“You keeping the mask on, kiddo?” Alpha John asks her.
Allie nods, and he shrugs, stepping back. As long as it doesn’t get in the way of his teaching, he really doesn’t care. “Alright, on three… THREE!”
Both move at the same time, throwing a punch and blocking. Allie ducks low and spins around, aiming a kick at his knee. She slides under his arm. He spins on his foot, aiming a kick to her shoulder. She blocks, but the force makes her jump back, and then she grabs his leg with her gloved hand, using it as leverage as she twists her entire body and aims one kick after the other at his neck.
He groans as he’s slammed to his knees, but he turns just as she’s about to deliver another blow. Allie clearly has the upper hand, and when she throws a punch that makes the crunch of bones breaking ring through the room, it sends Gerald flying across the mat.
Cheers spread through the room as Renji whistles again before clapping, clearly proud of his cousin. I can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm when I feel that familiar, scary, intense feeling of being watched wash over me and look away swiftly.
“Alessandra wins! Nowthatis what I expect from Rossi blood!” Alpha John says, patting Allie on the back.
A girl next to me looks at me and gives me a condescending smile, as if she’s saying that was meant for me before she turns away. But right now, nothing is going to get me down when it comes to seeing my girls shine.
The sparring matches continue, and I manage to slip down to where the girls are, Allie squeezing over towards Heaven so I can sit on her other side. She definitely chooses to be squished between us over sitting beside a random person.
“You guys were amazing,” I whisper before turning my attention forward again.
Once the matches are over with, and my head is abuzz with the growing irritation from some of the people around me, I have a headache hammering at my head.
The bell rings, and I get up quickly when Alpha John raises his hand.
“Alright, I know we’re all hungry, but everyone who is in a division or going to be assigned to one this term, meet me in Storm at five today! Divisions are being finalised today ahead of the planned schedule!”
My heart thuds. Storm is one of the training halls; they all have an elemental name, with this main one being Air. It is the largest and the one we usually use when everyone is there.
What?
“But, Alpha-”
“Hey! We had a few people graduate, which means we need to fill spots and a few new division leaders, too!”
Tatum said his division was full…
“Well, seems like your initiation came early,” Allie murmurs. “I’m sure you’re not excited, but you’ll be fine.” She slaps my shoulder, and I look at her.
“You need to work on your comforting skills,” I whisper.
“Na, I’m good,” she says, before resting her arm lightly on my shoulder. I smile slightly. Yeah, say what you want, your physical contact right now is proof enough that you care, and it’s your way of showing me you’re here for me.
“Alright, off you all go!” Alpha John orders.
Heaven smiles at me, resting her head against my shoulderas we wait for the crowd to disperse.
“I can just hope for the best…” I murmur.
“Jayce Westwood, a word,” Alpha John calls.
“We should go,” I say, standing up as I see the tall man cross the room, his long legs eating up the distance.
“Si?” Allie asks, pulling me from my thoughts. I blink and quickly turn as we hurry from the half-empty training hall, my nerves already getting the better of me, unable to stop thinking about tonight.
Well, it’s inevitable. I’m just going to have to wait and see who gets stuck with me. It’s going to be rough, especially since divisions are sent out to do missions and stuff. I’m just going to be a burden on them all…
Gods, this sucks.
Ninth Division
Sienna
