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.

and tricks as we go through our training. Artemis and I are

on dinner.” Dad finally releases us from training and I head up to shower. I stand

stronger every day,’

could smile, Artemis would definitely be smiling right now. I know it’s our legacy to be a Guardian, and my mom and dad gave me great genetics to get where I am today, but yeah, we totally kicked

ready, putting on jeans and a comfy sweatshirt, pulling my hair up into a messy ponytail. Alpha Anders is like an uncle to me. Our dinners together became

years ago that when he is here for dinner, that I don’t

and let him in. “Dad’s out back getting the grill

Little Badass, I’d love

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

We both know

tops and take them 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 looks at me and then asks my dad, “Did Cara tell you she has a new

my eyes so far back in my head that

dad looks

new nickname is

that so?” he asks. He turns his gaze back

drag out the word giving Alpha Anders

than any I’ve ever seen on my father’s face spreads wide and he

too far

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

I’ll say it again, we really need you at warrior training. I’m

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