Unveilded by the Depths

Finally Thursday

Sebastian

I stand on the training field, my eyes on Dillon. "Do you think we should be doing this with all of them." I wave my hands at the wolves. "I'd hate to hurt you and have them come after me."

"I commanded them not to, unless you are killing me." Dillon shrugs. "We have to do this."

"When we start," I say and shake my head at the pointlessness of my words. We both know it will start as training and rapid process to a simple fight. While we are bonded to Nix, we are not emotional attached to each other. As Alpha males, we need to test each other, it's part of our makeup. True, I'm not an Alpha in the wolf sense, but I am a dominant male and as a prince, I am used to people bowing to me.

"It has to be done. Just promise not to kill me and I'll do the same." Dillons says.

"Alright, but it's best if we don't shift this time. I don't trust my control that far."

He agrees. "Good point." Then I see his eyes glaze over for a minute. Kyle comes over and stands there, his eyes clearly displaying his unease.

"No shifting and no death blows," he says and we both nod. "And I'll tell Nix on both of you if I have to step in."

"Ouch," I say.

Kyle shrugs. "Pay backs."

We start slow, testing each other with simple strikes and basic blocks, trying to learn about the other without giving anything away. At some point, maybe ten minutes in, a switch flips and both of us start pushing harder, letting down our guards.

I hear Kyle swear but ignore him, neither one of us are in any mortal danger. We haven't even gotten our claws or teeth out. Admittedly, we surely look like hell. I have a cut above my right eye that goes all the way to the bone, and I know at least three of Dillon's fingers are broken. We've both spit blood more than once. Forget the numerous bruises cover our bodies.

"STOP!" Alpha calls and Dillon freezes. I pull my punch, not wanting to hit him while he can't fight back.

"What?" I ask.

"What the hell are you two doing?"

"It's necessary," Dillon says. "We need to work together to protect Nix. We have to learn each other's style and strengths."

"And weaknesses, to help protect each other," I say with an arch eyebrow. "Besides, it's more sportsman-like to do it here rather than somewhere else."

Leo's eyes narrow then he says. "You look about evenly matched, to me. You have different styles but I'm not sure who would win if this was serious."

"Honestly?" I ask.

He nods, "I have no reason to lie. You can start beating on each other again or trust me. I have been doing this for a few years."

"Do you have any suggestions?" Dillon asks.

"Not suggestions, only observations. You are stronger in muscle, but Sebastian is more lithe, more flexible. At a guess, you have had much the same training, but you use it differently, based on your body type. Fighting side by side, you would probably win against most opponents."

Dillon's eyebrow goes up. "You aren't just saying that to get us to stop, are you?"

Leo chuckles at him. "No. I knew you two would end up out here soon enough. There's no way you can keep it bottled up." He winks at us. "Just make sure, next time, you don't let Nix overhear your plans."