Chapter 15 Fifteen
Danica looked around at the training ground before her. Young men and women ran drills and locked in hand-to-hand combat as what she assumed were higher-ups watched from the sidelines. Occasionally, they would step forward and give some instruction before stepping back and watching once more.
After their meeting with the elders, Mason insisted that Danica move into the barracks and begin training with his pack's new recruits. He was especially insistent on it due to the fact that Danica was currently unable to change. That meant that, for the time being, she needed to be able to defend herself in human form if another rogue attempted to attack.
Initially, Danica was against it, but in the end, she gave in. It wasn't due to the fact that she agreed that she needed to be able to defend herself; rather, it was because she didn't trust herself being under the same roof as Martha.
She kept finding herself wondering what would happen if she suddenly went crazy. What if she ended up hurting Martha? She couldn't possibly live with herself if that were to happen. With that fear clawing at her heart, she gave in in the end.
After making up her mind, she lied to Martha, telling her that she had signed up for a college prep course that involved her living on campus for a month. Of course, Martha didn't question her much and wished her luck. Once Martha was taken care of, she sent her friends a text stating the same, just in case they came looking for her. With all loose ends tied, she packed the bare minimum and set off.
Watching now, she took in how strong even beginner wolves were as they expertly sparred with their opponents. Was she expected to end up like that? Would she be able to do it?
All her life, she had never once been in a fight, let alone had to fight for her life. But she guessed that in the world of wolves, it was different. From birth to adulthood, they were aware of the dangers that lurked out there and had to be ready for any possibility.
Danica was so engrossed in watching the combatants that she hadn't noticed Mason's approach until a warm hand touched her shoulder.
"Welcome," he beamed.
Beside him stood a man with brown hair that was shaved on either side and pulled up in a ponytail at the top. He eyed Danica indignantly.
"Chris, this is Danica," Mason said in way of introducing her to the man, who seemed to be wondering exactly what she was even doing there. "Danica, this is my Beta Chris."
"Welcome," Chris huffed. "So you're this ones mate?"
Blushing Danica shrugged.
"I guess you could say that."
Despite her best efforts, she was still unable to accept the idea of fate and mates. It was all too whimsical and completely unbelievable.
"Chris, I want you to be in charge of Danica's training," Mason continued, ignoring Danica's response to Chris' question about her being his mate. "By the end of the next six weeks, I want her to be able to take out any and all opponents, no matter who they are."
"You can't be serious." As Chris spoke, his eyes grew wide, like Mason was speaking in tongues. "How can I achieve something like that when she has never had an ounce of training?"
If it weren't for the fact that Danica absolutely agreed with the man, she would probably be offended by his words. However, she too wanted to know exactly how Mason expected her to be on the same level as those who had trained all their lives within six weeks.
"I have faith in you," Mason responded to Chris with a shrug. "I also have faith in my future Luna."
Turning his gaze toward Danica, Chris narrowed his eyes.
"Has she ever even had any training in combat?" He asked slowly.
"I haven't," Danica confirmed, even though the question wasn't directed at her.
Chris' eyes bulged at her response.
"AND YOU EXPECT ME TO MAKE HER A PRO IN SIX WEEKS!" He bellowed.
Unphased, Mason nodded.
"That's an order."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Danica alone with Chris, who had his back to her as he watched his Alpha grow smaller and smaller until he disappeared entirely.
"Ridiculous," he grumbled, turning around and facing Danica once more.
Danica tried her best to remain unphased under the man's gaze that was once again taking her in. She couldn't quite blame him for how he was reacting towards her; hell, she would be the same. Mason had given him a damn near impossible task after all.
"You're named Danica, correct?" He asked, crossing his arms across his chest.
"That's right."
Despite her best effort to not seem phased by the man before her, Danica could feel herself flinching away from his gaze.
"Have you ever had any training in your life?" He pushed.
"Never."
Chris' face contorted in a strange emotion that Danica couldn't quite place. It seemed that he was struggling to remain composed after she confirmed what he was most likely already assuming.
"How have you never had any training? Most of us start learning as children!" Chris' voice had risen an octave, revealing his annoyance at the situation.
"Well, it could be due to the fact that I didn't grow up in your world. I didn't know I was one of you until just a week ago." She said conversationally.
Danica had to stop herself from laughing as Chris started sputtering in astonishment. From the look on his face, she knew that he was ready to go find Mason and give him a piece of his mind.
"You're joking with me, right?" He asked while trying to reign in his emotions.
"Nope," Danica responded. "So, when shall we start?"
There was no use in trying to fight the inevitable; after all, in the end, she herself agreed that she needed to learn to defend herself. Especially if rogues decided to attempt to attack her once more. She didn't want to be completely helpless if that were to happen again.
"Tomorrow, meet me on the grounds when the sun begins to rise." Chris barked before turning and storming off.
Deflating Danica decided to head to the barracks, where she would be staying.
Before she arrived, Mason had already told her where to go so that she wouldn't get lost. He had also informed her that she would be sharing a room with two other trainees. Just the thought of having to be stuck in a room with others for a prolonged period of time rubbed her the wrong way, but she didn't bother arguing as she felt that she was already being a big enough annoyance.
When she arrived at the room she would be staying in, she could hear chattering from inside; it seemed that her roommates were already around and she would be meeting them sooner than expected.
Sucking in a deep breath, Danica opened the door and stepped inside to find two women sitting on a bed talking. As soon as they noticed her presence, their conversation abruptly ended as they began to take in Danica.
"Who are you?" One asked as she sized Danica up. She had long brown hair and ice blue eyes that seemed to flash ever so slightly at the thought of having an intruder.
"Abigail!" The petite redhead with chocolate eyes squealed at her friend. "Did you forget that Alpha Mason informed us yesterday that we would have a new roommate?"
"Did he?" Abigail asked, sounding bored. "I don't remember."
Huffing, the redhead jumped up and made her way towards Danica, a huge smile on her face.
"Hi!" she chriped, stopping directly in front of her. "I'm Sophia; it's nice to meet you, roomie!"
Danica remained cautious as Sophia stuck out a hand for her to shake. Not wanting to be impolite, she shook it before stepping back awkwardly.
"I'm Danica," she offered. "It's nice to meet you, Sophia."
Giggling Sophia began to cling to Danica so she could lead her forward. Unable to resist, Danica allowed the overly energetic redhead to lead her towards the place she would be spending the next six weeks.
Maybe it won't be so bad, she thought as she resigned herself to her new reality.