Chapter 3. Did She Really Do That?

As the training was usually held in the afternoon, other students and sometimes adults of the pack came to assess the progress of the younger members.

Today, there was a crackle of excitement in the air. Hudson Bennett the Alpha of Bloodrose and his son, Brodie, the future alpha had come by to watch.

They wanted to cherry pick the best fighters to be part of their elite warriors. It was the highest honour for any fighter.

"How they looking Theo? Any elite among this class?", Hudson's rich, sonorous voice quizzed the combat teacher.

He took great pride in the fact that he was in the elite for his class and that he son followed in his footsteps.

"A few promising ones my Alpha. Even some of girls are shaping up to be some of the best.", Theo didn't mean that to sound condescending.

The females were encouraged to fight and to be able to defend themselves but very few ever made the elite status warriors.

Hudson smiled at this."That's great to hear. I can't wait to see them in action.", he nudged Brodie, "What about you son?"

Brodie was a contrast to his father. Although he was tall and muscular like him, Hudson had dark hair, not quite black but close. There was a small streak of grey starting to appear around his left ear and his eyes were also a deep brown. They held warmth to those who pleased him and could shatter a person who didn't. Brodie had his mother's unusual silver hair and crystal blue eyes. He didn't often say alot but he took everything in around him.

"Sure dad. It'll be entertaining if not fruitful.", Brodie didn't want to get his hopes up. He had another agenda for being there. He wanted to see if his mate was there. Brodie had yet to feel the pull of his mate. Although still young, at 20 years of age, he craved it.

Theo calling "Hustle up!", brought Brodie's attention back to the present. The students had done their warmup and now it was time to spar.

First up were two burly looking youngsters. They were strong and evenly matched. Although not the quickest or most agile, they fought well and would make the pack proud.

There were a couple more rounds of guys. The winner of the last fight staying on against the next opponent.

Hudson was loving watching the brutality that was unfolding, each fight getting more aggressive than the next.

                

Brodie on the other hand, had let his mind wander over to the females in the group. He was trying to see if the pull was there or if he could smell his mate. So far nothing. He was disappointed. Many of the girls were very pretty, some of them were extraordinary. 'Whoever becomes their mates are lucky sons of bitches' he thought glumly.

A raucous applause shook him from his reverie. Three of the boys had face splitting grins. Hudson had chosen them to train with the elite warriors.

Now it was the girls turn to show their worth. They all clambered to be seen by the Alphas, especially Young Alpha Brodie. Very few actually cared if they got picked out as fighters. Their goal was to be the next luna of Bloodrose Pack.

The only female that hung back was Talia. Her small frame hid her easily amongst the others. She wanted to fight. She needed to get rid of the negative feelings that had built up inside. Only fighting could release them. She had to be smart, she wanted to take on as many opponents as possible.

Talia watched the first couple of fights. Sizing the other girls up and looking for their weaknesses. Quietly she stepped forward, ready to be the next competitor.

There was stifled laughter and sniggering as Talia stepped into the circle. The girl that had won the last fight was at least a head taller than her 5ft 4 frame and nearly double the width! Her arms matched Talia's thighs. However Talia was calm, she didn't look in the least bit worried.

Some of the girls, including Rose, thought she would be instantly crushed so took more of an interest.

Hudson and Brodie knew she was the orphan girl, adopted into their pack, they too were weary of her and never showed any interest in her. It was easier to pretend she wasn't even there.

Brodie felt a twinge of worry as she stood to face the girl nearly twice her size. 'Poor little thing will be nursing her wounds and ego for some time to come' he thought.

The bigger girl wanted this finished quickly. She wanted the honour of being singled out, with that thought in her mind, she charged at Talia.

Talia stood there, feigning indifference, with a slight tilt of her head she sidestepped just as the girl was about to trample her. She stopped suddenly, wondering where the little pixie had gone. Talia was behind her and quickly and silently swept her legs from under her in a smooth motion. The girl landed on her face in the dirt. This enraged her, jumping to her feet, she lunged at Talia.

Talia ducked and dodged several blows aimed at her. She was as graceful as a ballet dancer, as fluid as water. With one well timed hit, Talia thrust the palm of her tiny hand into the girl's face, a sickening crunch sounded as it connected with her nose. Blood spattered as she she fell backwards, defeated.

The people in the crowd that weren't paying much attention didn't understand what had just happened. There was a tiny, pixie like girl standing in the middle of the training circle with not a single scratch on her and a girl on the ground covered in her own blood, writhing around while the bones knitted back together.

Everyone was paying attention now.

Another couple of contenders came and went. Talia dispatched them just as easily as the first, barely breaking a sweat.

Brodie was excited by what he saw. It was almost unearthly, Talia's movements were ethereal as if the moon goddess herself was standing there.

Ayla was next up to fight. A confident smirk appeared on her face, "Times up dog! I hope you enjoyed your little moment of glory, it's the last you'll have." Ayla sneered as she came close.

She quickly swung her arm at Talia's head, but Talia blocked the advance, ducked under and twisted Ayla's arm behind her back. Her foot stamped on the back of Ayla's knee sending her to the ground, arm still pinned behind her, it was the only thing stopping her eating dirt.

Ayla was furious and growled audibly when Talia bent low to her ear and whispered, "Your move". In her rage, Ayla broke free of Talia's grasp and took a fistful of her hair, bending Talia backwards as she towered over her. "Get out of this dog", Alya's smirk had turned into a sinister grin. She wanted to make this girl hurt and bleed.

Talia braced herself and kicked off from the ground, twisting over Ayla as she did, landing as nimbly as a cat on the other side of a red faced Ayla. Her scalp hurt but losing a small chunk of hair was worth seeing her opponents angry, scarlet face.

The crowd was silent, not wanting to distract the fighters.

"You bitch! How dare you!", Ayla screamed at Talia, lashing out with all her might and fury. If she had been more in control, Talia would've been worried. Ayla was strong and fast but her emotions made her sloppy.

Talia managed to escape the path of each blow, except one where it caught her neck, thin gouge marks instantly appeared with drops of blood forming along each one.

Ayla smirked again, "Not so clever now dog, eh?" Talia touched her neck tentatively and felt the thick, warm, wetness of blood. Fury raged inside her. Enough.

Talia looked straight at Ayla and her smug face. With a speed that nearly defied nature, she ran at Ayla. Talia slid through her legs and kicked her to the ground from behind. The move was so quick that neither the crowd or Ayla knew what had happened.

Talia was than on Ayla, turning her onto her back by her shoulder. She sat on her enemy and punched with all her might, letting all her grievences go. She stopped suddenly exhausted by the release of her fury. She stood up to walk away.

No-one spoke, no-one dared. Everyone looked at Talia, panting heavily and Ayla slowly getting up from ground. With her back turned to her grounded opponent, Talia didn't see Ayla stand up, seething and growling uncontrollably. Ayla was already eighteen and had her wolf, which burst forth and leapt at Talia.

Brodie wanted to intervene. This was against their rules, but his father put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. Hudson wanted to see what the little pixie girl would do now.

Talia turned in time to see the brown and white wolf land on top of her, snapping it's jaws, aiming for her face and throat. She squirmed and fought off the wolf but it was stronger than Ayla in her human form.

She was running out of energy. With one final surge she braced her foot on the wolfs underside and grasped its shoulders at the same time and pushed with all that she had.

Talia had flipped Ayla's wolf into the air, she landed on a nearby bench that shattered with the impact.

Sweating profusely now and utterly exhausted, Talia started to unbind her hands and walk towards the shower rooms. The crowd erupted which caused her to stop.

"Talia Christie. It would be my honour if you would join our elite warriors. Will you train side by side with them?", Hudson was almost fearful of this unknown, little girl but knew that such ability was rare and was an asset to have on his side.

Talia looked at the Alpha then bowed her head in respect."I thank you for the great honour my Alpha, but I do not want to be a warrior." Talia bowed her head again and left the stunned alpha and pack members to go and have a well earned shower.