For the Ladies
1040 Words
Maya's POV
After the guys had dispersed Athens had us girls do sparring with each other. Amber and I squared off as we traded punches and kicks. Jewel was learning so she was with Athens. I noticed at one point Pinky stood up throwing her fists as if she was fighting too.
"Athens," I called out halting Amber and me from our practice.
"Yes, soul sister?" He paused to lean his head around to ask.
"I think Pinky should be training too." I jerked my head in her direction to see Elder Braun shaking his head vigorously.
"I agree," Athens snickered. "It is poor form to think your woman does not need to train when she wants to." Athens directed it to Elder Braun.
"I can fight for her?" He huffed.
"Then beat us," Amber shot back raising a brow with a hand on her hip.
My eyes snapped to Amber, in pride. "Exactly," I added my hand on my hip as well.
"It is not necessary," Elder Braun scoffed.
Athens rubbed his hands together, "oh but it is." He paused to glance at us. "You see were are going to be facing the darkest being next to the gods and goddesses, let alone any monkey business that may pop up along the way. Pinky needs the training to help fight. So battle the girls and I will have Pinky square off with Jewel to see where I should begin." A snide smile slid across Athens's face. "The girls will tell me where you are lacking." Athens blew him a kiss.
Elder Braun's face turned several shades red and then literally watched him stomp right to us. Amber hid her giggle as he yanked his shoes off and his shirt, like a toddler throwing a tantrum.
"This is crap," He mumbled angrily.
"I just now realized old men do have temper tantrums," I giggled. "It will be over before you know it." I winked as both Amber and I lunged at him at the same time. We had him down in seconds. His face was dark with embarrassment and irritation.
As we held him there he watched as Pinky and Jewel landed blows as Athens called out points to fix. Pinky had training, rusty in some ways but training for sure.
Jewel was flipped over and landed wiggling out just in time before Pinky had been about to backhand. There was grace and power in her movement but it lacked just a bit of finish as Athens would say. Jewel and Pinky locked onto each other as they rolled grappling to the ground. Finally letting go and laughing as they lay in the sand looking up.
Amber and I undid Elder Braun as he rose, "Looks like we need to get some dust off the old bones," he rolled his shoulders as a small smile appeared on his face. "It appears I was wrong." He held a hand out for Pinky to stand.
"It appears so grumpy old wolf." Pinky kissed his lips lightly then playful smacked his shoulder.
Elder Braun grabbed her waist, yanking her to him he kissed her thoroughly as they stood with all of us watching. Amber and I giggled while Jewel seemingly added "yuck," with a gagging effect and shielding her eyes.
"What's going on here?" Mortou came to stand with us folding his arms over his chest.
"We now have a matched set of women to train." Jewel piped up. "Four girls to work together." She grinned.
"Pinky?" Mortou glanced at Jewel.
"Yep," she nodded walking closer to Amber And me. She grabbed both our hands as she settled between us.
Training took off after that. Pinky was able to chip away at the rust from so many years of not fighting. Elder Braun managed to start training with the guys. Hawk always stayed back unless it was to fight with Justin and Ray in sword I noticed. Amber explained to me that when fighting hand to hand he could take someone's life with just a touch. Why he only matched with swords. He didn't want an accident. I was grateful that he did that. It kept the boys safe and caused no issues. Athens and Hawk had fought with swords. Hawk the clear winner. Athens didn't like it but he had managed to deal with it better than I would have thought.
By the time the bigger kinks were out, it was time to pack and get ready to travel to the other side of the world. The liaison Loredana said she would meet us at the airport and would show us to out the first pack to meet. Joe seemed to trust her and based on what Athens had said about her she was an orphan who had been found as a baby by the third-highest ranked pack in that hemisphere. She was raised with the alpha's kids learning customs and though she was not a wolf they knew she was supernatural. Just not what kind, as they never could figure it out nor did she shift when she had turned 18.
Athens had mentioned he smelt her as a Dyamphyr but wasn't sure until he got a closer sniff. "Wasn't she found near the area we are going that has the lab?" Amber mentioned at dinner as we all talked.
"That is the understanding." Athens nodded.
"Perhaps she was from there like me?" She shrugged going back to her steak, grilled veggies, and mash potatoes.
Everyone at the table that night looked at each other and back to Amber. It was possible why hadn't anyone thought of that. Hawk kissed Amber on the temple, "such a smart one you are." He turned his prideful grin back to everyone at the table.
"Indeed a very brilliant thought," Athens saluted her with a raised glass and a tilt of the head.
"To family here and to the family we have yet to find!" Jewel giggled as she too raised her glass in the air.
"To family!" Everyone shouted clinking glasses together as a huge smile tugged at everyone's lips. This was the family I always wanted. I felt Joe slide a hand on my shoulder as he kissed the top of my head.
- Writer
