Chapter 19 LeeAca's POV It has been another 2 weeks. Amara and Beta Markus and I have been getting closer. We banter and sometimes hangout. Not at the same time because those two cannot get along. Fen actually is okay with it for the most part. She still has her moments, but she is really opening up to others. Well at least opening up to the prospect of caring for those two. She tolerates anybody else that we come into contact with (mostly). It is after dinner and I asked Markus if I could join him when he goes to check on patrols. We are walking in the main square when I glance at the gradeschool and see a guard there. It isn't the first time I have seen guards at unoccupied buildings, but I decided to play dumb. After all, he thinks this is my first time walking around the grounds after dark. "Is there something going on at the school tonight that they are needing a guard for?" I ask knowing fully well there wasn't something happening at the school. "No. Why do you ask?... Oh because of the guard. That is Lucas. He is one of what we call the Hearties. As you know pack members are assigned their jobs in highschool that they can train for. They can choose to switch careers and test into other areas, but they must pass the training requirements. For warriors there is a 16 month training period, if they pass that then they will become true warriors. The Hearties are the ones who have heart and choose to do the job, but show no improvement and won't cut it when testing comes. All of the Hearties were assigned to other occupations but chose to be warriors." He explains. "So the Hearties don't get the same training as the ones who are assigned to warrior careers?" I ask. I hide my irritation. "They get the same training, but if they don't excel then they are put on the back burner and assigned less important assignments until testing time." He says nonchalantly. "So while the natural trainees are patrolling the Hearties are guarding unoccupied buildings?" "Essentially, yes. We don't get many Hearties because they know that they will not make it as easily." He says. "Weird, but okay." "Weird?" He asks. "Yes, don't you think that the people who have heart and truly want to be a warrior would be the ones to focus on? They will be the ones who will appreciate what they are offered and be the ones who are willing to do whatever it takes to keep the pack safe." I say trying to get his to look at it in a different light. "This isn't like a small pack Leeaca. We have at least 100 kids a year who have the natural abilities to be a warrior. We aren't going to waste time on the 1 when we have 100 other naturally gifted kids we need to get ready." I only nod and say nothing. I find that it is best not to argue when it comes to this stuff but I will not let people change my opinions. I get back to my room around 11:00 and take a shower. Once I get changed and start to settle on the couch with my sketchbook the phone starts ringing. Nobody ever calls me later than 8 so I am immediately alert. "Hello?" "Ace. It's Laura." "Laura. What's wrong?" She never calls me this late. "Our neighbors are having a light problem with rogues. We need you to investigate it." She says. "What is a slight problem?" I ask. "The rogues are breaking into their territory terrorizing their people. Not much else on information. We are just worried they will choose our pack next." She says. "I'll look into it and let you know. I am assuming it is the solar eclipse pack." I say. Knowing that the Solar Eclipse pack is the only one that is close enough to have them worried their pack is next. "You assume correctly they are attacking the side that is closer to us so I am guessing they are camping in the middle of our territories in neutral land." She says. I smile to myself. She knows how to think logically. "Got it. I will check it out tomorrow night." I say. "Thank you Ace. How's it going there? We haven't talked since you told me your plan to stay. Which is crazy." Laura says "It's going alright. I still haven't been briefed on what to do. So I just stay to myself and a couple other people that I can tolerate." I answer. "Good you found people! I was worried you would be all alone. And what do you mean you haven't been told what to do? You know what a Luna does, so start doing those things." She says like I am stupid. I roll my eyes even though she can't see. "It isn't like that. I am not actually going to be mating with the King, so I will not technically be their Luna." I argue. "Just because you won't technically mate doesn't mean that you can't do Luna things. He is still wanting you to play the part, therefore you need to do Luna things. Start with going to the schools. I know you and Fen do well with children." She says to me. Which isn't untrue. Children are innocent and pure. They are easily influenced by others so I try to guide them right. At least I did in our pack. "We will see Laura. I will look into your rogue issue tomorrow night and spend tomorrow thinking about what you have said. Good night." I say, not wanting to prolong this conversation any longer. "Night." She says back and hangs up. In Addicted to You movie, Audrey's biggest regret? A one-night stand with Floyd, her secret love for eight years. Despite his arranged marriage and his family's troubles, he kept rescuing her. She tho...