Goddess Of The Underworld.

Envy

Blood splatters across my cheek as another head of a rogue wolf drops onto the damp grass. The warmth on my skin from it is a silent grace in the cool night air. I draw back my sword and spin quickly on my heels before the next pouncing wolf's teeth can snap shut over my shoulder. My sword runs smoothly from one side of its jaw, down the entire length of its dark grey, matted fur. It whimpers loudly before I swing it over my shoulder and take its head too. Seven rogue bodies lay dead around me, their blood soaking the grass. I hear the pattering of movement and take another stance, ready to attack, but the wolf shifts mid-stride towards me.

"Easy there, little warrior, it's just me." Julian, one of the pack's patrolling guards, says as he approaches with his hands raised. "You really did a number on them this time." He says, inspecting my handiwork.

"Yeah, thanks for the help and all," I grumble out, to which he just laughs and ruffles my hair. "You didn't need my help. Plus, I reckon this will be your year."

My year to turn eighteen and get my wolf is what he means. Since I was left on the pack border when I was a baby, no one is sure when my birthday is, and therefore, when I will get my wolf. The orphan status also meant that I'm disposable. The pack warriors raised me. When I was little, they would take me on patrol so they could feed and watch me. Occasionally, they would take me home to their mates, but the majority of the time, I've been raised on the front lines of our pack’s borders. When they thought I was around twelve and had my first kill, Alpha Marcus started giving me a wage and put me on my own patrol shifts that worked around school hours. I've never had much to spend my money on, as I live at the packhouse with all the other members who don't yet own a home, which means I also get free food. All that's expected of you there is to clean up after yourself and take a shift in the kitchen occasionally. I just happen to take almost every dinner shift that I can. It works well into my schedule. I wake up early for the morning patrol, then go to school, followed by the afternoon patrol, and then head straight to the dinner shift, before finally going to bed, only to do it all over again.

Thanks to the rogues, I was now late for the dinner shift, but I'm sure Jenny, one of the omegas who works dinner, would easily have me covered.

"I can only pray that this is my year, Juls."

"Don't worry, kiddo, even without your wolf, you've always held your own better than those with one."

I sigh as I drag one of the rogues’ bodies towards the bonfire where we burn them on this side of the border.

"Yeah, I know, but...I don't know. It would just be great to feel connected to someone."

Juls drops the body he's dragging and crosses his arms to glare at me. "You're connected to us, all of us. We will always be your family, kiddo."

His eyes glaze over, the telltale sign that he's mind linking someone, and I wait patiently for him to finish.

"Alpha wants to talk to you. He said not to worry about the dinner shift, Jenny has it covered."

"Are you good with these?" I motion to the bodies.

"You know I am, go." He shoos me away.

Ten or so minutes later, I'm outside of the Alpha's office, trying to wipe the blood from my face, but I think all I'm doing is smearing it around.

"Come in, Envy." His voice carries through the thick wooden door.

"Alpha Marcus", I greet with a bow.

"Julian said you encountered another rogue attack." He motions for the comfy chair across from his desk. I unsheathe the two long swords from my back and place them across the desk before I sit. I make a point of only perching on the end of the seat. I'm sure Luna Grace would be upset if I got blood on her fancy furniture.

"Seven of them." I deadpan.

"You did well."

"Thank you, Alpha."

"Alpha Charles from the Red Moon pack across the border had heard about your skills. He would like me to extend an offer to you. A well-paid offer."

"Oh?"

"Hmmm, it's quite an honour if I'm being honest. His daughter, Aleisha, is around the same age as you. She's mated to the pack's future Beta; therefore, she will be the Beta female when the time comes, and he would like her to be trained appropriately."

"She has not been trained?"

"She has, but apparently not to a standard he is happy with. He would like you to train with her. I'll be taking you off the afternoon patrols, and instead, you will travel after school to the Red Moon to train with her, at least two hours every afternoon. Would that suit you?"

"Yes, Alpha, that would indeed be an honour."

"Perfect, I'll let Alpha Charles know you will be there tomorrow. Go and meet with Beta Felix in the garage; he has a surprise for you."

I leave the office with a strange feeling. I know I'm a good fighter, I've been training since before I could walk, but to be recognised for it? Well, that does something funny to my insides. Maybe this is what it feels like when your parents praise you. I find Beta Felix outside the garage, practically bouncing with excitement. He's probably the closest thing I have to a parent, after all, he is the one who found me and convinced Alpha Marcus to allow the warriors to keep and raise me.

"Hello, little warrior!"

"Beta Felix. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"You know that bike we've been working on?" He grins, opening the adjoining door from the packhouse to the garage. "Well, I've finished it."

There, in all its glory, is the pet project Felix and I have been tinkering with for over a year now. We've bought part by part and built it from the ground up, our very own, custom-made CBR1000. Black as night, sleek as a fox, the speed like a bloody racehorse on crack. "Wow. She's beautiful..." I run my hand down its shiny exterior. This is the third one we've built together. Felix has been teaching me to tinker with his bikes since I was little, and eventually, we started building our own together. The first was a CBR600 that he taught me how to ride, then a 1000, lime green and sexy as hell, which Felix claimed as his own.

"You've earned this one." He grins and chucks me the keys.

"No fucking way, really?"

"Really, really. Go grab your gear and wipe your face. We're taking this baby out for a ride!"