46

The next morning Mika woke and decided it was time to start getting able members ready in case of an attack. They did well attacking the voices, but what about long term attacks? What about an attack from the west coast, or some other super natural?
Devion met him out in the court yard, "So you want to start training every one?"
"**Everyone** who can and is not assigned elsewhere."
Devion brought everyone from age 10 to 50. There was a more male to female ratio, but it did not deter those who came. Ari found the equality interesting as Mikas forest expression of an ideal female was submissive yet here are females being trained. She took advantage of the liberty and joined in. Devion began the lessons instructing everyone to pair up. Mika and Ari partnered. Devion instructed everyone to do straight punches, front kicks and round houses. He then began to speed up and have each pair spar. Mika was fast, but Ari was surprised she could see his moves and she blocked. She was not at all a martial arts person, but she knew how to street fight growing up alone. He threw several punches and she blocked, " Stop going easy." she said throwing back his fist. He grinned before upping his strength behind the throws and sped in which he threw them. Finally, one made contact to her right rib cage. He withdrew, maintaining his stances. She breathed sharply for a second and noted the pain was brief. *I like this healing factor.* she grinned and lunged at Mika. Swinging fast and hard he blocked every one of her throws. She went to do a roundhouse kick and he caught her ankle stopping her momentum and spinning her to the ground. The training continued for several more hours. This was perhaps the best time she had in so long. She felt *alive*. By the end of it she was panting but grinning from one ear to the next. "Someone likes training." Mika said between breaths.
"Apparently so." she wiped the sweat from her brow. Mika placed his hand on the back of her head, bringing her face forward to him before planting a kiss. Electricity rushed over her. "I can think of other places we can practice at." she grinned. He growled smirking, "Oh really now?" mischief dancing in his eyes. She wanted to throw down rough with him, she wanted to feel his body pressed hard against her again. She let her hand slip to his groin. She could feel how hard he had gotten. She licked her lips thinking of how he felt inside her. "You want too also. Don't you?" she whispered tugging lightly at his member
"Oh, I could defiantly enjoy pinning you down little fox." his voice husky.
Before they could slip off for some after workout distressing Theo and Bradley came up, Theo clearing his throat before getting too close. "Um boss, a word?"
Ari giggled lightly, "Go be alpha I'm gonna go find some where to bath and see you soon." She kissed his cheek before leaving him.
"Theo. Bradley" Mika said watching Ari sway her hips as she walked away. "The five from last night would like a word with you if you will allow them."
Mika watched longingly after Ari before turning his attention back to the men. "Fine." he growled.

A short time later Mika was facing Zeek, and four other males.
"Alpha Mika, this is Cliff, Brandon, Nickalous, and Andrew." He gestured to the four men standing behind him. The one named Cliff looked relatively the same size as Zeek. He had brown hair and stubble on his chin. On his neck Mika could see a brand of some kind in a V shape with two lines crossing at an angle on the right leg of the V. Cliff noticed Mia's gaze and shifted slightly in his stand, trying to shift the visibility away. Mika chose not to pursue questions till he looked over the other three.
The one they called Brandon was a tall man, tanned skin. He too looked to be under weight. He had little hair a top his head but his teal colored eyes were the most telling of his feathers. Mika had yet to hear this man speak as he had remain quiet and watched carefully those around him.
The man wore no shirt, he looked well under fed. Mika would’ve said he was no more than 18, yet his eyes made him so much older. *Interesting* Mika thought.
The next man was a few inches shorter than Brandon, his name was Nickalous. He had shaggy blond hair, green eyes and stubble along his jaw line. He too bore no shirt, and Mika could see just above his right pectoral muscle the V shaped branding. Mika glanced back at Cliff but said nothing.
Lastly was the one they called Andrew. He was shorter than the others, and perhaps more filled in for his size. He had dark brown hair shaggy like Nickalous's but much darker. His eyes were a solid brown coloring that nearly made them look black. Mika had to look again at him before doing something he may have later regretted. This one had an open vest like tunic on but Mika could see there was something on his skin too just above the right hip.
He clinched his jaw, "Alright explain the branding."
Zeek looked at the group and then faced Mika. "We have been marked as property of King Henry. This marked meant we would always be soldiers and would never lived with in the pack house or court."
Mika examined Brandon's then Cliff and they were the same. "When did you receive this determination?"
"When we were 8 years old." Zeek said.
"10 for me alpha." Cliff corrected.
Mika's gaze shot back to cliff. "Why so late then?" Cliff looked at Mika now in the face, “Because my father was of court. They were going to allow me to grow up in the house. However, my father spoke out against the king. He was killed for his choice. My mother was given a new husband and I was banished to the border. I was 10 then alpha."
"I see.' Mika sniffed each one. Their scents not giving away the telltale signs of deceit. “I will tell you five this. I have no use for brands. I have no use for traitors. What I am building is a home for our kind. You can either help us to wipe out a creature that is trying to enslave our kind. Or you can go out there. The best of luck to you." he pointed to the woods far beyond the old city. The men looked at one another. It was Zeek who stepped up.
"I have watched you with your pack. You are different. I would like to learn your ways, and perhaps one day be worthy to join."
"I as well wish to stay here. Even if we must stay on the out skirts. It is still far better than where we have come from, and certainly better than anything out there." Brandon spoke up.
"I am willing to work for my stay. Learn and obey the rules you set forth alpha.' Cliff replied. All the men then nodded in unison.
"Alright. you will begin helping around the camp. I expect each of you at training. And for God sakes Bradley get them some food. They will need to bulk up if they are going to take down a fucking rabbit." Mika said as he began to head back toward the pack house.
A lone figure of a woman in white stood watching him.
"Cordilla." he greeted as he neared her. "You are making a wise choice alpha." she smiled.
"You think so?" he looked back toward the men beginning to gather supplies and help Theo and Bradely with various tasks.
"Yes. These men have known hardship from young ages, show them kindness and they will repay you with loyalty." Mika nodded. "They are branded."
She looked at him with sympathy in her eyes. “That is a shame."
"Do you think it will still hold a bearing on them for King Henery?"
She shook her head, "No I think if anything that it will be a reminder of what they no longer are. Show them what it means to be a real wolf. They have never had the chance. Look at their states."
"It is concerning. They are half starved. I was not kidding when I said they could not catch a rabbit as they are."
"Care for them. Build them up and they will be fine warriors for the pack." she repeated. One of the young females came up to Cordilla asking her to see to something. She politely excused herself and Mika took the opportunity to check in on his downtime with Ari.
He slipped inside before anyone else came looking for him. racing down the hall ways to his quaters. Every step growing his excitement to see Ari in private again. He opened the door to find her waiting for him in nothing but their sheets and a smile.