Chapter 22

Silas

The sun glared down on the field as the Enforcers prepared for the first day of training.

Teaching the female pack members to fight was a tall order, and all hands were on deck.

We would test them for balance, reflexes, endurance, and strength today. It was a substantial task but a necessary one if we wanted to get them through the basics as quickly as possible.

The point wasn’t to make them elite fighters. With our time dwindling, I’d settle for ensuring they could keep themselves as safe as possible during confrontations.

“How do you expect it to go today?” Valor asked, crossing his arms as we watched the females file in.

“I don’t have any expectations.”

“Smart,” he said, nodding in agreement.

“Does it bother you that Brielle has to sit this one out?”

He grunted, tipping his chin to the stands where Brielle sat with Isolde. “I’m lucky. My mate can handle herself in a fight, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want her here. Are you worried for Myla?”

Yes. I was.

I didn’t want to hide her away, but my mate was tender-hearted and delicate, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would training be too hard? Would she get hurt?

Who was I kidding? Of course she would get hurt. That was inevitable in combat training when pushing one’s body to its limits.

The fact remained that it was better to let her suffer minor injuries in training than to subject her to a worse fate at the hands of someone who wanted to harm her.

“It’s good for all the females to be here. We should have done this sooner.”

Valor gave me a knowing look. “Doesn’t make it easier to watch.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

Bowen was in the field, directing the females into rows for the first skills test—a run. They weren’t aware, but we had no destination in mind. We would push them until only one remained, noting each time the herd thinned and marking their miles.

In a fight for survival, outlasting one’s opponent could determine the outcome.

Enforcers stood on the edges of the group, and I walked to the front, taking my place behind Valor.

I spotted Myla’s mass of golden curls next to Blythe.

A whisper of nerves floated down the bond, and I pushed feelings of reassurance to her before refocusing on the commander.

Alaric surveyed the field, hands clasped behind his back.

His voice rang over the field as he spoke. “The first assessment is simple—we are going to run. There will be no slowing down and no water until you forfeit. When you can’t run any further, stand to the side until an Enforcer directs you back to the main field. Enforcers, you are to stay with your assigned rows. Squad leaders will handle the rest.”

The Enforcers shouted, “Yes, sir!”

“All right, ladies. Your first test begins now.”

As always, Alaric jogged at the helm. It was one of the things the Enforcers respected most. He would never ask us to do something he wouldn’t do himself.

The run gave us some encouraging results. The females proved to have good endurance for never having trained. But as we moved on to other exercises, we could clearly divide the group into three sections—our first, second, and third waves.

The first wave needed the most work. These females lacked coordination and balance and needed to build muscle and endurance. Our goal was to strengthen the first wave and teach them to use perception and aversion techniques to escape dangerous situations.

The second wave was slightly better. They were naturally coordinated and swift on their feet. They also possessed a fair level of endurance. We would sharpen those skills and engage them in more active defense and beginner counterattacks.

That was where Myla ended up.

The third wave was the smallest group. These females had balance, coordination, and endurance. They also had a fair amount of knowledge when it came to combat. In normal circumstances, they would qualify for Enforcer basic training.

It shocked Alaric when Winnie, the Alpha’s younger sister, wasn’t the only one in this group. Wynn and Alaric trained her, so it was no surprise she had made it. However, to our amazement, Blythe and Alice—an Alpha female who worked in our agriculture department—also met the requirements.

Everyone split into their groups. The females were tired from the assessment, which took all morning, but it was the perfect way to start their training. They needed to learn to push past their physical and mental barriers.

“I will be in charge of reactive combat, otherwise known as counterattacks,” I said to the third wave. “In order to get a solid assessment of your skills, you will each face off on the mat. The winner stays and faces the next opponent.”

The females nodded, a glint of excitement in their eyes.

Perhaps this would work out better than the Alpha anticipated.

“Blythe, Alice, you’re up,” I said.

They took to the mat, neither lacking assurance. Alice’s stance was firm, her core strong, and each hit carried the full force of her body weight. In contrast, Blythe was loose and light, and the casual way she moved was almost mocking. She blocked and ducked, leading Alice into an impressive web of missteps.

Blythe took Alice to the ground, catching her in a chokehold and forcing Alice to tap out.

“Nice work, both of you.” I waved Winnie toward the mat. “Winnie, your turn.”

Winnie moved into place opposite Blythe. I was interested to see how Blythe would perform after facing an opponent.

Winnie was fast, exploding into a combination of kicks and punches and putting Blythe on the defensive.

I’d never seen an Omega fight before Blythe—I doubted anyone had.

It wasn’t long before the females drew a crowd. Blythe not only kept up with her Beta counterpart—she made her work for it. Her hits were precise, and her movements were as fluid and ever-changing as the wind.

She used every part of her body—hands, feet, shins, elbows, knees—to do damage. Winnie kept going, taking every hit and countering with one of her own.

“Call it,” Alaric said from beside me.

“Time,” I shouted.

Both females dropped to the ground to catch their breath. The fight had lasted for five minutes, and their exhaustion was a testament to their determination.

Brielle and Isolde brought the girls water, which they guzzled greedily.

I glanced at Alaric as he studied Blythe and Winnie.

“What are you thinking?” I asked.

He shook his head and said, “I’m going to speak with the Alpha. You and Valor take point and close out the session.”

“You got it.”

I walked over to the mat where Blythe was talking with her sister. The two females turned as I approached.

“Did you come to tell us how awesome Blythe is?” Brielle said with a proud grin.

“Yes, actually. Where did you learn to fight like that?” I asked Blythe.

“At the compound where I grew up. The rebels teach everyone they rescue to defend themselves.”

“You were doing a lot more than defending yourself.”

A blush stained her cheeks. “Well, I may have had some anger issues I needed to work out. So, I spent more time on the mats than most people. Our father also gave us a pretty good foundation. He taught us a little bit of everything.”

“Smart man,” I murmured. “Blythe, would you be interested in helping me teach the females in the first and second waves?”

“Really?” she asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“It’s a serious offer. You’re an impressive fighter. You planned your moves and used your brain as well as your intuition. I watched you adjust to your opponents, and that type of skill is what I want on these training grounds.”

“I—”

“She accepts,” Brielle said.

I looked at Blythe for confirmation, and she nodded. “I want to do it. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” I said with a smirk. “I’ll see you on the field tomorrow morning.”

As I walked away, I heard someone call my name. I turned to see Brielle rushing to catch up with me.

“I just wanted to thank you. Blythe has been feeling out of sorts, and a job within the pack will be good for her.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” I said. “She earned this.”

With a parting wave, she joined her sister and her mate. I turned to find Bowen and Myla waiting at the edge of the field.

“Not bad for a first day, huh?” Bowen said.

“No, not bad at all.”

I wrapped my arm around Myla, and the three of us walked toward our den.

Winnie and Blythe’s fight flashed through my mind. When I was growing up, males avoided relationships with Alpha and Beta females in anticipation of finding an Omega. I couldn’t imagine what it felt like to have no place in society.

Maybe Brielle was onto something. Perhaps this would help Alpha and Beta females find their way and give them a purpose in this changing world.