Chapter 102 DISAPPOINTMENT
SEBASTIAN’S POV
The training yard looks a lot less intimidating from a distance but up close, it’s a completely different story.
The ground is packed dirt, worn down by years or probably decades of wolves shifting, fighting and running drills until their muscles give out.
Wolves that were probably not like me, whimpers and wheezing for breath.
Tall wooden posts line the edges with some of them cracked from old impact marks from very strong wolves.
Basically, it looks like a place designed to make you suffer.
Ragnar stands in the middle of it like he was born here, showing me how to use all of the equipment with ease.
I stand across from him wondering how long it will take before I collapse dramatically and embarrass myself.
“Ready?” he asks.
“No,” I say honestly.
Ragnar doesn’t even blink.
“Good.” Is his reply.
He gestures toward the clearing behind him.
“Now run.”
“That’s it? No warm-up? No inspiring speech about believing in myself?”
“Run Sebastian.”
I sigh and start jogging.
And at first it’s not that bad.
The morning air is cool and the forest smells like damp earth and pine.
My legs move easily enough and Ragnar runs beside me with that infuriatingly effortless stride of his.
We circle the yard once, then the second time and then the third time.
Then Ragnar speeds up.
“Faster.”
I groan.
“You know,” I pant, “most people ease into exercise.”
“You’re not most people.”
That again.
Right, I'm an ancient wolf.
The only thing feeling ancient right now are my lungs.
I push harder, forcing my legs to match Ragnar’s pace and for a while, I manage it.
My breathing grows heavier, but I stay beside him as Ragnar glances at me with approval though it shouldn't matter to me.
“Good.”
That one word sparks a small, stupid burst of pride in my chest.
Which is probably why the universe immediately decides to humble me.
Because suddenly,
My legs start to feel like lead as the strength drains out of them without warning and I stumble.
Ragnar stops immediately.
“Sebastian.”
“I’m fine,” I mutter, straightening right back up to ease my embarrassment.
We start again and then ten seconds later my body betrays me.
My knees buckle and I crash into the dirt.
Okay.
That one definitely hurt.
Ragnar is beside me instantly.
“Get up.”
“I just fell.”
“And now you get up.”
I glare up at him.
“You know encouragement usually involves concern.”
“Stand, Sebastian.”
His voice is firm now.
His Alpha voice.
The one that makes every wolf in the pack obey without question. Except right now it mostly just makes me tired and slightly pissed.
But I push myself up again and we start running.
Thirty seconds later my legs give out and this time I don’t even try to stop it.
I collapse onto the ground with me breathing hard and staring up at the brightening sky.
My muscles feel like they’ve been drained dry.
Ragnar stands over me.
“Up.”
I shake my head weakly.
“I can’t.”
“Yes you can.”
“No,” I say, forcing myself upright just enough to glare at him. “I literally can’t.”
“You’re stronger than this.”
“Apparently not!”
Ragnar crouches slightly with his eyes sharp.
“Your body is adjusting. Push through it.”
“My legs don’t have any strength left,” I snapped.
“Stand.”
“I said I can’t!”
The word echoes across the training yard and for a moment, neither of us moves.
Ragnar’s expression tightens.
“Sebastian.”
“What?” I demand.
“You’re giving up.”
My temper snaps.
“I’m not giving up on anything! I don't even know anything!”
“Then prove it.”
I laugh bitterly.
“You think this is a choice?”
“You’re an ancient wolf,” Ragnar says. “Your limits should go far beyond this.”
“Well clearly my legs didn’t get that memo!”
I push myself up again, but the moment I try to stand fully, my knees shake violently and I drop back down with a frustrated groan.
Ragnar exhales slowly.
“Again.”
That’s it.
Something inside me finally snaps.
“You know what?” I snap, climbing to my feet purely out of spite this time. “Forget it.”
Ragnar’s eyes narrow.
“Sebastian.”
“No.”
I brush the dirt off my clothes angrily.
“All you’ve done all morning is shout at me.”
“Because you need to push yourself.”
“Maybe I just need a break!”
“You can rest when the training is finished.”
I laugh again.
“You sound like a drill sergeant.”
“And you sound like someone making excuses.”
The words hit harder than they should and my chest tightens.
“I’m not making excuses,” I say quietly. It's my birthday and even the universe can't spare me from all this crap.
Ragnar folds his arms.
“Then prove me wrong.”
Something sharp twists in my chest. Exhaustion?
Frustration?
Or maybe it’s the small voice in the back of my head reminding me of something I’ve been trying to ignore all morning.
Today is my birthday and no one knows or even cares about it.
Still.
It would’ve been nice if the day started with something other than Ragnar yelling at me to run until my legs stopped working.
“I’m done,” I say flatly.
Ragnar’s expression hardens.
“You don’t get to decide that.”
“Well watch me.”
I turn and walk away.
Behind me Ragnar’s voice cuts through the air.
“Sebastian!”
I won't stop.
“Sebastian, get back here!”
Nope , that's not happening.
I leave the training yard without looking back with my legs still shaky but fueled by pure irritation.
The walk back to the cabin feels longer than usual and the forest is quiet except for the crunch of leaves under my boots.
My chest still aches from the argument but mostly from the exhaustion.
And from the stupid disappointment I can’t quite shake.
I run a hand through my hair.
“Happy birthday to me I guess,” I mutter.
The cabin comes into view through the trees with someone standing in front of it.
I slow down.
It's the stranger from the woods.
He’s leaning lightly against the wooden railing like he’s been waiting there for a while.