Ariadne: Almost an Alpha | ✓

Chapter 31 - Tortilla Aspirations

Chapter 31 - Tortilla Aspirations 

Because I skipped a day of training, Mateus has a big plan for the next day.

"You've had practice fighting a couple of opponents at one time, but I think we should spend today having you fight a large group to prepare you more for task three," he tells me on the way to the outdoor training space.

I nod, saying "that's fair."

"That's why I've scheduled your practice today during pack training. You're going to fight them."

I stop in my tracks. "All of them?"

"No."

I sigh in relief. "Good. You see, Matty, I thought you were going a little crazy there for a second."

"I'm probably going to split them up, and you'll fight half of them."

"Half of them! Aren't there hundreds of you?"

"Well, I have two pack training sessions, so that splits the number in half already. Many of my men are away on assignments and in your pack. Newer recruits have different training sessions for a year or two. And then there's our border guards. So half of this session should be only about 50."

"Ha! You are insane. I don't know the rules for when psychologists need psychologists, but like you should really get yourself some help."

He smiles. "I have to give you some kind of challenge."

We reach the training grounds, where Joshua, Mateus' beta, is leading warmups. I go to the back and join in while Mateus walks around to appraise his men.

"We're doing something new today," he announces, his strong, powerful voice carrying across the open space when warm ups are done. The crowd is silent and respectful while he speaks. He nods in my direction "You'll all be fighting Ariadne."

They all turn to look me over, so I arch an eyebrow, daring them to say something.

One brave man finally voices what I'm sure everyone else is thinking. "But, Alpha Jackson, sir, she's a girl."

"And? I have no doubt that she could knock every single one of you to the ground in seconds in a duel. That's why you'll fight her as a group to make it a fair fight."

Clearly, none of them are convinced, but no one else says a word.

"Ok!" Joshua says. "You heard him. Now split in half all of you. We'll be having two matches. Sparring rules apply. Choose whatever form you want to fight in. The fight doesn't end until all of you have been eliminated, or Ariadne has been eliminated."

Minutes later, my wolf is facing a mix of large men and wolves, and Joshua makes the signal to start. Some men rush forward immediately while others linger, biding their time.

Angry that I've been underestimated, I have no problem eliminating the first few. They're knocked to the ground in seconds. Joshua yells "out", and, tail tucked in embarrassment, they walk out of the fighting.

Mateus switches between yelling tips at me and at his men for the next hour and a half. It took a while, but I managed to eliminate all of them. It left me exhausted, however, and 30 minutes into the fight with the next group, I'm pinned to the ground and forced to submit to a large red wolf.

"Alright, that's all for today! You are dismissed!" Mateus announces, reminding me of an intimidating school professor.

As the men all leave the field in different directions, Mateus walks up to my wolf to scratch my head behind my ears. "You did well, Ariadne."