Chapter 224: The Stray Dogs Bite the Hand That Tries to Feed Them
The afternoon sun hamred down on the outdoor training grounds behind Onyx House. I’m talking the kind of heat that makes you question your life choices, the kind that turns sweat into a second skin.
The space was a disaster. An obstacle course with paint peeling off like old scabs. A sparring arena where the boundary lines had faded so much you could barely tell where safe ended and "you’re gonna get your face rearranged" began.
The weightlifting area? Half those machines looked ready to snap and send soone to the infirmary. Rusted hurdles lay scattered around like forgotten toys. A few training dummies hung there all tattered and pathetic. Soone had punched straight through the climbing wall at so point. Probably thought they were hot shit.
The whole setup scread afterthought. This was what the academy thought of us. The rejects got the reject equipnt. Made sense in a twisted way.
We’d all shown up in workout gear. The air was thick with that particular sll of teenage body odor mixed with whatever cheap deodorant people thought would cover it.
Jai wore a tank top that looked like it was screaming for rcy against his muscles. Isabelle had on so sleek athletic gear that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe. Juan? The lazy bastard had rolled out of bed in what looked like pajama bottoms and an oversized shirt with so faded logo I couldn’t even make out.
And because fate loves to screw with
specifically, Braxton Miller was MIA.
Carn stood there leaning against a goalpost. She had a flask in her hand that definitely wasn’t filled with anything you’d find at a sports drink comrcial. Her instructor tracksuit was unzipped enough to show a sports bra underneath.
That eyepatch of hers sohow looked more threatening in direct sunlight. A drop of sweat ran down her neck and vanished between her cleavage. She didn’t give a single damn as she watched us like we were entertainnt.
"Alright, puppies." Her voice carried across the yard without her even trying. "Looks like Braz got ’lost’ again. Probably at that new underground poker ga in District 7."
She took another drink from her flask.
"And since I’m morally and professionally opposed to actual work, I’m delegating." Her good eye locked onto . That predatory gleam was visible even from where I stood. "You heard the man this morning, Stray Dog. You’re in charge. Turn this collection of personality disorders into a team. Have fun."
She gave
the laziest salute I’d ever seen with her flask and went back to drinking. Settled herself against that post like she was getting ready to watch a cody show.
Great. Fucking perfect.
Thirteen pairs of eyes turned on .
Raphael’s look was pure challenge. His lips curled into this sneer that practically begged
to give him a reason to tell
to go screw myself. Isabelle had that clinical thing going on with those blood-red eyes of hers. Like I was so bug she wanted to dissect and catalog. Juan’s eyes were closed because of course they were. He’d already started sliding toward the ground like he was preparing for napti.
Hikari bounced on her heels. Those eyes were way too wide and excited. She had enough energy to power a small city. Jai flexed on reflex, veins popping along his neck. He was waiting for orders like a good soldier. Akari examined her nails. The boredom radiating off her could’ve been weaponized. Soomin stared at the ground with hunched shoulders. Eye contact was apparently her kryptonite.
Malachi lurked at the back of the group. Those dark eyes of his never blinked. Just watched. Marco stood next to him with that easy smile plastered on his face. He kept glancing at Malachi like he was checking to make sure his friend hadn’t evaporated.
Jacob tapped nervously at his datapad. Kept muttering sothing about statistical training optimizations until Skylar snatched it away. That eye roll of hers was visible from orbit. Noah stood at attention with military-perfect posture even though we were supposed to be casual. Emi fidgeted with her shirt hem. She looked nervous but kept sneaking glances at . Almost looked like she had faith or sothing.
Then there was Natalia. Those purple eyes locked onto mine. There was encouragent there mixed with challenge. A silent conversation happening between us that we both understood.
Shit.
In my past life, I was an enforcer. A lone wolf who broke people. I didn’t lead them. I knew how to make one person do what I wanted. Get in their head, find the pressure points, push until they folded.
But all of them at the sa ti? Thirteen different personalities. Thirteen different ways they could tell
to eat dirt. Thirteen ways this could blow up in my face.
I shoved the uncertainty down deep. Buried it under the mask I’d been wearing since I got here. Weakness was a luxury I couldn’t afford. Not here. Not with these people. A pack follows the strongest wolf. Period. They don’t give a damn about thoughtful leadership or democratic votes.
"Alright," I said. My voice cut across the training ground. "We’re starting with conditioning. Twenty laps around the periter. Let’s go."
The reaction hit
like a wall.
Raphael barked out this laugh that sounded like a chainsaw. "Are you kidding ? That’s it? That’s your brilliant leadership? A grade-school gym class? Why don’t you have us play dodgeball next? Maybe so jump rope?"
"Ugh, running?" Akari flipped her hair. Black silk cascaded over her shoulder in this dramatic gesture. "In this heat? It’s going to destroy my hair. Do you know how long it takes to get it this perfect?" She gestured at herself like her beauty was both a burden and humanity’s greatest gift.
Juan didn’t even bother opening his eyes. He’d already managed to lie down completely. "I object on principle. That sounds tiring. Wake
when we’re doing sothing interesting." He pulled his hood over his face to block out the sun.
"Hard pass." Skylar examined her black nails. Didn’t even look up. "I’m not a cardio person. More of a stab quickly and disappear type."
Even Marco grimaced. "Um, that’s a lot all at once, don’t you think? Maybe we could start with half that? Just to warm up?"
Fan-fucking-tastic.
I’d given one order. One. They were already in open rebellion.
I’d never done this before. Not really. Sure, I’d worked with others. But leading? Actually leading a group of people who didn’t want to be led? That was new territory.
Carn took another sip from her flask. That amused look on her face made it clear she’d expected exactly this outco. This was my test.
Figure it out or drown trying.
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