“We are going to change your cardio so you can keep up with them. Or be the last person in the group making sure all is as it should be. There’s a benefit to having a straggler… and it’s that someone who got a pattern down… or the schedule… would have no idea there was someone still coming after the patrol. You’ll catch them. You can link… you are important here.”
Everyone was looking at each other. I said, “Look, in this gym… you can do everything the higher level Warriors can. Outside in the shifting fights… no you can’t shift, but you can take the knowledge you have from here to fight a wolf.”
“It’s not automatically a loss because you don’t have a wolf and they do. I plan to have you all fight some Warriors in their wolf form. I’m obviously not going to start with Liam, Cory, Fowler, KJ, Chason, or anyone like that. You start with a level one.”
“That serves a dual purpose…It helps their wolf because you don’t always fight other Werewolves. It also helps you too. You may not win every fight, but you learn from every single match. We are not just attacked by Werewolves.”
“There are other Supernatural’s out there, and it helps to have those trained in weapons fighting. It helps to have those fighting in human form. Because… the wolves can attack with you. You focus them and engage them… then a Werewolf Warrior can sneak up and rip their head off.”
“Without you… the Werewolf is engaging with no distraction and could easily get hurt. Working together… you increase everyone’s chances of success. Don’t limit yourself here. I’ll work with you, and yes… you’ll have to do more cardio than those with wolves.”
“Yes, you’ll have to study your opponent in both forms, buy they should do that too. The point is you matter. You do not have to sit at a level one Warrior just because. I think I saw several Level four Warriors and two people who could challenge for Lead warrior status… possibly even winning the whole thing, if not just leveling up their warrior status.”
“I’m sure a challenge will be issued in the spring. I want to see more of the wolf less in the tournaments. Based on what I found… maybe one, possibly two enter. You guys are standing in your own way.”
“You are not any less of a contributor to the pack because you don't have a wolf. I’ll work with you guys… and come challenge time… I want to see a lot more of your names. Even if you lose… you learn valuable things. I didn’t see a single person who wasn’t capable of making it to at least the third round.” Several people gasped.
One guy asked, “Are you serious, Muffin Luna? The third round? Us?” I said, “One thing you’ll learn about me… is that I’m a bad liar. I don't inflate Warrior’s egos. So…when I say you all have talent, I mean it. You’ve just put yourself in a box thinking you can’t go further.”
“Those days are over, because I’m here now, and I’ll push each and every one of you. I won’t stand here and let you think you can only go so far. I’ll be honest with you about where I think you can go. If you want to put the time and energy into training… I’ll be there every step of the way.”
“As it stands… all of you should go to your Lead Warrior and ask for an evaluation of your true level. That’s where we start. I’ll always host a class during the lunch hour because I know that sometimes… you need to work up to being around those with wolves.”
“I’m going to add two sessions in the morning and evening. Those that are comfortable with it can attend those with otherwolves who will be there. I’ll have a group run at five. Yes, five in the morning. You can do it… I promise.” I nodded to them, and they all started talking amongst themselves.
I linked Sierra, “We are done… so you and Abigial can come back in.” Sierra walked in and everyone nodded to her. She walked me into Xander’s office while Abigial talked to several people. Sierra said, “So, the collective Conners/allied group is looking into Estelle and Manford.”
I shrugged, “I figured they would. Have they figured it out? I mean….I assume they have not… because no one has asked me about it.” Sierra admitted, “No, they are hitting walls. Your walls to be exact.”
I nodded, “Well… I took Xander to my place… and we asked him to be our Fairy getaway ride in Missouri. I knew he’d look into it.” Sierra snorted, “They will figure it out.” I nodded, “Not yet… but yes, they will.”
Actually, if Haley saw the names… or Aiden… they’d figure it out instantly. Sierra nodded, “It will be nice to have that out there.” I shrugged, “It’s going to come out to them we are in the Resistance.” Sierra frowned, “I think they know, but this sounds like you’re not going to tell them you run it.”
I shook my head, “Probably not yet… let’s see how us being in it goes over. Eventually… I’ll tell Xander about running it before the rest… I should probably tell Cayden and Micah next… gosh there’s a line…” Someone knocked on the door. Sierra said, “You have a small session with people from yesterday.” I nodded.
I opened the door and got to work with my smaller group. That ended up being a larger group as others joined us. I knew the second Xander popped into the gym because his lust consumed me. I was ready to throw down in his office.
Before I could act on that, Mason linked me, “Those visitors you knew were coming are at the border. They crossed with EJ’s permission, but three stayed around the border.” I snorted,“Perfect.” They unknowingly played right into my hand. I dashed out of the gym.
Sierra met me on the outside with Abigial. Sierra announced, “Paige is waiting.” I told Sierra and Abigial, “Fireman’s carry.” Sierra snorted, “Fine. Only because you are a ridiculously fast wolf.” Abigial laughed, “This should be fun.” I picked them both up and took off.
We met up with Paige, Avery, and Addison. Sierra said, “I’m certain I smell someone over there.” I snorted, “There are three someone’s and we aren’t going to shake them… so… they can enjoy the show.” KJ, Fowler, and Chason would catch up eventually. We found Mason easily.
Mason informed us, “Hendrick is sitting on them, but they don’t know it. They are in his sights.” So, Hendrick was probably in a tree with a sniper rifle. I said, “I doubt he will need to take a shot. Let’s go ruin these jerks whole day.” Abigial cheered, “Woohoo! This is so much fun.”
I moved and felt three people following us. Really? His whole guard? Xander’s WHOLE guard was here for me? UGH! We found the Supernatural Council group easily. I said, “You guys aren’t great at hiding.” None of them were Werewolves. One smirked, “So you came to us. That’s smart.”
I raised an eyebrow, snarking, “Smart?” Freya laughed, “I do love that this upsets you when certain people say it, but not others.” Because these people were discounting me and that irked me. Sierra groaned, “Oh no.” Paige cackled.
I growled, “I would have to lose a large number of my brain cells to be considered ‘smart.’ As far as being smart… you’re certainly not. This is a bad move on many levels. You were never leaving with me. You can’t go around the territory and ask questions or search the area. I do not appreciate being used as an excuse to investigate claims made around the area.”
One frowned, “We were coming to talk to you anyway because you are under our jurisdiction.” I laughed, “I never was actually considering I was kidnapped. I was always under the Werewolf Council. A fact you claim not to have known because…?” They didn’t answer.
I smiled saying, “It’s fine….I’ll answer. It’s because you take bribes to avoid doing your job and claim it’s because you’re busy. A fact that I have documented… and we all know it’s a lie about you not knowing about it. Don’t we?”
One tried to grab me, and I put him on the ground. I warned, “I wouldn’t attack me if I were you. I’m the better fighter here. You will leave and not come back here unless you want every woman here to file official complaints.”
“Avery, Addison, Sierra, Abigial and I will file because you didn’t do your job, as you were supposed to, in the packs we were in. Paige will file for you not doing your job and her being forced to work for a pack that did not pay her a dime for her work; nor was she given a choice in what she was doing.”
