Felicity and I circled each other as we waited for the other to strike. I didn’t want to be the first to show their hand, but one of us would have to soon. We couldn't just spend the whole class going round in circles.
I saw her eyes momentarily flick to my legs. It was so quick that I almost missed it. Her leg swung out, strong and fierce, but I was prepared for this and managed to jump out of the way. You should never let your eyes betray you.
So she was more comfortable using her legs. That was a good thing for me. If I weakened her legs, It dramatically increased my chances of beating her.
Her leg swept out again, I was a little slower this time, but I still managed to move out of the way. With no time to spare, I roundhouse kicked her favoured leg out from underneath her. She fell flat on her bum with a thud. I stayed light on my feet and sort of bounced side to side, waiting for her to get back up again. I never struck a person who was on the ground if I could help it. It used to annoy my old trainer. But this was only training. It seemed a little harsh to go in for the proverbial kill every time.
Felicity sprung quickly to her feet with spry in her step, I may have dropped her, but I obviously didn’t wound her. Damn. Oh well, time to try again, I suppose.
I was watching her legs, waiting for her next strike. I shouldn’t have. It was my mistake. It meant I was too slow when her arm swung out and caught me hard on the jaw. I stumbled back a step because the sudden blow had caught me off guard. I could taste a sliver of metallic on the very tip of my tongue. She must have managed to make the inside of my cheek bleed, I smirked devilishly at her, and she grinned enticingly back. We had both landed a blow each, and now the real fight was about to begin.
Her arm swung out again, but this time I ducked. When I came back up, I managed to land an impressive uppercut to the underside of her jaw. I heard a hiss escape her lips, and my heart thumped heavily with exhilaration. Gosh, I had missed this thrill.
Before she could counter, I struck her leg again, but she sidestepped it just in time.
We both landed several more blows to the other, buy the time the bell rang, we had both brought forward a little blood.
“Wow, you're a beginner? that was great.” I congratulated Felicity on a challenging fight.
“No, actually, I’m not. I’m in the intermediates. But I still come to these classes. They like to teach the basics in this class” she gestured to a few others who were all getting tips from my father and john. “And I find it helpful always to remind myself of what they are. I feel like it makes me a stronger fighter.” She commented.
She was brilliant too. I would give her that. My father, Samantha and I had trained together a lot over the years, and that was something my own father had often said, never forget the basics.
“Smart.” I nodded. “Well, you were a good opponent. I thought when came in here, and I saw that all these wolves were beginners and my age that I would have it easy.” I wasn't feeling as c0cky as I had, but I didn't mind being proven wrong.
“Did you want to join me later in the intermediate class?” felicity asked me enthusiastically.
“I would love to, but my parents have both recently joined this pack themselves and are both working their first days here today. I have already promised to go around for tea and hear all about it. But I would love to some other time. Honestly, I am hoping that it won't take me long to work my way through the classes.” I tell her.
A loud whistle echoes throughout the ample space, and all eyes flick to the front and wait patiently for johns following instructions.
“Switch partners,” he says curtly.
We all shuffle precisely one person to the left, and it reminded me of those tacky speed dating scenes I see in cheap human movies sometimes. I stifle a laugh at the thought of it.
My next partner is a scraggly redhead, he's pale, and he has a lot of freckles. I suppress the feelings of surprise. I had never seen such a skinny wolf before. He almost looked unhealthy. After a quick introduction, I found out his name was Alex.
The fight didn't last long, and I was able to put him down quickly. One solid kick, and he went down. I waited for a beat to see if he would spring back up the way felicity had, but he just laid flat on his back, his arms and legs spread out like a starfish.
“ switch partners.” My dads whistle whips through the room, and again we shuffle. This went on for another five rounds. I didn’t lose a single fight, and felicity was the only one who managed to draw me. One or two did, however, leave me feeling like I had my work cut out for me.
I’m patting the sweat off my face and sipping from my water bottle when I notice felicity sitting down beside me.
“Hey”, I exhale with a warm smile.
We sit and chat for a little while longer, and I feel joyous after doing so. I think I just made my first friend here at Waning crescent. We talked a little more about the intermediate classes and a little more about what pack life was like here. I should have a talk like this with Kyle. I have just been too consumed with Declan, the mate bond and the curse. We should talk about other things more. I wanted to run it by Kyle first, not for permission, I don't feel like I need it, but I don't want to keep secrets either, so I'll be joining felicity on a few of the intermediate classes until I grade up permanently.
We parted ways as the next class started to roll in with a promise to continue this over coffee. But before I leave, I decide to speak to my dad quickly.
“What time is dinner? Have you mind linked mom yet?” I ask eagerly.
“yes, baby. Dinners in two hours. Don't be late. I'm just finishing up now myself. John has given me the rest of the afternoon off. He knows that's Kyle making us official members tonight and understands that I need to leave early.”
“You have to drink blood”, I frowned; I figured he probably knew about this being a previous beta and all, but just in case he didn't, I thought I'd warn him.
He chuckled at me.
“I know, baby, but well live.” he smiled.
“Okay, just checking.” I grin back. I catch a quick whiff of my underarm, and I smell revolting. All this sparring has really worked up a sweat.
“Okay. I’m going to go back up to the packhouse for a shower, say hi to my mate, and then we will be around.” I promise.
“Okay, sweetheart, I’ll see you soon.”
I wave at him once last time as I jog from the room towards the packhouse. It was a nice way to wind down.
I stumbled upon Kyle on the way back to our room. And not for the first time I realised we still hadn’t discussed my living arrangements.
I snuck up behind him and jumped on his back, he caught me easily, and I affectionately pecked his cheek with a soft kiss.
“Hey baby”, Kyle beamed.
“Hey, hunky.” I tested out a new pet name, but I don’t think I’ll stick with it.
“Can I ask you something?” I say as he carries me back to our room.
“Anything. What’s up?” I loved that he promised to answer before he even knew what the question was. I was still learning to trust, and he just kept proving to me why I could.
“Where I live now. Do I move in here with you, or am I still at Amy’s?”
“You live with me. We will collect your things.” He Answers instantly. Good, because I never wanted to spend another night without him again.
“Can we see Amy on the way to dinner? It isn’t for two hours, so if we hurry, we have time.” Amy and Amelio had been at the back of my mind all day. I should have visited them early in the morning. But I had been so focused on training, on feeling strong again that I let the opportunity I had in the morning to do so, but I wanted to make up for that now. I hope Amelio is awake and doing better. I did at the very least try mind linking Amy earlier, but her walls were up, and I couldn’t get through. She only ever put her walls up when she was asleep, and so I had decided not to push it and let her have her rest.
“I went by there briefly just before, but sure. I know Amy would love to see you.” Now I just felt even guilter. Amelio hadn’t almost died trying to save Kyles life, and yet Kyle was the one who had found the time to see him. I was going to be a better niece.
AN: hello everyone sorry for the delay in updating. My ex fiancé and father of my three small children have decided to split. And it’s been rather messy. I obviously have a lot of feelings and I need the two days to have some feelings I’ll try my best to get and update in tomorrow. I’m a single mom now to twin two year olds and and 8 month old so there will be some adjusting, but your all very important to me to and ill still be trying hard to make regular updates during this time I promise.