Chapter 5

I lay in the bed and I still can't sleep. Yes, I know that training is in 4 hours and that any amount of sleep at this point would only be beneficial. I might have talked to Mason and made a little bit of ground but my mind is just as restless as it was when I walked into the kitchen just an hour ago.

However, my mind isn't filled with thoughts of being alone. Instead, I just keep thinking about whether I am good enough. For Mason as a mate. For his pack as a Luna. For Harmony as a stepmother if she did turn out to be his.

I tried not to show it but it really tore my heart to shreds to think of her being his. She was cute and did nothing wrong yet, I wanted nothing more than for her not to be Masons. It was completely selfish and I honestly don't know if I could stay if she was.

There was a soft knock on my door and I just looked at it from my bed not moving.

"I know you're awake." Avery's voice rang on the other side of the door.

I hopped out of my bed to open the door and see Avery standing perfectly straight with his arms behind his back.

"I hear we are in partnership to get these slackers into shape."

I smile to myself as I nod. "We are."

"Good. I don't think I have the patience to do this alone."

He could say that again. Avery was a very impatient man but seeing that he worked for V it made perfect sense. He was the most impatient wolf I've ever met. With Cassie being a close second.

"Mason has told me that you spent the day training with them. What am I up against?"

I thought long and hard to remember anything that really stood out and nothing came to mind. "I don't know. They only had me run. I didn't see what they were doing or their skill level. I just assume it's lower than mine."

Avery sighed before he composed himself again. "I know they are completely undisciplined already. It will be interesting to see their skill level."

"Or lack of," I say a little bitterness laced in my voice. Avery noticed and looked to me for an answer. "Oh, you'll see tomorrow."

Avery just nodded. "Tomorrow then. Get some rest."

"Will do," I say closing the door knowing that sleep is the last thing I will get tonight. There's always tomorrow night.

*****

4:30 am I make my way to where the training grounds are to meet Avery.  Standing right in the middle of the field Avery stands looking straight in my direction. I'm not shocked to see that he is alone and that I am the first one to arrive at training.

It's going to suck for them once they realize that in Avery's book if you're 15 minutes early, you're on time. And if you're on time, you're late. I smile getting happiness from the fact that they are going to suffer today.

"Alexandra. Glad to see they haven't rubbed off on you." I scoffed annoyed at the implication that their laziness would affect me in any way.

Both our gazes look up as we hear someone approaching. I'm shocked to see Tristan since it was my understanding that he trained separately from the rest of the group.

He smiled in our direction before he casually made his way towards us. As the distance grew shorter he began to talk.

"I came to see the trainer of the infamous Night Stalker Pack and the first female warrior in action. Hope you don't mind." He finished as he stood in front of us.

He smirked towards me and I looked to Avery. Avery seemed unamused by him and cocked his head to the side.

"If you really want to see my work first hand... you'll workout. Alexandra is, or do you think you'll quit and fail the first day like your brothers." A growl came from Tristan and I silently hoped he wouldn't be stupid enough to try anything with Avery.

"Oh, I'll do your stupid workout and show you how easy it really is."

Can you say denial? He might train himself but nothing like the way that we train. He's going to get his ass kicked today, whether he survives or not.

"Good," was all Avery had to say to that.

I smiled as Tristan still seemed to fume. I noticed that we were extremely close to 5 am and I have yet to sense another wolf. Even Tristan didn't make it in time to dodge the late penalty.

5:05 am we see the warriors make their way towards the field.

"Alexandra," Avery stated and I knew what he was thinking.

I nodded in agreement with him. They needed more than the late punishment. Them coming at the same time was them trying Avery. I think he only wanted my affirmation that it was still unusual for even this pack to show up together.

As they all got closer they formed a half-circle in front of Avery and waited. Avery looked to Tristan to get him to stand on the other side as well.

"A few of you know me..." as Avery trailed off I seen the wolves who had him as a gym teacher. The shock on their face was evident. They had a little idea of what was to come. "Others don't so I will take this opportunity to introduce myself. I'm Avery. The last name isn't important to you. You will call me Avery and Avery alone. No sir, trainer, dude, or any other name you will try to think up."

I sigh since I know that punishment is coming. I might have been on time but I knew Avery would have me do the punishment too.

"Bad news gentlemen. You are late. How did your other trainer rectify this?"

Shrugs happened. A few eye rolls. Finally, a younger wolf raised his hand.

"Yes, Paul." So he was one of Avery's old students.

"He didn't."

Avery stood statuesque as everyone just watched. A wolf stepped up to try and wave his hand in front of his face. Avery quickly snatched his hand and bent it back as far as he could, snapping his wrist.

The wolf let out a guttural scream while the others looked on horrified. With that one move, Avery had established his dominance and showed how serious he really is.

"Today you will learn 3 lessons. This is the first. Do not come into my personal space without me permitting you. Second, you are going to learn that being late is not something you want to be. Third, you'll learn how weak or strong you really are, not what you think you are."

Avery let go of the wolf and looked down at him with a glare before turning his attention back to the warriors. "I hope your pack has a good doctor because you're going to need them. Alexandra."

*****

I was reading over the official challenge by Austin again and realize that I only had 2 months. 2 months to figure out how to beat a more mature stronger wolf or lose my pack.

"Alpha."

I tried to hide my contempt as I answered Tristan back. "What?"

"The doctor is going to need some assistance."

"Why?" I ask before shaking my head. "Nevermind I'll go ask myself."

I push myself up from my desk and make my way out of the house towards the infirmary that we awkwardly share with our neighboring pack that we still haven't come to terms with for another treaty.

I push open the door to see that they are completely overrun with patients. Walking to find the doctor I realize they are all my warriors.

Then I smell it. "Alexandra!" I yell knowing that she is here. The smell of her blood hit me like a truck.

I can't believe I trusted Avery. It's one thing to massacre my men. It's a whole different story to do it to Alexandra.

I scream her name again and she doesn't answer. I try to maneuver through the infirmary to check all the rooms for her. Her blood seems to be everywhere so I can't place where she is at.

"Alexandra!"

*****

I heard Mason scream my name but I was too busy helping the doctor at the moment.

All that time helping Dr. Billings really came in handy. Did Avery beat them up? Absolutely. They deserved it though. I'm sure many won't show up after this but I can guarantee those that do won't be late again.

"Alexandra!"

I feel like if I don't answer him there will be hell to pay later.

"I'm in here!" I yell hoping that's enough for him to find me.

It was and I'm glad that he seemed relieved instead of pissed.

"Are you okay? I smelled-"

I cut him off holding up my hands. "Just a little busted. I'll be fine. Your men on the other hand..." I trailed off my sentence and looked around the room.

"I'm sure they will survive. Where is Avery?" I shrug not having an answer for him. I begin to continue to wrap the wound on Paul as Mason sighed. "If you happen to see him tell him that I would like to speak to him."

"Will do."

"Thanks, Angel." I look up and see he is already gone. He did it again. He called me Angel.

I didn't get much time to think about it before Paul spoke to me. "Is training with Avery always like this?"

"Kinda but you get used to it. He also went a little harder since you guys seemed to want to test his patience by being deliberately late."

Paul looked away a little ashamed. "That's what the old trainer wanted to do."

I could tell that the younger wolves would fit into the new system because they wanted to be challenged. Not hindered by a terrible training regimen.

"It will never be easier. You'll just get mentally tough enough to handle it." Paul nodded and I finished up with him. "All good to go."

A quick wave and Paul was gone. Another wolf was put in his place and I just sighed. Will this ever end?

"You did well Luna." I glare at Blaine before he comes and sits next to me. He inspects the wound I am cleaning before I question him.

"Can I help you?"

He smiles as he leans back and looks at me. "Not really. Mason is talking to Avery and I'm so bored with paperwork."

"So you came to bother me."

"Well yeah. Who else would I bother?" I wanted to be annoyed but I wasn't.

"Well if you're going to be here you need to help out at least." I throw some gauze at him and lean my head towards the wall. "Wash up. Throw on some gloves and get to work."

Blaine just smirked as he shook his head and pushed himself up to a standing position. "Yes, Luna."

*****

When I made it back to my office Avery was already waiting for me. He wanted to inform me what exactly happened at training today.

"We started it the way we start all training. Running. I see why they made Alexandra run her first day. Their cardiovascular capacity is...laughable. 3 miles into a 15-mile run they all slowed down to a jog. I'm scared to know how they are in wolf form."

I knew they lacked discipline. I didn't know they were that out of shape.

"Thankfully some of your younger warriors were taught by me and actually kept up with Alexandra. None of them beat her."

I smiled knowing that she would be better than them in every aspect. It shouldn't take long before she is respected enough to train them.

"Next we made them punch trees and rocks."

I was confused by that. Why would you punch trees and rocks? Avery seemed to notice my unspoken question and answered it for me.

"It's a European tactic. It toughens you mentally and also toughens the hands for hand-to-hand combat. If you're not bleeding, you're not hitting hard enough."

That explains why Alexandra's hands were busted open.

"So how did most of my men end up hospitalized?"

Avery laughed before he continued. "Well, half couldn't hack what I just told you."

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. Age doesn't matter. Whoever quit is getting reassigned.

"The others. Well...you can thank Alexandra for that."

I return my gaze to Avery's smirking face. Why was it Alexandra's fault? Again, Avery answered my unspoken question.

"Back home we have a game called 'King of the Hill'. V banned it in his pack but I use it when I am helping neighboring packs."

What kind of demonic game does the infamous alpha of the night stalker pack ban for his pack and puts wolves in the hospital?

"How do you play?" That is the only thing I can ask, genuinely intrigued by it.

"First you decide if it's going to be in wolf or human form. I obviously wanted them in human form today. Then two wolves fight until the other one wins. The winner becomes the 'King' and one by one they try to dethrone the king. Alexandra of course was 'the king' and the boys had no shot at dethroning her."

I didn't like the idea of Alexandra fighting multiple wolves with her hands as bad as they were. I accept the fact that she trains and fights but I don't think I have come to terms with the fact that she was a warrior. That she goes to battle and fight wolves who intend to kill her.

"However the wolves who were willing to fight her over and over again earned my respect. They have heart and I think I'll actually be able to work with them."

I nodded still thinking about Alexandra. Avery noticed and said something.

"It's better to have a warrior who can defend herself if needed than a female who will be useless if the enemy were to get to her."

He didn't wait for a reply and just left out of my office.