Taming the Alpha

Avery As every other day I spend in the castle, between my assignments, I enter the training hall. New recruits are trained here, but even those who have already completed their training are here from time to time, as I am. The King's Guard, guards, but also hunters and agents are trained here. All of them train here together and learn the basic exercises of fighting before they specialize. When I was little, I also started like some of the others here.  I step inside the large hall. A large area is taken up by the practice mats on the floor. This is where hand-to-hand combat is usually trained. In the back are punching bags and other equipment to practice fighting with weapons. It's early in the morning and they are still gradually gathering everyone here until training begins in ten minutes.  "Hey Avery, good to see you back here!" one of my old acquaintances calls out. Erik is a trainer here, but he started his training at the same time as me. I wave to him and smile. I don't know many of the people around me. My last mission lasted quite a long time, so I haven't been in training for a while. It will do me a lot of good to compete against someone again, though.  "Hey, guys look, the little one seems to have lost her way," says one of the younger looking men. I've never met him before. One of his buddies nudges him on the shoulder and whistles at me. Apparently they hope to win my favor that way. Which man on the planet actually believes that any woman feels attracted to it. I can only shake my head in wonder that apparently everyone is admitted to the training. Maybe I should suggest to Elias, the future king and, by the way, my cousin, that from now on they should also do an IQ test. Then such brainless men like him, would definitely not be admitted.  "Hey sweetie, what are you looking for here? A good looking man maybe?" his buddy asks teasingly. I raise my eyebrows and glare at the two of them. I'm not surprised that dumb and dumber are friends. No normal vampire would put up with that much stupidity, unless he lives on the same level. The two come sauntering closer, apparently having seen my look as some sort of invitation. I sigh.  "I'd rather not do that," Erik warns, but doesn't intervene. The others in the room also glance at us, watching the situation with tense expressions. All conversation has stopped. However, dumb and dumber don't seem to have noticed. One of them stares more at my breasts than at my face, while the other smiles at me arrogantly.  "I'm not looking for anything at all," I explain in a sugar sweet voice, "I'm here to train and I think I just found two new victims." They both stare at me in confusion before one manages to smile at me again. The other seems a little put off by my statement. "You want to fight both of us?" the first one asks with his cocky smile. He even adds a condescending snort behind it. I'm used to being underestimated, I'm the only woman in this training facility after all. Not many vampire women want to become fighters, but I have wonderful qualifications for it, which I am about to demonstrate to the two idiots in front of me.  I walk with measured steps towards them and grab their shoulders. The gesture may seem harmless, but only for those who do not know what gift I possess. Even the two have not yet grasped it. I concentrate on my hands and the touch of my skin on theirs and feel how my gift comes to life. A slight warmth spreads in my hands and immediately the two fall to the ground screaming. They writhe at my feet, gasping for breath over and over as they moan and whimper in pain. I come from the royal line of vampires and therefore possess a very special gift. I can inflict unbearable pain on all living beings with just one touch. Likewise, I can also take away any form of pain from any being with just one touch. In the past I had to keep contact with people, but with a lot of training I have managed to extend this. However, it still takes a brief touch to control my magic.  "I warned you," Erik says dryly, glancing at the two idiots on the floor. A few of the new recruits whisper quietly, while others prefer to take a step back from me for safety's sake. I'm used to it and it doesn't bother me. I like to have my peace, especially from people who think they are better than me. I am one of the best fighters and agents the king has and I am very proud of that. No one can really hold a candle to me, even if there are always those who doubt it and challenge my patience.