The Divergents, part thirteen

After three more days of training, Trix could barely move her limbs, her muscles sore and burning, let alone keep up with Nash's insane regimen.

At least, for the most part, the others in her group were on the same page as her. So, she couldn't be called weak or a wimp.

Except for Harlow.

Apparently, she had been serving in the military when she'd been abducted and hadn't relented on her training. This news caused other Wanderers to watch the redhead whenever she and Nash sparred.

Even Ava seemed impressed, clearly itching to spar with Harlow. But Nash wouldn't allow either her or Skye to train with them since they had the compatibility nanites, which gave them Wanderer speed and strength.

And Trix wasn't ready to face the craziness of his mate yet.

Sitting on the bench, Trix watched the others lie on the floor, probably unable to move, while Harlow did pushups with Nash and Kassie did wall-sits with Nola.

Kassie was something else.

Trix quickly concluded her calm facade had only been because they had been prisoners. But Kassie was almost as crazy as Ava, especially when the commander observed them.

He never really said anything, either. She just hated him that much, or so she claimed.

Trix didn't buy it, though.

"Hey."

Trix jumped, nearly falling off the bench. "Jesus! Are you trying to kill everyone in here?"

Skye laughed, sitting next to her. "Sorry, the nanites make me stealthy." She held a medic bag. "Just making sure no one's killing each other."

Trix exhaled loudly. "Well, that hasn't happened yet."

"Oh, it's still early."

Trix couldn't help but chuckle. That was probably true.

She wasn't used to people being so physically aggressive one minute, then hanging out like nothing happened the next. But for the most part, everyone was at least cordial with each other.

Unlike the environment she grew up in. Where everyone held some grudge against at least one person, underhandedly reminding them at every social gathering.

Obviously, it was a toxic place for a genius who wanted to do homework and keep to herself. However, Trix hadn't realized that until she found a few high school buddies who weren't rich to hang out with after class.

Seeing how their families interacted made her realize how shitty her home life was at times. And she did everything possible to be with them instead.

Her parents tried to keep Trix away from them once she exploded at them for making fun of her aspirations, her friends backing her during the fight.

It didn't work, and she hauled ass to New York as soon as she graduated.

And now she lived in a Wanderer base after being held captive for God knew how long. But she was alive and healthy, so she didn't have much to complain about.

Except for her entire body being like taffy, of course.

So, Trix continued watching the others train.

***

By the time Callum got back to his unit, it felt like someone was shoving a nail through his temple.

It'd been a long time since he made physical contact with that many people in only two hours, many of whom were upset with him or another.

Skye, Christine, and Olsen did their best to keep the crowds at bay, but everyone was in a mood to protest. And humans were much more emotionally volatile than Wanderers.

He gently lay on the couch, closing his eyes. He was relieved Trix wasn't there; he needed time alone to decompress and rid himself of this headache.

It'd been a while since he'd been by himself outside of sleeping in his quarters. It was a novel experience. No wonder Bram sheltered himself in his shop.

Luckily, it didn't take long for the headache to dissipate, and Callum walked into the kitchen, making what humans called "coffee" to kick it the rest of the way.

He enjoyed its bitter taste, as well as its ability to perk people up and relieve stress-headaches. Christine explained how caffeine dilated the blood vessels in the forehead, easing the pain.

Callum sat at the tiny table, sipping the hot drink. It felt strangely mundane and human. He didn't mind that.

He heard a knock at the door, pulling him from his thoughts. Another thing that wasn't Wanderer by nature. Their doors were automatic, although you had to give permission for sleeping quarters.

"Enter."

The door opened, and Galen stepped Sin. "Can we talk?"

Callum shrugged, "As long as you don't touch me, sure."

"One of those days, huh." He shut the door behind him. "But deal."

Callum leaned back in his chair. "Okay, what's wrong?"

"Am I the one in the wrong?"

He chuckled, knowing exactly what his friend referred to. "Well, giving your mate the silent treatment is juvenile."

Galen sighed, "I know, but she didn't tell me about Kassie, either."

"Because Kassie emotionally wounded Skye the last time they saw each other before now."

"So she talked to you?"

"I am her commanding officer now." Callum grinned, "Plus, I'm a good listener." He leaned forward. "Have you told her everything?"

"Yes, I have."

He wasn't expecting that. "Just listen to her."

Why was Callum giving relationship advice? What did he know?

He'd never had either a mate or a jaxa-bond. His work hadn't given him much time for females or males outside sexual relations.

"Yeah, I know. I'm just...."

"Embarrassed?" Callum lifted a brow.

Galen nervously chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I do apparently have some male ego."

"Don't we all."

He stood, "Well, thanks for listening."

"Anytime."

Callum exhaled when the door closed again, closing his eyes. Hopefully, tomorrow would be less arduous.