Chapter 4: Training Assignment
Rebecca
Mate.
I finally found my mate and it’s Alpha Xander.
Was this a dream?
[Oh, it’s no dream, sweetheart, but a beautiful reality.] Raven cooed.
At least she is pleased about this.
When I woke up this morning, I stood up and walked to the full-length mirror resting against the wall so I could take a good look at myself.
Did he find me desirable?
He didn’t reject me right away, so that must mean he intended to keep me as his mate. But he also didn’t accept me fully.
I walked to the living room where my parents usually had their afternoon tea.
“Rebecca, I see you’re awake.” My father said.
I greeted them with a smile and sat down. I was dying to tell them about my fated mate since I found out, but I couldn’t say a thing. Not when Alpha Xander told me not to.
The training was supposed to start at dawn, and I desperately wanted to impress Alpha Xander today. To show him that I was worthy of being his mate, that my wolf wasn’t just a defect. So I woke up way earlier than necessary and spent hours practicing with Raven in the woods behind our house.
[Left, three steps. Now jump,] Raven instructed, and I followed her guidance, leaping over a fallen log without missing a beat.
[Duck!] she warned, and I dropped just in time to avoid a low-hanging branch.
“We’re getting faster,” I whispered excitedly.
[We are magnificent,] Raven agreed, her voice filled with pride. [The Alpha will see our worth today.]
I wasn’t so sure about that. The look of disappointment on Xander’s face when he realized I was his mate was burned into my memory. But I had to try.
By the time I arrived at the training grounds, most of the pack members had already gathered. I spotted Emma waving at me from the side and walked over to her.
“You actually came,” she whispered, sounding impressed. “I thought you might skip it.”
“And miss all the fun?” I forced a smile. “Not a chance.”
Clara’s voice cut through the crowd. “Well, look who decided to show up. Blind Becky, ready for combat training.” Her friends snickered around her.
I ignored her, keeping my eyes fixed on the center of the field where Alpha Xander and Beta Dominic stood. The Alpha’s eyes briefly met mine before he looked away, his jaw tightening.
“Wolves of Shadowclaw,” Xander’s voice boomed across the field. “Today we begin our enhanced training program. The threat from rogues has increased, and we must be prepared to defend what’s ours.”
He looked tough in training gear, his muscular form commanding attention from everyone present. My heart raced just looking at him.
[Focus,] Raven chided gently. [We’re here to prove ourselves, not swoon over him.]
“We’ll start with basic combat forms,” Dominic announced. “Pair up with someone of similar rank and size.”
Immediately, people began scrambling to find partners. I stood awkwardly, knowing no one would willingly choose me.
“I’ll pair with Rebecca,” Emma offered, stepping forward.
But Dominic shook his head. “No, Emma. You’ll pair with Clara.”
Darn it.
Emma shot me an apologetic look as she moved to stand by Clara, who was smirking triumphantly.
“And who will pair with Rebecca?” Dominic asked, his tone suggesting he already knew the answer was no one.
The silence that followed was deafening. I felt heat rise to my cheeks as everyone avoided looking at me. This was exactly what I’d feared—public humiliation.
“It will be too easy to beat her,” someone shouted.
[Let me out!] Raven demanded, her voice no longer sweet but fierce. [I will show them how easy!]
[Shh…just wait] I warned her.
“Dominic, go spar with her,” Alpha Xander announced.
I froze. Beta Dominic was the second strongest wolf in our pack, known for his brutal fighting style. He had taken down wolves twice my size without breaking a sweat.
“Alpha, are you sure?” Dominic looked surprised, a cruel smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
“Quite sure. Dominic is a Beta wolf and so is Rebecca. I don’t see why not,” Xander replied coolly. He looked at me straight in the eyes. “Unless you don’t think you can handle it, Rebecca.”
[This is our chance,] Raven whispered excitedly. [We can show them what we’re capable of.]
I wasn’t so confident. Beta Dominic outweighed me by at least seventy pounds of pure muscle. But I had no choice now.
“I…I can handle it,” I stammered.
The crowd formed a circle around us as I stepped into the center of the training grounds. I could hear the whispers, the barely concealed laughter. Clara’s voice rose above the others.
“This should be quick. Twenty seconds, tops.”
Dominic circled me slowly, like a predator stalking its prey. “Don’t worry, little blind wolf. I will go easy on you.”
“This first part of combat needs to be in your human form. And then, once one of you is down, shift!” Alpha Xander instructed.
I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves. My hands trembled slightly, but I balled them into fists to hide my fear.
[Listen to me, Rebecca,] Raven whispered urgently. [You will need to be tough and weaken him while you can still see.]
I gave a slight nod.
“Begin!” Alpha Xander commanded.
Dominic lunged at me immediately, not bothering with the circling dance most fighters used to size up their opponents. He clearly didn’t think I warranted such respect.
I dropped and pivoted right just as Dominic’s fist whooshed past where my head had been. The crowd gasped.
“Lucky dodge,” Dominic snarled, recovering quickly.
I could feel Alpha Xander’s eyes burning into me, watching my every move.
[You are doing great!] Raven cheered.
I swung my leg in a low arc that caught Dominic by surprise. I connected with his ankles, and he stumbled but didn’t fall.
I may be smaller than Dominic, but I was lighter and could move faster. I was starting to realize that now. If only I practiced my combat skills more…
“Shift!” Alpha Xander commanded suddenly.
Oh goddess…the moment of truth has come.
I groaned and shifted to Raven.