HERS

6. Fight Fright

The wolves formed a circle sitting on their hind legs. Chris, now in human form stood in front of them in the middle of the circle. The circle was big enough for two large wolves to go one on one inside the ring. "You know what time it is. This is to help you improve your combat skills." Chris told them, it was the same every time they had these sessions. Chris's words drifted out to Danica and Mason. "You will be selected at random to fight; you will be tested in wolf and human form." A groan went through the circle since they equally disliked fighting in human form as much as they enjoyed going at it as wolves. "Danica," Chris called out. "Join the circle." He ordered. He made sure she attended these sessions where the class fought in as there wolves and made sure that she joined in as well. She needed the knowledge and understanding because only a handful knew the truth and she had to prepare and Chris was determined to make sure that she was prepared.

Danica packed her sketches away and went to join the circle. Naturally she took a seat in-between her best friends, James and Avery. Chris picked out two wolves at random and told them to enter the circle.

They knew the drill.

"Here are the rules," Chris began. "Fights must be clean, no weaponry or anything that will cause serious damage to the other or anyone present here. Your aim is to maim not kill. Most importantly you cannot fight in half form that includes claws, are we clear? Good, begin." He commanded moving out the way watching the fight begin. He kept a close watch on them making notes on their fight, on the technique and form and skill and agility.

"That's enough, Chris called he had watched a few sets of fights."Now the next matches will be fought in your wolf form. I know how excited you can get but try it not kill each other the objective is still to maim not kill. Avery you're up against Hannah."

The group cheered, some even let out a few whistles. Fighting in wolf from was exhilarating, just as much as watching it was. TI was a completely different playing field. Watching wolves fight was insightful and magnificent watching them move with ease.

Avery and Hannah got into the centre of the circled and faced each other.

"Shift," Chris ordered.

Both girls shifted simultaneously on command, Avery stepped forward towards Hannah who instantly took a step back. It looked like a dance was taking place. Mesmerising. Avery was the first to pounce, her wolf getting tire of the little dance they had going on. Hannah had managed it move out of Avery's way before she could pin her down despite being slow on her feet. Hannah manoeuvred her around continuing to avoid Avery at every turn, gathering herself Hannah pounced onto Avery's back, which Avery managed to throw her off her back and bit down on Hannah's shoulder pinning her to the ground.

Hannah let out a howl as Avery's teeth sunk into her, the metallic smell of fresh blood filled the air hitting Chris's nose.

"That's enough," Chris interrupted. "Well done girls. Avery you're impressive more dominant than you usually are. Hanna you need to get to the burse's office, Arthur will escort you there, and Arthur was one of the trainers who assisted these training sessions.

"Now, it's time for one of you to fight with Danica-"

The group burst into chatter, discussing who will be up against him, some of the best fighters against her stood very little chance of winning.

"Enough, Danica come up. This is to help you to be prepared just in case anything happens also to prepare Danica as well." Chris explained. James stood up getting ready to fight Danica once more. "James, sit down. You won't be up going against Danica."

"What?" Both Danica and James said in surprise. The class had their mouths open in shock. "Why?"

"You both know each other's techniques so well, it's time for a change and you tow as a little too playful." Chris told the pair; James sent Danica a playful wink. "Lucy you'll be up against Danica."

"What?" Lucy squeaked in surprise. Danica only smirked at her, she had wanted to pound her face in earlier but now she had the chance to without getting into trouble. "You can't be serious."

"I am," Chris said.

"But...but..."

"That's final."

Lucy nodded in defeat, obeying her Alpha and walked into the centre of the circle where Danica was ready to go. She shot her dirty look which Danica returned with a smile.

"Here are the rules; James would you like to state them, since you know them so well?"

"Sure," James grinned getting up. "The rules are as usual, no biting. Clawing, eye poking, no low blows oh wait, that doesn't apply to you. What else, oh, most importantly no shifting or fighting in half form. May the best fighter win," James winked at the two girls. "Winner gets to take this sexy beast home for the night," he gestured to himself; he looked over towards Chris for the nod, which he got. "Let the fight commence."

Without hesitation Danica threw the first punch which landed on Lucy's cheek. Her hand flew to her cheek covering it protectively; Danica threw another which landed on the other cheek.

"You b***h," Lucy hissed, coming at her, she had gathered her wits and charged at Danica fists balled ready to throw punches. Lucy's hand flew out only to miss Danica in the last second, Danica smirked at the girl taunting her, Danica new very well as well as others that Lucy wouldn't be able to land a hit on her, at least not while they both were in their human form.

Lucy got close enough to pull Danica's hair, Danica cursed as she was dragged down. Danica knew she should've tied her hair but she had gotten cocky.

"It hurts doesn't it?" Lucy snarled in her face.

"You tell me," Danica spat back out with a low blow to her stomach, knocking the wind out of her. Lucy bent over wheezing. Danica hit her again in the same place and again. Danica dragged her upright to only punch her in the nose causing her to stumble back falling to the ground, her nose crunched under Danica's knuckles.

Lucy lay motionless for a moment; Danica never took her eyes off her as Chris had taught her in the endless sessions. Never take your eyes off your opponent. Lucy was up in one swift jump, her eyes pitch black as she began running towards Danica. Danica had managed to dodge her this time, Danica watched Lucy run past her and shift into her dark brown wolf. The change was seamless, something Lucy rarely done. Danica watched bewildered as the dark wolf came at her in full speed ready to attack. She was not prepared, she didn't expect Lucy to shift on her and her mind had gone blank, no amount of training she had done would've prepared her for what she did next.

Her body went straight into auto mode. Danica anticipated Lucy and threw her to the ground. Lucy's wolf wasn't that big but compared to Danica a mare human she was massive, yet Danica managed to have the upper hand here.

Lucy shot back up, teeth barred at Danica menacingly as she snarled stalking her way towards Danica. Lucy readied herself, positioning ready to pounce Danica. Danica anticipated the move but the blow never came.

A loud snarled erupted through the field as three other wolves pounced on Lucy before she could attack Danica.

Danica spotted Avery's coppery red wolf and Jason's dark tipped ears however the other wolf she hadn't seen before, dark grey fur with a strip of reddish fur going from its tail down its back to its snout where it becomes white.

"Shift back," Chris ordered, his wolf present forcing Lucy to shift back. She was surrounded by the wolves baring her fangs at her snarling and growling. She looked behind them to see Danica sandwiched between two other wolves.

James was at Danica's side in his wolf form making sure she was okay as well as Chris. She recognised their wolves, on Lucy was Avery who was also in her wolf form as well as Jason and next to him was someone else, some Danica hadn't recognised. He was more furious than anyone of them; he let out a low snarl that startled some of the pupils.

"Guys, don't worry I'm fine." She assured Chris and James who silently nodded shifting back. James pulled Danica into a bone crushing hug.

"That scared the s**t out of me," James muttered into her ear. "I can't have anything happen to you." He kissed her forehead releasing her only to wrap his arm over her shoulder pulling her into him.

"Class dismissed," Chris barked pissed off. "Jason, Avery, James, Danica and Lucy stay put. The rest of you got half an hour left I suggest you go do something productive.

Danica looked around for the other wolf that had pinned Lucy down but he was nowhere to be seen in sight. Mason returned to the group a little while after the students had left, fuming.

"Jason, take Avery and Danica home." Chris ordered, still furious. "Lucy, take a seat over there," he said pointing towards the benches. "Thank you for stopping her," Chris addressed the group, the sincerity evident in his voice. The love he had for his sister shone through his eyes briefly before it was replaced with nothing. "Thank you for saving my little sister."

The Pack doctor examined Danica once more.

"This is the third time you are examining me," Danica complained.

Dr. Ahmed gave Danica a sympathetic smile, "I know but i must follow orders."

"But, you're the doctor here, not him." Danica tried to argue.

"However, he's the Alpha," she told Danica.

"Not just yet."

"Maybe so, but his orders are still official orders."

"Fine," Danica muttered. "Chris!" She growled.

"You growled?" Chris appeared at the door way.

"How many more times do I have to be examined?" Danica complained. "I'm perfectly fine, tell him doc."

Chris looked at Dr. Ahmed expectantly. "She's pretty much fine, except a few bruises."

"Okay," Chris agreed. "You're free to go."

"Thank you," she said jumping off the bed hurrying out the room.

"Dad wants to speak to you," Chris called form the room.

Danica had a hint what the conversation topic would be about, she reluctantly went down the hall to his office. The dark mahogany door opened, to her surprise, her teacher walked out of the office. "Err, hello sir." She greeted him awkwardly, she hadn't expected him to be here. Why was he here?

"You don't have to be so formal, we're outside of school." She smiled. "Hi, I'm mason."

"Hi...Mason," Danica smiled,

"How are you?" Danica asked concern filling his voice. "You're not hurt are you?" His worry for her took over him, the moments came flooding back the worry and panic felt moments before he shifted jumping on Lucy pinning her down to the ground. It took everything in him not to rip out her throat. Lucky for him, Chris was understanding of his actions.

"I'm fine, Chris had me checked over by the pack doctor several times. Other than a few scratches and bruises I'm perfectly fine." She assured him, curiosity getting the better of her. "No offence but why are you here?" She asked bluntly.

Her bluntness caused Mason to chuckle, oh how she loved the sound of his laughter even though this was the first time she had heard it. "I had business with the Alpha and I dropped off your lovely bike."

"You rode my motorcycle?" Danica's eyes widened almost popping out, she hated anyone riding it other than herself.

"Yes he did," Chris interrupted. "If it weren't for him dad would've found out."

"Oh," she said softly. "Err, I guess...Thank you." She said sheepishly.