Stuck with the enemy

Chapter 48: Serious Warning

Our footsteps echoed faintly as we made our way toward the common area. It was surreal to be here, finally standing on the very grounds where we'd worked so hard to be. But my nerves kept creeping in, no matter how much I tried to shake them off.

When we arrived, I took a quick look around. The common area was spacious and surprisingly welcoming for a training facility. Soft chairs were scattered across the room, and vending machines hummed quietly along the far wall. Nearby, the dining hall doors were open, and the smell of coffee drifted out.

Aras stopped at the entrance, glancing at the clock on the wall. "Alright," he said, his tone firm, "we've got thirty minutes. Let's split up for now. Meet back here at 4:50. Don't be late."

I crossed my arms, surveying the group. They looked excited, but I could tell they were just as nervous as I was. "And don't do anything stupid," I added, shooting a pointed look at Tommy.

Kai smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Define 'stupid.'"

"Don't give her ideas," Aras muttered, shooting him a warning look.

Tommy grinned, already gravitating toward the vending machines. "Relax, I'm just gonna grab a snack. I'm not planning on blowing anything up. Today."

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I mean it, Tommy. No wandering off, no distractions. This place is huge, and it's not the time to be exploring on your own."

Jacob chuckled, clapping Aras on the shoulder. "You're both wound up tight. Loosen up. We've got time."

"That's what worries me," Aras replied, shaking his head.

I turned to Jacob, narrowing my eyes. "And don't encourage him."

"Me?" Jacob feigned innocence, holding up his hands. "I'm a perfect angel."

"Sure," I said, rolling my eyes. "Just stay out of trouble, all of you. We'll regroup here at 4:50 sharp. No exceptions."

There was a round of murmured agreements, though Tommy's grin didn't inspire much confidence. He was already pressing buttons on the vending machine like it was a new toy.

As the group began to disperse, I caught Aras lingering by the doorway, his brow furrowed. He looked tense, more than usual.

"You alright?" I asked, stepping closer to him.

He nodded, though his jaw remained tight. "Just want everything to go smoothly. It's our first day. We can't afford mistakes."

I smiled softly, nudging him lightly with my shoulder. "Relax. They'll be fine. Let them have this moment."

He exhaled slowly, his shoulders relaxing just a little.

"Hey," I said, grinning. "You and I are the responsible ones. We'll keep them in line."

He gave a small smile, the tension in his face easing. "I hope you're right."

As Aras headed toward one of the quiet seating areas, I found myself wandering over to the dining hall. The faint hum of conversation from a few early recruits filled the space, and I grabbed a cup of coffee from the counter.

"Hello," a voice said behind me just as I took a sip of my coffee.

Startled, I turned to see a girl about my age smiling brightly at me, her eyes full of curiosity. She had an easy confidence about her, the kind that immediately made you feel like you'd met before, even if you hadn't.

"You're new here, aren't you?" she continued without waiting for me to respond. "I'm Mary," she said, extending her hand cheerfully.

For a moment, I froze, unsure of how to react. My first instinct was to question her friendliness-no one in this kind of environment seemed this warm. Still, I caught myself, placed my mug down carefully, and shook her hand.

"Deniz," I said, managing a small smile. "Nice to meet you."

"Deniz," she repeated, her grin widening. "That's a unique name. I like it."

"Thanks," I replied, unsure if she was being genuinely kind or just overly polite.

"So," Mary said, leaning on the counter like we'd been friends forever, "what's it like being the new recruit? It must be overwhelming, huh?"

I raised an eyebrow, trying to gauge her intentions. "I suppose so. But we're managing. You've been here a while, I take it?"

"Oh, ages," she said with a dramatic sigh, though her playful tone undercut it. "Okay, maybe just a few months. But trust me, that's long enough to figure out the ropes."

Her enthusiasm was disarming, and I found myself relaxing a bit. "Any tips for surviving this place?" I asked, folding my arms across my chest.

Mary tilted her head thoughtfully, her eyes narrowing just slightly as if she were weighing her words carefully. "Here's a tip for surviving this place: follow the rules... and stay far, far away from Alpha Derek."

I blinked, caught off guard. " Why?"

Mary leaned in conspiratorially, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "Have you seen him? He's practically carved out of stone-flawless. Every girl here is infatuated with him. But there's an unspoken rule: don't even think about getting close. If you do, they'll tear you apart."

I arched an eyebrow, suppressing a smirk. "Seriously?" I asked, a hint of amusement in my tone. "Do these girls not realize that one day, someone's going to come along and actually marry him? What are they going to do then?"

Mary shrugged, her lips curving into a wry smile. "Until that day comes, they're all clinging to the hope that they'll be the one he chooses."

I tilted my head slightly, feigning curiosity. "And what about you? Are you one of those hopefuls?"

She laughed, the sound light but just a little forced. "No, not me. Don't get me wrong, the man's a masterpiece, but my best friend Clara... she's the one who's completely obsessed with him. She's convinced she's his destined mate."

Her expression darkened subtly, the warmth in her voice replaced with something sharper, more calculated. "I'm just letting you know-Clara doesn't take kindly to competition. And since I'm the one who oversees all the new recruits around here, I'd suggest you keep your distance from the Alpha. For your own good."

The warning in her words wasn't subtle. It was veiled just enough to leave room for interpretation, but the edge in her tone was unmistakable. I kept my expression neutral, sipping my coffee to buy a moment to think.

"Well, thanks for the advice," I said finally, my voice calm but firm. "I'll keep that in mind."

Mary smiled sweetly, but the intensity in her gaze remained. "Good. Welcome to the Crescent Moon Pack." With that, she turned on her heel and walked off, leaving me to process what had just happened.

I took another sip of my coffee, staring after her. If this was the kind of energy I'd have to deal with here, things were about to get interesting.