Beasts and Savages (The Beastly Series Book 1) Read Online Free

Tuesday and Thursday mornings are classroom sessions on breeding. Your afternoons will consist of either your vocational training or general schooling, depending on your assessment this afternoon and your preferred vocation,” Ms. Dawning explained.
“Physical training?” My stomach lurched. I had spent the first sixteen years of my life explicitly avoiding anything more strenuous than a brisk bike ride across town.
“Yes, Lea. You have to be in top physical condition to hunt. Now please go eat lunch. There will be plenty of time for questions within the coming year.”
***
That afternoon, May and I completed assessments for projected careers. My top three were scientist, teacher, or government employee. I expressed to Ms. Dawning my hope of becoming a nurse.
“Why be a nurse when you can train to be a teacher?” Ms. Dawning asked. “Your great grandmother was an excellent teacher and your mother does well with the children at the center. You would make a great Early Ages teacher.”
I frowned. “Six more years of schooling and two years of provisional? No thanks. I would rather do my three years for nursing and be finished.”
She laughed. “You’re a smart girl Lea, and you could do it. Many women who become nurses wish they would’ve chosen something else, and once you’ve chosen, you can’t change. The system is too precise with designations to let people career hop. And after this morning…”
“I was overwhelmed, that’s all.” I said hurriedly. “My mom hasn’t really discussed much with me and everything is happening so quickly.”
She placed a hand on my shoulder. “It’s alright, Lea. Talk to your great grandmother. She will be able to tell you anything you need to know. And don’t be afraid to ask questions during class.”
“I will.” I paused. “Ms. Dawning? Can I pick nursing even though it's not one of my results?”
“I still think teaching would be a better fit for you.”
“I don’t want to be a teacher, or scientist. And I definitely don’t want to work for the government.”  I had been warned that everyone's third result was government. That option was for girls who couldn't choose and didn't mind hopping from one low skilled job to another at the whims of a higher ranking official.  The only benefit to the position was a release from schooling once the hunt was complete and a mandatory retirement after twenty years.
“I need a decision, Lea.”
I gave her my best puppy eyes. “Can I talk it over with my mother? Give you an answer in the morning?”
‘Fine,” Ms. Dawning resigned. “But I need to know first thing in the morning. After eight, I’m picking for you.”
“Agreed.” I smiled at her. “But it will still be nursing.”
     

 
    Chapter 3
    ~ Changing ~
     
“Too bad we're changing this weekend.” Rally had jogged up beside me.
“Why?” I panted. We were running laps around the field, with a goal of three miles in thirty minutes. I could barely run two. Rally lapped me easily. In a week or two, she would move on to the hill drills, leaving May and I as the only girls completing the three mile goal.
“It’s supposed to be nice.” She must have looked up the weather on the announcement monitor before coming outside.
“So?” I gave her an annoyed look. She was running and had no problems talking, like we were on a Sunday stroll.
“So, on the first warm Saturday of spring, my mother and I go on a picnic at the park. I was going to invite you.” Rally sped up a little and ran backwards in front of me.
“Showoff,” I spat out between gulps of air. “It’s the beginning of May, Rally. There will plenty of time for a picnic.”
“And you'll come?” Other than Beth, another girl in our class, Rally had been the only one who took any notice of me. Beth was generally nice to everyone, and Rally didn’t seem to have anyone else to talk to.
“Of course,” I huffed. “If I live through this run.”
Ms. Dawning’s whistle drowned out Rally’s