Chapter Twenty
1131 Words
‘Duck’ a loud voice rang in my head, shocking even me but in that split second, my body moved, ducking out of the way.
I let out a loud gasp, my wide eyes staring at the spot my body just moved from, before snapping to a surprised Mira.
In another second, Mira was lounging at me again. my blood rushed in my ears.
That voice, that same strange voice screamed at me–again.
‘Roll.’
My body moved on it's own accord before I could process what in the madness was going on.
I rolled onto the floor, barely catching my breathe.
Mira's eyes darkened with grave annoyance while my eyes remained wide in shock.
What the hell was that?
I couldn't hear the voice in my head anymore.
Did I just imagine it?
My ragged breathes puffed out like I just carried the weight of the world on my shoulders.
“You're not as clueless as I thought.” Mira clicked, that dark smile still present.
I shook my head, panting heavily as I stood shakily.
Distracted, her fist came flying straight at me. This time the voice didn't help me and her blow collided heavily to my jaw.
Oh shit
My sight blurred and dulled, my head lulling to one side as I collapsed onto the floor again.
A metallic taste filled my mouth and I felt like I was about to throw up.
I weakly pulled myself up by my elbow. My back burning from my half bent position.
“You give up?” Mira's voice cooed.
I blinked back the tears in my eyes. Swallowed back the painful groan on my lips. An uneasy defiance began to brew in my chest.
So fast that it scared me.
I could have tapped out, given up but I didn't want to.
Something forcefully held me back.
I stood again, my blurring eyes focused on Mira and I braced myself in a protective stance.
“No.” I muttered, my voice different, feeling like somehow I wasn't in control of my mind and body any more.
Mira's brows lifted in surprise and then her smile curled even deeper.
“Good.” She said.
This time my body didn't wait, I didn't wait to be attacked. I ran straight into her.
I could feel a lose her balance from the shock on her face but it didn't last long before she grabbed me from behind. Her arms locking my head against her.
I struggled, breathless and heaving but she didn't let go.
I could feel my strength begin to leave my body as my eyes landed on the Aria's panicking eyes in front of me, mouthing at me to tap out but my eyes glanced weakly to the figure far behind her.
At the far end of the training grounds, in between woods. He stood there like a shadow, his side leaning against a tree as he watched.
A tight, tense look on his face like was trying to figure something out.
My fingers tapped relentlessly against the ground. Tears pulling in my eyes from being held in a chokehold.
Mira immediately let go of me and the rest of my body collided with the floor.
Raw, labored and painful breathes left my throat as I struggled to get in enough air, aware of how pathetic I must have looked laying there and sucking in air like a dying rat.
I rolled onto my back, I couldn't find the strength to pick myself up.
“You'll learn a few more things soon enough Valerie.” Mira clicked, walking away from me.
I didn't miss the fact that even with the softness in them, her words held a hidden meaning to them.
But learn what?
I watched as Aria appeared above my blurred vision, her worried eyes staring down at me.
She pulled me up by my shoulders and held me.
I blinked until my vision cleared.
Her face was all scrunched up in a scowl as she watched me and in the most motherly voice, began to scold me.
“Why didn't you tap out? In a spar, a fight is not over until one person completely yields.” She explained with that scowl. “You could have gotten seriously hurt. I was already so worried when you agreed to spar. I wasn't sure how well you'd do since you have no wolf-” She went on and paused suddenly, her eyes glancing up at me like she was scared she must have offended me with her last words.
I shook my head at her, exhaustedly. “It was fun.” I whispered hoarsely and her brows pointedly raised. “Scary but fun and insightful.” I added still panting.
It was the truth. I'd never felt so daring and challenging like this before.
It felt….good.
It felt….right.
I felt….great and exhausted.
“It actually is.” Her voice turned very calm and warm.
I looked up to find that almost all the crowd gathered at the training grounds were already dispersing.
I sighed in relief, atleast I didn't have to face all the condescending and demeaning stares.
With a deep groan, Aria helped me up to my feet.
My eyes suddenly snapped back to where I'd seen him but he was no longer standing there.
Disappeared into thin air like I'd just imagined it….just like the voice.
I was deep in my head when a small voice jolted me out of it.
I was surprised to still find Danny standing outside the sparring pole.
She didn't leave with the rest.
“Are you okay?” She inquired, her nervous eyes darting towards Aria holding me up.
I smiled gratefully at her through the pain in my jaw. “I'm okay.” I whispered with care.
From no where, Melanie's loud voice interrupted the silence.
“That f*****g bitch.” She screeched out loud with no care in the world for who heard her.
She hurried towards me, her eyes filled with disbelieve as they went over my form.
“She did this on purpose.” She accused. “I'm certain of it.”
I looked up at her, she wasn't here when the fight happened.
Like she could read my mind, she answered before I asked. “The whole damn pack is talking about it. Words fly quite quickly around here.” She folded her arms under her bust, pride shining in her eyes like the gossip part amused her before she got back to being serious.
“We're starting training tomorrow, I'm going to make you the best warrior in no time.” She said determined like she just came up with the best ever grand solution.
I let out a heavy sigh and so did Aria.
- Writer
