"Pin," Carter shouted. I relaxed my grasp on the beta male beneath me, his other companion was still knocked out in the grass next to us. He would be sporting the black eye for at least the rest of the day. I helped the other one up.

"That was quite something, sister," Aspen said from the side. He had just arrived with what I would assume were his prospective Second and Third-in-command. One had honey blonde and the other had ashy brown hair, both were just as broad as the twins running the training. I could tell they were approaching their prime and that Aspen's Ascension to Alpha would be within the next five years.

I could see the jealousy resting in his eyes but I didn't care. I was still mad that he had invaded my space. "Thanks, baby brother," I retorted, meeting his gaze.

"Maybe we should move on to some intermission stretching," Carter supplied. Before I could reply, Aspen broke in. "Let's see if she can handle four at once," Aspen asked with a smirk. "Aspen, you can't even handle three," Cole stated from the sidelines. He and Persephone had been talking this entire time. I was surprised Carter wasn't jealous of the attention Persephone was getting from Cole. Derrick had been quite territorial. Maybe it was just the alpha males that had the insecurity complex?

"Yes, but her ascension ceremony was supposed to be last year. She should be leading a pack," he said. My anger rose and I considered showing him why I would have be the female leadership of Mountain Rise. "Don't talk to me about who I was supposed to be. Do not talk about my mate," I said venomously. "Or what, darling sister," he said, canines had descended. "I won't just give you a warning bite on your throat," I threatened. My wolf was just below the surface of my skin and I knew everyone could feel her.

The wolf on his left with the ashy hair, stepped between us and placed his back to me. I almost growled at his perceived disrespect before he spoke. "You need to back off Aspen. We don't use mates as leverage," he said calmly. He stepped backwards slowly until he was next to me on my right, his eyes never leaving Aspen. "You're better than that," he added. "Are you so sure Luke," Aspen asked. I could see the third raise an eyebrow at Aspen.

"Fine," I stated that had the second, Luke, give me a questioning look. "I can handle both your prospective wolves and two others," I challenge. Derrick had always had me spar with the mated warriors. Especially the older, more experienced wolves. He wanted a strong Luna by his side.

The other two was the Beta I had pinned before and another male that seemed nervous. Whether it was because I was showing up his Alpha-to-be or that I was female, I didn't care. I felt assured that even if I didn't win, however close I got would make Aspen feel less secure in his abilities. That's what I wanted in this match, to puncture his pride.

"We all know the rules. No permanent damage and if the fight goes outside the field, you are responsible for keeping an eye out for bystanders," Carter stated, hand raised. Aspen was in the field with a smile I was hoping to wipe away. "Those are the only rules," I questioned, my eyes looking at everyone as prey. It unsettled most, Carter only nodded without meeting my eyes.

As soon as his hand shot down, the second and my last sparring partner, Garrett, shifted to fur. Garrett was smaller than the rest and lunged at me first. I ran and jumped, my foot connecting with the side of his head and he hit the dirt. Using their surprise to my advantage, I tackled the third and threw several punches before the second charged at me. Shifting came easily to me, and took the tackle but was sure to sink my teeth into him as well.

We tumbled, the other two wolves charging to join. As the other wolf lunged, I shifted us so the second was on top of me. The second had a moment of feeling triumphant before he was tackled by the other wolf. The two wolves began to snap at each other, I knew the hierarchy within prospective wolves had them need to show lower ranked wolves they deserved their spot. Unlike Alphas, their place was earned and not brought on by birth.

The third took the second's place and I felt his teeth tear into me. Garrett focused on my side as I brought down the third. My teeth wrapped around his throat, before he whined his submission. I removed my jaws and went after Garrett until Luke tackled me. I was losing as Garrett continued his efforts. I kept Luke from my throat, I was not going to lose this battle.

Derrick had me train against many of the mated warriors. "I need a strong Luna at my side, Quinn. Our pack needs a strong pair to lead them," he would say. Always kissing his mark and making me shiver. I could feel Markus's gaze on us when he did that. I was never allowed to spar with him, even after I made the argument that he was a logical level up to the usual competition.

Garrett tried to find an opening for my throat; I bit onto his snout and held him. He cried out, scared to pull away. With him in the way, Luke had no way of claiming my throat. Using his frustration as a distraction, I pulled Garrett forward before clinging to his leg. Not enough to break it but in his frightened state, he pulled me out from underneath the second. I easily jumped off him, pushing Garrett into the dirt. The wolf was already tired from our earlier match, so I let him be. He was done. I lunged for the second.

Luke's throat filled my mouth as we hit the dirt together. He whined out and I released him. The other two wolves went to the ground, bowing low, and breathing as hard as me. My muscles burned and hummed from the workout. I knew Derrick would have been proud of my performance.

Aspen's jaw was on the ground as he stared at me. I raised my lip at him before walking away. I could hear Persephone follow me, excited at my victory. Carter and Cole followed as well with congratulations.

I just gave a mournful howl, hoping Derrick could hear it from wherever we go after leaving this world.

I felt the pull towards home and prayed I would not be here much longer.