Loving Him With Pain

Want To Be Strong

The faint light of dawn crept through the thin curtains of Katie’s room, stirring her awake. For a moment, she lay still, staring at the cracked ceiling above her.

The events of the previous day weighed heavily on her mind—Jerome’s words, Rihanna's scornful remarks, and the suffocating whispers that followed her like shadows.

But as the sun began to rise, so did a determination within her, fierce and unyielding.

She sat up abruptly, her jaw tightening. She was done feeling helpless. If the pack saw her as weak sinner, she would prove them wrong.

She wouldn’t wait for anyone to rescue her again. Not Jerome. Not anyone.

Throwing off the thin blanket, Katie dressed quickly, pulling on a worn pair of leggings and a fitted shirt.

The clothes weren’t new, but they were flexible enough for what she had in mind.

She tied her hair into a messy bun, her fingers trembling slightly as adrenaline coursed through her.

The pack warriors trained early—always at dawn, far beyond the pack house in a secluded area of the forest.

Few ventured there, especially women. But Katie wasn’t going to let that stop her.

Slipping out of her room, she moved quietly through the halls, her steps light and deliberate.

She couldn’t risk running into Jerome or anyone else who might stop her.

As she reached the front door, she hesitated briefly, glancing over her shoulder.

The packhouse was still eerily silent. Good. No one had noticed her absence yet.

With a deep breath, Katie stepped outside, the cool morning air biting at her skin.

She quickened her pace, her heart pounding as she made her way toward the training grounds.

The sound of grunts and the rhythmic thud of fists against flesh greeted Katie as she neared the clearing.

The warriors were already deep in their drills, their powerful forms moving with precision and skill.

Katie’s steps faltered for a moment.

She had never been this close to the warriors during their training, and the sheer intensity of it was daunting.

But she squared her shoulders and stepped into the clearing.

As soon as she emerged, the chatter died. Every head turned toward her, the warriors freezing mid-motion.

Their expressions ranged from confusion to outright disbelief.

A few muttered under their breath, their eyes narrowing as they took in the sight of her.

“Who’s this?” one of the warriors asked, his tone incredulous.

Katie ignored the murmurs, her gaze scanning the group until she spotted James.

He stood at the edge of the clearing, his brows furrowed as he watched her approach.

“Katie?” James stepped forward, his voice low but firm. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to train,” Katie said, her voice steady despite the lump in her throat.

She planted her feet firmly, refusing to back down under the weight of their stares.

The silence that followed her words was deafening. Then, a ripple of laughter broke out, some of the warriors shaking their heads in disbelief.

“You can’t be serious,” one of them scoffed. “This isn’t a place for… well, for someone like you.”

Katie’s cheeks burned, but she refused to look away. “I’m serious,” she said, her voice louder this time. “I want to learn how to protect myself.”

James let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair. “Katie, this isn’t a game. This is real training—hard, brutal, and unforgiving. You don’t belong here.”

“Why not?” Katie shot back, her eyes flashing with determination. “Because I’m a woman? Because you think I’m too weak?”

“It’s not about that,” James began, but Katie cut him off.

“It is about that,” she said, her voice rising. “You all think I’m fragile, that I need protecting.

But what happens when no one is there to protect me? What happens when I’m alone again, like I was yesterday?”

Her voice cracked slightly, but she pushed through. “I won’t let that happen again. I won’t.”

James stared at her, his jaw tight. Before he could respond, the alpha warrior stepped forward, his massive frame towering over Katie.

His name was Garret, and he was known for being one of the most formidable fighters in the pack.

“You want to train?” Garret’s voice was deep and commanding. “Fine. But don’t expect me to go easy on you.”

“I wouldn’t want you to,” Katie said, lifting her chin defiantly.

A murmur of surprise rippled through the group, but Garret merely smirked.

“Suit yourself,” he said, gesturing for her to step into the makeshift ring.

The first blow knocked Katie off her feet, sending her sprawling into the dirt.

Pain exploded in her ribs, and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe.

But as the laughter of the watching warriors reached her ears, she forced herself to her knees.

“Get up,” Garret said, his tone almost bored. “If you’re serious about this, you’ll have to do better than that.”

Katie gritted her teeth and stood, her legs trembling. “Again,” she said, her voice hoarse.

Garret raised an eyebrow but obliged, his fists striking with calculated force.

Blow after blow landed, each one more painful than the last.

But Katie refused to stay down. Every time she hit the ground, she dragged herself back to her feet, her body screaming in protest.

“Stop this madness!” James shouted, stepping forward. “Katie, enough! You’re going to get yourself killed!”

But Katie shook her head, blood trickling from her nose and staining her shirt.

“No,” she said firmly. “I’m not stopping. Not until I can stand my ground.”

“Are you insane?” James demanded. “You’re a woman, Katie! You’re not built for this. Your face—your body—you’re going to ruin yourself!”

Katie turned to him, her gaze fierce. “And what if a woman attacks the pack, James?

What if she’s stronger than me? Will you let her win because she’s a woman? Will you tell her she’s too fragile to fight?”

James opened his mouth to respond but found himself at a loss for words.

“Again,” Katie said, turning back to Garret. “And this time, don’t hold back.”

Garret hesitated, his brows furrowing. “You’re going to get yourself hurt.”

“Do it,” Katie insisted, her voice unwavering. “If I can’t handle this, I have no business being here.”

By the time the sun was fully up, Katie was barely standing.

Her face was swollen, her body covered in bruises, and her breaths came in short, ragged gasps.

But there was a fire in her eyes that hadn’t been there before—a spark of resilience that couldn’t be extinguished.

The warriors watched her in silence, their initial amusement replaced by something closer to respect.

Even Garret seemed impressed, his gaze thoughtful as he regarded her battered form.

“You’ve got guts,” he admitted, his tone grudging. “But guts won’t keep you alive out there.”

“Then teach me what will,” Katie said, her voice steady despite the pain.

Garret nodded slowly. “Alright. Let’s see what you’re really made of.”

Katie wiped the blood from her nose and stepped forward, ready to face whatever came next.