Selling Myself To The Alpha
Chapter 102

Liana POV

"Okay, remember what I taught you," Adele says as we walk to the training ground. "Today we will test everything with real combat." "Real combat," I gulp. "What exactly does that mean?"

"It means our strongest fighters are going to attack you," she replies nonchalantly. "I'm not going to lie, there will be cuts and bruises, but it will heal in twenty-four hours. There's only one rule, no biting or deep lashing. In other words, no serious injuries." "Well," I inhale deeply. "There goes my optimism and good mood."

"You'll be fine," Adele laughs. "This is the only true way to know how much you've learned and retained. You're going to start in human form, and you can shift whenever you feel the need."

I take a deep breath and shake my fingers to calm my nerves. I have been enjoying my training immensely, but this! This is scary. I have never been in a physical fight with anyone. Not even with Leon when we were kids.

"Am I fighting them?" I ask terrified as I look at David and Mike.

"And them," she points to two more guys whom I do not know.

"Adele, no," I protest softly and grab her by her arm. "I'm not ready for this."

"That's why we're doing it," she says patiently. "To see where you are. Luna, you've been attacked twice already. There's no guarantee it won't happen again. Hell, it could happen tonight. And your attackers will not ask if you're ready. They are not going to come at you one by one. They're not going to use the no-biting rule. They're going to come at you with everything they have to get what they want."

"Is somebody after us?" I look at her in shock. "Do you know something? You're my security. You will know if there's a threat."

"No, no, nothing like that," she says hastily. "But if something happens, you should be prepared."

"Okay," I nod and inhale deeply. "But if there's something..."

"I will tell you," she finishes my sentence. "Just calm down and relax. There really is nothing to worry about."

I nod and loosen my shoulders as I walk to the centre of the training grounds. I am not even going to pretend that I am calm and collected. I am terrified and nervous.

"Are you ready, Luna?" Adele shouts and I give her a thumbs up. "Alright guys, you know the rules, and don't hold back."

Sceptically, I watch them walking closer to me. Surely, they will not really attack me. I mean, they protected me at one point. How can they hit me and stuff? But I quickly change my mind when Mike and David storm towards me.

Dumbstruck, I watch them coming. Frozen to the spot and unable to move. I cannot recall anything Adele has taught me. Think, dammit, think, I reprimand myself, but my body refuses to move, and my mind is blank.

My eyes widen as the two men get closer and seconds before they reach me, I jump to the side, and they collide with a thunderous clash.

"Nice, Luna," Adele laughs, and the men give me a puzzled look before they shake it off.

The realization that I have won the first round - even by sheer luck - restores my confidence just enough to calm down and get ready for the next attack. I might just survive today.

They storm at me again and I decide to run towards them. David is the first to reach me and he stretches his hand towards me, and I grab him by the wrist. I use our momentum to swing him around and in front of me, using him as a shield and Mike's fist connects solid with his jaw. I step backwards and kick David in the back straight into Mike's arms and immediately I move out of their reach.

In the distance, Adele clutches her stomach laughing.

"Again," David glares at me as he rubs his jaw and I steel myself.

I gulp as I watch the other two men join them. Four against me. There is no way in hell I am winning this round.

I do not move as I watch them walk closer to me. Their eyes are fixated on every move I make as they spread out and start circling me. Contrary to the first two attacks, this is close to reality. If a group of men what to attack me, this is the way they would do it. Blocking all my exits and boxing me in. There is nowhere to run, I must stay and fight.

David grins as he reaches for me from the front but at the same time, Mike's arm goes around my neck. His grip around my neck tightens and I dig my nails into his arm as I lift my legs and kick David in the gut. He stammers backwards but the other two immediately come for my legs.

I squirm and wiggle for all that I am worth, but Mike tightens his grip, and my breathing gets shallower as he cuts off my air supply. I am not allowed to stick my fingers in his eyes or bite his arm and my feet are being held down firmly. I am stuck and wide open for David's attack.

Desperate, I move my hands along Mike's arm until I reach his hand. With all my might, I get hold of a finger and mercilessly yanks it backwards breaking it. He yells out in pain and relaxes his grip. I twist my body and David punches me painfully hard in the side. Pain radiates through me, but adrenaline keeps me going. I reach for David and clutch my hands around his neck. Instantly, he gets hold of my wrists but with an upwards motion I head b**t him on the nose and he releases me.

I quickly kneel and bring my elbow down hard onto one of the other men's backs and he releases my foot and I kick the other one in the face. I jump to the side and turn towards them.

My chest is heaving from the strenuous activity as I watch them and try to anticipate their next move. I would much rather run away, but they could catch up and I doubt that I would get away.

Their eyes widen in surprise when I charge them and shift midair. With my claws retracted, I slap them with my front paws and kick with my hind legs until they are scattered around me.

One by one, they stand up and shift, growling at me. The earth starts vibrating as they run towards me. I sidestep the first one and he tumbles in the dirt before regaining his footing. In less than a second, I am on my back and the next one is on top of me. I place my hindlegs against his stomach and kick with all my might and he crashes into Mike. I get onto my feet and start running towards the nearest tree with them right on my heels. I jump against the tree, twist around and land on David's back. I dig my claws into his side, and he howls in pain as he tries to shake me off, but I cling for dear life.

Mike jumps towards me and I let go and roll off and he flies over David, missing me completely. I am on my feet again and ram the closest wolf against the tree before swinging around and clawing another through the face.

David jumps into me from the side, and we roll entangled over the grass as we claw and snap at each other.

I end up on my back with David pinning me down. Exhausted I glare at him as he bares his teeth at me.

Submit, Luna and all of this is over, he mind-links me.

I try to wiggle out from under him but Mike and the other two place their paws on me and there is no way I am getting out from under their combined weight.

Bare your neck and we all can go home, David mind-links again.

Never, I reply and lick him across the face.

Instantly, he lets go of me and the others follow their lead. I stand up and shake the dirt off my fur.

A loud, high-pitched whistle pierces through the air and we turn to Adele waving us to come back. Together the five of us return and I am surprised to see Axel next to her.

When did you get here? I mind-link him.

Since you walked onto the field, he replies.

"Training's over," Axel announces aloud as he walks to me and rubs my fur.

I trot to the locker room and shift back before getting dressed.

"That was as impressive as it was terrifying," Axel says as he walks closer and pulls me into his embrace.

"I know," I sigh as my arms go around his waist. "I still need a lot of training."

"Not what I meant," he leans over and kisses me. "With more training, you'll be unstoppable. I just pray you'll never have to use your skills. I had to restrain myself from not jumping when they were all on top of you." "Come on," I take his hand. "Let's go home. I stink and need a shower."

"I'll wash your back," he grins mischievously.