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“It would be wise for you to learn everything you can in these next days. Really soak it in,” she advised. “You never know what may be of value in the competition.”
So far, I’d managed not to think too much about the first competition, throwing myself fully into training and classes, but now my stomach flip-flopped with nerves. The first competition would truly set the tone for who could make the cut. I had to be prepared for anything.
* * *
PT wasfirst thing the next morning, just as the day before, only this time we were gathered around a giant sparring ring as Dalton explained the objective of today’s exercise.
“You will pair up, two on two, fighting hand to hand with no weapons. Only clean hits to the designated areas.” Dalton indicated the torso, arms, and legs. “Nothing above the neck, no cheap shots. The goal isn’t to injure but to subdue your opponent as efficiently as possible. You fight until one pins the other, and the other submits.”
Dalton walked around, assessing us all. “Am I clear on the rules?”
Everyone nodded, and we began. Jessica and I paired up together, but we hadn’t been working long before Dalton came over to split us up. “You’re going too easy on each other and then we have these two.” He gestured toward Sydnee and short, redhaired Aubrey, who had been relatively off my radar until now. “They’re getting too competitive, and I don’t trust they won’t break the rules and injure each other. I’m going to switch you ladies out with them.”
I held back a groan, and Jessica glanced at me with a hint of panic in her eyes. But Dalton was right; we hadn’t been giving it our all, not wanting to hurt each other. Perhaps it was best if we switched things up, especially if I wanted to use this time to prepare for the competition two days from now.
Unfortunately, it looked as if I was going to be stuck with Sydnee. I wouldn’t subject Jessica to dealing with her.
“Well, look who we have here,” Sydnee taunted me after Dalton spoke to her and Aubrey, and she moved over to stand opposite me. She gave me a malicious grin. “Let’s see what they teach you in that backwoods pack of yours.”
I grimaced but shifted my weight into a fighting stance, ready to take whatever she could dish out. She came at me fast.
Two quick jabs and a kick to my stomach had me gasping for breath. Sydnee took that opportunity to come at me, trying to knock me to the ground. But I was prepared this time. I fought back, landing several hits of my own until we circled each other with narrowed eyes, out of breath and looking for the right opening.
I made the first move this time, feinting left before hurtling my body to her right side, wrapping my arms around Sydnee’s waist and sending us flying to the ground. We grappled for a hold on each other, both of us trying to gain the advantage. For a moment, I thought I had her pinned as I straddled her legs.
But Sydnee didn’t care about the rules. She shot her fist up in a throat punch that sent me onto my back, and I just lay there, trying to get air into my lungs as my throat felt like it was collapsing. Sydnee climbed on top of me, pinning me easily, and bared her teeth in an evil grin.
“Submit,” she hissed.
Did I even have a choice at this point? I could barely move, barely breathe. I nodded faintly, and she smiled and fist-pumped the air in victory. Dalton hadn’t seen her illegal hit, and it was my word against hers. It was worth taking the loss this time, even if it hadn’t been fair.
I jumped up from the mat as soon as she let me go, anger burning through my veins. I could have taken her if she hadn’t played dirty. I grabbed a bottle of water, ignoring Sydnee gloating to her friends as I struggled to get a deep breath. It was bullshit, but I’d learned a valuable lesson—don’t trust that anyone will play by the rules. We continued sparring for the next few hours, taking turns switching off partners between recovery breaks where Dalton taught us various techniques.
By the end of class, I knew I’d be better prepared the next time.
“Do you want to have lunch together?” Jessica asked as we left the gym. “My assistant said we can do what we want for lunch today—have it in our rooms, in the dining hall, wherever we prefer.”
“I’d love to, and the privacy sounds great. I might lose my appetite if I have to hear Sydnee gloating.” I rolled my eyes, and Jessica giggled.
We went to her room on the opposite side of the hallway and four doors down from mine. It was decorated in shades of cream, white, and gray, similar to mine, though with a softer, more feminine look.
After we let our assistants know where we’d be dining, we settled in to wait for our meals to be delivered. If I had one good thing to say about this situation, it was that the food service was impeccable.
“I can’t believe Sydnee did that,” Jessica said when I told her how our sparring went down.
“I can. I swear she will take every opportunity to make the Contention as miserable for us as possible.” I grimaced. “I can already tell she’s the ringleader of the bitch squad.”
Jessica giggled. “Bitch squad?”
I grinned. “That’s what I’ve dubbed them in my mind. Anyone who isn’t one of her little minions is her enemy— at least that’s how I see it.”
Our food was delivered, a delicious steak salad that was perfect after the workout we’d just had, and we got to know each other a little better. It was nice not having to worry about anyone else around to give us grief.
“Honestly,” Jessica admitted, “I didn’t want to participate in the Contention. I definitely don’t love the idea of competing, but I don’t really have a choice.”
“Same, though probably for different reasons. Why don’t you have a choice?”
“My father is an alpha. I don’t know if you know that.” She paused, and I shook my head. I hadn’t. “He has these totally unrealistic expectations for me. He thinks I have a chance at winning—which I think is ridiculous—but at the very least, he expects me to earn a spot on the alpha’s council. If I don’t…” She glanced down at her food and took a deep breath. “I don’t know how I could face him and his disappointment.”
