Only Broken

Thrown into the Ring

I stand still, not entirely sure I heard him right. Did he really just call my name?

But the stares I’m getting from everyone confirms my new fear.

“Sam, did you not hear me?” Gamma Michael barks, and I try not to wince at the sound of it.

I swallow hard, then force myself to walk to the center of the training field. Behind me, the girls whisper and giggle.

Seriously? Did this guy wake up on the wrong side of the bed or something?

Why would he pick me when Kayla was literally right there? I’m so screwed. Has he not noticed I’ve barely been paying attention?

Or maybe... he has.

And this is your punishment.

My brain, of course, decides now is a great time to mock me. I mentally roll my eyes.

I make it to the middle and glance around. The guys look just as surprised as I feel.

“Gamma, I honestly don’t think this is a good—” Chris starts, but Gamma Michael cuts him off.

“I get that you’re nervous for your sister, but I know what I’m doing.”

His voice is sharp, final, and it earns me a few jealous glares from the other girls. I swallow again—yeah, nerves.

Still, at least Chris tried. I would’ve been pissed if he hadn’t.

I wait for the Gamma to call out who’ll be handing me my ass today, but I notice him staring at Liam.

They’re having a mind link. I can tell. And I’m seriously praying Liam isn’t volunteering to fight me. That would be the worst.

Getting my butt kicked by my secret crush? Please no. Anything but that.

The mind link ends. Gamma Michael clears his throat and glances my way.

“Leo, step forward.”

My eyes widen.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

Leo? Leo is the lead tracker-in-training and his senses and strength are off the roof. How the hell am I supposed to beat him?

Leo walks toward me slowly, looking hesitant. He’s a sweet guy—everyone knows that—and it’s clear he doesn’t love the idea of fighting me.

But he’s also loyal to authority, so it’s not shocking when that uncertainty disappears from his face, replaced by quiet resolve.

“We’re still betting, right?” James pipes up from the sideline, and I swear if I had something to throw at him, I would.

“James, read the freaking room,” Chris scolds, clearly concerned.

Still, I can’t help the small smile that creeps onto my face.

“On the plus side, at least you won’t have your ass handed to you by your crush,” James mind-links me.

I smile again. “You’re such a jerk.”

“Love you too,” he replies before cutting the link.

I look back at Leo. He raises his fists.

“Don’t go easy on her! She’s alpha blood after all!” Gamma Michael yells.

My pupils widen.

Is this guy for real?

Leo cracks his knuckles and settles into position.

“You better not listen to him,” I mind-link Leo quickly.

He chuckles through the link. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. Just remember what I taught you.”

“What you taught me? I had one personal training session with you.”

“Sorry, Sammy. Gamma’s orders.”

I try not to show my surprise, but this ass.

Great. Now I’m going to get destroyed.

Leo moves first, light on his feet. I react instinctively, ducking under his arm and pivoting on my heel. For a moment, I surprise even myself.

Okay, okay. Not bad.

Leo nods in approval but doesn’t ease up. He spins quickly, and I have to throw up a block—my forearms burning from the impact.

My breathing’s already picking up. My pulse is racing.

I try recalling what little I remember from training sessions. Step back, shift your weight, pivot, counterstrike.

He throws a leg sweep. I leap, barely clearing it.

"Nice," he mutters under his breath.

I charge at him, aiming low, hoping to throw him off balance, but he anticipates it. With a swift sidestep, he uses my momentum against me, and the next thing I know, I’m flipping through the air and landing flat on my back with a thud.

The wind rushes out of my lungs.

“Ugh.”

Someone chuckles from the sideline, and I hear Chris yell, “Sam, stay focused!”

Leo offers me a hand, but I shake my head and push myself up.

“No mercy, remember?” I mutter.

His mouth twitches like he’s trying not to smile.

"Again!" Gamma Michael yells just when I thought it was over. I silently groan as I take a stand.

We go again

And again.

Each round, I get knocked down, but each time, I get a little better at staying on my feet. My instincts are kicking in. My reflexes are getting sharper. My muscles are burning, sure, but there’s a strange kind of thrill in it.

Still, after ten minutes, I’m panting hard, drenched in sweat, and wobbling like a newborn deer.

“Enough,” Gamma Michael calls.

I nearly collapse in relief.

Leo steps back, looking only slightly winded.

I, on the other hand, feel like I’ve just survived a hurricane.

“You did well,” Leo says gently, and there’s no mockery in his voice. Just quiet praise.

My cheeks heat up, but I manage a weak nod. “Thanks."

He grins. “You're not so bad for someone who skips half her training.”

“Hey,” I protest.

He chuckles and walks off, leaving me standing there—sore, aching, and, embarrassingly, a little proud.

James jogs over, slinging an arm around my shoulders just as Chris pulls up beside him.

“You okay?” Chris asks.

“Does she look okay to you?” James laughs. “I think she died somewhere in round three.”

I shoot him a slow glare and jab him in the stomach, earning a playful grunt. Chris just facepalms.

“But still,” James adds with a grin, “you held your own. Not bad.”

A smile tugs at my lips.

Yeah…. not bad.