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9.Training

POV: Leila

That night was one of the best nights I can remember, and I hope just the first like it. I spent hours watching my brothers and my mate try to get along. My brothers actually made a very nice effort to be welcoming to Lucifer. And Lucifer was kind enough to put up with the slightly probing questions and barely concealed annoyance from my brothers.

With the help of Janie and Summer, I managed to smooth out any rough edges where my brothers pushed too hard or Lucifer looked as if he might bite off one of my brothers' heads. It was nice how easily Summer, Janie, and I seemed to work together. I hoped it would be that easy with the Beta Female Ashley as well.

By the end of the night, I felt as if Summer and I had a real bond. Even my brothers and Lucifer seemed satisfied with each other. I managed to talk with Michael and Conner as well. Michael was a serious person but had a good heart. Conner was always looking for an opening to crack a joke. It would be good for Janie to have someone like Conner by her side; with her past, Janie could forget to laugh at times.

Lucifer left me with a kiss good night and I fell asleep with a smile on my face. I had to wake up at 4:30 am for training. I groaned as I smacked my alarm to make it shut up, cursing my brother for scheduling training at five in the morning. I sighed as I debated getting up. Axel would be very angry and would be creative when thinking of my punishment.

I groaned and sat up as I threw off my blankets. I went to do my business in the bathroom that’s connected to my bedroom. I braided my red hair into two French braids. I walked out of my bathroom to my small, three-drawer dresser that's inside my closet. I pulled out my black leggings, a black sports bra, and my red Guns N’ Roses crop top. I put everything on, then I put on my socks and black running shoes.

I checked my clock to see the time. I had seven minutes to get to the training field. I ran down the stairs and into the kitchen. There I grabbed an apple and began eating as I walked to the back door. I saw a few other people heading to the training ground. I said hello and good morning to them, and they returned the gesture.

I joined a group of female warriors that stood together stretching as we waited to begin. I joined them and began to stretch as well. I look around for Janie but I don't see her. The men were across from us, but they weren’t stretching, just talking to one another. This group is the advanced warriors in training. None are older than twenty-two, but all of them are the best of the best. They are the ones who will one day protect our pack. Axel came walking up and stood at the edge of the training grounds. Everyone stopped whatever they were doing to face him.

“Today is Die-hard day,” Axel revealed.

There was a round of groans and sharp gasps for the first timers. I huffed in annoyance. I was hoping to see Lucifer soon, but that won’t happen now.

Axel went on, "If anyone can’t handle that, too bad. You will continue until you black out, or die. Now, let us begin."

Everyone got into position to begin the first phase of Die-hard day. It began with one hundred burpees, one hundred and fifty sit-ups, two hundred push-ups of original and one arm planks, then two hundred and fifty pull-ups, three hundred suicide drills, and ended with an hour-long run. All of which do not have breaks in between.

By the time of the run, three people, two women and one man, had fallen down and weren’t getting up. Even after Axel yelled at them over and over again. During the run, two more people fell down. Axel left them behind, but I knew he’d send someone to pick them up.

We ended the run in the woods where an obstacle course had been set up. The course seemed to include climbing, crawling, running, and booby traps. Some of which included seasoned warriors attacking us. Four people didn't make it past the obstacle course. When we finally made it to the end of the forest, I had ended up with a bleeding cut on my bicep and no doubt had a bruise on my cheek. Out of the twenty-five of us that began, only sixteen were left.

My body hurt all over as I braced my hands on my knees. A few of the others fell over as they reached the edge of the forest and some of us tried to catch our breath. Axel immediately began yelling at us to get up and to keep moving. This was one of those times that I really wanted to punch my brother. I began running again along with several others. The ones that were lying on the ground started to get up but two of them couldn't. That makes fourteen left. We all followed Axel as he ran ahead of us and were led back to the training yard.

Once there, we saw blindfolds scattered on the ground. And a crowd gathered around the training grounds. Word must have spread that today is Die-hard day. The pack members love to see who made it to the end of Die-hard day, because those people will become the Elites of the pack.

Axel began yelling, "What are you waiting for? A written invitation? Put the damn blindfolds on!"

We all scrambled to put on the blindfolds. Just before I tied mine around my eyes, I saw Lucifer towering over the crowd with Damon and Fox at his side. It made me excited and nervous to know my mate is watching me. I wanted to prove myself to him, and I wanted him to admire my strength.

I waited for something to happen when suddenly a fist slammed into my gut. I heard a feral growl from behind me and knew it was my mate, but I couldn't focus on that. I lost my breath in the sudden punch and tried to react quickly. I kicked out my leg and made contact with someone's stomach. I heard a cry before feeling another punch against my cheek. I stumbled back and caught myself before I could fall. I felt the taste of iron in my mouth and spit onto the ground. Another growl was released, one that was filled with anger, and it made me want to go to my mate. I felt a harsh kick to my stomach and this time I landed on the ground. Rocks and dirt dug into the skin of my back.

"Stop getting distracted!" Axel's voice suddenly boomed. "You are all getting your asses handed to you! You are wolves! Act like it!"

For a moment, I was confused until I realized what he meant. With our advanced senses, we should be able to anticipate almost any attack. I wanted to facepalm myself for being so dumb. I lifted myself off the ground and got into a fighting stance. I stopped trying to wait and see what happened. Instead, I began to listen. I heard people grunting in pain and panting in exertion. I sniffed, smelling only sweat and blood. I allowed Sia to come forth just a bit, and together we felt with our senses that weren't just advanced but supernatural. All wolves are capable, it's just a matter of tapping into our predatory senses.

It was only a moment later that I felt a shift in the surrounding air. I ducked and felt a fist swing just above my head. I punched into the person's gut and expected them to bend over in pain. They did. So, I brought up my knee and heard a sickening crunch. They groaned in pain and fell to the ground. The onlookers cheered. Was that for me or did someone else figure out what I did?

"Kick their ass, Leila!" Someone yelled.

I guess I got my answer. Other people began attacking me, and it occurred to me that some of them might be trainees like me. I began to feel their faces and if they had a blindfold on I yanked it off. When I did, Axel would yell at the person and tell them off for trying to attack their teammate. Slowly, the attacks faded until no one came at me. I stayed ready, knowing that Axel wouldn't let me off that easily.

I didn't have to wait long. I felt the attack coming, but my block was countered. I kicked and someone caught my leg, using it to pick me up and toss me like a rag doll. I rolled, my skin scraping against the hard ground. I felt people gasp and jump back as I almost knocked them over. Once again, I heard my mate growl.

I twisted my body, so my feet braced against the ground to stop my roll. I was crouching and when I lifted my head there was a clear smirk on my face. The crowd murmured in surprise, but I paid them no mind.

"Just you and me now, brother?" I questioned.

Axel chuckled as he responded, "Yep. You think you can take it?"

I tilted my head, listening, as I shrugged, "It'll be fun to try."

Then I launched myself at Axel. I punched repeatedly and, as expected, Axel blocked everyone. Then I kicked out my leg at the same time and the crowd gasped as I kicked my brother in the balls.

"Fuck." Axel snarled.

I acted quickly, bringing my elbow down across Axel's face. I felt the contact and smelled blood. I punched with my other hand but felt a hand grasp my fist. I swung out my other fist, but that was caught too. I tried to yank my hands free but wasn't successful. Then I felt a knee make contact with my stomach. I gasped, and my knees buckled, but Axel still had a grip on my hands.

"That's it?" Axel snarled, "You're weak!"

I tried to get my footing again, but I couldn't even get my hands free. I kicked but it did no good.

"No wonder everyone believes you aren't a true wolf." Axel shoved me to the ground, "You can't even defend someone you love."

"Shut up." I snarled.

Axel laughed as I stood, and I faintly heard Fox call Axel's name in warning. We both ignored him.

"Defending our pack is the most basic instinct for a wolf, and you don't even have it! That must be the witch in you." Axel sneered.

I knew he was just trying to make me angry. It wasn't the first time, but this time he was pushing too much. I rushed him and tried to hurt him like his words were hurting me, but Axel simply dodged every attack.

"What am I saying? You can barely control your powers. You aren't even a true witch either!" Axel yelled.

I thought I heard Damon saying Axel's name, but I was too angry to care. I snarled, Sia fighting to push forward in my defense. I went on the attack again, but before I could even begin, I felt arms wrap tightly around me. Pinning my arms to my sides. I thrashed and squirmed but it was useless.

I felt Axel's hot breath against my ear as he lifted my feet off the ground, as he snarled, "Mom would be ashamed of you!"

I felt something inside me snap, and rage filled me. I snapped my head, hearing bone crunch as I met Axel's nose. Axel's grip loosened and I broke free. I landed on my feet and sprung up quickly as I punched Axel in the face. Except, it wasn't enough. I snarled as I punched him in the stomach, but this time I had power behind it. In my mind's eye, I saw Axel fly back and land on his back before rolling to a stop. Axel stood, charging at me.

I flung out my hand and Axel was flung back again. I yanked my hand toward myself and Axel was slammed against the ground. My hand formed a fist and Axel was suddenly clawing at his chest as he gasped for breath. I felt the rage and pain caused by my brother's words, and I just wanted to make him hurt too.

I squeezed my fist harder and could feel Axel's fear. I stumbled back, falling to my knees as I released my fist. I couldn't see anything anymore. My mind's eye closed once again. I snatched the blindfold off to see Axel on the ground, his chest rising and falling quickly. Damon and Joyce were at his side. A sob clawed its way into my throat, and got stuck there as I choked. I almost hurt my brother. He was afraid of me.

I felt hands on my shoulders as Fox crouched in front of me, blocking my view, "Lee, it's okay."

Okay? How can he say that? I used my powers on our brother? The brother that sat with me for hours as I cried after our mom died. The brother that let me stay with him every time I had nightmares. The brother that went on 2am chocolate runs the first time I got my period. My big brother, who was as hard as stone but loved his family more than life itself. I could have killed him. I'm a monster.