Alpha vs Luna

“Are you really going to train again? After what happened last time?” Ash asked as I arrived at where the group lingered outside the gym.
Ash grinned to show he was joking. They must have been taking a break. Today I was ready to train. I was dressed in thick black leggings I had my hair pulled up in a ponytail. I wore a grey long sleeve shirt because I didn’t want any scratches on my skin. I wore up lace boots. Dean hadn’t seen me on my way out. I actually hadn’t seen him all morning.
“I’m a much better warrior with my memories back,” I said.
“I would love to see that,” Ginger said.
“Want to spar? I need a partner. No one else wants to spar with me.”
“Oh no, I’m good.” Ginger raised her hands.
“See what I mean?” I sighed.
Sam laughed, “Just sounds like Ginger’s scared.”
“I am not scared Sam! No one wants to send the King’s mate to the sick tent again. Have you met the guy?”
The guys laughed. Getting anyone to train with me was going to be a mission if I was branded as the King’s mate and luna for that matter.
“She’s got a point there.” Sam tossed his staff on a pile of others.
“So what? Is no one going to spar with me?” I said in frustration.
“I would love to train with you, but I train with the lesser warriors,” Sam said sweetly.
“Lesser?”
He nodded, his smile never wavered. I glanced at Ginger. She didn’t seem bothered. Nothing against Ash but Sam was her true mate how did she fight the bond between them? How did Sam manage to see them together all the time?
“Yeah, I train with the gammas. I should be going anyway.”
“Later Sam,” Ash said. Ginger didn’t flinch.
I watched Sam march off and jump down a small hill to where a group of gammas passed weapons around.
“Come on, Little Wolf let’s go train.” Ash laughed.
“Not you too?” I grumbled.
“It’s catchy don’t you think?” Ash asked. Ginger rolled her eyes and scowled
Our relationship was still frosty.
The new group of beta wolves had under a hundred wolves. I heard the wolves were being sent out quickly before they could fully graduate. They needed all hands on deck with the Dare pack. Dec, Ash’s brother was the instructor today.
He was a massive man of few words, but I’d seen him in action he wasn’t one to mess with. I assumed Lyle was out on patrol with Bane and Dean’s other betas.
Dec stared at me and chuckled. I might have gotten my head bashed last time but I was more prepared this time.
“We’ve learned our greatest enemies don’t like to shift. Their nature doesn’t allow them plenty of self-control but that doesn’t mean they’re weak. You’ll need to be strong in your wolf state and stronger in your human form. Tomorrow night there will be a drill under the full moon. For one, we focus on hand-to-hand combat. Don’t stop until your opponent is on the floor under your boot.”
I swallowed and looked around for a partner. Ginger picked a girl with thin jet black hair. Ash was chosen by a girl with muscles bigger than his and Rapunzel-like hair. Off, I didn’t want her. Not yet anyway.
Dec chuckled and appeared by my side. “No one wants to punch the luna, huh?”
I crossed my arms and stared at him.
“Fine, I’ll—”
“Need a partner Little Wolf?” Dean’s hand rested on my back. I quickly created a gap between us.
I didn’t want to be seen as his little mate. I wanted to be treated like everyone else like the way it was in my old pack. Of course everyone wanted to beat me because my mother was the fiercest warrior in the pack. I got beaten a couple of times and the guys drank all night to celebrate. I might be exaggerating.
He raised his brow at me and I nodded at the shifters watching us. He rolled his eyes and closed the gap between us. If I fought him, I would be drawing more attention to us.
“I don’t need a partner. Dec’s going to spar with me.”
“I didn’t say that,” Dec’s brows dipped.
I sucked in my bottom lip and glared at him.
He barked out a laugh. “Relax Little Wolf. I think a matchup between the alpha and luna is a great idea.”
“Doesn’t that sound awesome guys?” Dec yelled.
My eyes went wide as the crowd cheered and raised their fists. I slipped away from Dean and shook my head. Was he insane?
“What’s wrong Little Wolf? Can’t take me? You think you belong in the castle taking care of menus instead?” Dean crossed his arms over his chest.
The crowd responded in jeers and snickers.
“What?”
Dean nodded, “You heard me? If you can’t take on the task, then I don’t want you here.”
It was a tough ask for anyone to battle the alpha.
“Fine.” I said through gritted teeth.
Dec stepped between us and clapped his hands. He flashed me his pearly whites. “Remember the rules don’t stop until your opponent is under your boot.”
“I can’t believe Dean’s going to kill his luna.” I snapped in the direction of the person who said that but didn’t find the culprit.
The crowd stood back and watched eagerly. I could take Dean. I’d beaten my father in combat a few times and he wasn’t he biggest wolf I knew. A memory flashed in my mind of him ordering me away. I shook it away now wasn’t the time.
Dean pulled off his shirt, never taking his eyes off me. He revealed half an arm of tattoos and an entire sleeve of drawings.
“Not too late to back down Layla.”
“Never.”
“Fight!”
I charged. Every shifter had weak spots. In this case Dean’s would be his head but before I could attack Dean snatched my arms. The crowd cheered.
“First mistake you never attack first.”
He hurled me three feet away. I slammed my head into the ground and winced. That was too easy. Dean was over me in seconds. He stared at me with pity. That sparked a fire near a gas tank. Dean wasn’t going to attack me so I had to go off his defences.
“You’re got a point to prove Layla?” He swatted my fists away as if they were flies.
“No.”
“Then why are you so upset?”
“Because you’re not taking me seriously.” I blasted.
I aimed for his side and landed my first blow. All I got from him was a wince. Tiny victory?
“How can I take you seriously when you think this is a game?”
“You’re wrong.”
He grabbed my wrist before my hand could collide with his head. He wrapped it around my back and pulled me to his solid chest. He ran his nose my neck.
“Little Wolf, you can stop now. The game’s over I don’t want you here—”
I jammed my boot into his inner thigh. Dean cursed and loosened his hold on me. I stepped back and aerial kicked his shoulder, forcing him inches back. The crowd grew still. Didn’t like that the underdog had an upper hand. All I needed to do was use my weight against him while he was down.
I charged, hoping to pin him to the ground. Dean grabbed my shoulders and whirled me to the ground. I gasped as rocks stuck into my back. Dean’s hand circled my throat, cutting off my air supply.
“Dec, I won’t step on her.”
“I don’t think the Little Wolf is finished.”
I wasn’t. I raised my knee but Dean palmed my knee before it could make contact. I shut my eyes and cursed internally.
“Now that I won’t forgive.” He whispered. “She’s finished now.”
Dec clapped his hands, “The Alpha takes this one. Knowing the Little Wolf, she’s be back for round two.”
Dean glared at me. He still had his hand wrapped around my neck and his knee on my thigh.
“Get… off.”
His glare lasted a second longer until he finally released me. He marched off. That was enough training for one day. I walked away my dad wouldn’t be proud of that match. Mom would have me doing drills for weeks.
“Layla?” Ash called. “See you tomorrow?”
I smiled and nodded. At least there was no blood. I was covered in dirt though. I walked to the communal shower and pulled my shirt over my head. When I looked up Dean glared at me.
“What?”
“What? What was that? You acted like a child out there.”
I scowled, “You didn’t take me seriously and I’m the child?”
“How can I take you seriously when you fight with venom instead of your head? Is that you were taught to fight?”
Tears stung my eyes, “No.”
“I demand the best from my warriors if you’re going to be one of them you have to maintain my standard.”
“I bet you expect the same from your mate too I should be the best in bed as well. Who knows how long before you kick me out.” My voice cracked.
Dean’s face twisted in disgust. “What the fuck Layla?” He slammed his fist into the wall and it formed a crack.
“You’re not coming back here, understood?”
I looked at the open shower stall instead of his fiery eyes. I wanted to scream or break something. Dean appeared behind me I thought he was going to slam his fist into the wall again.
“I love you Layla, but you have to listen to me.”
“Are you going to lock me in the tower next?”
“You’re impossible.” My ears rang as he stormed out.
***
“Hey, there you are!” Ginger’s voice echoed in the bathroom.
I wasn’t sure how long I’d been sitting on the bench outside the stall.
“What’s up?”
Ash and Sam appeared behind her.
“The boys want to know if you’ll go out with us. But it’s clear you’re wallowing in your defeat.”
“Stop Ginger. Come with us. Get your mind off things. If you promise to behave I’ll get you sunset blossom.”
The offer was enticing. A night out with my friends wouldn’t hurt right?
“Shouldn’t you ask Dean first?” Sam asked.
I frowned. Now I needed permission to go out? He banned me from fighting now he wanted to control my social life?
“No.”