XXIII

                                    

                                          
Kenzie Hope
                          
When my hair lied like a second skin over my cheeks and I looked as if I were just caught in a sudden storm, I let myself drop to the ground. My legs were empty and there was a rising feeling of nausea from my stomach. It never ceased to amaze me that the muscles that were working so hard only seconds ago now struggled to hold my weight. Salty droplets flowed down my face like soft summer rain, dripping onto the grass as I sat to regain my breath. Down my back was a dark stripe amid the green color of my sleeveless top, a spreading map of perspiration. In the haze of the afternoon, I could feel the loose shirt start to cling to my back in places and there was a slight sting to my eyes - old mascara. I never seemed to learn to throw it out before it goes rancid.
                          
Looking up to the sky, as blue as a perfect summer's day. It was the color of a typical noon sky, without a cloud in sight. It was the same shade of my mother's eyes when she looked at my father; the same color that he looked at Brady with. It was the blue of forget-me-nots, that bright and bold yet ever so delicate burst of optimism that tiny flowers are. For me, blue was a cheery color, one of honesty and life - for it is the color of skies and my parent's eyes. The sky shone bright like their eyes, and I knew they were watching over me. I smiled at the thought. 
                          
I hoped Dad would be proud of me, proud of what I'm doing. Mom would probably cry over the thought of me even training to fight, let alone fight, but I would think that dad would enjoy that I was trying to save our blood. 
                          
"Hey, I won't let you get worked that hard again, don't cry, love," Kaden said, wiping a tear that had fallen and placing me in his lap. I snuggled my head on his chest, enjoying the comfort he brought me.
                          
Dylan sat next to me and when he saw the rogue tear that slipped from my eye, he yelled, "I told you guys too go easier on her! Look you made Z cry!"
                          
"It's not that." I laughed as I wiped the tear off my face, "I was just thinking about my parents."
                          
Jordan and Kaden looked sympathetically at me, knowing the loss of a parent. The pain comes in waves, waves of sadness and waves of memories. 
                          
Brady slung his arm around my shoulder, "Dad would think this was badass." I laughed before scolding him for swearing. I dusted my pants off after I jumped up, ready to go again. 
                          
I had spared Harrison for the last half an hour. Kaden and Jordan, as the Alpha and basically Alpha, were intently watching as they tried to train me while Carter, who was the best fighter, was giving me tips. Dylan watched with fearful eyes as we spared, fulfilling his duty as mama bear. 
                          
"Go," Jordan shouted like a buzzer. 
                          
Harrison smiled at me, sweat dripping down his face as I gave him a run for his money. I thought that I would get tired out first, considering he had tried since he was little, but I think my Alpha blood made me a strong competitor. I had only been training for almost two weeks and we were basically at the same level. This gave me hope that I could defeat Maxwell. 
                          
We circled each other for a moment, scanning the other's weaknesses. I decided to take the first move and sent a jab towards his face. I expected him to block it, but he didn't expect me to kick at the same time. The kick landed itself into his gut, sending him back a few steps. 
                          
Then we circled each other again before he tried to trip me, which he did successfully. I landed on my back with a thud and a slight groan as it hit where a bruise was already forming. My leg shot out from under me as I went to trip Harrison back. Once he was on the ground, I didn't waste time getting back up and sending, what would have been, a hard kick to the face, but I stopped myself before it made contact. I didn't want to kill the poor guy.