The Assassin’s Mate

For the next three months, Romero made Damon increase my weapons training from three days a week to six. I was also getting agility lessons from Bryson and sparring lessons from Kaden. I trained so hard that I broke my hand twice, fractured my cheek bone, and even cracked 6 ribs but I kept going using every emotion I had ever held back to push myself harder than I ever have before. They weren't going easy on me and I was grateful for it because I didn't get to where I was by sliding by.

After a long 12 hour day of hell I limped back to the pack house to bandage up my wounds and soak in a hot bath. These guys took their roles seriously and if I gave them any resistance they just rode me even harder. But I never felt more alive than I did right now just knowing that I could take down anyone who crossed my path. It was an achievement that I wore proudly and no matter what shit my previous life dealt me I was determined to make this one worth it.

I grabbed my clothes and a towel along with some eucalyptus bath salts for my aching muscles and ran a hot bath. After dropping the soothing salts into the water I undressed and stepped in, letting the water heat my body and dilate my veins to help increase the healing process. I leaned against the back of the tub and closed my eyes as the intoxicating smell wrapped around me in a calming atmosphere.

Once I was feeling more relaxed, I drained the tub and lazily got out drying off with my fuzzy towel and wrapping myself in my silk robe. Romero had some things to go over with me about the mission but I couldn't help but slip into bed and rest. I had been punched and kicked too many times today and I just didn't feel like talking. As soon as I laid down in my bed I let the world around me slip away as I shut my mind off falling into a deep slumber.

There was a forceful knock at the door causing me to jerk awake. Damon's loud voice came from the other side "Li, time to get up!"

"Just a minute." I said as I ran to the bathroom throwing on a sports bra and some shorts. After I was dressed I walked to the door and opened it.

He leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms saying "Did we kick your ass too bad yesterday?"

I scoffed at his cockiness "You wish. No matter how hard you try, you can't break me." I said as I walked past him into the hall.

"Well then, it sounds like we aren't being tough enough with you. I can arrange a more intense lesson for you, that is if you can handle it?"

"Bring it on, Beta." I said as I walked down the stairs with smirk on my face.

We entered the kitchen just as everyone was coming in from their run. It was Saturday and my only day off of training so I opted to skip today's festivities. Romero walked in with a towel around his neck as beads of sweat dripped down his face. He was an attractive older man and all the women from the pack were dying to get a piece of him but for as long as I had been here no one ever dared take it too far. He was highly respected and truly loved by everyone who knew him. His mate rejected him at an early age and being the loyal man he was he never took another. I thought it was admirable of him but if I'm truly honest, I always thought the whole mate thing was nothing but a joke.

"Li, let's talk in my office. Meet me in 20." He said as he climbed the stairs to his suite.

"Uh oh sounds like somebody's in trouble!" Said Macy. She was the same age as me and about the only she-wolf I could tolerate from this pack. Her bouncy personality made me want to vomit but she was really good at martial arts and she taught me a lot so I tried to stay on her good side.

"Probably, but who doesn't like a little bit of trouble!" I said smiling.

She smacked my arm as she nearly fell off the chair laughing. I rolled my eyes at her childishness and started making my breakfast. If there was one thing Damon and I agreed on it was food. He wanted me on a strict lean meat diet and I had no problems with that. I mean, I am a wolf so it's not like it was that hard.

I finished up just in time to meet Romero in his office. I reached his door and knocked waiting for him to answer. I could hear him talking but there were no other voices so I assumed he was on the phone. I was about to turn around when the door opened and he held up his hand motioning for me to enter. I followed him in and took a seat in the leather chair in the corner trying to give him as much privacy as I could. He continued talking for another 10 minutes before he hung up and and ran his hand down his face.

"How is training going?"

"Tough, but nothing I can't handle."

"I just got off the phone with Julius. He will be sending a list of the ceremonies that you need to attend in the upcoming months. Its mostly socialite gatherings for the elite citizens of our community and it will give you a chance to get a feel for the obstacles you will have to face in the future. He will also be sending information about where you will be staying along with other important details regarding the subjects."

"What about my identity?"

"He's got it covered. He's made fake IDs along with other sensitive documents that may be requested of you while you're there. Your new name is Mila Wade and you're visiting your friend's pack. You will also have a bodyguard with you 24hrs a day 7 days a week, this was one of my demands."

I rolled my eyes at the thought of having to babysit some dork who's only going to try and show his masculinity by pushing my buttons every way he can. But I knew he wouldn't budge from this so I kept my annoyance to myself.

"So when is this first party I have to attend and where will it be?" Asking with about as much enthusiasm as someone who's sitting in the chair at the dentist office waiting to have a crown filled.

"Next week you will be flying to Oregon for the Blue Moon Masquerade Ball. It is invitation only and Julius will have everything you need once you reach your destination. Clothes, shoes, and accessories all available for your picking."

"Well I guess the both of you have thought about everything, right?"

"Li, I know parties aren't your thing, but you have to blend in with these people if we are going to get ahead of this. We need to anticipate every move these men make if we want to complete this job."

I shook my head then nodded but it wasn't the party that I was nervous about. How would I be able to do this without Damon and Romero?