For Bear Or For Worse (Pure Blood 1) by Meredith Clarke Read Free Book Online Page A

more calories in less time by doing heavy bag rounds. It was just more of an intense endurance training than just running.
                  It would be a tough day, as I wanted to be worked to exhaustion. Heavy bag rounds consisted of ten two-minute rounds that mimicked a fight sequence. I had to throw everything I knew such as elbows, spinning back kicks, punches and knees. I had to use speed and accuracy to ensure that not only was I quick but powerful. You could only be powerful if your technique was on the nose, otherwise you were just a sloppy fighter. I had to complete all ten rounds with no break and no water. If I survived I would be awarded a water break that lasted no more than a minute.
                  I began my rounds and threw combinations of jabs, rights and hooks, all landing in a pop pop pop motion, knuckles engaging with the bag in one fluid motion. I didn't think of anything else but my imaginary opponent. I stayed focused, sweat pouring off me as I handled round after round. My trainer stood in the corner coaching me on where to throw, reminding me of what I needed to work on.
                  My last strike hit hard as the bell went off. I was dripping sweat on the mats, my shirt drenched, but I felt exhilarated.
                  “Good job Cole. You stayed focused, you dug deep. That's what you want man, when it comes to being the Alpha, you want to be on top. Fight through the pain, Cole, and you will always be a great leader. Now go get a drink of water and then meet me back here for pad work.”
                  I headed for the water cooler, once there I grabbed a bottle of water and drank half of it without blinking an eye.  I sucked in air through my lungs and closed my eyes, allowing the post workout strain in my muscles settle.  I let the air out and I pictured Avery’s legs wrapped around my hips.  Shit. I needed to be careful.  I needed to keep working to get her out of my mind.   I wiped the sweat off my brow with my shirt.
                  I headed back to where Robbie was holding pads.  Good , I thought.  After messing up like I did I needed to punch something.  
                  “Feeling lucky?” He smirked.
                  “Pad work is where I always win Robbie, you know that.”
                  He chuckled and held up a large Thai pad in front of his body. The purpose of the exercise was for me to avoid being trapped. I would have to throw whatever I could at the pads, keeping my opponent off me and ensuring I would not be pushed in the corner. It was the trainer’s job to apply pressure and force me to fight my way out. The exercise proved to be exhausting but highly effective because if you could build up enough endurance with someone's body weight on you, a real fight should be a piece of cake.  Robbie was good, but I was always better.  In a few leg kicks and punches I had pushed him back to the opposite side of the ring.
                  “Alright Cole, good work. You really fought me off in there, that's what I like to see. Killa, killa, you are going to be one hell of an Alpha.”
                  “Hell ya.”
                  “Let's get the focus mitts and work on your technique.”
                  We got out of the ring and headed for the mats again. I took a moment to grab some water and breathe a bit while he fetched focus mitts from the back room. He returned quickly however, he didn't want to allow me to cool down.
                  “Let's go!”
                  Next Robbie had me do more pad work but with focus mitts. Using focus mitts forced a fighter to use good technique or risk missing the pad completely. All that you could hear across the gym was the pop pop pop of my gloves hitting the pads.  I hit each mat with force, hoping to either knock out the frustration of my mistake