Chapter 198
Wednesday April 11th
(Patrick’s POV)
It’s been a week since Cole amazed me with his skills in sparring with Demetri. He truly is amazing. I was happy and relieved when I saw him the next morning. He was late but considering the night he had anytime he spends observing is welcomed by me. He only spends a few hours before lunch watching.
I left him be, pretended that I didn’t see him the first few days. Monday was the first time I approached him while the prospects were practicing the moves I had just shown them. He didn’t talk much and seemed uncomfortable with me being close to him but I kept everything neutral as I talked with him.
My meeting with Demetri Friday allowed me to go over what I saw and how he compared to the others. As I expected, he was quite pleased with the results.
He spoke with me about testing Cole’s defensive techniques once his custom pads come in. They were supposed to arrive last Thursday but shipping got delayed before the equipment was declared lost and now we’re waiting to receive the second set due in tomorrow.
I’ve had to back track my group. Even though they are the most advanced in technique compared to the other two groups, I’ve had to bring them back to basics. They’ve all become lazy and sloppy with their effort and several of them have been hurt in the process.
This week has been a challenge as they have all become bored and surly. Most of them have straight up stopped listening and I’m beyond ready for the worst offenders, the ones who blatantly disrespect my every order, to pack up and leave.
Unfortunately we have a rule that only an unforgivable act will send these prospects packing. I’m already frustrated with the large group of thirty as I spot Cole walking up to his usual spot, his comfort zone far enough away that he doesn’t interact with the group but close enough that he has an unobstructed view of me. I found out Monday that he has no interest in learning from the prospects. His interest was in me and my techniques.
I smile as I check my watch. 10am. Demetri was right. Once he creates a schedule he sticks to it.
“All right lady and gentlemen.” I project my voice into the crowd gaining their attention from warm up exercises.
“I want all of you to grab your pads and partner up. This exercise is above the waist. I want to see hits with your hands only, no feet. We are practicing body movements. If your partner swings you need to duck. Meter your strength. Your goal is to work with your partner in such a way that you both learn fluidity. It is not about knocking the other one out. Any unnecessary roughness will be rewarded with five laps around the playground track. You’ve got thirty minutes to work up a sweat. Start now.”
Unsurprisingly, they barely move. Jamie and my only female in this group, Micayla, are the first ones to separate from the group and make a space for themselves farther away.
I’ve noticed that they flirt quite strongly with each other, reminding me of my time with Mandy. At times I regret not seeking out my second chance mate but for the most part I haven’t had much time to think about the loneliness that comes with being single.
I make my way over to Cole, refusing to repeat myself and taking the stance of asking Demetri if dismissal due to non participation was a possibility for the majority in my advanced group.
“You’re looking a bit rough today, are you doing okay?”
I ask as he truly looks like he’s in a lot of pain right now. As usual he remains silent but does manage to give me a slight shake of his head. I stand right next to him and gaze in the direction he appears to be looking.
As the crowd finally separates, wandering slowly over to their sparring gear and putting it on, I spot one of the pack’s pups in the distance practicing the moves he’s watched me demonstrate to the group.
“Who’s the little?”
Cole’s question surprises me as our meetings out here usually has only me talking.
“That is beta Jackson. I’m close with his parents. His father is a warrior and his mother works outside the pack as a seamstress.”
“He’s mimicking the prospects instead of you. He’s going to jam his wrist if he puts any force behind that form.”
I sigh as I notice the same sloppiness as the prospects in Jax.
“How young do you start training? My pack starts alphas at fifteen, all other ranks have to wait until after their first shift.”
I smile as this is the first real conversation I’ve had with the young man.
“Here we start allowing delta birth rank and up to start trying out for the program at thirteen. Alphas can try out for the beginners level as early as eleven and betas at twelve but deltas unfortunately we are strict with staying at thirteen. Occasionally we get a gamma that’s interested in training.They have to prove their strength and emotional maturity to the alpha as well as their ability to adequately shift without any type of medication before they can start training.”
“I don’t like his form. May I talk with him? Work with him?”
I’m surprised by his request but make my decision instantly.
“Jackson, come on over here, please.”
Jackson looks my way as soon as he hears his name, stopping the moment he sees me. He walks over calmly but his eyes are wide with nervousness.
“Am I in trouble Beta Patrick?”
I see Cole shift uncomfortably on his feet at Jax’s question.
“Is there a reason for you to be in trouble?”
“Um, I’m not sure. I’m not supposed to be training yet.”
“That is true as you’re only ten but you’re not in any trouble. Alpha Cole just wants to talk with you about your form. You’re copying the prospects who have gotten sloppy and if you actually try to hit something you’re going to jam your wrist up.”
“Oh.” He states quietly.
I take a few steps back as Cole gets down on his knees matching Jackson’s height.
“You’ve got a big drive if you're out here mimicking beta Patrick’s group. You’d be much better off watching Alpha Damian’s group. I think he’s got the beginners, although to my knowledge, all of these prospects should have been in their pack's program for several years before coming here.”
I listen as he speaks candidly very easily with Jackson as if I’m no longer there.
“From what I could see from across the field it looks like you’re bending your wrist downward as you drive forward. Can you show me what you’ve learned so far?”
I watch silently, observing the prospects but also Cole.
‘Demetri, are you in your office?’
I use the link not wanting to discourage Cole’s interaction with Jackson.
‘I’m buried in paperwork, where else would I be?’ I hear him growl through the link.
‘Well take a break and turn on Big Brother. Zoom in on my group. Make a note that I need to speak to you about them but more importantly I want you to record Cole working with Jackson.’
I feel the link release and I return to watching the prospects. For the first time ever, I’m disappointed and bored with the wolves in front of me. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a lazier bunch of wolves trying to pass as warriors. Definitely going to ask about sending them packing.
“Let me see your hand.”
My attention turns back to Cole, watching him gently manipulate Jackson’s wrist.
“I was almost sixteen when I started watching the beginners group of my pack. I had to watch them from a distance which made it more difficult to see what they were doing.”
“Why couldn’t you join the group? You’re an alpha.”
“Not something I’m going to talk about little one. What’s important is that I had to learn painfully what not to do. You see your arm is made of two bones and your wrist has many small bones that allow it to be flexible. As a child, your bones are still developing which makes it even easier to jam yourself up or even break the bones if you hit wrong. You want to keep your wrist in line with the rest of your arm.”
Cole patiently takes Jackson through several different positions before encouraging a hand to hand, mini spar without pads.
I smile as I picture Cole being the perfect trainer for our young teens and pre-teen just starting into warrior training. A sudden commotion among the warriors snap my attention back to them. I hurry over to the group as a full on fist fight has broken out between two of the prospects. Once I’ve broken them up and sent them to their rooms for the rest of the day I turn to address Cole and reassure Jackson. To my surprise, they’re gone.
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