Surviving My Fate

Chapter Twenty Training with Mel

Her foot comes straight for my face, I grab it between my hands twisting fiercely. Her body flips, hands bracing her fall as she throws her other leg back much like a donkey. I release her dodging the harsh blow. An elbow flies towards me next and I duck sweeping my leg low and spinning as my leg connects with both of hers. She falls to the ground.

“That’s it time for a ten. Good moves Cassie.” Mel hollers straightening her shirt and dusting her pants off.

“Sounds good to me.” My breathing is ragged making the words come out breathy between pants of air.

We walk to our pile of bags grabbing our water bottles. Dribbles make their way down my chin splashing onto my chest, when the bottle empties I toss it aside.

Mel is tougher on me than I would’ve imagined but my progress is undeniable.

It had been a hard week and I have been giving it my all. I am already blocking blows and dodging attacks with speed and accuracy impressing both Mel and I.

I have always been a quick learner grasping concepts faster than most, this seemed to be no different.

“Your defensive techniques are getting strong we have to start working on offense.” Mel insists tossing her water bottle to the side while running her free hand through her hair causing it to stick out at all different angles.

“I’m ready whenever you are.” I agree knowing that defense will only get me so far.

“Get back into your fighting stance” she instructs.

I square my shoulders spreading my feet apart. I’m balancing on the balls keeping my heel slightly off the ground allowing for better movement. My hands tighten into fists covering my face, my eyes never leave my opponent.

Mel can strike at any time.

So can anyone else.

We don’t get fair warnings.

I’ve learned to watch small motions flickering of the eyes, the jerk of a muscle when they coil up ready to attack. It’s how I’ve become so efficient in defense. My background makes it easier since it’s a lot like psychology. I’m always reading their body language inferencing what they’re going to do next.

Mel moves around me inspecting my stance my senses aren’t as heightened as hers so following her movements is more difficult. I listen closely to her steps coming full circle around me.

“Throw a punch” she commands standing in front of me.

My right arm shoots out as I propel my weight into the punch which would’ve landed cleanly on Mel’s jaw if she hadn’t blocked.

“Good, again.”

This time I send two, my right first towards her midsection then my left at her nose.

She blocks both.

“Add a kick.”

I don’t respond with words I move into action.

Left jab, right uppercut, right jab, left side kick.

All blocked.

“Faster.”

I can’t move faster. Ignoring my own self-doubt I throw a right hook then a left jab. Pushing my body forward into her space I bring my right knee up into her midsection, she doesn’t have time to block and the force knocks the breath from her lungs.

***

It’s another hour of offensive training until Mel relents finally dismissing me. I’m dragging myself up the stairs my body beat when I hear voices coming from Carter’s office. The door is cracked slightly violet light spilling into the dark hall. I don’t dare sneak closer knowing Carter will smell me the second I do so I stay put listening intently to what they’re saying.

“What do you mean rogues are converging in the neighboring town?” Carter yells.

“Exactly that. They’ve been moving into the town for almost two weeks.” I don’t recognize the voice. It’s soft, feminine, and utterly calm.

“Where did you get this information?” Marcus asks.

“One of my coven was visiting a relative and stumbled upon them.” The female voice replies.

“Why weren’t we informed sooner? Our alliance calls for transparency in these situations.” Carter sounds enraged.

“Our alliance states if I cannot handle the situation I will bring it to you when referring to your kind. This is outside my covens range as well which is why I’m here Alpha Carter. Do not threaten me." The female voice radiates a strange power her aura silencing Carter's objection.

“Thank you for informing us, Arielle.” Marcus cuts in before Carter can blunder the alliance anymore.

“You’re welcome beta.” As the last word fades the violet light ceases to exist.

“Do you think this has to do with Ian?” It’s Levi who asks the question. They’re all in this meeting excluding the women.

“It’s a good possibility, for now, treat it with discretion, if anyone asks it’s a rogue situation and will be handled as such. No need to stir up fear.” Carter informs them sounding calmer. “Don’t speak a word of this to Cassie.” He adds.

He’s hiding things from me now. Maybe he’s hiding more.

With newfound resilience, I make my way up the stairs. If Carter wants to keep things from me I won’t push. I will pretend I know nothing. My plan remains the same, protect Alex. Maybe this isn’t the place for me to do that.

***

I take a long, hot, relaxing shower. Elongating the time needed to wash my body and hair. Sugar scrubs, body masks, shaving, I add step after step pampering my exhausted limbs. When I finally extract myself I turn on the tub faucet plugging the drain as I pour bath salts and bubbles into the bottom. Satisfied I go about applying a deep conditioning treatment to my long locks then twisting the hair up into a bun. My bath water reaches the top of the tub so I cut it off slipping into the scolding water. I lean my head on the edge closing my eyes feeling the pull of sleep.

The door creaks open, snapping my eyes over to the tiny feet running across the marble floor “Mommy” Alex squeals.

“Hey baby” he’s already taking off his pants and pull up “you need help” I giggle as he struggles with his shirt.

“Yes, Mommy” I tug the fabric over his head and lift him over the edge plopping him into the water. “Bubbles” Alex giggles splashing and sending bubbles flying in the air. I had been training and working so much that I hadn’t spent very much time enjoying these little moments with him. My heart aches knowing my boy needed me and I wasn’t there.

Tonight would just be us.

Carter isn’t anywhere to be seen when Alex and I exit our bath. The bed is still made and the living room is untouched. We waddle through the hall a large towel dragging behind Alex and a blanket behind me as we make our way to his room.

I watch Alex standing on his tippy toes turning the doorknob and he almost slips as it opens his body tumbling into his room. “Come on Mommy” he peeks around the frame wagging his fingers at me.

“I’m coming” I run entering his room and sweeping him off his feet as I do.

His giggles fill the room erupting from him like lava. I place him on his bed kissing his cheeks. Grabbing a pull-up and a pair of pj's I dress him and we crawl into bed. Alex snuggles into my arms pressing his body against my chest one leg thrown haphazardly over my waist. Soon his little snores fill the silence.