⟩ 14

                                    

                                          
Claire's Favour ⤵


''I think they're starting to warm up to you a bit.'' 
''The Raptors?''
''At least they didn't lash out this time.''
''Blue did.''
''Blue is... difficult.''
I sighed. I knew how Blue was. Being the Beta of the pack of Raptors, it was her job to look after Charlie, Echo and Delta. Not only does she look out for the other Raptors, but she looks out for the Alpha. The Beta is supposed to fight alongside the Alpha, keeping his back clear of any and all threats proven to them.
Unfortunately, one of those threats was myself. Blue didn't cooperate right whenever I was standing atop the rafters. She'd stare, hiss and snarl. Owen grabbed her attention a few times, but it always drifted back to me. Before the 20 minute mark, I made it my duty to hide myself away until the training was over for the day. 
That meant that I stayed away from Owen, and instead caught up with Barry. The two of us huddled in an office set off to the side of the Paddock. It wasn't much bigger than our average bungalows, just made of thin steel and decorated with bland colors of white, grey and darker grey. 
Barry and I talked about many things. Our last conversation being on what was for lunch before Owen had entered the office. He announced that he was ready to get lunch, — ironic, isn't it? The Raptors were settled and roaming about for the afternoon, so he had a few hours off. Barry insisted he'd take the Jeep, while Owen and I led with the motorcycle. 
''It was just me, Grady.'' I shrugged, knowing full well about Blue and why she didn't cooperate the way she usually would. Least to say, I felt guilty. Almost like back in my younger years, when I had cost the whole team the game because I didn't get the memo of s goal switch after half game. 
It was a perfect shot.
''That's a bit overboard. Don't you think?'' Owen grabbed his helmet, tossing the other one to me. If I could, I'd sign my name on it and call it mine. ''She's getting there, I promise. Blue doesn't trust easily, trust me.''
''I can relate to Blue.'' I refered to him asking me to 'trust him'. Owen sniggered, waiting for me to mount the bike before driving down the dirt pathway towards the main road. Barry tagged along behind us. ''I don't expect her to warm up to me. I'd rather we stayed strangers.'' I shouted over the air resistance, tucking my head close between his shoulder and neck. 
Grady barley turned over his shoulder, his chin tapping against my forehead. ''How so?'' 
In reality, I was frightened. Raptors to me, was like black cats to others. A bad luck charm, and a consistent one at that. I've had this conversation with Grady multiple times, but he keeps turning me down about my suspicions. To save the repeated quarrel, I answered, ''I don't want anything coming between the two of you. Especially me. If something was to happen, I don't want to worry about Blue not being there for you.'' 
Even with the wind resistance and pounding noises in my ears, I was able to make out his next words. A quip delivered so smoothy that I pulled slightly away from his back, trying to cool my face down from the newly extensive heat running up my neck. 
''Your lies are as see-through as that shirt.''
Damn you, Grady.
Once the bike was stopped and propped, I ruffled my hair down due to the static of the helmet. It didn't take long, but was highly annoying when small strands wouldn't stop sticking to my fingers. Barry followed up close, parking his jeep just down the road.