Sweat, Snarls, and Subordination
Logan's Training Arc – Day One
After school, Logan dragged himself to the park with all the enthusiasm of a dying squirrel. Every step felt like he was walking on empty—because he was. His stomach had been eating itself for five days, and his wolf growled constantly, angry and impatient.
But Marcus's order?
Unbreakable.
Avoidable.
Unforgivable.
Logan: "That red-eyed bastard. I swear. one day."
He muttered under his breath, stretching; his wolf didn't utter a word, submissive even at the idea of challenging Marcus.
So-Ra arrived in a minute.
Black workout leggings, police academy hoodie, hair tied in a tight ponytail. Still held herself like a cop-straight spine, sharp eyes, "I'm in control" energy.
Too bad her wolf didn't agree.
Her wolf bowed to Marcus.
And because Logan had bitten her, her wolf considered Logan her direct packmate-someone she should respect, train with, and listen to more than any human authority.
But the human So-Ra?
Oh, she hated every bit of it.
So-Ra: "Why here? Why you? Why aren't we training with Marcus?"
Logan blinked at her.
Logan: "Because he said so. And trust me, you don't wanna disobey Marcus. Man threw me through a classroom."
So-Ra opened her mouth—
So-Ra: "Because you—"
Logan: "NO. No. We are NOT talking about Zoe again."
She smirked, realizing she struck a nerve.
Logan: "Anyway, we start simple. One Punch Man routine."
So-Ra: "…that anime thing with the bald guy?
Logan: "Yeah."
So-Ra: "He did that for three years—"
Logan: "We're doing it every day."
She stared at him.
Then burst out laughing.
So-Ra: "You're joking. Right? Logan—Logan—wait, you're serious?"
Logan didn't reply.
Instead, he dropped and started doing push-ups.
1. The Routine Begins
So-Ra watched him struggle through the first set—he was stronger than any human, but his energy was shot. Five days without food and his regeneration was working overtime to keep him stable.
Logan: "Come on! Get down here and—ugh—do it!
So-Ra sighed, rolled her eyes, and joined.
She did them faster, to Logan's horror.
So-Ra: "This is nothing. Police academy PT was worse."
Logan: "Oh shut UP—"
Yet beneath her human mask, Logan sensed her wolf didn't share that cockiness. Subtle, instinctive, respectful. Her beast knew it was training with a packmate.
A beta.
And Marcus's second-in-command.
With each sharpening of Logan's voice, her wolf quieted. Even if her mouth didn't.
They completed the 100 push-ups.
Then sit-ups.
Then squats.
By the end, both were sweating, panting hard—though not for long. Their bodies healed micro-tears fast, muscles stitching and strengthening every few minutes.
But healing burned calories.
Regeneration drained energy.
Hunger sharpened.
Logan's stomach growled loud enough to scare a group of pigeons.
So-Ra: "That your wolf?
Logan: "That was my everything."
2. The Run
The 10 kilometers?
That's where it changed.
First to go was Logan, running like a half-starved animal. So-Ra followed, her cop training kicking in, breath steady and disciplined.
But halfway through the trail in the park, their wolves synchronized.
Their feet strike the ground in a similar rhythm.
Breathing matched.
Posture matched.
Their wolves recognized the other.
Packmates.
Not rivals.
Not enemies.
Connected.
So-Ra felt it first, a warm tightening in her chest, the wolf bond settling deeper.
So-Ra: (to herself) This is what being part of a pack feels like?
Logan sensed her shift and slowed a little-not consciously but instinctively-letting her run beside him, not behind.
The bond read that as acceptance.
Mutual acknowledgement.
Beta to Beta.
Behind Marcus, but beside each other.
3. The Lesson
As soon as the run was complete, Logan collapsed onto the grass. So-Ra stood over him, hands on hips.
So-Ra: You sure you're the one training me?
Logan: "Shut up."
They sat under a tree, catching their breath as their healing kicked in again. Logan finally spoke-not joking, not snapping.
Logan: "Listen… this wolf thing? It's not like being human. Or being a cop. Or being… whatever you were before."
So-Ra remained still, listening.
Logan: "Marcus is Alpha. Not 'leader,' not 'boss,' ALPHA. Your wolf understands that even if your brain's slow catching up."
So-Ra scowled.
Logan: "And me? You're my packmate. Not my subordinate. Not my trainee. We're. connected. Whether you like it or not."
So-Ra looked down at her hands.
Her voice dropped, softer.
So-Ra: "I didn't ask for this."
Logan: "Neither did I. But here we are."
A long silence.
Then Logan stood, energy flickering through his limbs, his wolf stirring stronger from the training.
Logan: "We keep doing this every day. Your body will adapt. Your wolf will get stronger. And Marcus…
He paused.
Logan: "Marcus is building something. Something serious. And we're part of it now."
So-Ra's eyes sharpened.
So-Ra: "Meaning?"
Logan: "Meaning you better get used to your role."
She swallowed as her wolf bowed quietly at the mention of Marcus.
So-Ra: "Fine. But if you ever throw me through a classroom—"
Logan: "I can't. Marcus can. And trust me—you don't wanna piss him off."
4. End of Day One
They walked home together, exhausted but stronger. Their wolves aligned. Their bond deeper. Both hungry. Both aware of the future Marcus was shaping. And for the first time… Logan didn't feel alone in it.