Chapter 26: Brewing

Chapter 26: Brewing
Silas
“This is no longer a ranked tryout. Last night we found our pack Gamma. It will, however, determine who our lead warriors are.” A mummer is rising at Sydney’s words. “As many of you know, we are already facing an outside threat from a group of rogues. We don’t know when they will strike, but we know they will.” Sydney glares down at the pack members assembled. “Are you ready to defend your home!” She yells and pushes out her Alpha aura, and it would be extremely sexy if I weren’t so pissed.
“Yes, Alpha!” They yell back.
Sydney looks at me out of the corner of her eye and gives me a nod. I step forward, “White Ridge, starting today, we will be evaluating your skill level and your combat readiness.” As I look out, I’m sizing them all up. Who will I make an example of? Who can I let off some steam on? “It doesn’t matter if you are the strongest or the fastest. If you can’t handle yourself in a fight, your strength and speed don’t matter.” A few are glaring back; they will be the first ones I put in their place. “Those of you who are not ready will have extra training sessions. Pair up; the Alpha and I will make our rounds.”
They all pair up, and Sydney and I start our rounds. We are barely speaking after our exchange in her office. I still can’t believe Joseph has the pack financials. It’s going to take us months to clean up the mess Tarlo left behind. Somehow in that mess, Sydney and I are supposed to be mates. I’m glad we marked each other, and it was amazing, but now what?
My mark does look good on her. I wish she would wear more around all these walking hard-ons. I see them take glances when they think I’m not looking. Sydney was right. They fear her; that’s why they never approached her, but they still look with their greedy little eyes.
“Those two again,” Bram growled in my head. I was lost in my thoughts, but he was keeping a close watch as always. I look over, and those two dip shits were getting pointers from Sydney, but this time they were having her demonstrate the moves and getting too close for my comfort. Yeah, I can’t let this slide. I make my way over, avoiding their sightlines.
“Alpha, how do you get out of a chokehold from behind?” I think his name was Brian. He tried to hide his smirk, but I saw it.
“Gezzz Brian, when are you going to get this. I’ve gone over this with you a hundred times. Fine, I’ll show you again. Come around behind me, and I’ll show you.” Sydney rolled her eyes and took her position.
Brian went behind her and started to put his arm around her neck when I was right there. I stood in front of Syd and glared over her shoulder at the man with an apparent death wish.
Brian took a step back from Syd. “Hello Lumiere, Ummm a… the Alpha was just going to show me how to break out of a chokehold.”
My fists are balled at my side, and I plaster a big fake smile. “Great, why don’t I help with that. She can coach you through the motions.”
“That’s an excellent idea.” Sydney gives me a nod and comes to stand next to me. “Ok, Si, stand where I was, Brian pay attention this time.” She sighs.
“How about I put Brian in the chokehold, and you coach him?” I try to sound as helpful as possible.
“You know what? That is a much better idea.” Sydney nods and stands tall. “Brian, take your position.”
“Alpha, you know, I think I actually remember from last time. I don’t need a demonstration.” Brian swallows hard.
“His wolf is submitting.” Bram huffs. “I still think he needs a lesson.”
“I agree.”
“Come on, Brian, I wouldn’t want a rogue to get the jump on you. Let’s see what you got.” I quickly maneuver behind him, placing him in a hold. He flays like a toddler throwing a fit.
“Brian, for crying out loud, how many times do I have to tell you, chin down.” Sydney is critiquing a few steps away.
“Try touching my mate again, and I’ll snap your neck.” I mind-link Brian while I’m pressing harder.
“Stop scratching at his arm and take both hands and rake his arm down and tuck your chin.” Sydney is still giving direction, but Brian is not listening to her at all.
“I saw her first. She was supposed to be my mate.” Brian is trying to pull my arm away. The funny thing is if he would listen to Sydney, he could breathe a little bit right now.
“You can’t even break this hold, and you think you can handle an Alpha female? Please, you would be crying in the corner.” I tighten my grip, he gasps for breath, and his movements become even more frantic.
“Damn it, Brian. Reach around and grab the back of his leg, and pinch. It will force his grip to loosen.” Sydney is becoming more annoyed by the second. “Brian, focus.”
“Like you can? I bet she made you her little bitch. With all those claw marks, she must have kicked your ass. I would have bent her over and fucked her into submission.” Wrong words to say to someone who has you in a chokehold. I tighten my grip. I guess I should have worn a shirt. I couldn’t see my back; I thought they would have healed entirely already.
“What you fail to realize is those marks are from me, pleasing my mate. If you ever talk about your Alpha in that way again, I will end you.” I squeeze tighter. My nostrils are flaring. Brian is tapping my arm to let go, but Bram and I want to end him here.
“Silas.” I faintly hear my name, and then I get a slap in the face. “Silas! Let him go.” Sydney is standing next to me. I release the little worm. And he crumples into a hep on the ground.
“What the hell!” Sydney is glaring at me.
“We can talk about it later.” I look around, and everyone has stopped and is staring at us.
“No now.” Sydney crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow. Shit.
I bond-link her. “Later.” Bram and I are so worked up that if we don’t walk away now, something will happen.
“We are not done with training yet,” Syd screams through the bond-link. I can feel her anger and confusion, and it’s only feeding my own.
“I need to run.” That’s all I say before cutting the link and sprinting off.
I get to the tree line at the back of the packhouse and toss my shorts over a branch before shifting. As soon as Bram is out, he takes off along the trails that branch off. We don’t know these woods at all, but today was as good a day as any to learn them.
I veer off the well-worn trail and find a game trail. It’s narrow as it’s made by deer, but I wined my way through the thick brush and over fallen trees. My pace is slowed, but the rugged terrain keeps me focused. I’m heading up the gently sloping mountain. I get to a rocky clearing. I look out over the evergreen valley below. My thoughts start to rush in again.
How did this day get so messed up? It should have been a fantastic day. We marked each other last night; we should have spent the day in a blissful embrace. Instead, we have fought twice, and I choked a guy out. How are we going to figure this out? The sun has moved over the mountain, and the sky is getting dark.
I stand up and shake my fur out. “Bram, you ready to find our way back?”
“No problem, we just have to focus on our mate, and we can always find our way home.”