N

ors engaged in relentless drills. Sweat, blood, and p

id-spar

a grin tugging at his mouth.

ght when my attention drifted to the young pup struggling under the punishing pace

an end to thi

rn behind him. My arm wrapped around his neck like a vice, and I kicked out his legs fro

nching my side, but

snarled aga

ntil the end. But he was caught in my hold, and he was aware of it. Hi

panted with two h

g out a hand. He took it, though not before cast

ed, sweeping dirt from his shi

sixteen, battered and bruised and bleeding, but still on his feet. Barely. He was trying to fight back agains

u can't let your head get in the way in a fight. Had I attacked y

snapped, sho

ir eyes darting forward with respect-

arled. "No one is leaving

nces and tightly curled fingers. The sound of fists hitting

lized beside me a moment later, a water bottle held in on

he said to me. "

g felt... off. It was like a storm was on the ho

llowed and my concern grew by the minute. We needed sup

pack tomorrow," I started. "He

on me then, my eyes focu

to be livid. I should have told him sooner but

alliances, Ash. The pack's defense system is weakening and we

n his eyes. "Of all the Alphas in this part of

ed into all the Alphas in our side and none fit the criteria I was looking for. None apart from

r you, but we'll have to be care

. There was a reason most never

t was dusk now, the blood-orange sun painting my warriors in silhouette, each body taut and b

en watching-finally collapsed under the weight of a burly oppon

, a sharp slap

lms into the gravel, trembling, but he pushed to his knees, the

sniggering. "He's got no

lf because you can win a scrap?" My voice cut through the hush, low and clipped. "You're nothing until I

o fight each other but to learn how to fight with each other." I released a grunt. "We h

the grounds including

he stuttered, his gaze

replied. "Just be

and I stood there, the thought of my pack'

hoped the deal with Blue Rock wou