Chapter 11 Training
I stared at Sarah, I was sure she was just joking.
“Fight?” I repeated weakly.
Her smile grew wider. “Yeah, relax, it's safe, just a few broken bones here and there.”
“That feels very reassuring,” I muttered. She laughed and pulled me along before I could refuse.
The training ground was alive with wolves shifting in and out of their human forms, punches came from everywhere and they were fast. The air smelled of sweat and dirt.
I was starting to think this wasn't such a good idea. Sarah stopped as we got to the middle of the clearing and turned to me.
“We don't have to do this if you don't want to,”
“No it's fine, I have never trained before or even fought so I would like to try,” I was scared as hell of getting my ass kicked, but I actually wanted to try.
“Okay then, let's go,” she beamed.
“I know it's not my business but you kind of smell different.”
“Oh that, I don't.. um, have a wolf.”
“I didn't mean to— I'm sorry I didn't know,” she muttered.
“It's fine actually, that's why I want to train, so at least I can do something,” I gave her a weak smile.
“Sarah.”
We both turned. Liam stood behind us, his arms crossed. His eyes turned to me immediately, heat rushed to my core.
“What are you doing?” He glared at her.
Sarah scoffed. “I asked if she wanted to try so relax, it's not like she's going to die or anything.”
He looked at me, his eyes softened. “You don't have to do this.”
“But I want to,” I said, standing straighter.
“See she wants to,” Sarah smirked.
Liam frowned. “Elena—”
“I want to be able to defend myself if I need to, so please let me do this.”
Liam looked at me for a while. He sighed and gritted his teeth. “Fine.”
Sarah clapped her hands. She led me to an open ground and handed me a pair of light training gloves.
“Hey guys,” Clara yelled as she and Scott walked over.
“How's your tour going?”
“Great actually, Elena and I would like to spar.” Sarah said.
Scott looked shocked. “Like against each other?”
“Yeah,” I muttered.
“And Liam is okay with this?” He said looking over my shoulder to look at Liam.
He just shrugged.
Clara smiled. “Okay then, let's see what you've got,”
I put my gloves on and took my position.
“Basic stance,” Sarah said. “Feet apart, your knees should be loose. Don't lock them.”
I followed her movements even though it felt awkward and stiff.
“Relax your shoulders a bit,” she added. “You fight better when you are breathing.”
“But I don't plan on fighting,” I muttered.
“Everyone does, eventually or so I'm told,” she replied. She seemed younger than me but she knew a lot.
I looked over at Liam who was watching us, a hint of pride filled his eyes as Sarah helped me out.
She moved back. “Okay, now. Come at me.”
“Wait what?”
“Slowly,” she said. “I won't attack you...yet.”
Well that felt comforting. I thought.
I paused for a second and then came at her.
I barely took three steps before she shifted her weight, moving my hand aside easily as I tried to hit her.
I stumbled, barely stopping myself from falling.
“Well, that was…bad,” she said. “Let's try again.”
“You've got this Elena,” Scott cheered. I smiled at him and locked eyes with Liam, his face was blank as a couple of girls tried to get his attention.
I didn't like that. He was mine.
What's wrong with you, Elena? I said to myself. Focus on the fight.
We tried again and again, but this time I felt something stir in my mind.
My senses sharpened. My feet moved faster this time. When Sarah came at me, I dodged without thinking, I saw an opening and punched her at the side.
Sarah stumbled a bit.
“Sorry, did I hurt you?”
“No, I'm just surprised, where did that come from?” She asked.
“I don't know.”
“Try that again,” Clara said with a glint in her eyes.
Sarah came at me but faster this time. I dodged her first hit, but she moved faster hitting my knee, and I went down.
“Are you okay?” She asked giving her hand.
I took it and stood up. “Yeah, let's try again,” I said suddenly feeling pumped up.
“I think that's enough,” Liam said.
I turned to look at him.
“But she said she wanted to—” Sarah argued.
“I said that's enough,” he repeated, firmer this time.
He walked towards us, some other wolves were watching along with Clara and Scott, moved instinctively.
“That's all for today.”
“I'm fine,” I said quickly. “I can still keep going.”
“No,” his voice was sharp.
Why was he getting upset?
He looked at Sarah. “The tour is over for today.”
“Fine, whatever,” she rolled her eyes.
He looked at me. “Are you hurt?”
“No,” I muttered.
“Do you feel dizzy?”
“No,” I blushed hard.
“Okay, let's go, I've been looking for you everywhere.”
“Oh,” I smiled. Did he miss me?
“Alpha,” a tall man walked up to us.
“Yes.”
“The elders are here, they are with Beta Josh at the main hall, they are requesting your presence and hers.”
I felt sick. I remembered that the elders were present at the council gathering.
What did they want now?
Were they going to take me back home.