OLIVIA'S P. O. V.
I know the guys are hiding something from me. Chances are they know this evening is going to be a full on battle and they are trying to downplay it so I wont stress out. I am beyond stressed. I don't know how many of these wolves are trained enough to hold the ranks. Are my guys just being sent to the slaughter? How am I just supposed to sit in the college and wait to hear if one of them dies? I am already racking my brain on what I can do to make sure they make it back to me.
I approach my group that is growing by the second and see a bunch of young boys and girls. Some of the boys are looking pretty cocky, I can tell they think that because I am a woman I will be easy on them. I can't wait to wipe those smiles off their faces. I can even see some of them checking me out. I roll my eyes at this. Some wolves. The girls are looking pretty shy. I can tell that a good deal of them have never trained. They are scared and don't know what to expect.
I also know that some of the wolves from the other groups will be joining ours once they are assessed for their levels. It looks like I have a group of about seventy-five pups right now. They all range from twelve to about sixteen, a few older but mainly that is where they are.
I wait for them to settle down before I start addressing the group. "Alright everyone can I get you to focus on me?" I start kind of waving to get their attention.
Some guy in the back hollers out, "I'll give you all the attention you can handle."
He is one of the older cocky assholes. Just then Victor comes up behind me and caresses my ass, "Don't worry babe, any jerks who give you shit will have to answer to me." He says it loud enough that the whole group can hear him. "I'll be watching." He winks at me and then steps back so I can run the group.
"I am going to let you know that I do not take it easy. I do not tolerate talk back and I do not under any circumstances accept anything less than the best. If you are not working up to your potential you will know it. I will make sure to push you more than you have ever been pushed in your life. Some of you know me as Future Luna. The rest of you will simply know me as Olivia or Olivia the bitch behind my back. I really don't care what you call me behind my back as long as you understand that I am in charge. You are going to be assessed by myself and the Alphas on when and if you can excel to the next level in training. As of right now you are all in basic training. Do not expect me to be thrilled when you try to show off. I want to see actual skill here, people. Now let's get started. We are going to start with stretching, before I hear a bunch of grumbles, remember what I said."
Victor speaks up behind me. "When she says stretch she means it. If you don't, you will surely regret it." I can't help but laugh.
Then Peter joins in, "I can tell you pups from experience that she is going to work your asses to the bone and she isn't playing. Listen and learn."
"Alright enough from the gallery, let's stretch those hamstrings." I start showing the pups the stretches that I want them to do and then watch as about half of them actually do them. Teenagers, really do they think this is going to help them? I look on and note who is doing what I tell them to. I can see Cathy the she-wolf from this morning, she is doing everything, I direct them to do. She is going to do great. Those who aren't are the ones who are going to be rolling in the grass after the first half of training. Hell maybe even sooner, these smug assholes probably think that they are so together there is no way I can teach them anything. Victor was right, I do got this. I know what I am doing even if they don't think I do. Welcome to hell boys.
"Alright, Bianca you're with me, the rest of you I want to see you run. Follow me for the first lap." The college has a training track, for those wolves who are training to be warriors, I plan on running them a lot.
Bianca comes up next to me. "Is it necessary to stay with you?"
"Actually I think you are fine for the first lap, you look really fit. It's the longevity of this run that I think you should take it easy further on. I plan to really run these guys and I don't want to over exert your body. When you hit that point I want you to slow and walk. Walking is better for your baby anyway. I am not saying stop, I am just saying to slow down. How far along are you?"
"Just found out, the pack doctor thinks about six weeks. It is supposed to run about five months, so I still have a bit." Bianca is in excellent shape. She should be fine for a week or two. I can already tell though that she is going to be trouble trying to get her to slow down. She is stubborn and she likes to have her way. I like her though. Possibly we can be friends. We have the whole Luna thing in common. I mean at the very least I will be Luna of Blue River Pack, I won't be leaving Victor, not after what we did. As long as he doesn't reject me I guess. Then there is Peter and Benjamin, I don't know what I am going to be doing about that yet. I am so lost in thought I almost don't hear Bianca ask me a question.
"When do you plan on having a pup? I hear that your situation is quite unique, if I do say so myself." We are still in the lead of the others in the run. I know that there are a few wolves dragging their butts to see if I don't notice. I am a little lost in thought but I can see who is dragging and they will see it, when I confront them later.
"Yeah, it's a bit crazy. I am not really trying to have pups right now, but I am letting it happen if it does. I really think this whole thing is crazy. I still have trouble wrapping my head around it." We are about half way through the first lap. I can see that Bianca is holding her own pretty well.
"I would too. I mean how are you doing with the whole daddy thing? I am sure you are going to make sure that you know who the dad is."
"Of course. I am letting it be Victor right now. I don't know what I am going to do later." I shrug as we run. I am glad that we are getting along. She isn't treating me how I would expect. She isn't calling me a slut or anything like I expected. I feel relieved. Maybe I can get through this after all.
"Yeah, Victor is a good choice. I hope it happens soon for you. Then we can raise our pups together."
"That would be really cool. You sure you wouldn't be sick of me by then and want nothing to do with me?"
"Nah, you seem cool. Besides, we seem to be a lot alike. You are the only one that has listened to me about the baby and training. I feel like I am on eggshells when I am around Shawn. He thinks I am going to die if I do anything for myself. I mean I get it that is how his mom died but I am not her. I am strong and I work out all the time. I like to stay strong. I always have, I don't like the idea of relying on some other person to protect me, you know."
"I feel you, that is why I am the same. I started working towards being stronger because I never wanted someone to have to protect me."
"I heard when you were younger you were friends with Victor, did he help you train?"
"Not even, he still had this thing that he was better than me so every time I beat him at something he would get all hissy. That was another reason why I trained. I wanted to prove to him that I was just as good as him. He didn't seem to mind as much as we got older. Then I found out the other day that he used to challenge me to races so he could watch my ass while I ran."
"Perv."
"I know right. Then we stopped talking. Alpha Craig said that he didn't want Victor around me. Alpha Craig has changed his tune, but I guess it still kind of hurts."
"I can imagine, you went through a lot. I don't know I would be as strong as you if I went through the same."
"Sure you would have, you're strong I can see it. I will try to get Shawn to leave you alone about the training. I will tell him that I have it all under control. Plus it is more likely that you will live through the pregnancy the more fit you are."
"Thank you, that would help so much. I swear he is driving me nuts. Just wait until you are pregnant. I am sure that Victor will be the same. He has that Alpha stubbornness. I know Shawn's starts out as fear, but in the end it has to deal with him being an Alpha and wanting to protect all his stuff."
"You aren't stuff Bianca." I gap at her.
"Oh, I know that. Just sometimes I feel like it, you know. I feel like he is more worried about protecting me than actually knowing how I am doing. I hate it. Can't he just sit me down and talk to me and see how I am doing?"
"Maybe we have to treat them like their mothers did and sit them down."
Bianca cracks up. "You may be right. When I boss him around a little I can see the response in him. I think he likes it."
I can't help but laugh at that. I know that Victor would like it if I was bossy with him. "We need to hang out more. I think we are going to get along just fine."
"Me too. I think maybe a shopping trip is in order. When is the next time you are free?"
"Right now I think tomorrow morning. I have a date with Benjamin for lunch."
She slightly giggles. "Sounds fun, I will help you pick out an outfit. I mean if all goes well tonight."
I can feel the doom clouds running over now. "Yeah, they think that the rogues aren't going to wait and they will attack tonight."
"That's what Shawn said. Are you going to be on the field or at the college?"
"At the college. All three of them don't want me on the field. No matter how trained they think I am. I can't argue with all of them." I sigh, this is really going to be a long day. I am only half through and already I feel like it has been a week since I started. Breakfast seems like a millennium ago.
"Yeah, that would be difficult. I will hang with you. We can comfort each other."
"As long as you don't mind hanging with Alpha Craig too. Apparently he is my guard for the evening."
"Really, well I guess it's a threesome. Ok, wait, that sounded so wrong."
We both crack up laughing. We have made it back to the start again. I look at the wolves coming in. I note who took their time and who really worked it. As they all stop for a moment I start to separate them in groups. They look at me like I am a weirdo. They think they are done.
"Alright I have moved you into groups, I want to see more of a hustle. Group one go. One more lap around. Group two, two more laps around. You get the picture. Don't think about trying to switch groups, I will know." They grumble as they go off running. I watch as the groups speed off, sure enough those in group six are picking up the pace. The thought of spending all day doing these laps is daunting.
"How can you tell which ones are more capable of doing more and those that aren't?" Bianca looks at the groups leaving.
"Observation really, the ones I selected for group six were the ones who didn't do any stretches, who lagged behind when we did the first lap. They were testing to see how much they could get away with. They are teenagers and think that if they push the boundaries enough then they won't have to do anything. They are going to regret their weak behavior."
"I would say lazy."
"Same thing. A lazy person is a weak person. They find the easy way out all of the time. They gain nothing through this action. They are a weakness in the pack that needs to be built up."
The guys come up behind me. "How was it so far?" Peter asks.
"Weeding them out. How about the rest of the group?"
Victor skoffs. "As we expected there were a bunch of wolves who said they were a higher skill level than they were. There were however a surprising amount of females who had more training than they reported. So, luckily at this point we have more warriors than we thought. We are looking good. We just have yours to assess."
I sigh. "At this point those that would have the skills to help lack discipline. They would be no good in the field. They would be reckless and wouldn't follow orders unless you used Alpha commands and that would be tiring. So, to make a long story short, I got nothing for you. If I see someone who is otherwise I will pass them on."
"It's good to know where we stand Olivia. I know it is disappointing but we are sitting pretty good." Benjamin puts his arm over my shoulder.
"I know, I just don't want to see you guys hurt. I really just want everyone to be safe."
Bianca sighs too. "The curse of being a Luna. That is all we do is worry about the health of the pack. Alphas get it easy."
Peter scoffs. "Yeah right. I will take being a Luna over being Alpha any day."
I laugh, "Sure I'll take that bet. Let's see. So far today you have walked around and assessed people. I have done that. I know what Victor has done this morning. I was at a breakfast where I had to do all the talking. What did you do again? Oh, yeah you sat there and watched me. Yep, I will trade you."
"Alright, we all know Lunas are important." Benjamin squeezes my shoulders. "Besides I am sure today was different for Victor since it was your first day home."
"Get your asses back to work I have wolves to kick into shape." I see group six coming around the bend. As I figured they weren't using their potential.
They come around breathless and stop in front of me. I am assuming they appointed a leader, because he is standing right in front of me. "Can I help you? As I recall you have five more laps."
Their leader smirks at me. I believe his name is Kyle. "Sorry, Luna, you are mistaken. We are the group that only has one lap."
"Kyle is it? What did I tell you when you started the laps?"
His smirk falls. "You said that you would remember who had what laps."
"I also said do not try to fool me. So now your little group has another lap." I keep my face neutral. I don't want them to know how irritating I think they are. "Keep going." I point towards the track.
Kyle sneers at me. "What right do you have to tell us to do all these laps? I mean I get you are Luna and all, but what skills do you have?"
This brings a smile to my face. "I have run a lot farther than your six laps. I have the strength to run half the day if it is necessary. I am not today simply because I was just released from the hospital this morning, what is your excuse?"
"Yeah right. I doubt you were even that injured."
I can hear the guys growl behind me. I turn and give them a look that tells them to shut it. "Kyle, you want to see how bad the wound is?" I lift up my shirt to expose the scar that is still rather pink. "This was caused by a silver hunter's knife dipped in wolfs-bane. Care to have one? We could have a matching scar, it could be fun."
Kyle's eyes have grown in size. Then he shakes his head. "Just because you were injured doesn't say that you are able to do what you say."
"How about we spar right now? You and me. If I win you keep running. If you win I will let your group out of the remaining laps."
Kyle puts on the biggest smile I think he has ever had in his life. He thinks he's got me beat. "Hell, ya. Let's do this."
Victor grabs my arm, "Baby you shouldn't be doing this."
"Don't worry I got this." I peck his cheek and move over to a clear area to begin the spar.
"Alright Kyle, get into position. Regular rules. No hitting below the belt. Keep it fair."
We face each other, Kyle begins by circling me. I follow behind him. I like to make him think that he has the upper hand. He strikes his hand out. His fist is aiming at my scar. He finds that my weakest point and he is going to exploit it. Just as I figured, he thinks that if he hits me there I will crumble. He doesn't realize that I will never let him get a shot in there. I am guarding that spot so well that I have left my left side open completely. I know he won't see it though, he's too focused on that one spot. I watch Kyle as he tries again and again to strike the same spot. I can tell now that he is leaving his right side open. I give him a few more shots then I strike his side. He reacts by trying to cover the area and in the process he is leaving his jaw open. I take the shot and he is down. I straddle him and pin his shoulders down.
"You're down Kyle. You know what you did wrong?"
"You got lucky that was all." He snarled up at me.
I shake my head at him. "You still have so much to learn boy. I hope someday that you will learn." I got up off of him. "Alright a deal is a deal. Run."
By now groups one and two have returned. They stand around and wait for Kyle to stand. Slowly he gets back up and walks back over to his group. He points his head towards the track and starts off. The rest of the group follows clearly they don't like me, I don't really care, they need a good swift kick in the ass. They get knocked down a few times they will know that they need to learn to be better. I will not have weak lazy wolves under my command.
The groups that have returned I direct to do some cool down stretches, while they wait for the others to return. Victor comes up behind me as I finish directing them. "Baby don't do that again. I thought I was going to kill that boy every time that he took a swing at you."
"Victor, do you want me to train these wolves or not?" I glance at him.
"Well of course I want them to be trained by you." He tries to look shocked that I would even ask.
"That means I will have to spar with them. They won't respect me if I don't. They will think I am just some weak Luna directing their actions without doing them myself. I have to show them what they are capable of if I want them to achieve it. I told you I got this."
He snakes his arms around my waist. Then pulls me really close. His lips are on mine before I can even object. Of course I would not object normally, however we are surrounded by wolves who are watching my every move. I pull back and glare at him. "You wait till we get home mister."
"Yum I can't wait." He licks his lips as he backs away from me.
I shake my head. Then Bianca slides up next to me. "That guy has got it bad."
"Took him long enough, I mean really."
She laughs with me right behind her. I turn back to the group that is growing larger by the minute as the wolves finish their laps.
Kyle doesn't give me anymore shit, I can tell he is watching me trying to figure out how to beat me. He does everything except for actually asking me. I wouldn't mind explaining to him what he did wrong but he has to humble himself and ask. I want him to think about it, the more he thinks about it, the more it will stick in his brain.