for a pack member as that.”

“Yes sir.”

I stop in my tracks only a few feet from the edge of the water. The alpha is sending his own son over to help me? I’m shocked and confused with their kindness towards a complete stranger in their territory. I’ve heard stories of how rogues have never been seen again after entering their territory. How Crimson Dawn is as brutal as they come. Yet I’ve seen more care and kindness in the thirty minutes that I’ve been here than any other pack I’ve been to so far. Maybe I won’t have to go rogue. Maybe I could come here instead. They seem nice.

“Hey. Cole, right?” Damian speaks while touching my arm, bringing me quickly from my thoughts.

“Yes, sir.” I manage to barely get out. I’ve had a hard time even speaking to upper level wolves since I was a young child. It has always been easier just to stay quiet.

“Let’s see about retrieving your stuff, shall we?” I nod my head lightly.

“Yes, thank you.”

We walk back over to the pond. I shiver slightly as the wind starts blowing lightly. Even though I’m from an area with regular snow in the winter I’ve chilled easily ever since the whipping.

Just as I was getting ready to step into the water Alpha Damian grabs me causing me to startle badly enough to yelp. I cringe at my own failure to stifle my yelp, cursing my anxiety for getting so bad so quickly. Alpha Damian freezes as silence falls across the land.

“Are you okay?” I nod as I start to stutter.

“I-I’m okay. N-new places just make me an-anxious. I-I’m sorry.”

Just as I finish struggling with such a simple answer the rest of the pack burst out laughing. I can clearly hear the twins jeering at me.

“The alpha’s son is such a baby.”

I clench my fist and stifle a growl as Alpha Damian starts talking again.

“You look like you’re already getting cold so...” he slows down talking as he kicks off his shoes and removes his socks and pants. “I’m going to go get your bag and anything near it, bring it back here to you, then go back out and toss the rest to you. It usually snows more than it rains in the winter but so far this winter has been mild. It’s rained hard for the last week and this is a low spot near the training grounds. Anything that has sunk to the bottom that I don’t feel will turn up once the water dries up. I’ll make sure it gets back to you once we find it.”

As he finishes speaking he’s already waded out to my duffle bag. I usually only bring it and two backpacks. My most important items are always in the pack that I keep with me. It’s as Alpha Damian is bringing my bag back with a handful of my clothing that the pack starts laughing resulting in the alpha’s booming voice again.

“Silence! Since a lot of you can’t seem to act much more than children, that's exactly how I’m going to treat you. Stand still in the line. Do not move or speak unless your name is called. Everyone in front of me, pull out the key to the room you were just given. Patrick, collect the keys. Dominic and Lucas.”

“Yes sir.”

I hear in unison as I catch two more wet balls of clothes coming my way.

“Dominic, do you have the keys to the third floor?”

I cock my head as I hear Alpha Damian choke on a laugh.

“Yes sir.”

“Give half of the keys to Lucas. Now, since you can’t be grown ups about collecting your things on your own and are so keen on destroying another pack member’s things my beta, Patrick, is going to grab a bag and call the name on the tag. Raise your hand and say here when you hear your name and Patrick will hand your bag to either Alpha Dominic or Alpha Lucas. One of them will hand you a key to your new room on the third floor. There is an elevator but it is only used by housekeeping to stock the supply closets and during medical emergencies. The stairs are indoors on the north end of the building.”

“This is the last that I can actually see floating on the surface.” Damian says as he throws the last of my clothes to me. “We’ll have to check again in the morning. We might even find anything that sank once the sun comes out.”

I nod lightly as I ring the water out of the clothes in my hands and toss them in my bag. I kneel to close it up just to hear Tyler start running his mouth again.