THE GIRLS AT THE NEXT TABLE

It was always like this.

Whenever we had guests or new wolves and they had pups our age, Mum would introduce them to us, and we would play with them while the adults talk. I never minded, I was the alpha, so of course I should make the new pups feel welcomed. Savy would always just follow my lead. I guess it was the same for Lizzy. We were the Alpha's/Beta's daughters, so in a way it was expected, I guess. I don't know… I never really thought about it, it was just part of everyday life - going around with Dad during the picnics, helping to box winter storm care packages, visiting the Destitute Home with Mum, showing up for every Breakfast with the Alpha etc, etc. In fact, for most of my puppyhood, I had assumed that everyone lived in the same way.

Anyway, be it leading a pack of pups for a spontaneous game of imaginary hunting expedition or an impromptu care package labeling competition, these things were pretty fun memories. Plus it made Mum happy when the other ladies praised us for getting along well with the new pups, or being so helpful and obedient. Mum would tell us after what good pups everyone said we were and I would be glad that I was still a good pup despite whatever trouble I had caused that week.

I was such a dumb pup… but I was a happy dumb pup.

It was always like this. So I wasn't in anyway surprised when we got called over to join the teenage girls at their bench.

What was different was my Afternoon Entourage immediately putting away their lunch to follow us.

"Alpha Princess is here." Wolfgang announced, forcing the table to stand up to bow.

I noticed Mum suppress a sigh and quickly waved Wolfgang and the others away. They bowed and backed off, but I think the damage was done.

"Please just pretend that didn't happen." I produced my wide smile at my best effort at damage control, "Sit, sit. My name is Sam, that's Savy and Lizzy."

I slipped into the closest space available on the bench because I remembered that no one would sit until I did. Savy and Lizzy looked reluctant, but they found a space to squeeze in too.

"Yes, girls, sit down." Mum gently placed a hand on one of the girls.

The girls thanked her and sat down again. There wasn't enough space around the table, so Mum, Mrs Beta, and Laura hovered around us. I guess they only planned to stay long enough to introduce us. Actually, that was probably Savy and Lizzy's plan too - except that I had sat down, so now we were stuck at this bench till lunch was over.

"Girls, meet Blaine, Patricia, Sadie, and June." Mrs Willow gestured around the table as she introduced each name.

We all just made little waves and smiles and nods at each other.

Blaine was the youngest at 14. She had black very straight hair with long bangs that covered one eye and was dressed entirely in black.

"Yo." Was all she said when Laura introduced her. She was definitely the cool type.

She was here with her Mum and younger brother. They were from the Free Wolf village, but her Mum was formally a pack wolf. When our pack gave the open invite for the Free Wolves to join us, her Mum decided that she wanted to return to pack life and start anew. Her dad had died a few years back during a rogue attack. During the last few years, the Free Wolf villages had suffered the most from the Rogues in the Warlock Lands. Compared to what the villages there had to suffer, even Morning Light's situation was enviable. At least we still had able bodied male wolves between the ages of 15 and 65. I mean, we all pretty much figured out it was bad, but I don't think any of us realized how bad until after the war.

But of course no one talked about these things. Instead, Laura told us that Blaine liked music and will be in the same grade as Savy and Lizzy when term starts.

"Such a clever girl!" Laura praised, "Her mother did such a good job homeschooling her children."

Despite her coolness and general heck care attitude, Blaine was one of the few new students that did not have to repeat a grade. Most of the new students had to study a grade or two behind the New Leaf students. I remembered how Fluffy was in my class even though he was already 17. EJ was 16. I mean, in Winderhill, it wasn't uncommon for students to have a history of repeating a grade or two, so it wasn't weird. But in New Leaf, Principal Charlie believed in the motto, "No student gets left behind." Even if he had to personally tutor a pup, open summer classes, etc. In the years that he served as principal, he had made sure that every single student pass their promotional exams at the end of the year. The new students would be a new challenge for this principal, but I wasn't really worried. From the stories I've heard, I think New Leaf would be really good for these new kids.

Blaine's Mum was a former elementary school teacher and had secured a teaching position with New Leaf too. They would just be at the Destitute House for a few months at most.

Patricia and Sadie were 15, and 16. They were more "normal looking" with brown shoulder length curls. They were cousins. Patricia's parents had passed away when she was very young, and Sadie's Mum took her in. They were from the former Red Cloud Pack (but they didn't cry, don't worry.) Their Mum later eloped with a warrior from a nearby pack. He didn't want to be a father of someone else's pups, so they were left behind in Red Cloud with their Grandma. Because of their Grandma's failing health, she had to be warded immediately to Gate City Hospital. The two girls were now at the Destitute House because they were "safer" here under the Matron's supervision than left on their own in the Princess Town right now. Besides, it was easier for Laura or Edna to drive the girls to visit their Grandma from here than the Princess Town.

The Princess Town, for all its natural and manmade beauty, was the furthest away from Gate City.

Again, none of these complicated background was talked about. Instead, Patricia and Sadie both liked to dance. Sadie was interested in joining the weekly warrior training.

"When is the training day for teens, Sam?" Mum asked, "Is it still on Thursdays?"

"Do you mean Thursday Training Session?" It felt like a long time since I last trained there, "Since Sadie's shifted, yeah, Thursday night. Our trainer this year's Hank, do you wanna join us?"

Sadie nodded. She looked determined… and very tense. But that could be because I had turned to look for Ben. He was still tappity tapping on his phone, so Wolfgang came over, "May I help you, Princess?"

I just needed my beta to inform Hank… wait. WTH was wrong with me? Why did I need my Beta for anything? I was really becoming too dependent on them.

"Sadie would like to join the Thursday Training Sessions." I said. Sadie flushed bright crimson, but I could say, "She's the one with the red face."

I decided not to point her out, "Maybe, I don't know… can someone arrange for it?"

"Understood. I will inform Beta Harvey." Wolfgang bowed gallantly and stepped back. Oh right, Harvey would know what to do, "Good, thanks."

I produced my wide smile for the sake of the occupants at my table, "All done. Hank or someone would probably contact you."

Sadie was a she-wolf. Boo didn't sense a very strong wolf in her, but then again, none of the girls at Thursday Training session were very strong. I mean, if there was a real fight, I think the only two who'd be able to do more than self defense against a typical warrior would be Lola and possibly Marissa.

As much as I hated stereotypes, I had to admit, aside from me, none of the she-wolves would make Tier 1 or 2. Lola had potential, but that was because her wolf had gamma bloodline and because she had close to flawless technique. It was hardly fair, in human form, the advantages from her technique and skill she had cultivated would be overshadowed by the brute strength of a less skilled warrior opponent. In her wolf form… she would be outsized by the average warrior wolf from our pack.

"I'll introduce you to the other girls. They're really nice and always make training more fun." I tried to assure Sadie, but the older girl only shrugged and looked down at the table. Did I say something wrong?

I looked to Savy and Lizzy for help.

Lizzy shrugged, "Wish I could join you girls, but I'm still not shifted."

Oh right.

Savy smiled but said nothing, but Savy was the type who would rather not talk in front of unfamiliar people if she could help it.

But I didn't have anything to worry about. Mum, Mrs Beta, and Laura were all here, and they very smoothly moved on to introduce the last girl before it got awkward.

June was 17 going to 18 this year. She had chocolate brown hair and looked really grown up because she was wearing a proper dress like the other ladies. Unlike the Matron's new dress though, June's dress looked faded and had a really old fashion flowery pattern. It reminded me of something my Grandma Luna had worn before.

June was on her own. She had come in with the Free Wolves, but smelled like a rogue. She didn't have a family name, or address, or anything. It was very mysterious, but she had sworn her allegiance to our pack. June would be staying at the Destitute House for another 2 years at least. Hopefully, she'd be able to graduate from Highschool, meet her mate, find a job, home, and new life with us.

An elderly couple at Morning Light had offered to take her in, but June had refused the offer. She said she was used to staying alone.

"Would you like to join the Thursday training too?" I asked because despite the grandma dress, June just gave me the vibe of someone who could throw a punch or do a roundhouse kick. I can't explain it, just that the way she stood up and sat down. Her wolf was stronger than most she-wolves too.

"No thanks." June refused immediately, "I'm used to training alone."

Oh. She did realized she was now part of a pack, right?

"Okay, but if you ever get bored of training alone, you can always come over with Sadie." I decided to let it go. Maybe she just needed some time to settle down.

"So, now that we all know each other, you can continue your girl talk together." Laura smiled at us. The ladies were going to leave us now.

I had a tiny internal panic. Firstly, I was never good at girl talk. Secondly, I wasn't sure how to talk to someone who was used to living alone and training alone. Anyway, it felt that these girls had a lot more on their plate than girl talk.

"Now, tell us what girls are talking about nowadays." Laura prompted.

I looked at Savy and Lizzy for help.

"We were just talking about Team Ki and Team Wolfgang." Lizzy shrugged.

"Ohh…" Laura's eyes brightened.

"There's a Team Bell too, but only Delta Felicity is on it." I grinned because I knew this would amuse them.

The ladies laughed. I knew they would.

"Oh, Sam!" Mum shook her head ruefully, "Alright, then we'll leave you girls to chat. Have fun."

And Mum sailed away flanked by Mrs Beta and Laura.

"Luna! There you are!" I heard Matron call to them. Oh well, better here than wherever the Matron was.