Chapter 5 Training Grounds

"Does the Alpha help with training?" I asked Jasmine.

"Yeah, he comes every day to help train us. Training's compulsory-doesn't matter your age or gender."

I watched as Angie, the girl Jasmine told me to avoid, ran across the field toward the Alpha and practically latched onto him like a leech.

"Yeah, Angie's got a thing for him. She thinks he'll choose her as his mate," Jasmine said. I nodded, though something about seeing her cling to him annoyed me. I shoved the feeling aside. I didn't need trouble with Angie, especially if she was as bad as Jasmine claimed.

"How old is the Alpha?" I asked. He looked young-nothing like my last Alpha, who was in his forties.

"Twenty-five. He's a good Alpha. Strict but fair. Way better than his father, who was a total asshole."

"So, he took over when his father stepped down?"

Jasmine shook her head. "Nope. Alpha Ezra killed him and took over when he was seventeen."

"Wow. Bet a lot of people didn't like the idea of answering to a seventeen-year-old."

"Actually, everyone was relieved. Alpha Dean was cruel. Women weren't even allowed to train back then. We were treated like property. He killed anyone who stepped out of line-including both his mate and second-chance mate."

I grimaced. "That's awful."

She nodded solemnly. "Yeah. Things changed after Ezra took over. He made sure women could train and defend themselves. Maybe that's why your family was accepted so quickly-your mother's a warrior, and your father has Beta genes."

"Maybe," I replied just as Alpha Ezra looked over in our direction. I quickly dropped my gaze and silently thanked the heavens when the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.

Jasmine and I headed back to our lockers, grabbed our gym clothes, and changed quickly in the bathrooms before heading to the training field. Alpha Ezra and my mother were talking with a few teachers when the crowd suddenly went quiet. Students began dispersing into their assigned groups.

I followed Jasmine toward our age group, surprised when Alpha Ezra came over to us. Jasmine smiled up at him.

"Hey, Alpha," she greeted.

"Hi, Jasmine. You can sit out today. Kat, you're welcome to observe if you'd like."

I nodded, relieved I didn't have to start training just yet.

"No," my mother said, walking up behind him. "She can train like the rest of them."

So much for sitting out.

"She doesn't have to," Alpha Ezra said, glancing at me. "I can excuse her."

I gave my mother a pleading look. Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she finally nodded.

"Come sit on the bleachers and watch," Alpha Ezra said gently.

I followed him and sat down. As training began, he got up occasionally to help the instructors and correct students. Eventually, he returned to sit beside me.

"How are you finding school so far?" he asked.

"It's fine," I replied, still feeling uncomfortable around him. I noticed my mother sneaking glances at us from across the field.

"You train much with your mother?"

I nodded. "Yeah. She doesn't like me skipping training-as you can probably tell."

He chuckled lightly. "Good. Well, you've got today and tomorrow off. But Wednesday, you start."

I nodded again.

Just then, Angie strolled over and stopped in front of me. She shot me a scathing glare.

"You should be training, Angie. Get back on the field," Ezra said firmly.

"I was just seeing if you'd help me, Ezra," she purred.

"That's Alpha, and no. Back on the field. Now."

She huffed and gave me one last death glare before stomping off. Great. I hadn't even spoken to her, and she already hated me.

"I'd better get back out there," Ezra said, standing. "See you around, Kat."

He walked off toward my mother, who was now giving Angie a lecture.

When training wrapped up, my mother called me over. She pulled me aside by the arm, face stern.

"For someone who's supposed to be lying low, you're attracting a lot of attention-especially from the Alpha. We talked about this. You need to avoid him, and Beta Mateo. We can't afford for people to find out, not yet."

"Maybe if you told them the truth, I wouldn't have to hide," I snapped. It's not like I'd gone looking for the Alpha's attention-he came to me.

"Watch your tone. I won't tolerate disrespect," she said.

I rolled my eyes.

"Katya, just because you're my daughter doesn't mean you get a free pass. Now, ten laps. Move."

"What? Seriously, Mum?"

The familiar scent hit me before I heard the footsteps. Alpha Ezra stopped beside us.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"Yes, Alpha," my mother replied, bowing slightly. "It will be. Now go, Katya."

I pulled off my jumper and tossed it at her, fuming.

"Make that twenty," she added.

"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered, stomping off toward the track.

"Keep going, and it'll be thirty. Now start running!"

I groaned and took off, legs already aching at the thought. Jasmine jogged a few laps with me before she gave up and sat on the grass.

By lap fifteen, my legs burned and my lungs screamed for air. I bent over, hands braced on my knees, trying to catch my breath.

"Five more, Kat," my mother called, blowing her whistle.

"This is bullshit," I muttered under my breath.

"You want me to add more?" she yelled.

I shook my head and pushed through the final laps. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Alpha Ezra sitting in the bleachers again-watching. And judging by the look on his face, something about this situation wasn't sitting well with him.