The Alpha’s Regret

Chapter 6

I wake up bright and early the next morning determined to hit the ground running with the mission at hand. I exit the bathroom dressed in my black training shoes, black shorts and purple sports bra and rummage in my suitcase for my comfy black hooded sweatshirt. After throwing it on. I brush out my long hair and tie it in a sleek pony tail on top of my head. I head downstairs to meet the rest of my team. 

“We are already in the dinner hall waiting Ella” Sam mind links me as I approach the busy hall. 

I instantly sense a change in the atmosphere as I walk into the room. From the males I am getting a mix or lustful looks and doubtful sneers. From the females I can sense some resentment along with a few looks of respect. I guess I should have expected this mixed reaction to my presence. After all, the pack was sent help from the council. Alpha Lorenzo might feel slightly offended at their suggestion that he needs help to run his own pack. Especially from a 5,4 woman who looks like a life size version of Tinker Bell. I brush off the stares as I approach my team and hold my head high as I strut between the tables to reach theirs. I go and grab myself some breakfast and look up towards the Alpha’s table where he is sitting gazing lovingly into his mate’s eyes. Beside him James is sitting chewing on a piece of bacon, staring right at me. He sends me a quick nod and a wink which seems to catch the attention of a few eagle eyed she-wolves in the room. Goddess, the last thing I need to is be wrapped up in pack drama with some playboy Beta and his harem of bimbos. I simply nod in return and head toward my table to talk through my plans for the day ahead with my team. 

***

Making our way to the training grounds I can see some warriors warming up and getting ready to begin. James takes to the centre of the large opening and begins to set everyone to task on their warm up exercises. His aura demands attention and I can sense the respect that his warriors have for him. I keep up with all his tasks as he studies me from afar with interest. All the while, I’m making mental notes in my head about little aspects he can add to his training regime to help bring along his fighters further. There really isn’t much to add though. He seems to have all bases covered and I’m happy to see that the warriors training is of a high quality. 

“Everything looking okay to you so far Ella?”James says to me a little defensively as I finish my current round of press ups. 

“Yep it’s looking good James. I’m definitely impressed. I don’t have much to add just a few tweaks and ideas here and there.” I respond honestly. 

He puffs out his chest a little and I can see that he is happy with my assessment so far. I then hear a gruff voice behind me. 

“No offence Beta but why are we taking the advice of a tiny little she-wolf who probably couldn’t fight her way out of a f*****g paper bag!” 

I spin around to see a large bulky man with a tight white tank top on. He’s clearly eager to show of this strength and his mouthing off let’s me know that he is also an arrogant asshole. 

James opens his mouth and I can sense he is about to defend my honour however I shake my head in his direction and turn my attention back to the giant before me. 

“Well, why don’t we put my fighting ability to the test then? What would you say to little wager? Loser completes 50 laps of the clearing after training.” I say to him narrowing my eyes and piercing him with my best steely gaze. 

“You’re on. Don’t expect me to go easy on you.” He snorts as he slaps his hands together and takes a fighting stance, readying himself for my attack.

“Oh I wouldn’t dream of it. I’ll be sure to go easy on you though.” I smirk back at him. 

I hear the chuckles of my team as they watch on. They know full well how this is going to play out. I can see James from the corner of my eye looking at me with equal parts worry and intrigue. I pull off my black sweatshirt and stretch out my limbs as I eye my opponent. 

He is big and looks like he packs a big punch. However this doesn’t worry me too much. My father always taught me that the largest men fall the hardest. My speed and agility will work well for me in this fight and I have to use them to my best advantage. We circle each other for a while and he senses that I won’t be making the first move. He lunges at me but I easily dodge his advance sending him stumbling a little. We repeat this a few times much to his annoyance. As he turns back to face me I see anger flash through his eyes. Good. This is exactly how I want him. Angry and unfocused. By now most of the warriors have stopped training and have now gathered to watch the outcome of the fight. On his next lunge I send a kick straight to his stomach which he doesn’t see coming. It knocks the air out of him a little but he continues his fast and furious assault. Swinging his large fist towards my ribs. His punch lands and it hurt like f**k. But I won’t show him this. We carry on landing punches and kicks on each other. His impacts are powerful but he is having to work hard due to my speed. I can sense he is beginning to tire a little and I am waiting for my opening to strike. Back in our first year as recruits, the Commander taught us a way to bring down an attacker quickly and I planned to use it when the time is right. On his next advance I let my fist fly out and jab the exact sweet spot of his windpipe. As he chokes on his heavy breath, I take the opportunity to land a punch to his jaw. In his dazed state he charges at me quickly with his arm outstretched towards me. I quickly manoeuvre my arm under his armpit and put all my strength into my shoulder throwing him off balance for a slight moment. It’s all I need to flip him hard down onto the ground. I quickly kick his ribs hard forcing him to roll over and I jump on his back straddling him while I grab his flailing arms tightly. I lean up onto his back and press my knee into the small of his back and I grab his arms and pull back tightly in a special hold that we were also taught by the Commander. I hear Sam’s voice counting down from 5 and the crowd murmur as the pack members look at me with stunned expressions. I quickly jump off the big man beneath me and he gets up onto his feet and faces me. I can tell he is fuming mad but I can also now see that he respects me. He dusts himself off and carries on toward the track to start his laps of the training grounds. The crowd begins to disperse and I turn to face an astonished James. His eyes are no longer their light silver blue shade and are now a dark shade of grey. He eyes my sweating chest, quickly handing by me a towel to dry off.  He then shakes his head and pulls himself together. 

“That was amazing Ella. Phil is our strongest warriors and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone take him down like that. Hell even I think I would have taken more time than you to land him on his ass.” I can see awe and adoration lingering in his gaze and I have to admit it feels nice to have him looking at me this way. 

“Thanks James. Your pack needed to see that we do have something to offer them by being here. What better way to show them than to challenge the biggest and baddest bully in the playground?” I snicker. 

“Well that’s true, I suppose your right.” He grins brightly at me with that cute smile of his. 

“I’m just going to meet with the rest of my team to go over some recommendations that we can begin to implement while we are here. Then we will hit the showers and meet you and the Alpha in his office in say... about an hour?” 

“Sure Ella. I’ll mind link Lorenzo now and let him know. You really are full of surprises aren’t you?” He states rhetorically. Then heads towards the pack house.