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Looking down at the dead animal, I turn my nose up. I guess I’m stuck cleaning this shit up.

“Now breathe,” I say, coaching Marley.

After the disaster of a morning, we got straight to our training. We always started training with basic fighting techniques. Despite what Marley thinks, I’m not trying to turn her into a member of the legion. She needs to have basic fightingskills if I’m not there to protect her. I will not have her as lazy and useless as other female royals.

“I’m going to push against your block. Are you ready?” I ask as I sit across from her on the blanket.

We found a secluded spot in the trees to do our training. I’d like to think it was away from prying eyes, but I’m not naïve enough to think we aren’t being watched.

“I’m ready,” Marley says with her eyes still closed.

Using little force, I press against Marley’s mental block. I watch as her face tightens.

“Keep it steady,” I coach, while applying a little more force.

She grimaces as the little wall she built up in her head to keep me out shatters. Her shoulders drop in disappointment.

“I’m sorry, Michaela. I’m never going to get good at this.”

Placing a hand on her shoulder, I smile. “It takes time. These exercises aren’t for you to become a master at blocking, but to strengthen your own mental ability. The stronger your brain is, the better you will be at being an empath.”

She dips her chin to her chest. “Alright, one more time.”

She shuts her eyes and takes a deep breath. However, we don’t get to try again. Their scent hits me.

“Get up,” I tell my sister as I stand.

Marley gets up just as four young werewolves’ step into the clearing we were in. They look a little older than Marley. I recognize the tall one with dark shaggy hair. He was standing beside the woman Liz called Phaedra last night.

One of the other wolves’ steps forward, his lip curled up in disgust.

“Secure that block,” I say to Marley without turning to look at her.

“It’s up,” she replies.

“You’re in our spot, bloodsucker,” the young wolf snarls.

He’s lying. This spot was untouched when we got here. But I won’t argue with this kid.

“Fine,” I say, not turning away from the boys. “Marley, grab our things. We can find another spot.”

The group of boys takes a step closer. I tilt my head to the side, wondering if they will be bold enough to attack. I know Chayton made it known last night that I’m not allowed to hurt any member of his pack, but clearly, he doesn’t think I’m going to stand by and let them attack me.

“No, all of this land is our spot,” the leader of the little pack snarls.

I fight the urge to laugh in his face.

“Okay,” I say with a forced smile. “Let’s go, Marley.” I listen as my sister gathers our blanket off the ground behind me.

As soon as she’s done, I hold out my hand to allow her to walk in front of me. As she goes to take a step, one boy moves closer to her. I step in between him and her, causing him to come up short. His eyes widen in fear before he tamps it back down.

“Go, Marley,” I say, watching as she walks past the group of boys. I follow once she’s through the crowd.

“We don’t want you here, leech,” the leader of the group says through gritted teeth.

I spin on my heels to face the group. “Thank you for clarifying that for me. I didn’t quite grasp it last night when your pack voted for me not to stay or when you all placed the dead raccoon on my doorstep. But you saying it now really makes it clear.”

He looks confused at my sarcasm.