The Wolf Games

Training day

I told Joseph that training was going to start at 5:30 in the morning. I knew he had a big night at the ball but he definitely didn't want to show me he was tired. First, we started with a big run and did some weight training. I had asked Taylor to book a training ground that's far away from the crowds. She wasn't too pleased and wanted to show me off so I can get some endorsement deals, but it was Joseph's first day with me and I didn't want him to feel self-conscience. 

Training ground 21 was perfect. It was so far away from the action and no one would bother us here. It was 8 am and I received a message from Alpha Michael. I still can't believe his mate rejected him. Michael wasn't like most Alpha's you meet. He is kind, funny, and treats everyone in his pack with respect. When I would stay with his family in Sicily during summer break, we would train together for hours. He is very strong and would always put up a good fight. I'm actually surprised he isn't competing.

I told him last night that we can only be friends for now. I don't really want to tell him how I'm completely messed up from my night with Massimo and I don't want another friendship to ruin just because I have a moment of weakness.

I can hear Taylor on the phone making negotiations with brands. She's working really hard and I'm really grateful I have her on my team.  

"Ok Joseph, let's work on defense. I'm going to lunge towards you and you need to block my move. When I lunge forward you need to trust your gut and either jump back or to the side, then you can block my move with your hands just like I showed you. First, we will do it in slow motion and then we will pick up the pace. Speed and not second-guessing the next move will make you a great fighter. Trust your wolf" I say placing my hand over his heart. I can hear his heart racing and can see he's exhausted but I know how much he wants this.

"Ready, go!" I yell and slowly lunge towards him, he takes a side leap and brings his hand up to knock my hand away

"Good job. Now let's do the exact same thing but a little faster" I lunge again at him but he doesn't move quick enough and I punch him in the face. It wasn't a very hard punch but Joseph is on the ground cupping his check. I get down on the ground and look him over. 

"I'm so sorry Joey. Maybe that was too quick for our first session" I say grabbing his hands and lifting him up.

"Are you kidding? That was awesome. I've never seen anyone move so quickly" Joey says getting back into defense position. I'm scratching my head thinking that was me going slow. I see Alpha Michael walking down the path and he's walking and talking with Blue eyes. 

"Joey let's take a 20-minute break" I can see Michael and Blue eyes carry lots of bags and coffees, so I jog over to them to see if they need help. 

"What do we have here?" I take the tray of coffees out of Alpha Michael's hands.

"Well, I know how hard you train, so I thought I would bring breakfast to you and your friends," Michael says looking over to Joseph who is laying on the ground, and Taylor making demands over the phone.

"That's Joseph on the ground and Taylor on the phone. Guys this is Alpha Michael, he's a good friend of mine" I yell out and look back to see blue eyes making a frown and glaring at Joseph.

"Sasha this is my friend Erik. Erik and his friends stayed with me this summer in Sicily" He says with a big smile. 

"Small world," I say looking at Erik and he looks annoyed and continues looking at Joseph.

"Well, I bought enough food to feed a small village so please help yourself," Alpha Michael says motioning my friends to come over and grab some breakfast.

"Thank you so much. Joseph has been training really hard today. He's going to be a great warrior for your pack Erik" I say and Erik tries to hold back a laugh and it really pisses me off. 

"Something funny Blue eyes?" I say with an evil glare. I look over to Joseph hoping he didn't hear Erik.

"Shouldn't you be concentrating on training yourself than a boy who has never trained a day in his life?" Erik says staring me in the eyes like I'm an idiot

"What pack turns away someone who wants to learn to fight and protect themselves?" I snapped placing  my hands on my hips

"A smart pack who knows not to fill some wolf's head with hopes and dreams that are never going to happen!" he scoffs 

"I believe anyone can learn to be a great warrior if that's what they want to be and they put in the hard work" I reply giving him a dirty look

"Instead of training yourself for the games, you're training Joseph who is from my pack, my responsibility" Erik says 

"He is my friend and part of my entourage for the games. I don't know how this affects you? I'm not asking you to train him" 

"No, but once you're gone I'll have to break it to him that he can't be a warrior and what do you think that will do to him?" he barks at me trying to use his Alpha voice. This arrogant alpha male just doesn't quit, and obviously has a problem with me.  I lower my voice but stay firm

"All I'm trying to do is teach my friend how to protect himself so when people like your girlfriend Naomi bully him and hurt him, he can take care of himself. I don't see the harm in empowering my friend, but clearly, your issue is with me and I just don't get it" I throw my hands in the air as I've given up fighting with a moron and begin to walk away.

"First of all, I don't have a girlfriend. My issue is wolves like you that treat the games as some kind of joke and come here to become famous" he yells following me and I can see Joseph and Taylor are staring at us wide-eyed. I'm clenching my fists trying to suppress my wolf. I should freeze time and punch this guy right in the face. I turn around and I bump into him and we're now inches away from each other. 

"How dare you! You know nothing about me and you're lucky I don't knock you out right now" I yell and then Michael cuts in

"Hey, hey, hey. I think you both need to calm down. I believe this is just a misunderstanding and you both care for your friend" he says calmly looking at us both. We're both fuming and I'm trying to control my wolf. I hate wolves that assume she-wolves are weak. That's exactly what blue eyes thinks of me and I want nothing to do with him. I'm actually looking forward to kicking his ass in the competition.

"Can you both just reset and start over?" Alpha Michael asks. I don't know what Michael sees in this guy. Maybe he's trying to do business with him and needs him as an alliance. 

"FINE" I roll my eyes "I'm sorry," I say in a sarcastic tone

"Yeah, that sounded very sincere. I'm sorry too" Erik rolls his eyes

"Best I get back to training my weak self" I sneered and walked away from Michael and Erik.

"Come on Joey, breaktime is over" I yell and don't look back.