Chapter 23

Katherine POV(flashback)

14 Years Old.

The abandoned warehouse echoed with the sound of my body hitting the concrete floor. I groaned, rolling onto my back as Bob's satisfied laughter filled the vast space.

"Getting better, Katherine," he said, extending his hand. "But you're still telegraphing your moves."

I grabbed his wrist and, using the leverage technique he'd taught me last week, yanked him down while sweeping my leg to catch his ankle. Bob crashed to the floor beside me with a surprised grunt.

"How's that for telegraphing?" I grinned, jumping to my feet.

After weeks of daily training, we'd transformed this dusty warehouse into something resembling a proper training ground. The floor had been swept, mats laid down in the central area, and crude targets set up against the far wall.

"Sneaky," Bob admitted, accepting my offered hand. "Your reflexes are improving. For a fourteen-year-old rookie, you're not terrible."

I tossed him a water bottle and sat cross-legged on the floor. "Not terrible? I just put your ass on the ground, wolf-boy."

Bob's playful retort died on his lips as his head snapped toward the entrance. His posture immediately shifted—shoulders squared, spine straightened, body angled to place himself between me and the newcomers.

Mrs. Green—or Julia, as she'd asked me to call her outside school—appeared in the doorway, accompanied by two women I'd never seen before. One was young with an ethereal quality about her, the other older with intense, knowing eyes.

"Bob, it's okay," Julia said softly.

"No, it's not okay. We don't know what that elf or witch wants," Bob replied tersely.

"They're here to help. They know about Katherine, and she needs their help. You're helping her master her werewolf abilities. They need to help her develop her elf and witch abilities." Julia's voice was calm but firm.

"And what about the vampire side? What are you planning to do about that?" Bob demanded.

"I've made arrangements. But I think when we do that, you'd better not be present."

I stood up, confusion clouding my thoughts. Bob knew about my mixed heritage and didn't seem to mind spending time with me. But clearly, he didn't like or trust elves or witches.

"Fine. But as long as they're around her, I'm staying," Bob insisted, crossing his arms over his chest.

"That's acceptable," Julia conceded.

The women approached us, and I noticed how Bob subtly positioned himself closer to me.

"Katherine, this is Daisy, an elf, and this is Sally, a witch," Julia introduced.

"Really? Sally the witch?" Bob scoffed.

"Bob, either be quiet or go home," Julia scolded. Bob crossed his arms tighter but remained silent.

"It's so good to finally meet you. We've been wondering when you would be found," Sally said, her eyes gleaming with something that looked like pride.

"Well, here I am," I replied uncertainly.

"You're much better than we imagined. We watched you training for a bit. You're impressive," Daisy said with a warm smile.

"That's all thanks to Bob. He trains me every day," I acknowledged.

"It's time she started training as an elf and witch as well. If those powers are available to her, she needs to develop them," Julia explained.

"Have you manifested any abilities?" Daisy asked, studying me intently.

"No, I haven't noticed anything," I admitted.

"Well, we certainly have our work cut out for us," Sally sighed. The women all nodded in agreement while Bob rolled his eyes at me.

"So, who's the vampire that's going to help me?" I asked.

"He'll be here soon. He has to wait until sunset," Julia replied.

"Won't your parents worry about you?" Sally inquired gently.

"I doubt my mother even realizes I still live with her," I said flatly.

They exchanged strange glances, but Julia shook her head, silently telling them not to worry about it or ask questions.

"Tonight is just introductions, but starting tomorrow, they'll begin training you as well. Bob, your training with her has been excellent and won't stop. But we need to ensure she can protect herself in all ways," Julia explained.

"I know. But I'm still staying for all of it," Bob insisted.

As the sun set, casting long shadows through the warehouse windows, a rush of wind announced a new presence. A man materialized seemingly from nowhere, moving with unnatural SPEED.

"Otis," Bob growled.

"I'm guessing you two know each other," I observed dryly.

"He's a vampire, but he doesn't feed on humans. He feeds on animals, and he won't hurt us," Julia reassured me.

"Okay. Is that alright?" I asked, looking at Bob.

"I guess it has to be," he replied tersely.

"Look, I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm here to help. Like everyone else. You know that," Otis said.

"Yeah. You always just want to help," Bob replied sarcastically.

"Bob!" Julia chided.

"It's fine. Tonight is just introductions, and I'm happy to meet all of you. I know I'll get to know you all better," I intervened, trying to diffuse the tension.

"You as well. When Julia called and said she'd found the 'Prophet,' I could hardly believe it. We never thought we'd see the day," Otis said, studying me with ancient eyes.

"Well, I never thought I'd turn into a werewolf. I guess we're all a bit surprised," I replied.

"I can imagine it was quite a shock for you," Daisy said sympathetically.

I turned to Julia. "That's something I've been wanting to ask you, Julia. You know everything about me. Who I am, and this so-called 'Prophet' thing. Do you know who my father is?" Julia glanced at the others she'd brought to the training site.

"I'm sorry. I don't know who he is. I've never met him. I only learned who you were when you started attending the school where I teach," she said.

"Well, it was worth asking. Obviously, all of this comes from my father's side of the family. It would be nice to know who he actually is and how I ended up with so many species in my bloodline," I sighed.

"Well, it's rather complicated. Only your father could answer that question. If you'd like, I can start looking into it for you," Julia offered.

"I'd appreciate that very much. Thank you."

"Alright then. We need to work out a training schedule for you," Sally said, all business.

"Don't you think that's a bit much for her? I mean, she needs a lot of training, and we're not stopping our werewolf training. She needs to be able to control her wolf and protect herself in human form," Bob snapped.

"We'll find a way to make the training manageable," Julia assured him.

"You'd better. Because she doesn't need to be exhausted every day," Bob replied protectively.

"I see you're quite fond of our little 'Prophet,'" Otis remarked with a smirk.

"Yes. We're friends, and I don't want anything to happen to her," Bob retorted.

After successfully saying goodbye to my new acquaintances, I left with Bob, averting any further conflict between him and the others. We climbed into his car, and he drove me toward my home, stopping several blocks from my house.

He couldn't drop me directly in front, as my mother would see, and that would only bring me more trouble and pain. The streetlights cast dim shadows as I walked the final stretch alone to the dilapidated structure I was forced to call home.