Sneaky Plans

Allene

I felt a spark of satisfaction when my hit landed. Finally, a small victory.

But it didn’t last.

The rogue recovered fast, striking back with even more force. Pain flared through my side, and I stumbled just enough to lose my footing.

The fight dragged on, relentless. Blow after blow, I found myself on the defensive more than the attack. Every hit that landed made my teeth grit, my muscles burn, and my confidence waver.

I was losing. And I knew it. But I couldn’t let it show—couldn’t let them see me falter. But my body ached, my movements were slower than I wanted, and a seed of doubt started crawling in my chest.

The rogues regained their happiness and started shouting again, some cheering for the massive male rogue. “She’s going down!” one yelled. Another added, “He’s known to break anyone who stands in his way!”

I shook my head, trying to focus, to block out their voices. My heart was hammering, my muscles screaming for rest, but I….wouldn’t stop.

The rogue lunged at me again, his arms like steel, moving even faster than I expected. I ducked just in time, feeling the whoosh of air as his fist passed over my head. My shoulder slammed against the wooden post of the training ring, the sting shooting down my arm. I hissed, pushing off and rolling away, my legs trembling as I got back to my feet.

He came at me again, this time feinting left before spinning right, and I barely managed to parry the blow. Pain shot through my body, and I stumbled backward, my chest heaving. I could hear the rogues cheering for him even more, egging him on, but their words blurred into a low sound behind the thundering of my own heartbeat.

I swung hard, aiming for his side, but he caught my wrist, twisting it with brutal precision. I let out a sharp grunt, the joint burning, my fingers threatening to give way.

He shoved me back, and I crashed into the training dummies lined along the ground, but I pushed myself up, refusing to break no matter what.

He charged again, and I ducked, rolling under his swing, grabbing his cloth to pull him down but he twisted away, throwing me off balance. I fell to my knees, and for a second, I froze, my stomach twisting at the thought of defeat. The rogues around us were laughing, some calling me weak, others daring me to quit.

I scrambled to my feet just as he swung again. This time, I caught his arm, yanking him forward and using his momentum to throw him off me. He hit the ground hard, grunting, and I took the moment to strike his shoulder, a quick jab that made him stumble. A spark of hope flared inside me. Maybe… maybe I could hold my own.

But he recovered instantly, lunging at me with a growl, and my stomach sank as I realized I had nowhere to retreat.

I had two choices: back down and take their scorn, or endure and show them that I belonged here, even if it meant the fight ending in a tie. I chose not to back down.

We continued fighting, and at some point, I realized something that made my blood run cold. This rogue… he wasn’t sparring anymore. He was fighting to kill me.

Panic shot through me like lightning, my breaths came faster, my heart hammering against my chest.

For every hit I landed, he struck twice as hard. My breathing came in sharp, ragged bursts. Pain flared in every muscle, and every joint. He was about to deliver another blow, I could see that it contained almost all his strength, but I was too weak to even dodge.

I closed my eyes bracing for impact, but in that instant, my wolf surged through me, fierce and raw, muscles and instincts aligning with mine.

Strength I didn’t know I had exploded through my limbs. My arms moved almost on their own, faster, stronger, striking with moves I hadn’t learned before. My legs pivoted, my body twisting in ways I didn’t consciously command.

The massive rogue’s eyes widened in disbelief. He hadn’t expected this. And even I… even I was shocked. I shoved, twisted, and broke free from his grip, my body moving like fire and shadow in perfect sync. He staggered back, crashing into the training post, completely off balance. He tried to get up, but he couldn’t no matter how he tried.

I stood there, chest heaving, my hands shaking slightly, my body still buzzing with adrenaline. I had won. I had actually won.

I felt so proud of myself. My wolf had shown herself… had fought for me when I couldn’t. And though I was ecstatic that I had claimed a victory, I couldn’t stop staring at my own hands, still trembling, with the memory of her strength.

****

I returned to my chambers, my body still aching faintly, though not nearly as badly as it should have. When I caught my reflection, I paused.

The injuries I’d sustained earlier had already mostly healed. The bruises faded that it looked almost nonexistent. Normally, it would’ve taken much longer to heal. The realization unsettled me, but I pushed it aside.

I freshened up, letting the warm water wash away the sweat and lingering tension, trying to calm the wild rhythm of my heartbeat. By the time I stepped out of the bath and dressed, my body felt almost whole again.

A maid approached me then, bowing slightly.

“My lady, Alpha Draven requests your presence,” she said.

I pulled my hair back, and followed the maid out of my chambers. My steps were light, though my thoughts were anything but.

Draven was waiting, his posture as rigid and commanding as ever. He didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “We need to discuss the next phase of our plan..” he said. “My rogues spotted Leo’s men lurking near our territory. I suspect they’re looking for you.”

I nodded, my brow furrowing slightly. He glanced at me briefly, his eyes cold and calculating. I knew that he would want me to show him my capabilities as soon as possible. Just then, an idea sparked in my mind. I looked at Draven, my pulse quickening with excitement.

“That’s a good thing then. I can simply put myself in a position for him to find me,” I said carefully, letting the thought take shape in my voice, “just so we can lure some of Leo’s men into a trap. And then attack them, we would pretend to be a rival pack, so he wouldn’t be able to trace it to us at all.”

Draven’s eyes narrowed. “That sounds risky.”

I smiled inwardly. “It doesn’t matter, besides, I wouldn’t expose myself completely,”

He studied me for a long moment, weighing the danger, and most likely the benefits, then he finally nodded. I could see the grudging approval in his gaze.

With the plan set, I left the palace, flanked by some of Draven’s men. They were to stay hidden, waiting for the perfect moment to strike Leo’s men. But I… I had something else in mind.