Chapter 2 2

ENZO

Grunts echoed across the training grounds as my warriors engaged in relentless drills. Sweat, blood, and pride stained the earth-exactly the way I preferred it.

I was mid-spar myself.

"Come on, Enzo," Ash barked, a grin tugging at his mouth. "You can do better than that."

His amusement grated on my nerves. He'd caught me with a sharp jab to the ribs, right when my attention drifted to the young pup struggling under the punishing pace of his trainers. Rookie mistake. Rule number one: never get distracted in a fight.

"Time to put an end to this," I growled.

Slipping an unexpected move, I spun to my left, using the power of his last strike to turn behind him. My arm wrapped around his neck like a vice, and I kicked out his legs from under him in a single fluid motion. We landed on the ground, my weight holding him down.

He growled, fists punching my side, but I did not let him go.

"Give in," I snarled against his ear.

His attempts became more desperate. Typical Ash. He wouldn't give in until the end. But he was caught in my hold, and he was aware of it. His ragged gasps for air rang in my ear as his fingers clawed my forearm.

"Okay, okay," he panted with two hard pats on my arm.

I let him go and rolled off, standing and holding out a hand. He took it, though not before casting a grumble about cheap tricks in my direction.

"You were distracted," he stated, sweeping dirt from his shirt. "You keep eyeing the pup."

I didn't answer right away. My eyes were already drifting over to the young wolf again-he was hardly more than sixteen, battered and bruised and bleeding, but still on his feet. Barely. He was trying to fight back against two older students, both quick and vicious. But he had spirit. That was worth more than technique sometimes.

"Enzo," Ash said more firmly, stepping into my line of sight. "You can't let your head get in the way in a fight. Had I attacked your throat instead of your side, you'd be on the floor bleeding."

"I'm fine," I snapped, shoving past him.

The other trainees parted for me, their eyes darting forward with respect-or fear. I couldn't quite tell anymore.

"Pair up, everyone!" I snarled. "No one is leaving here until I'm satisfied."

They complied at once, partners pairing off with anxious glances and tightly curled fingers. The sound of fists hitting each other as well as grunts of efforts returned to the yard.

I stood there, crossed arms over my chest and Ash materialized beside me a moment later, a water bottle held in one hand, the other working on his neck where I'd choked him.

"You're tight," he said to me. "More than usual."

I didn't respond. Because he was right. Something felt... off. It was like a storm was on the horizon. But that thought wouldn't be far-fetched.

Lately, the pack's been getting more attacks than was allowed and my concern grew by the minute. We needed support, and fast and I knew just the right person for it.

"We're going to the Blue Rock pack tomorrow," I started. "He's already aware of us coming."

I felt Ash's intense gaze on me then, my eyes focused on my men's sparring.

"And you thought to tell me. Now?!" He was right to be livid. I should have told him sooner but it was this exact reaction I was trying to avoid.

"Well now you know," I said finally looking at him. "We need alliances, Ash. The pack's defense system is weakening and we can't afford a break in. You of all people should know this."

"But Baron?" he remarked, a look of disbelief in his eyes. "Of all the Alphas in this part of the world, you thought he was the best option?"

"Baron has something that other Alphas don't-size. And that's what we'll need." I'd already looked into all the Alphas in our side and none fit the criteria I was looking for. None apart from the Blue Rock pack. And as much as I disliked Baron, his pack at the moment was the best choice.

Ash let out a heavy sigh. "I hear you, but we'll have to be careful. Baron's a snake," he growled.

I had to agree with him on that. There was a reason most never engaged in business with him.

With another dismissive grunt, I left Ash to stew and surveyed the training yard once more. It was dusk now, the blood-orange sun painting my warriors in silhouette, each body taut and battered, sweat and effort gleaming on every exposed arm. They looked strong. Not strong enough.

I stalked to the edge of the yard, where the pup-the one I'd been watching-finally collapsed under the weight of a burly opponent. The older boy loomed over him, baring teeth in a mock snarl.

"Up," I barked, a sharp slap of authority.

The pup's eyes snapped wide, whites glinting. He pressed his palms into the gravel, trembling, but he pushed to his knees, then to his feet. I saw the ugly bruise already forming on his jaw.

His opponent stepped back, sniggering. "He's got no bite, Alpha. Why keep him?"

Without warning, I seized the older boy by the front of his and yanked him up. "Do you think you're a wolf because you can win a scrap?" My voice cut through the hush, low and clipped. "You're nothing until I say so." I let go with a violent shove, the older boy stumbling backward and almost falling on his ass.

I turned to the others. "And that goes for all of you. We don't come here to learn how to fight each other but to learn how to fight with each other." I released a grunt. "We have enough deaths on our hand for you men to be killing each other. Training dismissed."

With that everyone left the grounds including Ash, all except the pup.

"T-T-Thank you, Alpha," he stuttered, his gaze level with the ground.

"Don't thank me," I replied. "Just be sharper next time."

With a nod, he left me alone in the grounds and I stood there, the thought of my pack's safety looming overhead like a storm cloud.

Something was coming, and I just hoped the deal with Blue Rock would be sufficient to deal with it.