Chapter 3 A Beta's Blood

Elara's POV:

I woke the next morning with a bitter taste in my mouth, as though even sleep had let me down. When I trudged into the kitchen, my father's grim stare greeted me. Great. Somehow, I had a feeling today would be even worse than yesterday, though I couldn't imagine how.

"You're coming to the training grounds with me," he ordered in a tone that left no room for argument.

Absolutely not.

"I don't know how to fight, remember?" I shot back, making no effort to hide my sarcasm. "I'm puny and weak. Isn't that what you keep telling me?"

His fist shot toward my face. I jerked back just in time, startled by how quickly I'd reacted. Surprise flickered in his eyes before his expression hardened again.

"You're almost eighteen. Today, you'll train with the others," he snapped. "Let's see if you really have a Beta's blood in your veins. And watch your mouth. You won't dodge the next one."

I reluctantly followed him to the training grounds, wondering where Vivienne was and wishing she had to suffer through this too. The moment I spotted the small group waiting in the dirt arena, my stomach twisted with nerves.

Rowan and Kael were among them, warming up and practicing their moves. As future Alphas, they needed to know how to fight and protect the pack they would eventually lead.

"We'll be training in human form today, since some of you don't have your wolves yet," my father announced. He moved to the center of the group, looking pointedly from the twins to me. My cheeks grew hot.

"You need to be able to defend yourselves without your wolves. A serious injury or wolfsbane poisoning could leave you unable to shift, so pay attention to what you learn today. Pair up," he ordered, motioning toward Kael and Rowan with his chin.

"You two will spar with each other, obviously. Elara, you'll face Camille," he drawled. He turned and walked away before I could protest.

I gave Camille a wary look. She was one of Vivienne's close friends, and she was already sizing me up like prey. As we made our way to a corner of the arena, she smirked, clearly eager to get started.

I swallowed hard and looked around, but everyone else was focused on their own matches. The twins traded blows so quickly that their movements blurred, every strike dangerously precise. For a moment, I couldn't look away. Then I turned back to Camille, my palms damp with sweat. I knew full well I was about to get crushed.

"You're no match for me," Camille sneered. Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she settled into a fighting stance.

"You're no match for me," Camille sneered. Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she settled into a fighting stance.

I barely shook my head before Camille lunged. I flinched, but her fist drove into my stomach, forcing a strangled groan from my throat. A knee to the face followed before I could recover, and I crashed into the dirt. Camille bounced back a step, her eyes gleaming with malice.

"This is going to be even easier than I thought!" she said with a laugh.

"You're so pathetic I almost feel sorry for you!" she added, plainly enjoying herself.

Pathetic. The word kept repeating in my head. Even Camille, who was barely an average fighter, thought I was pathetic. I didn't have to look at my father to picture the disappointment and contempt on his face. Wincing, I struggled to my feet and wiped the blood from my split lip.

I knew only the basics. My father had never prepared me for a real fight, probably because he wanted to make sure I couldn't defend myself against this kind of treatment. I wondered whether he meant this as a lesson or simply wanted to break my spirit until I accepted a future as Vivienne's Omega servant without a fight.

"Want some more?" Camille hissed, bouncing on the balls of her feet with her fists raised. I bit my lip and lifted my hands to guard my face.

Several pairs had stopped sparring to watch us, probably hoping for a chance to laugh at me. Even the twins had paused, their attention fixed on us. I was about to make a complete fool of myself. I closed my eyes for a moment and tried to pull myself together. Then I opened them again. All I could do was try and hope she wouldn't beat me too badly.

"I'm going to enjoy this," Camille murmured. Her lips curled into a smile, and she rushed at me.

Anger surged through me, fierce enough to drown out my fear. Before I could think, instinct took over. I ducked and twisted away from her punches, moving so easily that I could hardly believe it. Neither could anyone watching. Camille's eyes widened, but she kept coming, her swings growing wilder. Then I punched her. Time seemed to slow as my fist struck her nose. A sickening crack echoed across the arena, and blood spurted from her nostrils. Camille screamed and staggered back, clapping both hands over her face.

Shit. I'd broken her nose. I hadn't meant to. I'd simply reacted on reflex. Guilt washed over me as tears filled her eyes, and she pressed her fingers beneath her nose, trying to stop the bleeding.

"I'm so sorry," I stammered. With a sharp jerk and another muffled cry, she forced her nose back into place. Then she glared at me as though she wanted me dead.

"I didn't mean to break it," I said weakly.

"You bitch!" she shrieked, nearly hysterical. "You broke my nose!"

Before I could get out another apology, she lunged at me, her face contorted with rage. I raised my arms to block her frantic punches, then struck back with a hard kick.

My foot drove into her stomach, and she doubled over, coughing and struggling for breath as fresh tears filled her eyes. I'd lashed out in panic, but she was the one paying the price. Dread gripped me as I watched her slowly straighten. I was in serious trouble. One look at the murderous anger in her eyes told me that.

"Do you really think you can beat me?" she spat, glaring at me with open hatred.

"You think a little bitch like you can get the better of me?" Her voice shook with rage and disbelief.

Where had my father gone? I searched the edges of the arena, but he was nowhere in sight. The twins, however, were watching Camille with growing concern. Kael and Rowan had already started pushing through the circle of spectators.

A guttural growl startled me. I turned back to Camille and went rigid. She was shifting. Camille's nails grew into sharp claws, coarse fur sprouted through her skin, and her eyes turned completely black.

I couldn't move. As she lunged, her jaws opening in a vicious snarl, I could only brace myself. She was going to tear my throat out. Shifting was forbidden during this session, but she clearly didn't care. I'd humiliated her in front of everyone, and she meant to rip me apart for it.

I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for her fangs to sink into me.

"Stop!" Two voices thundered together. My eyes flew open as two large figures blurred between us.

I blinked, struggling to make sense of what had happened. Kael and Rowan had used their Alpha command, an order no member of the pack could resist.

Camille stopped dead, then crumpled to the dirt. Low, defiant growls still rumbled from her throat as the twins folded their arms and looked down at her in disgust.

"Shift back to human form," Rowan ordered, his voice low and rough.

Bones cracked as Camille shifted back into human form. Within seconds, she lay curled on the ground, whimpering and trying to cover herself. Someone hurried over and tossed her a shirt.

"Cheating will not be tolerated!" my father thundered as he finally pushed through the crowd. He glared at Camille in disgust. "Report to the Alpha for your punishment."

Her face bright red, Camille scrambled up and hurried away without meeting anyone's eyes.

"You reacted quickly. Good work stopping her," my father told the twins. They slowly turned to face him.

"But don't risk yourselves for someone like her. Elara can be replaced." His voice was cold, and neither twin said a word.

"You two are our future Alphas. We can't afford to lose you. Next time, leave the discipline to me."

"We meant no disrespect," Kael said quietly. Beside him, Rowan kept his gaze fixed on my father, his expression unreadable.

"We only stepped in to keep things from getting worse."

My father gave them a smile that never reached his eyes. "If my daughter had been hurt, I would've dealt with it," he assured them, but his words rang hollow.

If the twins hadn't stepped in when they did, I would've been dead. I had no doubt about that. They clearly didn't believe my father either. Both turned and walked away without a backward glance. I wanted to thank them, but I couldn't get the words out.