FREYA

I stood at the training ground, fully clad in a black leather pants and a sports bra looking around in full confusion. I could swear by everything in me that I didn’t put these things on so I had no idea how. Neither did I move to this training ground by will because I do not have a short memory and so I remember clearly the strange incident that happened back there and how everything went black afterwards.

The whole place was busy and almost filled to the brim. To my left were a group of people in blue on blue clothing for both and they were working on how to throw the bows. The left had another set of people in brown on brown learning to combat and the last set of people were in black on black just like myself but for them, they were doing everything with some kind of powers.

On a normal instance, werewolves do not have any other power apart from their physical strength and speed, their heightened senses and their healing abilities. The only special instances who possess beyond the above were hybrids who might possibly possess one or two other powers apart from being a werewolf or other entirely different creatures apart from my kind. In other words, I became aware that the people in the middle were either hybrids or other creatures.

“You are thirty minutes late.” Jalal stood tall in front of me, his shadow taking over my not too petite stature. “And this,” He pointed towards my outfit. “ Is not what you are supposed to wear as a first timer but I will ignore that for now but you will still serve your punishment for being late.” He started walking towards the people busily training their lives away. My instinct told me to follow closely behind him and that was exactly what I did even though he didn’t ask me to.

“The people in blue are working on mastering the throwing of bows.” He started talking. “Some have either already mastered combat or have mastered control of their abilities and are now working on bows throwing.” He came to a stop when he got to the last person on the row of those in black.

“Do not assume everyone here is your kind. Try to know who is what and learn the best way to stay with them.” He kind of whispered audible for my ears only. “For a start, you are going to be introduced during the general gathering and you will be moved to the room on the ground floor.” I didn’t know there were other rooms too considering I don’t remember walking my way to this place but well, I was willing to learn and know more about this place.

“You will be put in the care of any of the leaders from any of the three groups so be ready for that.” He said all this with his back turned towards me. “And the last of it all,” He turned, his eyes once again staring deep into my soul. “Be careful of the skinwalkers.”

An unknown fear creeps into me at the thought of leaving under the same roof with a skinwalker. I’ve heard so many stories of their possession of thoughts and shapeshifting abilities. Jalal just warned me without telling me how to identify a skinwalker because I have no idea of what they look like. I only heard and read about them in books.

“Welcome Freya.” I turned to see a super good looking handsome young man, standing with a wide smile and his hands stretched out for a handshake. His brown eyes felt so warm and welcoming, his hair neatly tied in a short ponytail, his skin looked so creamy and gosh, his shirt could not hide the line of his abs.

“I’m still waiting for the handshake.” I tucked the small strand of hair that kept moving all round my face behind my ears and raised my head all the way to stare right into his eyes.

“Your face,” He chuckled. “Is all red like tomatoes.”

I cleared my throat and tried regaining my composure. I was not ready to fall in love with some young guy.

“I’m actually not that young.” I gasped in surprise at his statement.

“How…?” I was completely dumbfounded and didn’t even know what to say.

“I’m Ian, a vampire with psychic abilities.” My eyes widened the umpteenth time in just a day. A vampire? Psychic abilities? Dammit! He is a vampire that can freaking read minds.

“Yes, I am that kind.” Ian replied with a sense of pride. How the hell do vampires have psychic abilities? I mean, are they not supposed to be blood thirst creatures that only think about satisfying their annoying cravings with other creatures' blood?

“Wow..wow..wow… calm down.” He gestured, smiling all through the process. “First of all, vampires are not just blood thirsty creatures who think about satisfying their own cravings. We have a heart too and second, I have that ability because my mother had it and no, not all vampires have the ability to read minds.

“Hummp!” I sighed in relief. “But could you please yunno–”

“Stop reading your mind?” He cut me off halfway and I nodded because he was right. “I can only try but not promise anything. The only way I can’t get into people’s heads is when they block me and only a few creatures know how to do that.” I nodded once again in understanding.

“So my job,” He pointed a finger at himself still with a wide smile plastered on his face. “Is to take you round and tell you the do’s and dont’s of this great place.” He leaned towards my ears. “And also, to show you what your punishment for coming late will be.”

Jalal was that much of an unforgiving person huh? Can’t he just pardon me for today and punish me some other time when I’m late?

“Oh you are very lucky I won’t lie.” Ian chipped in. “Your punishment is the easiest Jalal has ever given and no, he never pardons anyone.”

“I thought I told you to stop reading my mind?” I questioned his unbelievable act.

“And I said I will try and not stop.” He shrugged and turned towards the other trainees. “Off we go new meat.” I rolled my eyes at the stupid name and followed quietly behind.

Jalal was right about assuming everyone here is of my kind. I have a vampire in front of me. What other creatures I’m I going to meet and will I adjust to this new world?

“You are in for a long ride sweetheart.”