My Scumbag System

The afternoon sun hammered 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 someone to the infirmary. Rusted hurdles lay scattered around like forgotten toys. A few training dummies hung there all tattered and pathetic. Someone had punched straight through the climbing wall at some point. Probably thought they were hot shit.

The whole setup screamed afterthought. This was what the academy thought of us. The rejects got the reject equipment. Made sense in a twisted way.

We'd all shown up in workout gear. The air was thick with that particular smell of teenage body odor mixed with whatever cheap deodorant people thought would cover it.

Jaime wore a tank top that looked like it was screaming for mercy against his muscles. Isabelle had on some 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 some faded logo I couldn't even make out.

And because fate loves to screw with me specifically, Braxton Miller was MIA.

Carmen 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 commercial. Her instructor tracksuit was unzipped enough to show a sports bra underneath.

That eyepatch of hers somehow 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 entertainment.

"Alright, puppies." Her voice carried across the yard without her even trying. "Looks like Braz got 'lost' again. Probably at that new underground poker game 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 me. 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 me 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 comedy show.

Great. Fucking perfect.

Thirteen pairs of eyes turned on me.

Raphael's look was pure challenge. His lips curled into this sneer that practically begged me to give him a reason to tell me to go screw myself. Isabelle had that clinical thing going on with those blood-red eyes of hers. Like I was some 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 naptime.

Hikari bounced on her heels. Those eyes were way too wide and excited. She had enough energy to power a small city. Jaime 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 something 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 me. Almost looked like she had faith or something.

Then there was Natalia. Those purple eyes locked onto mine. There was encouragement 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 same time? Thirteen different personalities. Thirteen different ways they could tell me 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 perimeter. Let's go."

The reaction hit me like a wall.

Raphael barked out this laugh that sounded like a chainsaw. "Are you kidding me? That's it? That's your brilliant leadership? A grade-school gym class? Why don't you have us play dodgeball next? Maybe some 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 me when we're doing something 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.

Carmen took another sip from her flask. That amused look on her face made it clear she'd expected exactly this outcome. This was my test.

Figure it out or drown trying.