Warrior Luna - Fighting for Survival

Between A Rock And A Hard Place

The days passed by mercilessly, the more I wished time would slow down the faster the days passed. Vicky sensed I was more nervous than excited for my 18th birthday to come, and no amount of goofing off or planning parties or sleepovers cheered me up. All I could think of was Cole and my turning. It felt like there was a dark cloud hanging over me.

I went to training with Vicky, for our usual practice. I really didn’t want to but she was insistent and practically dragged me there adamant that I should “let off some steam”. I was still angry, afraid and generally anxious about my brother’s recent drunken visit to my room and I really didn’t want her dad, the instructor to know my state of mind. If I’m honest with myself he was the closest thing I had to a father. Vicky’s family were werewolves too, difference was her father was a delta and a warrior and belonged to the Lone Silver pack. My family, or at least my mother and I were shunned and not included in the pack, the rumors that she cheated on her mate were the reason for our isolation, even though it wasn’t an official banishment. My brother technically could have fought for a place in the pack after he turned, but I never had the guts to ask if he did.

I put on long sweatpants to cover up my bruise before following Vicky out to join the others.

“Ladies.” He winked at us as we came in to stretch.

“Hi daaaad.” Vicky rolled her eyes.

Vicky was totally a daddy’s girl, they were inseparable but she didn’t get special treatment during training and as much as it frustrated her sometimes, she knew it was for her own good. When we started sparring I did not let up. She was right I needed to let off some steam and now that my anger and frustration had a channel I was deadly. I was sure she was regretting dragging me out to practice because I gave her a beat down with a flurry of kicks and jabs and punches.

“Enough!” her dad commanded. “Andy?” He waited for me to meet his eyes before he continued. “You’re on fire today. You’re going to partner up with Evan, Vicky you’re with Jacob.”

He watched me closely as I made my way through the whole class to stand in front of Evan.

 I was in deep, deep s**t. I was fairly tall for a girl, being 5’8” but Evan was a Beta’s son and he was big, over 6ft tall and ripped. I was going to get my ass handed to me today.

“I’ll go easy on you.” Evan said brushing his raven black hair out of his face as I continued to gawk at him like an i***t.

That hit a nerve. I didn’t need pity from him, who the hell was he to judge me? Just because I wasn’t some macho warrior whose daddy was Mr. Important didn’t mean I couldn’t hold my own. Even if I came out bruised and battered I would damn well try my best. I felt my face heating up as my frustration grew.

“I don’t need your charity.” I snapped.

His mouth turned up into a lopsided grin as we got into positions.

We circled each other. Evan threw a kick at my ribs, probing me. I jumped back, easily evading. He had long legs, but kicked low and with power. He threw another two lighter kicks with the other leg, one higher one lower. I ducked and jumped back. As he brought his leg down from the next kick I came close on his other side and threw a few punches to his ribs, chest and jaw.

I surprised him. His dark eyes focused with determination.

He came at me hard swinging a full force punch. I ducked and lunged to the side, his other fist caught me in the cheek and eyebrow.  I saw stars as I landed on my ass. I rolled on instinct and felt the air rush past as his powerful kick just missed me.

“EVAN!” the delta bellowed a warning.

I was pissed. I was going to have a black eye tomorrow. Warning or not I was going to give the guy payback.

We circled again. I high-kicked at his chest, he backed up. He jumped left then right, testing my balance. We circled each other again. He threw a punch; I ducked and spun a kick at his lower back. He flew forward. I came after him with a quick succession of punches to the side then retreated.

When he spun around to face me again, he was furious.

I kicked at his head with my right leg, but he dodged to the left side just out of reach before charging at me. Using my momentum I spun my body in mid-air and kicked again.

 My kick connected with the side of his head and jaw. Hard. Blood spewed from his mouth.

He tacked me, I barely managed to escape his choke hold. He flew to his feet and came at me again. I stepped to the side just missing a fist to the face, and threw my own right hook. There was a crunch and a yell. I rolled to my feet and backed away .

Not fast enough.

“You b***h!” Evan grabbed me by the waist and slammed me against the mat, and then I saw his fist. Then the lights went out for me.

In the distance I heard the coach “Andromeda Wetherfield! Evan! EVAN! ENOUGH!” 

Then there was a commotion. More yelling. But my eyes were too heavy, I didn’t really care anymore.

I woke up on the mat, my face was wet. I sat up groaning from the effort.

“Andy!” Vicky’s excited voice broke through the ringing in my ears.

I wiped my face from the tears. When I looked at my hand I was confused. My tears looked ruby red.

Then the recent events came flooding back. Evan. Fighting. Him slamming me on the mat and punching me. The blood.

“Dad! I don’t think she can hear me! What’s wrong with her!? Is she going to be okay!?” Vicky was losing her mind yelling.

I saw a figure coming toward me; he was tall and big but very blurry.

“How is your head?”

“Ringing.”

“Yeah I figured as much. Hold still.” He said gruffly.

I winced as coach wiped my face with a cold wet cloth. After he was done at least I could see better out of my right eye, my left side of my face was another story. He pressed a bag of ice into my hand.

“Thank you.” I mumbled through a fat lip, I could still taste blood in my mouth.

He sat back on his heels and watched me, the vein in his temple looked like it was about to pop. He was angry.

“Where is Vicky?” I asked hoping to escape the elephant in the room.

“In the car.” He growled. “I hope you’re not trying to change the subject.”

I shook my head. There was no escaping the tongue lashing, I steeled myself.

“What the f**k did you think you were doing?”

“Nothing! Just letting off steam like you and Vicks wanted me to!” I protested. He did pair me up with Evan after all. Did he not expect me to fight back!?

“Are you out of your mind? You just broke his nose!?” He exclaimed angrily.

“He punched me full force, was I not supposed to fight back? Just let him kick my ass?” I was fuming. “How is this my fault!?” I yelled back.

“He is a BETA! And you, you aren’t even technically part of the pack, you’re lower than an omega! An ass kicking should be the last of your worries!”

He was worried for me I realized and he did have a point. I fought back full force against a beta, not only that but I broke his nose. Bruises and welts were acceptable in training, but a broken nose on someone who’s practically royalty was unheard of. Especially done by a girl, who isn’t even ranked.

“Okay, fine! I just won’t come to practice then, he won’t have to see me again.”

“That’s the worst thing you could do. It’s cowardly. If you do that your dead body will be found in a back alley somewhere.” He sighed and rubbed his face, worry wrinkling his features. “You’re going to do exactly what I say if you want to come out of this alive. Do you understand?”

“You, want me to publicly apologize to him?”

“That, yes. Evan is proud though, he won’t let you off the hook that easy. He will ask for a fight and the only way you will live through that is if you plead guilty and bear the consequences, but ask for the date of the fight to be after your first turning. Otherwise I’m afraid you won’t live through the beating.” He confessed with sadness.

“I lived through today. I can do it again.” I said with more determination than I felt.

“Andromeda… I pulled him off you in less than a minute. You need to turn if you are to live.”