Chapter 18 - Training the Trainer

Kaleigh woke up feeling a little achy but very happy. She felt more connected to Dominick than ever. She was anxious for them to mark each other so they could be fully committed to one another. When she opened her eyes, Dominick was already awake, staring at her with a smile on his handsome face.

“Good morning, sweetheart. You look very content.” Kaleigh stretched happily.

“Good morning, handsome. I am content. What time is it? I don’t want to miss training this morning.” She looked toward the window and could tell it was still early.

“You have about thirty minutes to get ready. We start training at seven. Do you want to eat something before or after training?” Dominick gave her a quick kiss before she could answer.

“Let’s eat after. I don’t like to train on a full stomach. After training, I need to meet with the Luna so that we can work on plans for Amber. I hope that we can figure something out with her.” Kaleigh got out of bed to get dressed. She put on her short black training shorts, black sports bra and green tank top. Dominick was still lying in bed watching her.

“Are you planning on going to training or just laying in bed all morning?” Kaleigh asked while she was putting her hair into a long braid.

“I just enjoy watching you. I'm going to training; no way am I letting you go alone with you wearing that. I will allow you to train with Tom because I want you to show him I didn't exaggerate your fighting abilities, but no other male will partner with you.” Kaleigh walked over to the bed and wrapped her arms around his neck as he got up.

“You know you have absolutely nothing to worry about, right?” She kissed him, and he responded eagerly.

“It’s not you that I don’t trust; it is any male around you. Until I have marked you, I don’t trust anyone.” She smiled up into his eyes, rubbing her hand on his cheek.

“Well, you better get dressed then because if you show up to training with nothing on, I may let Skylar out so she can rip the eyes out of every female. You're not the only one that is a little territorial.” Dominick laughed as he walked over to the dresser to get some clothes. He threw on a pair of athletic shorts and a fitted t-shirt. They both put on their shoes and left the room holding hands.

“Is everyone in your pack required to train or only those who want to?” Kaleigh was excited to train with a new pack.

“We require everyone to train; however, there are always exceptions. We want to make sure each wolf knows how to protect themselves in both human and wolf form.” Kaleigh was pleased with that.

They headed outside to go to the training facility next door to the packhouse. Kaleigh was impressed with the size of the facility. It was at least twice the size of the one in her pack. Many people were already there when they walked inside, some Kaleigh recognized from the dinner, but she didn't remember their names. She did recognize Mollie, who came running up to her and Dominick excitedly.

“Hi, Kaleigh. Everyone has been waiting for you. We expect an even bigger turnout than usual. Word has spread that you will train with Tom, so everyone wants to see how your style differs from ours. We usually do the first part of training in human form and the second part in wolf form. Come with me.” Mollie grabbed Kaleigh’s hand, leading her to the front of the building before she could even respond. Dominick followed close behind, unwilling to let Kaleigh be far from him.

“I can’t believe this many have come. It’s not like I'm going to do magic tricks or something. My style is just a little more acrobatic than the typical wolf. I'm anxious to see how this pack’s training is as well. Mollie, why is everyone staring at us?” Kaleigh had noticed that everyone had stopped warming up and had their eyes on the trio heading to the front.

“I'm sure you have noticed you look a little different from those in this pack. Everyone saw you at the dinner yesterday, but they are still taken by how tall and pretty you are. Even Allie looks more like us than you. Not that anyone has a problem with it, it’s just like you’re a foreigner or something. Don’t let it intimidate you or make you think they like you less. Actually, it's making people more curious about you and your background. Don’t be surprised if people slowly start coming up to you to get to know you. Everyone wants to be friends with the next Luna. Some are a little nervous because you are not from this pack, but most are just curious.” Mollie smiled at Kaleigh in encouragement. She appreciated Mollie’s honesty about the pack’s thoughts. Kaleigh looked up at Dominick, who had a frown on his face. She could tell he was mindlinking with someone based on the faraway look in his eyes.

“Is everything okay, Dom?” She asked him quietly. She would be glad once he marked her so they could mindlink each other. He leaned down to kiss her forehead.

“Everything is fine. I just sent out a pack mindlink telling everyone not to make you uncomfortable and give you time to adjust before bombarding you with too much right away. Many of them have good intentions, but I just want them to give you time to breathe.” Dominick wrapped his arm around Kaleigh’s shoulder, sending glares around to those near them. Kaleigh had to hold in her chuckle. She did appreciate Dominick’s protective nature, but she also didn't want to appear unapproachable by her new pack.

“Dom, it's okay. I know I'm new and different from them. I can take care of myself, and if all else fells, I can put a spell on them putting them all asleep so I can sneak away.” Kaleigh whispered all of this into Dominick's ear so no one would hear. He leaned down, kissing her lips as they got to the front where Tom was waiting. Kaleigh could feel herself turning red as all eyes were on them. When he pulled away from her, Dom leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“Just reminding everyone who you belong to. Now go out there and kick Tom’s ass.” Kaleigh laughed as she walked up to Tom.

“Hey Tom, good to see you again. I hear that we have drawn a crowd here this morning.” She smiled at Tom, and he smiled back, his hazel eyes twinkling.

“Good morning Kaleigh. I think it's more you than me that has drawn the crowd. Are you ready to give them a show?” Kaleigh nodded with a smile.

“I'm ready when you are.” Tom nodded before turning to face everyone else. Kaleigh was shocked when she looked at the crowd; there was barely any room for people to train. She would be utterly humiliated if she fell on her face after all this hype, but she believed in her fighting skills and her ability to read her opponent.

“Good morning, everyone. I know you are not here for the regular training but rather to see our future Luna kick my butt. So Kaleigh and I will go first before the official training begins. Give us just a few minutes to settle, and please everyone spread out to leave us some room in the middle so everyone can watch.” Tom then turned back to Kaleigh.

“I'm sorry they are making such a spectacle about this, Kaleigh, but everyone heard last night that you were going to train with me, so they are hoping you take me down. I am the head trainer and warrior, so they take turns trying to beat me with no success. Of course, the exception is Dominick. If you win, they will never let me live it down.” Kaleigh smiled at him and turned to Dominick.

“So you can take Tom down, but no one else can? Did you take it easy on me then when we trained together?” It seemed like they both gave it their all, but now she wasn’t sure.

“Kaleigh, I had planned on taking it easy on you because I didn’t want to hurt you, but you quickly showed me how good you were. I was training with you just like I would train with anyone else, and you still beat me, or in my head, we tied a few times. I don’t want to lose all my male pride after all.” Kaleigh looked into his eyes, and she could see he was telling the truth.

“Thanks, Dom, now let me take down Tom and get some respect from the pack.” Dominick gave her a quick kiss and led her to the middle of the room.

Kaleigh and Tom circled each other in their fighting stances. While Tom was looking, smug Kaleigh had a look of calmness on her face.
Her fighting stance wasn’t typical of those of the White Raven. As she circled around with Tom, it was almost graceful, like a dance. Everyone watched to see who would make the first move.

Kaleigh saw Tom’s right leg give a little twitch, so she knew he was getting ready to lunge at her. She took two small steps back, and just as he moved forward, she did a perfect backflip while using both of her feet to connect with his chest knocking him to the ground. Kaleigh landed right back on her feet in her stance like nothing had happened. Meanwhile, Tom sat on the floor, wondering what had just happened. The pack members were going crazy, laughing and hollering.

“Okay, Kaleigh, you may have got the upper hand on me that time, but I won’t let it happen again.” Tom got up with his face still red and began circling again. Tom would be more careful next time. Kaleigh almost knocked the wind out of him. He would let her make the first move this time.

Kaleigh watched Tom’s face, and she could tell he would try to wait her out. He really needed to work on his poker face. So Kaleigh decided to oblige and make the first move. She got in a lunging position and saw Tom react like she knew he would. As she faked a lunge straight at him, he went to grab her arm, but she gracefully spun around, so she was behind him. Before he could turn around, Kaleigh grabbed him around the neck and swept his legs from underneath him, so he was lying on his back on the floor. Tom was getting angry now, not at her but at himself. He couldn't understand how she kept eluding him, and she was so fast he didn’t even see her move.

“Come on, Tom, are you ready to admit defeat, or will you let her keep taking you down?” Dom was laughing so hard he could barely get the words out. He had never seen Tom look so embarrassed.

“I'm not admitting nothing. I just had to learn Kaleigh’s moves. One more time, Kaleigh?” Tom looked at Kaleigh, and she smiled. Something about the way she smiled made him nervous.

“Sure, but I have been taking it easy on you. This time I won’t be so nice.” She didnn't talk loud, but everyone that heard her started laughing. Tom’s face got even redder; he would not let her get the best of him this time.

“I have some secret moves myself, so be careful what you wish for.” She smiled at him again.

“Bring it on.”

Kaleigh took her stance and started circling Tom again. She could tell Tom was still trying to catch his breath, so she gave him a little reprieve while she prepared. She started picking up her pace, circling him a little faster. At first, she could tell he was just following her moves without realizing they were getting faster. When she was at the right speed, she quickly backed up to the edge of the circle the others had formed and started running right toward him. He looked surprised but got ready to lunge. As he came toward her, Kaleigh did a handspring landing with her feet on his shoulders, kicking him to the ground face-first while she did a perfect flip in the air to land back on her feet. When she looked at Tom, he was still lying on the ground. She knew she hadn’t hurt him too severely, mostly just his pride.

“Are we done now, Tom, or do you want more?” Kaleigh still looked flawless. Everyone in the room started laughing again.

“Alright, Kaleigh, I know when to concede. I just have one question, how on Earth did you learn to do that? You were so fast sometimes I couldn't even see you.” Kaleigh felt a little put on the spot suddenly, but she decided to be honest to a point.

“I have been training since I was very young. My mom was quite the acrobat, and she taught me that even if someone is bigger or stronger, you can still get the upper hand. She was not a werewolf, but she still had her own way of fighting. It's all about reading your opponent and learning their weaknesses. I saw that you were constantly coming at me with brute force, so that was how I was able to make a couple of quick moves to take you down. It helps to wear out the competition making them burn all their energy while you are just making quick moves to take them by surprise. I would be happy to help anyone interested in learning some of those methods.” Everyone was looking at her dumbfounded. It looked like what she did was very complicated yet seamless. They also couldn’t believe that she was willing to teach them this unique way of fighting.

“Does everyone in your pack fight like that?” Someone from the group asked.

“No, I have taught some this way. However, their primary form of fighting is similar to yours. Fighting like this has also strengthened my wolf to where she can make some of those moves when we are in wolf form.”

Dominick was standing back with a smile, happy to see his mate shine. She was unbelievable, and from the whispers he had heard from some of the pack members, they were very impressed with her. Not to mention that when Kaleigh was making her moves, she was sexy, which had caused him a little discomfort. He was ready to snatch her up and take her back to their room, but he decided not to. He wanted her to have this opportunity to connect with some of the pack. Dominick had seen his parents were there in the back with his sister watching Kaleigh and Tom’s match. He could tell that they were very proud of the pack’s future, Luna.