Unbreakable

That Dang Rope

As I move from station to station, I can feel my anger driving me. Lift, 1,2,3, breathe drop. Next station. I can feel Ryan behind me and I glance up to see him hand and hand with Halie strolling ahead of us. I wish they would just get out of my sight. I can feel the anger burning inside mixed with Alina’s pain. She has been quiet since we started our station evaluations, but I feel her there more than I ever have before. I can almost picture her with her head on her paws as we move to the rope climb, white fur with a tiny, is that purple?, star on her left temple. Tiny threads of black adorning her otherwise white toes on each of her paws. I feel a burning tingle on my cheek and see Ryan leaving the gym.

“Tessa move your ass!” Tate linked me and I snapped out of my little daze. I have never successfully completed this one. I have never exhibited the full strength of a werewolf and I lacked the coordination to ever make it to the top. I let out a sigh and as Halie got closer, I grew angrier and started hoisting myself up the rope. I slipped right away and had caught myself since I was only a couple inches from the ground but there was a short chuckle from a certain blonde that was scoffing at me from the sidelines and that was all it took. Think logically I scold myself. I wiped the sweat from my hands onto my legs hoping for better traction and I wrap the bottom of the rope around my calf and heel for a better start. I started to climb and let the rope slide down my leg with each ascent I managed. The top was maybe 4 feet away when my burning arms decided that I had done enough. I lost my grip and slid all the way down the rope landing flat on my back with a big thud.

              “Tessa, for Goddess sake girl get that twiggy little butt up!” Take is linking me and I can feel myself being propped up from behind. I open my eyes and realize that I was no longer climbing and that the pounding headache that was a result of my tumble down. Tate is sitting behind me and apparently, I had missed something being said between him and Halie, but he did not look happy. I stand up and see the ugliest smirk on Halie’s face as she turns away scribbling on her clipboard. “You’re disqualified from sparring.” Tate linked me. Oh for fack sake. I feel Alina start to growl and push me to attack Halie as she walks away. She surges forward and lets out a growl that sounded like something feral but beyond anger. It was short but enough for Tate to see my eyes were black with tiny orange flecks giving the illusion of fire in my eyes. I was no longer in control and luckily, he had stopped me before Alina had charged us across the gym.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING TESS?” Tate linked as he grabbed my arm. As he did though he stopped in his tracks and looked at me wide eyed. “Tess, ca- can, we have to go? I’ll forfeit the rest of the stations and we will be back for sparring after lunch.” Tate always has something to say, witty or wise, and seeing him react to me this way was the jolt I needed. I pushed back into control and Tate and I grabbed our stuff and headed back down the path to my cottage. My head is still pounding and what other wolves would have healed from already, my back and right hip were so stiff from my fall that I almost asked Tate to let Jax carry us. I look at my phone and see it’s almost 11 so there probably won’t be much down time but I’ll take what I can get. I wonder if Tate would mind if I stayed in the cottage while he went. I don’t know what’s going on with me, but I need to get myself under control.

We arrive at the cottage and Tate kicks off his shoes and heads straight to the kitchen. He rummaged until he found the ingredients, he needed for a couple sandwiches and he had even found some of the fresh grapes, strawberries, and cheese in the fridge and sliced up a small assortment on a plate to share. I wanted to talk more about what is happening with me but the more I reflect on how Tate responded last time I asked about understanding my wolf the more I wonder if anyone will have any helpful advice. Everyone develops their wolf at a young age, they know each other their whole lives. All I know is that I am blessed to have her, and although I am not sure how I know I need to learn to understand her and control her impulses. Tate and I sat in silence as we ate, and Tate told me to stay home before I ever asked. I decided I would run a bath and check out the new library in my lower rooms.