Yesterday’s Betrayal Today's Scars: Alice

3 TRAINING

Alice POV

As I pulled into the training facility, excitement bubbled inside me. Thoughts of working with Bear and us becoming a team made me smile.

I exited the Hummer and walked into the building. A broad, muscular man turned from the coffee pot in the corner where he had been pouring himself a cup and eyed me.

”Are you Alice,” he asked in a gruff voice. “I am,” I replied.

“Maveric is in the training field arranging your first exercise of the day,” he said, and his lip twitched as if holding back a grin.

I tilted my head slightly while trying to figure out what was amusing to him.

”Come on, I’ll walk you back,” he said, turning. I quietly walked beside him, watching trainers working with dogs.

When we approached Maveric, who had been talking with three other men, he turned to face us. “I see you dressed for the occasion,” he said, looking at my more relaxed clothing today.

”Ya, well, I wanted to be prepared for anything,” I replied. It was true. Rarely do I wear oversized comfortable t-shirts and ripped jeans with combat boots. I prefer my armor. Heels, corsets, and tight pants, preferably leather against my skin, make me feel empowered and bold like I can take on the world.

Maveric gave me a firm nod at my response. “Let’s get Bear, and we will get started,” he said. We walked 30 feet to his enclosure.

As soon as Bear saw me, he walked to the gate and sat waiting. Good boy, I thought to myself. I could see the intelligence in his dark eyes.

When Maveric opened the gate, Bear strolled out and came to stand at my side, looking up at me. I stroked his head. “Good morning, Bear,” I greeted him with a grin.

”He has been trained to stay inside until called out,” Maveric said, shaking his head.

”He is choosing me just like I chose him,” I said with a shrug, holding Marveric’s stare. He grunted, then turned, walking away. Bear and I followed at our own pace. My legs are short, and I will never run to keep up with any man who ignores that fact.

When we reach the middle of the field, Maveric stands there waiting on us with an eyebrow raised. I raise mine in return because he can get over himself.

”Before we get started, let’s go over some things,” he said in a stern and disciplined voice. I gave a nod that I was listening.

”Protection dogs have very distinctive personalities and differ significantly from household pets. They are guardians committed to the safety of their handlers and immediate family. He paused, and I let that sink in.

I had researched and read similar information when I considered getting a dog. I nodded for him to continue, but I needed him to stop using the word handler. I f*****g hate it.

”The term protection dog is derived from the German word Schutzhund. With Bear being a Cane Corso, he already had protective instincts in him. With our training regiment, he will be even more attuned to you and your surroundings,” he stated with a stern look on his face.

”That’s great. I plan on taking him with me almost everywhere. But I also want him to be a companion. He will be family to me. You have provided him with structure and discipline here,” I said, motioning my hand to his training facility.

“However, I want a balance with him,” I said, hoping he understood.

”He will naturally do that on his own. But making friends outside their handler or immediate family circle can’t happen. It will ruin their training and could potentially put you at risk. Are you aware that most attacks are by someone we know or have been around at some point?” He asked me.

I grin. “Did you forget who you are talking to?” I threw back at him. He knows Uncle Tom, and I know they discussed me at least to some length.

He smirked at me, then continued.

“His entire existence needs to revolve around you. This means you feed him, you exercise him and avoid any physical contact with anyone outside the trusted inner circle. His life as a guardian is steeped in loyalty and duty,” he stopped looking at me carefully.

I am becoming irritated because nowhere in his speech has he used the words love or care for him. But I nod for him to continue talking.

“This exclusivity does not mean isolation. He will need to socialize to ensure he is well-rounded. Taking him into different environments, as you said earlier, will keep him exposed to various people without interacting with them. This keeps his abilities sharp in distinguishing between pedestrians and any potential threats,” he explains.

“I understand,” I say and stroke the top of Bear’s head as he patiently sits at my side.

”Dogs have remarkable sensory abilities compared to humans. They see better, hear, and smell far better than we can. This sensitivity allows them to detect subtle changes in their surroundings, like the scent of fear. Meaning he will perceive a threat before you do.”

”That’s amazing,” I mumble, looking down at the gorgeous boy.

“Now for our first task,” Maveric says, getting my attention. “I need to see your natural reactions together in a hostile situation to see what we can improve. He is trained, and I know you are,” he says with a mischievous grin.

Shit, he has something planned. I square my shoulders because, like most people, he probably underestimates me.

He pulls a cell phone from his pocket and sends a short text. Then he looks back at me.

”Three men will approach. One is going to attack you. Two are decoys and mean no harm,” he says. That damn smirk was back on his face.

Bring it on, I think to myself. I take a stance, and Bear immediately stands, turns away from me, and backs his butt up so it is almost between my legs. Humm, I like his protective side.

I start scanning the field. In just a few minutes, I saw the three men Maveric was talking to when I arrived.

They aren’t wearing full-bite suits, just thick arm guards. All of them, meaning I don't know which will attack. So be it motherfuckers, let's play, I grin internally.

As if forming a half circle, one is on the left, one on the right approaching, and one dead center coming right at me, all with stone facial expressions.

I am taking them all in when I notice the one on the left flexing his fingers into a fist and then releasing as if preparing himself. The other's hands are relaxed. They don’t expect to be attacked by Bear. Bingo, gotcha.

I smile so they don’t notice that I slightly bend my knees to prepare for the attack. As they get close, the one in the center says, “Hello, mam, how are you today?” “Fine,” I reply, using my peripheral vision to keep an eye on the other two.

Once they are 10 feet away, Bear lets out a warning growl, but they keep approaching. Dumb asses, I think.

Three feet from us, the one on the left lunges at me. Almost simultaneously, Bear is in the air, hitting him in the chest with his big paws and latched onto his shoulder. I am right behind him, slamming my knee down on his face. I pin his head sideways to the ground while sliding a knife from my boot.

I put it to his throat. “How's your day going, buttercup?” I ask him with a laugh.

Bear is growling and jerking him, trying to rip his shoulder off. I ease the pressure of my knife so I don’t cut him. This is just an exercise, after all.

”Get the f**k off me,” he yells, but there is a tremble in his voice. I slip my knife back into my boot and stand. “Heel Bear,” I say in a firm voice. Bear drops his grip with a snarl and comes to my side.

”Anyone else wants to play?” I ask with a broad smile, looking at the men. Maveric shakes his head.

”Thank you men. That’s enough for today,” he tells them. Then casts a hard look at me.

”You pulled a knife on one of my men,” he says in a deadly tone. Well, screw him.

”It is my ‘natural’ instinct to use weapons when in danger. Did you not say you wanted to observe us to see what we could improve in a hostile situation?” I throw back at him.

He grunts and shakes his head again. “He followed your command well to release and come. Let’s see how you both do with the next exercise,” he says as if it's a challenge.

”As I mentioned before, Tom explained you and your needs to me,” he pauses as if choosing his words.

”He mentioned you might have a mild case of PTSD resulting in night terrors.” My whole body stiffens at that.

”He told me because I have personal experience with that. I plan to help you by training Bear to bring you out of them and comfort you afterward. There is also a hidden advantage to this besides the obvious,” he says, waiting for my reaction.

The shock of him knowing is wearing off, and I think over his words. Suppose Bear could help me. I'm all for it. I nod for him to continue.

”If we successfully accomplish this, it will qualify him as an ESD.” I raise a brow at that. He is talking about an Emotional Support Dog.

”Under federal law, once he is trained, you can take him anywhere without question. I, along with my staff, will provide you with an I.D. card to keep on you at all times, stating his status,” he says with a grin.

”I love the idea, but I have to ask. Would he have to wear one of those ugly vests?” I ask with my nose curled up in disgust.

Maveric chuckled at me. “No, the I.D. card is all that's required.

”Now, lay down on the ground for this exercise,” he ordered.

What the f**k is he up to? I lay down flat on my back as he requested.

“This is going to be the most difficult part of your training. Close your eyes and relax,” he says in a calm tone.

I do as he asks and try to relax. “Now, I want you to keep your eyes closed and think about the last night terror you had. What you saw, what you felt, every detail. I need you to feel like you are there,” He says.

I start from the beginning of my last one. The inner part of me in my terrors that feels the panic of the child I was starts to rise in me.

I vaguely feel Bear at my head sniffing, and then he whines. I hear Maveric instructing him, but I try to do as told to concentrate on the memory of that last day in the apartment.

It isn't long before the air is taken out of me. Bear has his entire body on top of mine, from chest to feet. He is completely covering me and squishing the air from my lungs. He is so heavy. I open my eyes and put my arms around him.

”How does that feel?” Maveric asks. “Like I can't hardly breathe,” I barely get out. “OK, but concentrate on the other feelings.

I think as I stroke Bear, who now has his face buried in my neck and hair nuzzling me like he wants me to feel better.

”The pressure and weight of him, even though it is crushing, is also comforting. He is soothing me,” I explain.

”Pressure therapy will help you. It will also bring you out of a terror without shocking your system. What he is doing right now is aftercare. It seems to come naturally to him,” He says with a smile.

”We will do this same exercise at the end of each training session this week. By the end, if he learns to do this himself without any prompting from me or the staff, we will certify him.”

I lean forward, kissing Bear's neck. “Thank you, Bear,” I tell him sincerely. He raises his big head, towering over me, and gives my cheek a lick, making me laugh.

”Ok, get off. You're crushing me,” he huffs and gets off me, allowing me to take a good breath.

I stand and thank Maveric. By the knowing look on his face, he already knows exactly what this means to me.