The Alpha Triangle

Shadows of the Pack

A low roar rolled across the field, signaling everyone to fall silent and stand at attention. My father, Alpha Alex, and Beta Lance stepped into the center of the assembled pack. “As most of you already know,” Alex barked, “it’s time to begin daily sparring. Break into your usual groups. Lance and I will make rounds to ensure training is being conducted properly. Any questions?” A heavy silence followed. “No? Then let’s move. We’re wasting time.”

Liam and I fell away from the crowd and headed toward the area we’d been using for months now. The ground here was almost bare. Whatever grass had once existed had been worn down by months of sparring. A wide circle of flat stone pieces marked the space, maybe a hundred feet across. This was where the new trainees battled, learned the basics, and figured out where they stood in the pack.

Even the wolves considered lowest on the totem pole were required to train here before being assigned as omegas. Everyone was expected to know how to fight just in case things ever went sideways. I didn’t know much about how other packs handled things, but I did know one thing, we were the only pack where everyone learned to fight.

Alpha Alex stopped at our group first. He had each of us pair up and begin working on new self-defense tactics. It wasn’t uncommon for someone to leave these trainings with a dislocated shoulder or broken bone. As wolves, we healed much faster than humans. Most of us were back to normal by the next day. I wasn’t sixteen yet and my healing was still slower than the others’. Liam usually took it easy on me because of this.

Alpha Alex stopped us mid-maneuver and reprimanded Liam on the spot. I immediately stepped between them, shielding Liam without thinking. Alex’s eyes flared. “Freya, step into the center of the ring. Now.” His voice was sharp. “Madisen, you’re up as well. Let’s see what you have, or haven’t, learned this summer.” His gaze swept over the group like a blade. “First wolf to step out of the circle, submit, or become severely hurt loses. I’ll step in when I see fit.”

I climbed onto the stone slabs, ignoring the burn in my stomach. Madisen practically glowed with anticipation. She wanted to hit me. Wanted to hurt me. The best way to win a fight like this? Let yourself get hit, but make sure it isn’t somewhere vital.

Alex gave a sharp whistle. The match began. Madisen lunged toward me without hesitation. She was slow. I slipped to the side, letting her momentum carry her forward. She stumbled, catching herself on the ground. Her eyes snapped up, now burning with hate. She scrambled to her feet, bouncing on the balls of her toes, firing a flurry of punches at my face, chest, and abdomen. I dodged them all. My small frame worked to my advantage.

Then I saw it. A left hook aimed for my shoulder, and I let it land.Pain ran through my arm and I let out a small hiss through clenched teeth. That nasty smirk returned to Madisen’s face. She swung again, but this time aiming higher. Distracted by the pain in my arm, I was half a second too slow. Her fist grazed my nose. Before she could retract her arm, I grabbed her wrist and yanked her forward. She hit those hard slabs of rock with her hands and knees. In one fluid motion, I drove my knee into her ribs. A soft gasp escaped her lips as the air was forced from her lungs.

I stepped back and waited as she didn’t get up right away. Before she could try, Alex whistled again. The match was over. I turned to look at him, expecting, or hoping, for some sign of approval. What I saw instead was cold, hard hate. My heart faltered for a beat and I prayed the others couldn’t see it on my face. I jogged slowly back to Liam, who wore a small, tight-lipped smile. If Alpha Alex wasn’t proud, at least Liam was.

“Let this be a lesson to all of you,” Alex snapped. “If anyone tries to change the way this pack trains in the future, the consequences will be far more severe than what you witnessed today.” He turned without another word, and the crowd of pack members shifted uneasily. “Five-mile run. Now. Then report to the pack house for lunch.” Liam and I fell into step at the front of the group, settling into a steady rhythm. We jogged in silence, our breaths syncing as the weight of the morning clung to our shoulders.

My body groaned with each step. Training with Liam had never pushed me this hard as he always held back. Today had been different. This was the first time I had to truly defend myself and fight back.

After the run, all pack members filtered back to the pack house. It was the heart of our territory, a place where meals were served, industrial washers and dryers hummed all day, and communal resources like the library and computer lab were open to everyone. While individual homes were provided, many still gathered at the pack house, especially those without mates or job assignments. It was the social hub of our world. Most omegas worked here, managing meals, cleaning, and helping with the upkeep.

Today, the air was thick with the mouthwatering scent of smoked meats and roasted vegetables. My stomach growled in approval. I scanned the room quickly, making sure Alpha Alex wasn’t nearby, then piled pulled pork, two slices of brisket, and a chicken thigh onto my tray. I added a generous scoop of mixed vegetables and reached for a glass of strawberry lemonade. The condensation sliding down the sides of the glass made it all the more tempting. I spotted an empty table and slid into a seat. Liam, as always, was right on my heels.

I shoveled food into my mouth as fast as I could, trying to finish before Alpha Alex spotted what was piled on my tray. The usually loud pack house fell silent as the front doors swung open. Alex stepped inside, flanked by two unfamiliar males with power rolling off them in waves.

Naturally, Madisen was already in their path, flipping her hair and batting her lashes like she’d just been crowned Luna. One of the newcomers entertained her, offering a polite smile, while the other looked completely bored, scanning the room as if searching for an escape. Then his gaze locked with mine.