Training in the Black Hills
1102 Words
Jaessa POV
I carry my luggage up the stairs to the second floor guest suite. It is very grand with a master bedroom, guest room, and luxurious bathroom complete with a stand-alone shower and deep jacuzzi tub. I put my things away before returning downstairs to the main floor corridor, where I find Trystan waiting for me.
”Took you long enough.” The Alpha smirks.
”Ha! So professional, Alpha.” I chide, while laughing.
”Eh, you’re family, I don’t have to be professional, cousin.” He teases while ruffling my hair, and I swat his hand away. “Come on, they are waiting for us out back.” Trystan says, guiding me through the back patio doors to the courtyard.
He wasn’t lying, an entire gathering has formed on the grounds including Sarah, Travis, Jenni, Chad, Diane and Terrence, plus many who I don’t know, but they appear to be warriors. I do recognize a couple familiar faces, I realize as we near the group, one is that of my father Jaden’s best friend Matthew along with his mate Talia.
“Hey Jaessa!” Matt greets me while beaming, like a proud uncle.
“Hi.” I respond feeling suddenly overwhelmed and shy.
”Don’t let the size of our little training group concern you,” Sarah says as she closes into my side, “these are the best we have here in the Black Hills, and we felt that Matthew’s training as a tracker would be useful as well as training against Talia’s gifts.” The Luna explains to me.
“Alright, everyone listen up.” Travis commands using his still very present Alpha tone despite his retirement. “You all know why you are here, so the focus will be on putting our young trainee to the test. We will start off with one-by-one offensive tactics so Jaessa can display her abilities, and then we will be focusing on strengthening those abilities.” Travis explains before pausing and looking around before he speaks again, “Everyone clear on the directive?”
“Yes Alpha!” The crowd replies as Trystan rolls his eyes and grumbles, which his father clearly catches as he turns and winks to his son, the actual Alpha of the pack.
”Jaessa, step out towards the center of the grounds there.” Travis directs me and I follow suit. “Alright, Garrett, you’re up.” Travis commands to one of the warriors who stretches his arms as he walks out to approach me.
I take on a defensive stance, as the warrior who is probably three times my size stalks towards me. I grind my heels into the earth to gain traction in preparation before Garrett suddenly launches towards me. Thinking fast, I spin towards the right, just out of his reach as his fist narrowly misses my body. I use the momentum, and raise my knee, catching him in the gut, as he folds in half I lock my hands together and bring my elbows down hard on his shoulder, dropping the warrior to his knees.
Garrett is well trained and he somersaults away from me, then quickly regains his footing as he turns and begins to advance upon me once again. This time when he launches himself, he catches me off guard with a flying knee instead of his fist, and I turn to my left, protecting my vital organs while taking a hit to my flank, which staggers me.
”Halt!” Travis calls out, as we both turn our attention to him, and I try to assess and recover from the blow.
”Jaessa, I have a thought.” Talia’s voice rings out as she motions me to her. I bury down the grimace from my aching side as I approach her. Sarah and Jenni join us. Talia lowers her voice as she speaks to me, “Jaessa, do you have your mother’s gifts to project yourself?” She asks me.
”Yeah, well, I mean, sort of. I’ve only ever successfully teleported without meaning to, and it was emotionally driven.” I explain.
”Perfect, I think all of us can attest that our gifts best arise under pressure and in a state of emotional instability.” Talia smiles to me.
”It’s true.” Jenni confirms, “So get into your feelings and escape your attacker.” Jenni directs sternly.
”Ok, we are good.” Sarah calls back to her mate as I return to the designated training grounds.
“How am I suppose to use my emotions to escape my attacker?” I think to myself.
”Maybe imagine you’re trying to escape a certain Alpha male from Crystal Lake.” Tara replies to me in my mind.
“Westley?” I ask her.
“Mmhm.” She responds.
This time as Garrett stalks towards me, I picture Westley in his place. I let him get within reach of my body, and I suddenly force my physical being to “leap” from where I stand, and in a blur, I’m suddenly standing directly behind him as he swings and stumbles. Cheers erupt around us as Garrett regains his footing and turns to face me.
Garrett suddenly lunges towards me once more, and I push my force upon my body once again, disappearing from where I stand and reappearing behind him once again, though this time I launch myself onto his back, locking my arms around his throat. Garrett throws himself into his forward thrust, grabbing ahold of my arms he rips me from his body, throwing me over his head, and I land on my back on the ground with the wind completely knocked out of my lungs.
“Halt!” Travis shouts out once again, as I sputter on the ground, trying to come to terms with the major fault in my attack move.
Travis directs Garrett off the training field while Sarah kneels beside me, assessing my injuries before she places her hands, one on my sore flank and the other on my chest. As she closes her eyes, a warmth flows through me and soon after I’m pain-free and able to breathe with ease.
Sarah’s eyes open and she smiles down at me before helping me to my feet. Travis joins us now with Trystan at his side.
“You good, Jaessa?” Trystan asks me, and I nod.
“Yeah, I actually feel amazing now.” I reply, genuinely impressed with his mother’s ability to heal.
“Good, because you’re facing me next.” Trystan grins.
Oh, Goddess, help me.
- Writer
