Chapter Six

SIENNA

My trainer once told me that if I wanted to be the best, I was going to not only beat the odds but also be ready to get beat and broken. So I did just that. I let myself get beaten, just so that I could tell what if felt like to be in such intense physical pain. I broke a few bones and even got to experience what being shot with a silver felt like and let me say that it wasn’t something I was looking forward to ever experiencing ever again.

To beat the odds, I had to train harder than everyone else. That too was painful, my mind screamed at me to take a break but I didn’t. I told myself that I couldn’t afford to, not until I became the best. And that’s what I had been doing for the past two years.

My life revolved solely on office work, training grounds, pack meetings alongside my father and a few occasional visits to my bed like a normal person should. And did my body break down? From time to time it did. And each time I got the chance to get back up again, I pushed myself even harder. It just felt like the thing to do.

I wanted to show those who didn’t think me worthy enough to see how great I was going to turn out. And that led me here, to this very ring. I could hear my father’s voice in my mind, something he used to say whenever he wanted to teach me something.

“Whatever you do, try your best to stay off your enemy’s grasps as much as possible. It only takes one mistake and they’ll strike you down. You cannot afford for that to happen Sienna, not as an Alpha anyways.”

He said that to me the first day of training, and he was sure to remind of it today. Word for word.

I stared at Benjamin who had a smirk on his face. He was the best warrior in our pack. The one people feared to spar with simply because he was too fast or his punches were too brutal. But here I was, staring him down in a fight.

A spar usually had rules, this didn’t and you can be sure that he wasn’t taking it easy on me.

He had told me he wasn’t going to because he had seen just how good I had become and he wasn’t about to loose his title to a girl. But that’s what I wanted him to see, to see just how strong this girl was and to take the title he so pride himself in. We were both panting, sweating and a bit bloodied from fighting each other.

Where he gave me a kick or a punch, I made sure to return double the force or the action. It was a vow that I had made to myself to push myself beyond what my enemy would think of me.

“Getting tired yet?” Benjamin asked looking unfazed whereas I was panting like a dog on death roll.

“I could do this all day.” I bit back at him lying through my teeth when I could myself about to pass out.

I was getting tired but he didn’t need to know that. For someone who looked unfazed however, he sure looked worse than I did. I made sure of that. I couldn’t let him have it all.

Not the fame, the title or the arrogance. I wanted to take it all. And I knew there were people counting on me to do so.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see and sense my father’s stare on me. From the way he sat at the edge of his seat, I could tell that he wanted me to end the fight.

I knew that I had to show everyone, pack members, the council of elders and my father that I was fit for the role of Luna.

It was now or never and I was sure as hell going to make it now. Two years of hard work wasn’t going to go down the drain just because I felt tired. I shouldn’t even be this tired when this has been one of the things I trained for.

“Focus Sienna, that title is yours.” I told myself, forcing the part of my body that produced adrenaline to work and pump harder and faster. And it did...

I felt the surge of strength and unwavering power flow through me, from my head to the tips of my fingers making it tingle. Somehow I knew just when Benjamin was going to attack me. I saw the move even before his body moved. I dodged his kicks and punches like I was practicing with a balloon. Everything was in slow motion and it was as though I could control time.

The voices from the audience had died down and the only thing I could hear were the whooshing of his movements.

All it took was one move, an opening I saw and took. I landed him a punch, followed by a kick and Benjamin was sent flying across the training field.

Gasps and silence, turned to cheers erupting and before I knew it, my feet was off the floor and I was being carried.

My eyes darted to my father who like the elders beside him was on his feet, clapping and holding a proud look. I grinned at him where he simply nodded in acknowledgement.

Who would have thought that years ago I would be this good of a fighter? When all I wanted was to be with my mate. I wanted so bad for him to see me for who I was – a girl who wanted a normal life.

But looking back, I was pleased that I didn’t let the pain deter my determination. If anything, it fuelled it pushing me to the point I thought I was going to explode. I was let down, and the cheers died down to me getting patted on my shoulders as I walked up to where my father and the elders were.

“That was incredible Sienna. You truly exhibited the strengths an Alpha should have. You have made your father and all of us proud. We really look forward to having you rule this pack some day.” He head elder of the council said holding a smile on his face as well.

“Thank you sir.” I answered my chest rising from my frequent pants.

I turned to face my father who had his arms wide open for me. “You know I’m sweaty right?” I asked knowing I might ruin his outfit.

“I wouldn’t have had my arms open if I cared Sienna.” My father replied pulling me into a tight hug. “Your mother would be so proud.” He murmured into the hug.

When we pulled apart, he smile died down going back to his Alpha mode.

“Soon this pack will be your responsibility Sienna. When I retire you will have only your experiences over these years to push you through.”

Something about the way he said that didn’t sit well with me. Why was he talking like he was going to die or leave the pack? Surely he’d be around for when I needed him right?