⭐︎ Alessia's P.O.V. ⭐︎

I slammed the 'off' button as my alarm screamed at 5:30. I jumped out of bed and went through the shower. I just let the water flow over my hair, soaking it. The water ran down my back soothing me. I massaged my scalp with my fingers as I scrubbed the shampoo into my hair.

I got out of the shower and put on a pair of leggings, again, and found a gray tank top. I dried my hair with a towel and then let it finish air-drying as I put on a little bit of mascara and lipgloss. Just plain and simple. I didn't have to wear much makeup anymore now that my acne had gone away. In ninth grade that was my struggle. Now I've got flawless skin that seemed as if I never had acne in the first place.

I sighed and looked at myself in the mirror. What could Poseidon possibly see in me anyway? I've always been pretty self-conscious of myself and never really took myself as pretty. I wasn't ugly, but I didn't feel gorgeous either.

I brushed my hair and put it into a high ponytail. My hair is so long, I can't remember the last time I cut it. It was still healthy and golden though, shimmering in the light. As I looked at my eyes though, in the mirror, all I saw was my brother. I remembered the way I yelled at him. I could never tell him I'm sorry now. Sorry about how much I hurt him. Tears glistened in my eyes now. No, I cannot cry now. Not when I am about to go out. I blinked the tears away.

I walked out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. I fed Boomer quickly and then put my shoes on.

"Oh, boy Boomer. Day two. You ready?"

He barked as if he understood me. So, I opened the door and headed out. I walked down the hallway and I saw Blaire coming my way. I wanted so badly to talk to her, but she was in a whispered conversation with another woman so I didn't interrupt. It was strange how much the other woman looked like Poseidon. I didn't understand most of what they were saying, but I could tell it was something urgent. I'll definitely have to talk to her later.

I opened the heavy metal door going outside and fresh air hit my face. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes. I walked on the concrete strip as I headed towards the W.A. (weapons and arms) Building. Boomer sniffed the air and I could smell breakfast. I'm not going to go in the mornings anymore. I've never been too much of a breakfast fan.

I found a little line of people streaming inside the W.A. Building. I got in line, trying to see what the big hurry was. A lot of people were whispering about something, some kind of rumor. All I knew is that something big was happening. That just made talking to Blaire later so much more important. I tried to hurry through the line as fast as possible. As soon as I got inside, I saw Poseidon scanning the crowd. His eyes found mine and my heart started to beat so much faster. Next thing I knew, he started making his way towards me so, I had an instinct to just stay where I was. He had to push his way through the crowd to get to me. When he made it to me, he took me by the arm and said, "You have to see the leaders. Now." Confusion clouded my thoughts.

"Am I in trouble, or something?" I turned, looking at him without stopping. His face softened.

"No, no. Nothing like that. It's just that you are involved in what is about to take place. It's about your father." He looked at me, then let go of my arm because we weren't surrounded by people anymore. "They think they have a lead on your father, Alessia." What? What could that possibly mean? Was he alive?

"What do you mean a 'lead on my father'? Isn't he dead?" I could feel the tears trying to take over. But Poseidon never answered. We just made our way to the Lab and he opened the door for me. I had totally forgotten Boomer was with us until he started panting.

We made our way to the main office and I saw the three familiar desks. I guess my talk with Blaire was going to be a lot sooner than I had anticipated. I saw Blaire rise from her desk. Mason had already been standing and Ajax was looking at a screen that was built into a wall. It looked like a diagram of some sort. Blaire was the first to greet me.

"Alessia, how have you been?" Her soft words were like music every time she spoke. I never expected that out of a leader like her.

"As good as can be expected. I was planning on talking to you later anyway, but what is all of this about?" Mason and Ajax also made their way over. They all looked at each other. Ajax sighed.

"We have found your father, Alessia." He crossed his arms and moved on. "We think the enemy has only kidnapped your father, not killed him."

"But, how is that possible?" I looked at one face than the other. "I saw where my family's trackers are, they-." Then I remembered. Dread started twisting my stomach. I hadn't seen my father's tracker at home. In fact, I hadn't found it. "But my father wasn't there." I looked up at the three people that stood before me. "Where is he?" Mason quickly answered me.

"We don't know the exact location, but we do know he is in the hands of our enemy." A shiver ran down my spine.

"Who are your enemies?" I knew my dad was in trouble, but I had no idea what he was up against right now.

"Your father, Alessia, is in the hands of the people that he was protecting information from. The ones who attacked your house." Blaire looked regretfully at me. "These are the people that want to steal all of our information and secrets. They are the K.A.I. Killers And Interrogators. They interrogate their victims before killing them. It's their signature." I felt Poseidon tense up next to me. I gulped. How did my dad even end up with people like them?

"Our worst fears are coming true, Alessia." Ajax was talking now. "They didn't want to kill him in the first place. They wanted his information on the new serum he invented. Their intention was never to kill him, they wanted to interrogate him on his information. But I know your father. He would never give in." He looked me right in the eye. "He would die first."

"But," said Mason, breaking the tension. "That is why we are going to try to get to him first. Before he can break or before he dies." He walked over to the screen on the wall. "So, we are making a plan," and he says this with the wave of his hand. "We are going to send a group of people in to rescue your father. We are going to delete all information from their computers also, in case they know more than we think they do."

"Okay, so when will this be happening? This will be happening pretty soon right? Because it's a rescue mission?" I was so worried about my father at this point.

"Actually, this will take place in about three months. It takes a long time to plan and strategize and get ready." I could tell Mason didn't have any other better way to say it.

"But this has to be a pretty instant operation, doesn't it?" I could feel the anger rising inside of me. I didn't want to give way to it, but I just couldn't hold it back. "My father is out there, somewhere, being tortured for information. Information that doesn't even exist out in the world. I can't let my father die because of this." I looked at them with determination. "I'm going too." Poseidon spoke for the first time since being here.

"Alessia no, you can't possibly-." But Blaire cut him off.

"Alessia, you haven't even been through your first day of training. How could you possibly go on this mission? I know you love your father, but having you die wouldn't help him any. It's best if you just stay here where you are safe."

"No. You said it would be like a month, right? A month until you leave? That's a month of training. I'll work extra hard, I'll do anything to get the training I need." I looked at them with pleading eyes. "Please, I have to do this for my father. He saved me, now it's my turn. And it may just be the last time I see him." I guess they saw no point in arguing. They knew I was set on this. But I still had something to ask them about. "On a different topic, why would my mother call me a name like 'Defending Warrior'? And why would my dad have it written in different places?" They looked startled.

"We have never heard of that." Blaire just stared at the others. I didn't know what to think.

"It could just be one of your father's secret projects or perhaps a code name," Mason suggested. I turned to look at Poseidon. He just stared at the ground. He is so hiding something. How could I ever talk to him about it, though? I know him and my father had some sort of special connection, but I had no idea what.

"Well, have we covered everything?" I didn't want to sound rude, but I just wanted to get out of here. I needed to get out, to think.

"Uh, yes I think so." Blaire looked at Mason.

"We will go over the plan with you later, Alessia." Mason shut off the screen and put the remote on his desk. "Poseidon will take you back to the W.A. Building. Also, could I have a word with you outside?" He nodded at Poseidon.

"Yes sir," Poseidon nodded and walked out with Mason. I had no idea what he was going to say to Poseidon, but I was worried about him. Since he was gone I decided to ask the one question I've been dying to ask.

🌊 Poseidon's P.O.V. 🌊

I walked out the door with Mason. I sort of gulped as we stood out in the hallway, waiting for him to start speaking.

"So, Poseidon, you're basically our number one man now that Luke Priore is gone. For the time being anyway. As you now know, Alessia needs an instructor to go on this mission. As much as I don't want her to go, I can see there is absolutely no way of talking her out of it." Mason frowned. "And I'm afraid to say she may be right. It may be the last chance she has to see her father before he dies." His brow furrowed. "I'm assuming you've seen the news already?" I simply nodded at him. "Well her father is all she has left now and I want her to be able to see him again. I just don't know if he will be able to make it out of the K.A.I. alive." I gulped. Luke Priore had rescued my sister and I half a year ago this month. I could only try to repay him now.

"So, will you train Alessia for me? You're our top man and I know you can train her in all three levels. If you take the job you will basically be her private instructor and you don't have to work with anyone else. Just Alessia. I will work with the other recruits. You need to focus solely on her to make sure she's ready in time."

I like the sound of just me and Alessia, it would be easier than a whole group, but I didn't want her to go on this mission. I knew how dangerous it was and I didn't want her to get hurt. But I felt it was only right.

"I'll take the job."

⭐︎ Alessia's P.O.V. ⭐︎

"What connection did my father have with Poseidon? I mean, I heard a rumor that my dad brought him here six months ago and he's already a trainer. Is there something really special about him or what?" But Blaire seemed totally prepared for this question.

"Yes, he did arrive with your father. And yes, your father did rescue him as well as his sister. I do not want to tell you his whole life's story though," Blaire looked at Ajax. "Because he doesn't want anyone to know about it. It isn't something he's proud of. I'm sorry, I'd tell you more, but he would tell you if he wanted you to know. Besides, I think he trusts you. Your father seemed like his also, so it helps with the trust process." At that moment Poseidon and Mason made their way back in.

"You ready?" Poseidon walked up to me.

"As ready as I'll ever be." I smiled at him. I don't know why. I guess I just did it. I'd better get myself together soon. I was inwardly kicking myself again. Poseidon saluted the leaders and opened the door for me.

"Thank you," I whispered. But as usual, he just nodded. We walked down the Lab hallway as Boomer lagged behind a little. I felt uncomfortable in the silence and I could feel my heart wanting to beat out of my chest. I tried to swallow and think of something to break the silence, but I couldn't. I just couldn't. As soon as we were out of the Lab, Poseidon broke the silence.

"Mason asked me if I would train you harder than the others, so you could, you know, be ready." His eyes met mine. Heat flooded my face and I knew I was red as a tomato. I bit my lip.

"And...?" I prodded him. He stopped. I stopped and stared at him. His deep brown eyes bore into mine. He was wearing a deep, red T-shirt that showed off his muscles and dark hair. I was still curious about the tattoo that showed at the base of his neck.

"And I said I would," He smiled at me. It was the closest thing to a smile I've seen him do since the kickoff. My face got even warmer. "But, that means you are going to be pushed a lot harder than most people would normally be pushed. And," He winked at me, still smiling. "That doesn't mean any special treatment or anything." All I could do was nod. I felt like a fool. I couldn't even act normal around him anymore. We started walking again. I looked down.

"Why did you say 'yes'?" I looked at him again.

"Well," He just stared ahead. "One, you need a trainer. Two, I was going to be working with you on that anyway. And three," He looked at me again. "You're the daughter of a legend. You have potential. I would be proud to train you." Couldn't he just stop making my face flush?

"Well," I said with a little laugh, "You don't have to flatter me." I looked back down at my feet. "There isn't much to flatter." Poseidon looked at me with a surprised look on his face. "What?"

"Well I just-," he paused and looked away. "I think you're beautiful and I couldn't imagine others don't as well." He thought I was beautiful. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. "And not just that, but you're also smart, fun, wild," he gave a little laugh. I smiled and looked away. Okay, now I was really acting like a fool. I pushed a piece of hair that had fallen out of my ponytail out of the way. We stopped at the big metal door that was standing in between this moment and reality. Poseidon cleared his throat. I felt like I should say something, but I really didn't know what to. I smiled at him.

"You're really fun too." I paused. "The night of the kickoff, that was one of the best nights of my life." I really didn't know what else to say. 'I think I really like you and I can't stop thinking about you, even though I shouldn't feel this way so soon'? No. Poseidon cleared his throat again and opened the door.

"Yeah, me too," he whispered as I walked in.

"Alessia!" I saw Summer on crutches with a group of people including her sister, Cody, Maddox, and Adam. She waved me over. Oh, boy. I looked at Poseidon.

"It's okay, you can go over for a few minutes." Poseidon gave me an understanding look. I nodded at him and walked over to Summer. I was still smiling even after I wasn't standing next to him anymore.

🌊 Poseidon's P.O.V. 🌊

She thought the kickoff was one of the best nights of her life! She also thought I was fun. I wondered if Kairi was right. What if she felt the same way about me that I felt about her? No, it couldn't be possible. She probably had a boyfriend back in California anyway. Sure, she can't see him anymore if she did, but still. She would belong to someone else. I just didn't know how to explain my feelings right now. I wanted to protect her, but at the same time, I wanted to train her. I really didn't want to tell her the real reason I wanted to train her. I didn't want her to think I was some perverted idiot. I mean, what could I say? 'I've never felt like this about anyone before, but I really like you and I can't stop thinking about you, even though I shouldn't because it's against the rules'? No, I couldn't risk her not feeling the same way and then make the future look like an awkward one. I sighed as I looked down at Boomer sitting by my feet.

"What do you think, boy? Think I have a chance?" He just barked his response. Wish I could speak dog. I rolled my eyes at myself.

 ⭐︎Alessia's P.O.V.⭐︎

"Sooo, what was that all about? And by the way, you're smiling like a fool." Summer winks at me. I blushed. The others are talking and it's always noisy in this building anyway, so no one heard her.

"Nothing." I couldn't help but giggle. "I'll stop by later and talk to you about it."

"By the way he's smiling over there I know something good happened." Summer was giggling too.

"Oh, how far from the truth you are, but stop it anyway!" I playfully shoved Summer lightly. If I did it too hard she would fall over. "I have to go back to him, anyway. Seems how he is my trainer." I started backing away from Summer. And towards Poseidon. I felt as if I was being drawn to him.

"Ooooh." Summer isn't going to stop now. I looked back over my shoulder.

"Remember, only you know about this. No one else finds out."

"Got it," she winked at me. I just shook my head and walked back over to Poseidon, who smiled as I came back over. I just noticed Boomer was sitting next to him. He never followed me over to Summer's group. That's strange. I hope he's okay. Poseidon broke into my thoughts.

"You ready?"

"Yup!" And so I followed Poseidon the rest of the way down the hall towards the training room. Poseidon opened the door for me where I saw people weight training. I'm ready for this.