Chapter 55 Workout
ADRIANA
Hazel had been knocking on the door but I just couldn’t open it up. I had been seeing those pictures when I closed my eyes and I felt like I was losing it.
I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat and I couldn’t leave my room. It was like they were right outside, waiting to drag me to the grave with them. Why did they have to die?
Why hadn’t it been my father that died? That bastard.
When Elijah came and hugged me, I felt like my problems had been taken away. He told me he didn’t hate me, that it was going to be okay and that it wasn’t my fault.
I knew how much he valued his pack and I was afraid he would blame me because of what my father and his people were doing was ruining things.
I finally left my room the next day so I could go to practice.
I got up early that day and got ready for practice and Hazel smiled when she saw me. I put my all into it and made sure I learned everything I had missed in the past week.
If my father really wanted to fight this war, then I was going to be the one to have his head. He was a coward who couldn’t fight his own battles and the fact that he always got his way made me furious. He always got people to do his dirty work for him.
That was the reason why Lisa didn’t realize she’d been maltreating me on his behalf. He’d manipulated her into being his weapon against me, made her think she was acting on her own desires when really she was just doing his bidding.
Elijah had asked that practice should be an all-day thing with breaks in between so we wouldn’t burn out.
So right now was the first break at nine. I walked over to where my water bottle was and bent down to pick it up.
I’d seen Hannah when I came out of my room this morning and she bumped into me, causing my bottle to fall on the floor and break.
“Oops, sorry. I guess you can’t see through all that whore makeup.”
It took a moment for me to realize what she was saying.
“What did you just say to me?” i wasn’t in the mood to deal with her bullshit.
“I said you can’t see through all that whore makeup. You think I didn’t see you with him last night? Or you think you’re so smart sneaking him into your room?”
I had to laugh.
“I was never hiding him and neither was he hiding while entering my room. I wonder why you would think anyone would be scared of you.”
That stupid smile on her face dropped just like I wanted it to.
“I hate you. You are a dirty whore who’s trying to go for someone who has no interest in her. I know you’re a witch and I don’t know what you did to Elijah to make him chase after you but don’t worry. I’ll soon deal with you.”
“I didn’t do anything to make him like me. All I did was be myself and not a bitter person like you.”
She raised her hand to slap me but I caught it in time and pushed it away.
That pushed her over the edge, she roared and tried to lunge at me but Hazel came out just in time.
“Quit that madness, Hannah. It’s too early for it.”
I gave Hannah a victorious smile.
“I will deal with you, I swear. This isn’t over.”
I rolled my eyes and caught up with Hazel who was already heading back to practice while she walked away.
“You should be wary of her. She’s not a very good person.”
I nodded.
“I don’t know what her problem is. She’s hated me since I came here and I don’t know what to do.”
She chuckled. “She doesn’t like the fact that Elijah is going after you. And that’s going to cause issues but I trust you’ll know how to navigate it.”
I knew Hannah had it out for me but the fact that she was being so open about it kind of made me realize how serious it was.
“Anyway, I want to see you later. I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Oh yes, it’s all good. I just want to see you about something.”
I tried not to think about it too much as we headed back to the training ground.
The rest of practice was intense. Hazel pushed us harder than usual, running us through drills until my muscles screamed. But I welcomed the pain. It was better than thinking about those pictures, about those dead children, about my father’s role in all of it.
Every punch I threw, I imagined it landing on my father’s face. Every kick was meant for him. Every block was me protecting those who couldn’t protect themselves.
By the time the second break rolled around, I was drenched in sweat and breathing hard, but I felt more alive than I had in days.
“You’re doing well,” Hazel said, handing me a towel. “Better than well, actually. You’re angry.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“Not at all. Anger can be useful if you channel it right. Just don’t let it consume you.”
I nodded, wiping the sweat from my face.
The other trainees were scattered around. I noticed a few of them glancing at me, whispering to each other. Word had probably spread about what happened with the packs, about my father’s involvement.
I wondered if they blamed me too.
“Don’t worry about them,” Hazel said, following my gaze. “They’re just curious. Most of them know you’re not your father.”
“Most of them,” I repeated.
“You can’t control what everyone thinks. Focus on what you can control.”
That was easier said than done, but I tried.
By the time Hazel finally called it quits, the sun was setting and my entire body ached.
“Good work today,” she said. “Get some rest. You’ve earned it.”
I nodded and headed back to my room, my legs feeling like jelly. All I wanted was a hot bath and maybe some food, though I still didn’t have much of an appetite.
I passed by Elijah’s office. The door was slightly open and I could hear voices inside.
I shouldn’t have stopped. I should have kept walking. But something made me pause.
“She’s doing better,” Hazel was saying. “Threw herself into training today. Used all that guilt and anger productively.”
“That’s good. I like it”
There was a pause.
“You need to talk to her properly, Elijah. Really talk to her. She thinks you blame her.”
“I don’t blame her.”
“Then tell her that. She needs to hear it from you.”
I didn’t wait to hear more. I continued to my room, my heart pounding for reasons that had nothing to do with physical exertion.
Once inside, I ran a hot bath and sank into it, letting the heat soothe my aching muscles. My mind wandered to everything that had happened, everything that was still happening.
After my bath, I wrapped myself in a robe and was about to get dressed when there was a knock at my door.
“Come in,” I called, expecting Betty with dinner.
It was Hazel.
“Hey,” she said. “Got a minute?”
“Of course.”
She came in and sat on the edge of my bed.
“I wanted to talk to you about what I mentioned earlier. About the midnight run tomorrow.”
Right. The full moon run.
“I can’t go,” I said quickly. “You know I can’t shift.”
“I know. But I wanted to explain something to you. About why I keep inviting you even though I know.”
I sat down beside her, curious.
“See, Elijah told me about your wolf,” she said.
My eyes widened.
“Don’t be mad at him. He was worried about you and he needed someone to talk to. I’m his Beta. We don’t keep secrets.”
I nodded slowly.
“The thing is, Adriana, we know your wolf is special. We know you’re going through something none of us can fully understand. But you’re still part of this pack. And I want you to feel included, even if you can’t participate in everything.”
Her words touched something deep in my chest.
“Thank you,” I said quietly.
“Also,” she continued, “I wanted to ask if you’d still be willing to help set up tomorrow night. Be there for when we return. Some of the younger wolves get nervous before their first full moon run and having you there might help.”
“Of course. I’d be happy to.”
She smiled and stood up.
“Good. Get some rest. You worked hard today.”