EJ’s Beta walked up. I smiled greeting, “Good morning, Toby.” Toby raised an eyebrow, “Is it? Is it really? We have different definitions of good. Bradford, cool your jets. She is your future Luna. Not only that, she’s ALEXANDER’S Luna for god's sake.”
Bradford didn’t back down. Toby continued, “This is practically suicidal. The harder trainings Alexander’s done previously will pale in comparison for this act alone. Think of the other Warriors here.” That could not be his argument.
I laughed, “Toby, haven’t you noticed he’s not the brightest? Nor does he care so much about others. Bradford’s pride was hurt, and mommy dearest couldn't save him. In fact, she took quite a hit herself. Where is your dad by the way, Brad?” Bradford said, “It’s Bradford.” I replied, “I know…I’m testing out different names…so you sound less pretentious. Brad’s not gonna do it with your attitude.” Several people snickered.
I looked around and spotted Bradford’s dad. I hummed, “You look a lot like your dad. You don’t act like him though. I fought with him to defend Alpha Theo’s pack. Do you really want to do this? You’ll end up seriously injured… and your pride even more wounded… and with a lot of time to consider your actions.”
Bradford snorted, “No, I won’t but you will.” I sighed, “Statistically speaking, you’re wrong… and this is going to end poorly for you. I really want people to like me here so… I’m not sure if you’re like in the popular crowd… I mean I doubt it, other than a select group of like minds… but still.”
Bradford growled, “I have friends.” I replied, “I literally said you did. A group of like minds… that’s… I said that.” Bradford grunted, “I’m still fighting you.” I groaned, “Fine. Get in the ring.” Freya said, “We’ve got this.” I knew that.
Toby groaned, “Why me? Ok. I’ll just be doing something over here. Linking Alexander would be a bad idea. Dad. I’ll link my dad. He’ll have an idea. Any of my cousins would do something bad. Well, that’s not true. Phil would just get out a chair and sit down.”
I laughed, “All of that is true. Which is why I’d lay odds that Gage will walk in shortly… because one of them linked him.” I pointed at KJ, Chason, and Fowler. Toby snorted, “Gage won’t do anything.” I hummed, “Uhhh false.”
I knew exactly what Gage would do because I’d studied him. Toby shouted, “What?” I said, “I mean probably… it’s highly likely… but your dad’s idea will be Eric coming… so… that’s all bad for Ford… no that’s too serious. We need something fun with is attitude.” Toby winced as I got into the ring.
Bradford smiled saying, “I don’t have a nickname, I just go by Bradford.” I reasoned, “I’m just trying to help you. So…I’ll figure out a better name.” Bradford sneered, “It’s time to teach you how things go around here.”
I laughed, “You’re going to teach me something? You? Who doesn't even understand how a pack works? That will be the day. You can’t take me….or come close the knowledge of this pack that I have. Or how packs work in general.” Freya snickered, “No, he can’t. You tell him!”
Bradford warned, “I’ve been training since I was little.” I smiled, “What a coincidence. So have I. In fact, I was beating Warriors when I was a pup. Our Male Lead Warrior had me in his personal classes… well former. Wait… Do I smell Zane here? I totally do.” I turned and spotted him.
Zane nodded to me, “Take him down, Ladybug.” I choked down the emotion I was feeling because he looked so confident in my skills even though he hadn’t seen me fight since I left. Zane linked, “You got this.” I knew that, but it meant a lot he’d linked me….I stuffed those emotions away.
Bradford sighed, “No, you didn’t.” I asked, “Huh?” Bradford winced saying, “You said that out loud.” I groaned, “UGH! Why can’t I have internal thoughts? Let’s never focus on whatever I just said out loud… like ever.”
I waved my hands as if that would erase the moment that just happened. I changed the subject, “I worked ten times harder when I was kidnapped to be stronger, faster, and better trained than anyone else. After my wolf was suppressed... I tripled that effort.”
“I can easily take you down. I know without looking at your file that you do the bare minimum to get by as a Warrior. I’m betting the only reason you are here is because you have work in the gardens later. Or your dad made you come.” Bradford’s left eye twitched.
I laughed, “Ahh... so that’s what it is. Your dad made you come to train this early.” Bradford moved to attack, and I pinned him easily. I stood up warning, “Now, let this go. I’m better than you. You lost in less than ten seconds…and that’s a generous estimate.”
I turned around and felt him get up. I somewhat pleaded, “Don’t do it… just don’t do it. I was nice with my first pin… just… let me be nice and make a good impression here.” Gage snarled, “Bradford.” Uh oh. Bradford attacked anyway.
I heard several more growls and even saw Haley’s eyes narrow. I wondered when she’d popped in. Eric was already moving towards the ring with KJ, Chason, Fowler, and even Zane. Really? He was actively trying to make me cry. That was the takeaway. Freya snorted, “No, he wants to protect us.”
Gage linked me, “Take him down as hard you want. Abigail told me all about your skills. Do it. Bradford needs the lesson, and everyone already likes you. You don’t need to hold back here. That’s not what we are about, and that guy needs the lesson.”
I mean I was already going to do that. Permission was nice… and new though. Freya snickered. I simply turned and punched Bradford in the face and slammed him on the ground hard enough to break things.
A few people winced when they heard several things crack. I told Bradford, “One, no man with respect or honor continues a fight after they are pinned.” Several people clapped. I continued, “Two, no man with respect or honor comes for an opponent when their back is turned.”
I advised, “Learn some respect. You are not the first Warrior who thinks I’m some weak, wolf less chick who needs to be taken down a peg… and you won’t be the last. I mean what I say. I am an incredibly talented Warrior… and that’s not bragging.”
“Because I have statistical data as proof to back that statement up. I have skills you couldn’t dream of having because you are lazy and arrogant.” Gage jumped in the ring beside me. I took a deep breath before saying, “When you heal, get back in here. I’ll help you improve your skills, but you have to want to put in the time and effort. I think you could be great as a Warrior because you have the raw talent. You just don’t have the drive.”
I offered, “I can make you better, but I won’t if you don’t want to try. Take your whole life philosophy and throw it out. I know that’s hard, but it can be done. Educate yourself on the pack and how we really work. Come back to the gym and I will help you if that’s what you want.”
It wasn’t even the first time I made that offer. I’d made it many times in Black Path. It was surprisingly successful. Gageswiped his now shifted hand across Bradford’s chest. I told Toby, “See? I knew he would that.” Toby asked, “How?” Uhhh data.
Gage growled, “No Warrior attacks when someone’s back is turned in this Ring and you know that. You’re demoted back to a Warrior level five, and you’d better pray Alexander finds that to be enough. He could, and might, just kill you for this.”
Bradford’s dad came over to his son and took his hand. He looked disappointed in his son, but worried for him. I hummed, “I mean… that’s… not necessary. Bradley is just… learning. No… Bradley doesn’t work for him either.”
“The point is, he could learn and change. His mom… is easily a lost cause. She could go… I’m just saying. Bradford has a chance… he really needs a nickname… his name is so pretentious… the poor guy never had a shot with that name.” Gage shot me a look while KJ snickered.
I turned asking everyone here, “Who is done with their workout?” Five men raised their hands. I ordered, “Help Bradford’s dad get him to the hospital.” One snorted, “We should leave him there.” I tilted my head and gave him a second to change that response, but a few people nodded their head.
