The Alpha's Daughter

Chapter 3 :Alpha Squad Training

As I walked to the training field, I noticed Victor and Max were already fighting and blocking. Victor's moves were hard to ignore. He would make a good Alpha. When it comes to defense, he was serious and methodical. Just when you thought you had bested him, he would throw a move you least expected, and you would still lose. He was strong and caring. Max was more deceptive; he was a good fighter, but he somehow came across to others as compassionate. That compassion was nowhere to be found for me. This was especially true in the presence of his father. I am pretty sure his father beat it out of him. When we were children, we were close; we used to confide in each other about our secret dreams. We used to gang up and give Victor and Zander a run for their money. Those days are long gone now. Our pack is torn on whether he would make a good Alpha someday. People thought he was weak since he never went for the kill. Truth be told, I am not sure he has it in him to kill, but hurting or maiming seems to be a specialty of his. Lastly, there is Zander. Girls in the pack trip over themselves to try to gain his attention. He is by far the best-looking of the three, and he knows it, too. His pride has no limits, which is surprising, considering he is the smallest and youngest of the three. His clear blue eyes are so captivating. They were the brightest blue I have ever seen. There have been a few fights I have lost simply because I was looking too deeply into those eyes. His fighting skills could not match those of Victor, but he does possess a leadership quality that Max and Victor will sometimes follow.

“Viviana,” Beta Rex shouted, “stop daydreaming before I send you back to the Alpha! We're not out here to ogle the men today.” I dropped my gaze and ran over towards him; there was no point in making him any more upset. Trying to control my face from showing my apparent anger was a challenge. I knew fighting with him would be a mistake today, especially since I was already at least an hour late for training. The last thing I wanted was for Beta Rex to send me back to my father.

“About time you showed up,” Max laughed.

“She's afraid to lose to us again today,” Zander teased.

“As if that would be something I would waste my time worrying about,” I replied, sarcastically flipping my hair over my shoulder.

“You won’t be so confident later,” Max yelled out. “I dare say you will be begging for mercy,” he laughed.

“I’ll show you who will be begging,” I responded.

“Enough,” Victor looked at Max and Zander causing them to jump.

Well, that is new, I thought as I gave Victor a tight smile. He did not usually stick up for me especially in front of Beta Rex. Since Beta Rex would see it as a weakness, he would definitely hold it against him.

Beta Rex looked at his four top warriors “Viviana,” smiling viciously, “since you missed the warmup, we will need to accelerate that process a little; quickly shift and run. I will give these three five minutes before allowing them to run after you. Whoever catches you first, will be your first partner for sparring today.”

“Beta Rex,” I tried pleading. This is ridiculous and very degrading. How dare he send them after me in that manner!

“Get going, Viviana, 4 minutes 55 seconds by my watch,” he sneered.

I did not waste another second, before running towards the trees, quickly shedding my clothes, and shifting. I worked a little bit on trying to hide my scent as I had been shown. In the mind link I could hear the teasing from the boys. “You can run, Vivi, but I will always find you,” came Zander’s voice first in my head. This caused me to laugh, he never found me first. Why would this time be any different?

“Just lay down and wait for me, Viv, you know that you want too,” came Victor’s smug voice.

“Never!” I shot back and kept running.

However, it seemed over before it began as Victor slammed into me, flipping me over in the air and landing on my side violently knocking the air completely out of my lungs. I laid there dazed. It was a hard hit, and I could not even force myself to stand up right away. He took way too much joy in capturing me. I wanted to scream, but I refused to give him satisfaction. His wolf circled me, challenging me to stand. I tried to rise.

He growled and stood over me. Mocking me, I am sure. “Stay down, Viv,” he chided over mind link.

“Pretty sure you killed me anyway,” I coughed over my link to him.

Victor nudged my side, “Nope, you're still breathing. Let's get you back to Beta Rex before he comes looking for us. You did better on losing your scent today. Max and Zander would probably need a road map to find you!” he laughed.

Getting up slowly and shaking my fur out, I began to trot back. “Zander always needs a road map,” I mind linked Victor. Then I took off at full speed with Victor on my heels. As we approached Beta Rex, I felt him, the alpha’s presence. From the clearing, I saw my father in a heated discussion with Beta Rex.

Discretely, we shifted and got dressed before making our way cautiously to the training field. We stopped at the entrance, hearing my father’s obviously angry voice.

“I thought this was a training exercise,” Alpha Vincent said.

“Alpha,” Victor boldly interrupted as he bowed and spoke confidently, “We have been working with Viviana on learning how to hide her scent while on the run.”

“And just why would the future Luna of this pack need that skill, Victor?” the Alpha yelled his displeasure for all to see. “A Luna should be protected, Victor, not chased around like your food.”

Victor looked disappointed and his eyes fell to the ground, “Of course, Alpha,” He barely whispered.

“I would hope that if you are lucky enough to find yourself as Alpha one day, you will have more respect for your Luna than to allow your own pack to chase her around for sport,” my father stepped forward and was practically yelling in Victor’s face. I actually felt sorry for him.

I cautiously stepped forward, “Father,” I called out.

He turned around and shot me a look silencing me. “Beta Rex, my office. Now!” The Alpha hollered before leaving with Beta Rex trying to match his steps. We were a little perplexed by this outburst. It was not often that my father fought with his Beta, and he especially never did it out in the open where members of the pack could see. My father had always demanded disagreements be made in private, especially if you were going against his words.

Victor looked at me watching the Alpha and Beta enter the pack house, “That's strange; don't you think, Viv?”

I rubbed my temples and faced him “Let's get to work, Victor, so my dad, um the Alpha, doesn't have to have a second meeting with me today.”

Victor looked at my face hard, studying my expression. Then, with a saddened look on his face, he whispered, “About us, Viv.”

“What does it matter, Victor! We both know how this will go, whoever is my fated mate gets the pack and me with one big bow; there's never been anything for me to say about it, or even consider if I want this or don't want it.”

“You don’t want any of us,” he said. I could see the hurt in his eyes.

“That’s not what I said, Victor,” I reached out and grabbed his hand, interlocking our fingers. “I just want to have some sense of control over my own choices.”

“I'm sorry, Viv.” Victor's voice did sound sincere, but I just could not accept this consolation.

“See you caught her again,” Zander laughed as he ran up to Victor and high-fived him, as I discreetly dropped Victor’s hand.

“Well, I would not have come willingly,” I winked at Victor as I laughed.

“Nice to know you won’t just roll over for him,” Max laughed as he came out of the woods. He jogged over to where we were all standing.

“Nice of you to finally show up,” I laughed, ignoring his previous comment.

“Did not realize you would be waiting for me, or I would have come sooner,” he snickered.

“I have never waited for you,” I waved him off.

“Oh, you will, Vivy,” Max c****d a smile, “Just you wait and see.”

“In your dreams only, Max,” I replied shaking my head, “Victor, we better get to work before Beta Rex comes back.”

Zander and Max both stood off to the side, leaning against a tree, while Victor and I took our positions. Victor asked, “Are you ready,” and I nodded. He charged me, landing the first punch to my already sore arm. I held in my pain, blocking the next several hits before going on the offensive.

I overcompensated, though, and the next thing I knew, I was lying on my back after a very impressive swipe and tornado kick combo. Although I had seen him practicing this move; It was the first time he ever executed it. Guess he was saving it for me. How sweet! I had to admit I was impressed, even if no part of me wanted to get off the ground. It was a very impressive move, and I could not fault his execution. I groaned, sitting up. He could have saved it for Max or Zander, though.

“Man, that was brutal,” Max yelled. “Great take down! You have to show that move to me.”

Victor just leaned down and held out a hand. A large smile spread across his face. “Good fight, Viv. I think that is enough for today, don’t you?”

“Indeed,” I replied as I let him help me up. “I’m going back to the pack house.” I was really hoping to win today. I dropped my shoulders in defeat once I was out of view. Oh well, in just two more days I will face the pack as the new Luna with either Victor, Max, or Zander at my side. Tomorrow’s another day.