Killian motions for me to join him in the middle of the circle and I do so with uncertainty. The distrust is evident on everyone's faces and Lexie's little speech didn't do much to warm them up to me. Patrick squeezes my hand reassuringly, earning himself a low growl from Killian, but he ignores it and winks down at me.

Killian motions for three more men to join us in the circle, and I recognize Marcus in the mix. I smile at him, but he looks away immediately. Did Killian reprimand him for what happened in the gym?

"Rey, these are my four strongest men. I've instructed them to not hold back, so I suggest you do the same," he smiles.

"Four?" I question.

I feel Patrick remove his hand from mine and I'm instantly on the defensive.

"You traitorous bitch!" I yell at him, but we're both laughing.

All four move to attack me at once. They're good, I'll admit it, but they lack the grace and efficiency that comes with years of warrior training.

It's obvious Killian's "fight it out" method is lacking in skills training. I pick them off one by one with little resistance, but I did manage to at least work up a sweat.

The rest of the crowd looks on in awe, most of them having never seen a Warrior in action. Killian has a neutral expression on his face, but I can see a glint of pride when our eyes meet and I can no longer deny the way my heart beats even faster at the sight.

"I want a turn," Lexie pushes her way to the front, interrupting our moment.

I roll my eyes at her, which just pisses her off even more.

"What, don't think you can handle it?" She smiles smugly at me, cracking her knuckles like some lame movie villain.

"I just took on your four best men and you think you're going to be a challenge?" I snort.

Everyone leans in, curious to see how this is all going to play out. Even Killian looks intrigued, much to my dismay.

"You know what, fuck it," I sigh. "Show me what you've got."

We start to circle each other, sizing the other up, neither of us willing to make the first move. We're both roughly the same height, but I weigh a little more, so I try to think of how to use it to my advantage.

Someone must have moved behind me because Lexie looks up, distracted, and I make my move. I try to swing my foot out to knock her to the ground, but she recovers quickly. Her moves are much more graceful than the men, almost dance like, and I begin to wonder if Killian underestimated her as one of his strongest.

We go back and forth for a while, but we both anticipate the other's moves and neither of us are able to land a blow.

"You're better than you look," I pant. Sweat is dripping into my eyes at this point, but I ignore the sting. "Killian really underestimated you."

"Don't you mention him to me," she hisses at me.

I must have hit a nerve because she gives up on technique and barrels towards me full force, knocking us both down. She grabs a fistful of my hair and pulls my head up before slamming it back onto the ground. The force of the blow is enough to make me dizzy, but I power through and hook my ankles around her waist so that I can roll us over.

I take both of her wrists in one hand and wrap the other hand around her throat. She struggles underneath me, unwilling to accept defeat.

"Submit," I command, trying to imitate Killian's tone when he's commanding his pack.

I'm surprised, and admittedly a little impressed, when everyone lowers their heads in submission. Killian is beaming down at me as he offers me his hand to pull me up. I turn to the crowd, trying to put on my best warrior face even if I do feel like a giddy little girl on the inside from Killian's approval.

"Emotions will do you no good on the battle field. Your pack is strong, but you all think too much. You let your emotions lead your movements and your enemies will use that against you and pick you apart. To be the best, you can't feel, you can't think, you simply have to act."

Patrick and Marcus start to clap and soon everyone else follows. I'm sure I haven't completely gained anyone's trust, but this was a good start. Lexie walks off angrily towards the house, mumbling under her breath.

Killian dismisses the pack for the day and then leans down and tells me to meet him in his office after I'm done cleaning up, so I rush up to my room and take a quick shower.

I know I shouldn't be this excited to see him, that it'll only lead to me getting too attached, but I can't help but crave his praise for what I did on the field today. I know it's just because we're mates, but praise and compliments from him meant so much more than it ever did from my peers.

When I run down to his office, I make sure to knock this time, not wanting a repeat of the other night.

"Come in," his rough voice calls, and I do so eagerly.

He's sitting on the edge of the desk, examining some document or something. He's dressed casually and I'm a little surprised. If he wasn't working out, he was always in suits.

"What's with the face?"

"Oh, nothing, I just wasn't aware that you actually owned casual attire," I mock, sitting down across from him.

"I only wear suits when I have company," he snickers.

"And where are these guests you speak of?"

I know he's talking about the other alphas, and I only now realize I haven't seen them for a few days.

"I sent them home until I can figure out who's leaking information. I don't want any suspects snooping around my pack. That isn't why I called you in here though."

"I know. You called me in here to tell me how amazing I am and how I totally kicked ass today," I gleam.

He laughs dryly, but it doesn't reach his eyes.

"Yes, you were great. Even better than I thought. But I called you in here to tell you to back off Lexie a little. You shouldn't have antagonized her like that."

My jaw drops in shock.

"Excuse me, what?"