The Broken Warrior’s Daughter by Cooper

When I arrive home, my father is ready for me. I think when I’m at school, he sets up the training for the evening. He has a variety of training sprints that he puts me through. He mixes it up every day and I never know what it will be. Sometimes, it’s focusing on balance in case I lose the use of a leg or arm in battle and have to fight with a broken or injured limb; sometimes it’s sensory deprivation, in case I have to rely on my sight or sound only. He’s even taken both of those away and had me fight with only my sense of touch, taste and instincts. That was miserable. I got knocked down more that day than any other. But, it’s all good training and makes me the best and strongest fighter that I can be.

“Hey dad.” I state as I walk over to the table and drop off my backpack before leaning over and kissing his cheek.

“Hi honey, how was your day?”

“Good. Classes are getting harder as we head into the end of the year, but it’s all good.”

“Still getting straight A’s?” he asks. My studies are just as important as my fighting skills.

‘You can’t just rely on the muscles in your arms and legs Cara, you have to use the muscle that’s in your head as well.’ He’s made sure that I focus my studies on anatomy, physiology and chemistry. The latter is so, if I’m ever poisoned, I can identify the poison and find what I need to heal myself.

Some of my training over the years has been to have my father give me poison so I can see what happens to my body and how I react. He is always very careful to ensure that he has the correct antidote and the pack doctor on alert and ready on speed dial in case something goes wrong.

While I don’t love those training days, and usually feel like crap the rest of the evening, sometimes longer, it is helpful and my father is always very careful. I’ve also been developing an immunity to wolfsbane for years. My tolerance is pretty high, I’m nearly immune now and dad continues to give me doses every day. My werewolf healing burns it out of my system more quickly the more I become used to it.

Today’s training session is agility. He’s got me set up in an indoor course to complete in my human form. There is another one outside to complete in my human or wolf form. I have to find ways around the obstacles and “mines” that he lays for me. It’s not just a test of my agility but also of my concentration and use of all of my senses to ensure that I’m quick but also cognizant of my surroundings at all times.

Today’s training includes flying logs to knock me off my feet and attempt to incapacitate me, slippery and sharp hand and foot holds that are meant to make me fall so I have to ensure that I can find alternate ways to move forward even if I’m injured. For my wolf form, there are spaces that could trap me, flying knives that I have to dodge or push through the pain if I don’t dodge fast enough and traps that drop from no where to try and capture me.

as we go through our training.

Alpha Anders gets here, and I’ll get started on dinner.” Dad finally releases us from training and I head up to

getting stronger every day,’ Artemis says to me.

be smiling right now. I know it’s our legacy to be a Guardian, and my mom and dad gave

my hair up into a messy ponytail. Alpha Anders is like an uncle to me. Our dinners together became casual a long time

to open the door. “Hi Anders.” He told me years ago that when he

“Dad’s out back getting the grill going. Can I

Badass, I’d

roll my eyes, “Not you too!” I whine to my Alpha.

dad and see if he needs any help.” He smirks at me when he says this. We both know my dad won’t let him

out to our deck. Dad and Alpha Anders are discussing my training over the past week, Dad giving him the updates that he made for my training today. Alpha Anders

so far back in my

dad looks

my new nickname is Little

and he looks at Alpha Anders. “Is that so?” he asks.

out the word giving Alpha Anders a side

pinned me in 15 minutes,” Alpha Anders answers for me. A smile larger than any I’ve ever seen on my father’s face

apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.” Alpha Anders continues.

dad takes a swig of his beer. “That’s my girl,” he says

we really need you at warrior training. I’m willing to beg

huffs out a breath, “Anders, you know I can’t.” I smile and head back inside. This is a battle that has been going on for years. Alpha Anders wants dad back on the training field and dad