Scarred Wolf Queen Chapter 26

**Briony's POV**

"Good morning, everyone." A deep voice boomed across the training ground, instantly shutting down all the chatter.

A massive guy strode toward us, built like a brick wall. Each footstep seemed deliberate, his eyes scanning us like we were being cataloged.

"I'm Conrad, senior instructor from the Sentinel Training Camp," he said, no fluff in his introduction. "I'll be evaluating your combat skills today."

The Sentinels. My heart skipped. This was it - my ticket out, my chance to finally escape Polaris and find somewhere I actually belonged. I caught myself straightening up.

Griffin had already shuffled everyone else to different areas, leaving just our little group. You could practically taste the tension in the air.

"The Sentinel camp only takes the best warriors from the packs," Conrad said, the hint of a smile playing at his lips. "We're the last line of defense when shit hits the fan."

He paused, clearly watching our reactions. Maxwell and Benjamin kept their poker faces intact, while Christopher and Ethan couldn't hide their excitement. Noah just frowned, looking like he was doing mental calculations.

"Let's start by assessing your human form combat," Conrad crossed his arms. "You guys usually train in set pairs, right? Cool with switching it up today?"

"Fine by us," we all answered together, which made Conrad raise an eyebrow.

"Alright then," he pointed. "You two first."

Noah and Ethan stepped into the center, taking positions a few feet apart. After a quick nod to each other, they dropped into their stances - Noah planted like an oak tree, Ethan bouncing lightly on his toes.

"Go," Conrad barked.

Noah charged first, trying to use his size advantage. But Ethan was too quick, slipping to the side and landing a solid hit on Noah's ribs. Noah grunted but adjusted fast, grabbing Ethan's wrist mid-strike.

They moved like they'd done this a thousand times before, trading blows and counters in a familiar rhythm. Ethan twisted free from Noah's grip while hooking his foot behind Noah's ankle. Noah stumbled but recovered with a sweeping kick that forced Ethan back.

"Enough," Conrad cut in.

They immediately broke apart, both breathing heavy.

"Not bad," Conrad nodded. "You two complement each other well." He scanned the group. "Next?"

His eyes landed on Christopher and Layla. Beside me, Layla let out a dramatic sigh of relief.

"Thank god," she whispered. "If he'd paired me with you, I'd be limping to the nurse right now. You've got that 'I could kill someone' look going."

I tried to relax my face, only then realizing how tight my jaw had been. Maybe Conrad showing up had triggered something in me - this burning need to prove I was good enough, strong enough to get the hell out of this place where every corner held another bad memory.

"Wow, feeling ignored over here," Christopher said with mock offense. "What, Layla, you don't think I'm worth fighting?"

Layla rolled her eyes and shoved his shoulder. "Whatever, let's just give the new guy a show."

Their match was solid too. Christopher used his strength well, but Layla surprised me with how slick her moves were. Even though Christopher eventually won, Conrad seemed impressed with both of them.

"Next pair," Conrad said, pointing directly. "You and you."

My stomach dropped when I realized he meant Benjamin and me.

Benjamin was the toughest of the guys to face. Not because he was strongest, but because he fought on pure instinct. He could spot a weakness I didn't even know I had.

"Good luck, bro," Christopher slapped Benjamin's shoulder with a smirk. "She's out for blood today."

"Shut up," Benjamin muttered, but his lips twitched upward.

We took our positions in the center, facing off. Benjamin's stance looked different today - looser but somehow more dangerous, like a cat about to pounce.

I rarely attack first, preferring to wait and counter. But Benjamin knew this trick and stayed completely still, forcing my hand.

"Come on, Little Lightning!" Ethan shouted from the sidelines. "Show him what you've got!"

I tuned him out, keeping my focus on Benjamin. A flash of impatience crossed his eyes - he knew this standoff worked in my favor.

That's when I moved.

I darted right, faking toward his ribs before switching to go for his knees. Benjamin saw it coming, sidestepping and grabbing my arm to throw me off balance.

I rolled with it, using his momentum to avoid hitting the ground hard. Before I could even get set, he was on me with a flurry of strikes that left me scrambling to block.

Stuck defending, I watched for my chance. When his rhythm slowed slightly, I fired a side kick straight into his ribs. He grunted but recovered instantly, sweeping my legs out from under me.

I hit the mat and rolled away, but he was faster than I expected. Before I could get up, he had my arm pinned, trying to secure me.

I twisted, using my smaller frame to slip from his grip, then landed a knee to his stomach that made him loosen his hold.

We both jumped back to our feet, facing off again. His eyes had that intense focus now, and his breathing was rough. My own lungs were burning, desperate for air.

Benjamin came at me more cautiously this time. I looked for any opening, but he was giving me nothing. We traded moves back and forth, neither getting the upper hand.

Just as I was about to try something new, Benjamin suddenly accelerated, somehow getting behind me with his arm locked around my throat.

I struggled to break free, but his hold was solid. My vision started swimming, breath caught in my throat. I had seconds before I'd black out. I went limp momentarily, making him think I was done, then surged with everything I had, working my fingers between his arm and my neck where our skin was slick with sweat.

Just as I created enough space to twist free - 

"Stop!" Conrad's voice cut through.

Benjamin instantly released me, stepping back. I sucked in air, my throat on fire.

"Excellent match," Conrad said, genuine respect in his voice. "But we still have one more participant." His eyes landed on me with an expression I couldn't read. "Briony, up for another round?"

"Yeah," I said immediately, ignoring the lead weight in my muscles and the rawness in my throat.

"Want a breather first?" he asked, clearly testing me.

I straightened up, meeting his gaze. "Real fights don't come with time-outs. I'm good."

He nodded, looking pleased. "Your opponent will be - " he pointed at Maxwell. "Him."

I took a deep breath and turned to Maxwell. He stood there calm and focused, sizing me up.

Fighting Maxwell was nothing like facing Benjamin. Maxwell didn't rely on gut instinct - he calculated everything. He memorized your patterns, your habits, your go-to moves, then used it all against you at the perfect moment.

But that was also his weakness. He overthought things, sometimes missing what his instincts were screaming. And for whatever reason, he always hesitated before really hurting me, giving me just enough room to counter.

"Begin!" Conrad shouted.