CHAPTER 23

It was time to spar Sienna, and while it wasn't guaranteed she'd be my opponent, I had this gut feeling—call it my intuition finally kicking in—that today was going to be the day. Since that first initiation fight, I had been lucky enough to not have to fight her again for a few reasons: (1) because most training days were with your chosen partner; (2) I was still in the earlier stages of training and usually that meant learning the basics; and (3) I was pretty sure my friends had helped me avoid her at every possible opportunity.

Between the four of them, I usually always had someone to spar with. And in the rare instances we did have to swap around, they made sure to pair me with other warriors that were going to help my progress and teach me valuable lessons, not ones who just wanted to drop me on my ass. Although, I was pretty sure Griffin did really enjoy doing just that.

Billie had explained that every couple of months they liked to do a longer, mandatory sparring session. One that ensured partners were rotated so that we got experience fighting people with different techniques, strategies and tells. After all, the wolves we fought out there would not take it easy on us, nor would we be accustomed to their fighting style. So this version of sparring made total sense to me. But that didn't mean I was looking forward to it.

I took my time getting ready this morning. Needing the extra few moments to myself to breathe, focus and meditate in an attempt to get in the right headspace and prepare myself for whatever was going to come my way. I walked to breakfast on my own, meeting the rest of my friends in the Diner. They had already started eating and had saved me my usual spot between Griffin and Carter—although Carter often floated about and didn't always occupy the seat next to me. Unsurprisingly, there was a plate filled with waffles, berries, bacon and a glass of OJ waiting for me. My friends were the greatest.

"Get those carbs in today," Griffin commanded in his gravelly voice. "You'll need the energy to keep up with everyone."

"Thanks guys," I breathed as I slipped into my seat, eyeing the full plate of food that I couldn't wait to devour. I was so hungry these days, my body needing the extra fuel.

"How you feeling about your first Tangle, love?" Carter asked. I could tell his energy levels were up. He lived for the extra adrenaline and loved the nervous excitement present in the air.

I looked at him confused. "Tangle?"

Kit was the one to reply. "Yeah, we love to name things around here."

"I noticed." I side-eyed Griffin and he huffed a laugh, knowing I was referring to the millions of unnecessary nicknames he gave me.

I stabbed a blueberry with my fork as I continued, "Honestly, I'm a mixed bag. I'm excited to get to practice everything you guys have taught me and it makes perfect sense to spar with everyone, but I don't feel confident enough to take on anyone else yet, especially not Sienna."

"You'll do great," Carter confidently declared. He was too kind. Always the hype man and so full of positive energy.

"Mmm, I don't know, Car. I haven't figured out the whole intuition, sixth sense thing yet. And obviously Sienna is a pro at it."

It was Griffin who chirped in with the bleak words of wisdom, "You only need to hold up against her. Just don't get killed."

"Gee, thanks," I muttered under my breath.

"What I mean is that Sienna is an accomplished fighter. You don't need to beat her. You just need to hold her off. If you can show that you can defend yourself against someone of her stature, that's what counts here. That's what the officials are looking for," he added benevolently. "Out there, you'd likely only fight with a wolf long enough for someone in your squad to get to you for backup. Then you do what needs to be done as a team. Until then, it's all about survival. Of course, if you're strong enough to kill a wolf on your own, then great." He shrugged as he said the last part, as if it was nothing. As if he was talking about playing a sport or something, and not killing a deadly creature.

"Exactly," Billie agreed. "The main thing here is practising diversity in your combat. Plus, not all warriors have their sixth sense honed in, and some of them don't have it at all. Sienna is a great fighter, it comes naturally to her, but she still has areas of improvement and her intuition is one of those. Isn't that right, Griff?"

"Correct," was his only response before he chugged down his juice and got up to leave.

"Where are you heading off to in such a rush?" I called after him.

He spoke as he walked away, "To set up some things for training." He turned back with a smirk, "Try not to miss me too much."

"I think I'll manage without all the brooding and sarcasm," I fired back.

The others laughed at our bickering.

Kitana turned to me. "Honestly girl, you'll be so fine. Just remember everything you've learnt and don't let her distract you. Stay focused and alert and you'll get through it."

"Thanks, Kit," I replied, offering her a dull smile that was all I could muster. If anything, I felt more nervous now than I did before.

???

The rest of the morning activities went painfully slow. I was distracted during our gym session and boxing. I tried to run on the treadmill, rather than attempt to workout legs or upper body and tire out my muscles. I hoped the runner's high I'd usually get would help clear my mind. But I could feel Sienna's eyes burning a hole through the back of my head, making the adrenaline feel more like anxiety.

Apart from a few bitchy run ins around the compound, I had little contact with her. I knew she didn't like me, she'd made that abundantly obvious. But so far I'd mostly been protected by my bubble of friends and she'd kept her distance, save for a few childish shoves and mumbled insults under her breath. Her favourite words to mutter so far had been ‘mundane', ‘wannabe' and ‘fake' with the occasional ‘watch it, bitch'. Creative, I know. Her minions parroting her had been the icing on the cake.

But thankfully there had been nothing more serious than that. No cafeteria food fights, dye in the shampoo bottles or stolen clothing in the bathrooms. And trust me, I'd waited for it. Clearly I watched too much TV.

I guess the Gray Knights were a little more mature than that. After all, we were all on the same team, whether she liked it or not.

Personally, I understood why she didn't like me; I was new and I was supposedly a threat to a possible future she may have with Griffin. I was messing up the status quo or whatever. Before, when I wasn't interested in getting involved in anything with him, I found it harder to understand. But now? Now I got it. What I didn't get was that if Griffin had ended things with her earlier, before I'd even arrived, and had made it clear he didn't want to be with her, why was she still taking it out on me? Couldn't girls just not be bitchy and childish? Not tear each other down because of a silly boy? And a boy I wasn't even with, mind you. I hated that I needed to watch my back because of this.

Maybe I needed to have a one-on-one chat with her. But what would I even say:

‘Hey Sienna, please don't hate me. Me and Griffin are nothing, even though I maybe like him and he maybe likes me but we aren't doing anything about it since I just broke up with my werewolf boyfriend because he killed someone, and yet I can't get over him but also I don't know if Griffin actually likes me or if I'm crazy.'

Yeah, that would go down well.

I couldn't tell her she could have Griffin and I didn't want him either. Because truth be told, I did want him, at least at some point. And lying to her would be even worse. But also, everyone had told me he didn't want her and had made that clear. And yet she wouldn't back off and felt some claim towards him that was not reciprocated. So really, this was on her. Right?

Ahhh, I hated girl drama. And now I was probably going to get my ass handed to me because of it. Stupid Griffin. Stupid sexy, irresistible Griffin. This was all his fault.

Speaking of the devil, I caught him watching me a few times and I could have sworn there was a hint of concern in his eyes. I tried not to hold his stare, choosing instead to be mad at him and not overthink that he may or may not care for me.

By the time the Tangle commenced, I was so over my overthinking.

Done. Fin. The end.

I had to put it aside. It was time to turn on the bad bitch energy and get this show on the road. I put on my serious face and rolled up my sleeves—not literally, I was in leggings and a sports bra, but metaphorically.

Thea strode in, looking as cold, regal and intimidating as ever. Griffin ambled to her side, hands in his pockets as he watched on in silence, letting his mother take command.

"Alright Knights, two lines facing me." Her voice was icey and authoritative.

Occasionally the sparring zone had a few smaller mats scattered around for spectated matches between pairs, and other times several were bundled together to cushion the entire area for when we all individually roamed and sparred with our chosen partner. Now it was set up like the latter. I shuffled into the nearest spot. Thankfully, Kit took the spot opposite me and others crowded around, leaving Sienna closer to the end. If one side of the line moved forward like I guessed it would, there was a chance I wouldn't make it to her before the Tangle finished.

"Today you will spar with as many partners as possible within the two hour combat training period. Each rumble will go for ten minutes until you hear the bell ring, when you will line up again and move to your next partner. Is everybody ready?" I swear her silver eyes pierced into me as she said it.

We all knew our required response and sang it out like a church choir. "Yes ma'am."

"Good. Let's Tangle." She nodded at one of the other officials, a handsome older male who was in his forties and had greying brown hair, slight stubble and brown eyes that were hauntedly wise but also gentle—Colonel Lennox. Out of all the leaders, the second in charge was by far my favourite. Apart from Griffin of course. The Colonel knew when to be serious but also when to laugh. He had on his serious persona now as he rang the bell, signalling the first fight.

Being with Kit, it went smoothly. She challenged me in the best way and although she was hard to keep up with, I always managed to cope.

When we lined up again, I was alarmed to see Thea motion for the back warrior of the opposite line to move to the front position, shuffling the rest of them backward rather than forward like I had hoped. Looks like there was no avoiding it; I had about two more partners before I'd spar Sienna.

Fuck.

My eyes shot to Griffin who was watching me intently. He gave me a subtle nod that told me I'd be okay. And that was all the encouragement I needed.

The next two matches flew by with me mostly on autopilot. I fared well, using everything I'd learnt but also not giving them all my energy so I could preserve it for the one that would matter the most. Juliet, a quiet brunette girl who mostly kept to herself but was always friendly with me, had an agile fighting style with nimble and swift movements that after a few minutes, I was able to analyse and predict. Keeping up with her pace though was a little harder. Bret on the other hand was huge. Six foot four with wide brawny muscles, he had a short dark buzz cut and light blue eyes. Although at first look he was nothing but intimidating, I had enough encounters with him that I knew he was quite affable.

That didn't stop him in training though. He hit me with pure strength but against all odds, I blocked his attacks and shot back with my own force, fuelled by the power Griffin had taught me to wield in our private lessons. Surprisingly, I wasn't as afraid of Bret as I was for my next partner.

Her eyes sparkled with wild excitement when we finally parallelled each other in the line, causing me to swallow deeply. I didn't understand what sort of sick joy she got out of this. Maybe she thought if she showed Griff how weak and useless I was, he'd lose interest and go back to her? That was my best guess. Well not today sister—fuck I was lame.

When the bell sounded my heart palpitated so loud that it overtook my senses. I closed my eyes for a split second, turning it all off: the fear, the worry, the care. I would fight. That's all I could control right now.

By the time I opened my eyes, Sienna was lunging at me, which I fully expected and prepared for. I ducked and side stepped under her outstretched arms, causing her to stumble forward a few steps before she found her footing. That first move of hers was uncontrolled and erratic, which I used to my advantage.

When she turned, her feline features looked vicious and I could have sworn I saw a switch turn on as she snapped into predator mode. I couldn't count on her making poor movements anymore, I'd have to use strategy.

She rushed towards me, fists ready to attack. I waited, holding my guard and when she approached, I lifted my knee with my hands blocking my face, getting her straight in the solar plexus. When she picked herself back up and tried again, I did the same thing; waited for her to approach and then this time hit her with a side kick, hard and fast.

This only angered her.

The next time I went in for a kick, she saw it coming, knocking my leg to the side causing me to spin too much. When my side was exposed to her, she jabbed right into my ribs. I grabbed them in pain, taking a second to breathe through it—a second that I didn't have. She followed through with a roundhouse kick to my back. It was smooth and graceful and it fucking hurt. When I was bent over, she took her chance, swiping her leg under mine until I landed on the mat.

With no time to waste, I got up in a second, trying not to dwell on the pain or embarrassment.

As she came at me again, ready to throw a punch, I lowered my level, bending my knees and taking my head off the centre line before I threw a straight punch at her mid chest. Her body bent over from the force and this time she lowered to the ground. Big win for me. Honestly, even if I fell on my ass consistently for the next eight or so minutes, I'd be proud of that move.

She took her stance again and we circled each other a few times until I lifted my knee, making her predict I'd go in for the kick. Instead, I side hopped and came in with my elbow, slamming it hard into her. She exclaimed, not expecting another hit to get through her defences so quickly. But she recovered just as fast. Quicker than I would have anyway. I didn't have time to think about what I'd do next.

When she came at me again, she level changed, trying to distract me. It succeeded at putting me on edge, disrupting my flow and thought process.

How long was ten minutes?It felt like it would never end.

She managed to get a few more brutal hits in and I tried not to show how much they hurt.

I used a feint, one that Griff had taught me. While she was throwing punch after punch at me, I looked low, ducking my head as if I was going to hit her with an uppercut. Instead, I rounded a high kick to her shoulder. She stumbled sideways. And I hit her with another kick to her side, knocking her off balance. She hit the floor again, laying on her back for a millisecond. But then she arched her arms back, swinging her legs up and using her strength and the momentum to kick herself back up to standing. Note to self: learn how to do that.

The fire in her gaze scared the shit out of me.

I had put some distance between us while she was down but she ran at me, clearing it in seconds. When she got closer, she somehow lifted her body off the ground and did a flying side kick. I saw it come to my face and I guess some sort of extra senses kicked in because I managed to lift my arm up to block the brunt of it, protecting my face. But the force still knocked me to the ground. When I was on my back she jumped on me, straddling me as she threw punches to my chest. I blocked them and after a few more hits to my arm, I was finally able to grab her hand mid throw, using all my strength to shove her backwards and off me. She tumbled sideways and I used the moment to get myself up, proud of the power I was able to produce.

Seriously, the bell can sound any minute now. Like literally, right now would be great.

It didn't.

When she lifted herself back up, seeming a little flustered and fatigued, I used all my strength—seeing that purple energy flow—to hit her with three punches to her chest. The blows pushed her back more than she expected if the shock in her eyes told me anything.

The girl had fight, that was for sure. She recovered and came back at me with a combo of jabs and an uppercut. I kept my arms up in defence, blocking everything she threw at me like a solid wall.

Ding. Ding. Ding.

It was music to my ears.

Sienna's punches ceased and she stepped back. I let out a long exhale.

When I looked around to find my friends, Kit was jumping up and down on the spot clapping in the corner, Billie was on the other side giving me a thumbs up and a proud smile, Carter gave me a slow, dramatic clap and Griffin … when I met his silver eyes they shone with pride and his lip twitched up into a pleased smirk as he gave me a single nod.

Even Thea looked at me with what seemed like respect mixed with a hint of amusement, her mouth lifting at the corner imperceptibly in a similar fashion to Griffin's. Gee, I wonder where he got it from.

The rest of training felt like the easiest thing in the world compared to what I had just achieved. But by the time I was finished and the adrenaline faded away, I was absolutely pooped.

I headed straight for the showers, needing warm water to soothe my aching muscles immediately.

When I finally pulled myself away from the calming stream and wrapped myself in a towel, I realised I had forgotten to bring clothes to change into. On my way out I noticed Griffin leaning just outside the bathroom doorway near the large window, his brow raised at the sight of me in just a towel. Out of habit, I pulled it tighter to my chest.

With his hands in his pocket, he looked down at me. "Well done, Supernova."

I lifted a brow in question. "Were you literally waiting out here just to tell me that?"

"Would you have preferred I waited inside the bathroom?" Cue the wicked smile.

"No, no. This is fine," I said in surrender. I raised my eyes to meet his. "Thank you … for everything. I couldn't have done it without you—and all the extra training."

"If you want to show your gratitude, I can think of a few things I wouldn't be opposed to." His eyes twinkled with excitement.

"Way to ruin the moment," I dryly stated as I walked away from him, heading towards my bed.

He laughed as he casually followed.

"I left a protein shake on your bedside table." His tone was so nonchalant, like he hadn't just said he had not only made me a drink but brought it all the way up here, left it on my table and then waited for me outside the bathroom just to inform me.

I turned to look at him, surprise clear on my face.

"You're gonna need it to recover."

Before I could say anything else, he started walking down the steps.

"Catch you later, Pocket Rocket."