The Healer

Chapter 44

Tori POV

“Okay, I guess you’re just too scared to fight me!” I turned around to walk back to Victor, knowing very well that this a**hat was going to come after me with my back turned. What a coward! I was ready though. I could sense the static in the air as Desmond shifted into his wolf, thanks to Mystic. I heard Jeremy call to me just as Desmond lunged through the air to attack me.

I turned just in time to see his front paws come at my face. I pushed them to the side and we both went rolling in the dirt. I jumped to my feet and faced him, ready for another attack.

“Not bad rookie!” I heard him jeer as he shifted back to human and walked in circles around me. “Good form, strong stance. Quick on your feet. I’m impressed.” He says with a crooked, creepy smirk. I don’t like this guy; he gives off a foul aura. Even Mystic is watching right below the surface in case he does something I can’t handle. Mystic is extremely strong and agile. If I gave her the reigns and she took over, there’s no way this d**chebag would win, but I won’t give that away just yet. Victor is the only one who I will let see our strength.

“I’m not, please put some pants on!” I said, looking away. I heard him grumble and heard the rustle of clothing. He stood before me and crossed his arms.

“You still need work” he said with a slight grin on his face. He was quite tall and muscular. I tilted my head back so I could see his eyes. “I’d be more than happy to teach you.” I stepped back and frowned.

“No, thank you, Captain.” He leaned down within inches of my face.

“You’re loss” He winked and walked away. Something was off. He attacked me but wasn’t trying to really hurt me. He smelled familiar to me. I know we met at the bonfire, but his scent was unique, and I know I’ve smelled it before, I just can’t place it. Victor came up beside me and put his arm around my shoulders.

“You, okay?” I looked up at him and smiled.

“I’m fine. So, we gonna spar or what?” I grabbed his hand, and he twirled me around. I giggled before we took our place in the ring again and he explained in detail a couple of moves on how to ward off a wolf in human form. I may not be as strong as him, but with the right moves, I can take a bigger opponent down.

We spent an hour practicing moves and strikes and Victor showed me how to handle someone larger and stronger than me in human and wolf form. I thought I did well. I need to work on my strength training and stamina, but I was proud of myself and so was Victor. He came up to me and wrapped his arms around me and gave me a big hug.

“I’m so proud of you Tori! You are doing so well!” I hugged him back and giggled.

“Thank you, Victor! I have a wonderful teacher!” I smiled at him.

“Well, what can I say!” he said smugly while straightening his imaginary tie.

“Lookin’ good, Tori! Wanna go a round?” I turned to see Jeremy and Ryder walking up to us.

“Ryder!” I yelled and ran to give him a hug. “You look great! How are you feeling?” He wrapped his arms around me and squeezed gently. He rubbed his hand up and down my back and then leaned back to look at me.

“I’m great!” He took my hands in his and looked me in the eyes. “I’m alive because of you, Tori. I can’t thank you enough. I will never be able to repay you, but I will try.” I could feel my face blush and I chuckled nervously.

“Ryder, no need to repay me. Just take care of yourself. You are meant for bigger and better things.” He shook his head slowly.

“No, Tori. I mean it. I’d be with the Moon Goddess right now if it weren’t for you. As much as an honor it would be to meet her, I’m not ready yet. I will always support you and have your back! I vow this as a warrior!” He places his hand over his heart and bows his head. I felt my eyes well up.

“Ryder…” I was too choked up to say anything more. I sensed Victor come up behind me and wrap his hands around my waist.

“Beta Victor..” Ryder and Jeremy bowed in greeting and Victor nodded.

“Ryder, it’s good to see you up and about. I hear you’re almost back to where you were before….” Victor trailed as Ryder smiled and nodded.

“Yes, sir! Almost as good as new! Thank you, Tori.” He looked at me again and I could hear the sincerity in his voice. Victor smiled at me.

“A warrior’s vow is for life, Tori. Unbreakable. A broken vow means death for the warrior. Not to be taken lightly.” I smiled through the tears.

“Well, I don’t want to disrespect one of our warriors, so I accept.” Ryder shows a big toothy grin and nods.

“Thank you!” Ryder responded happily.

“Okay, who wants to spar!?” Jeremy clapped his hands and smiled at us.

“Alright, I will. But go easy on me!” Victor leaned down and kissed my cheek before I ran into the ring with Jeremy.

Jeremy and I circled each other throwing punches and kicks and occasionally I tried to do a choke hold on him but ended up tickling him instead. Frustrated, I did a series of spinning back kicks and kneed him in the gut before he went down.

“Damn! We need to put that one in the training books! Good kick!” Jeremy jumped up to his feet patting his belly.

For the next hour, Jeremy, Ryder, Victor and I would take turns sparring, practicing moves and Victor would help us by correcting us when needed.

I was in the ring with Victor, throwing punches when it hit me. Without thinking, I spun on Victor to tell him, but he was already amid throwing his own punch and it connected with the side of my head.

“Aaaahhh!” I screamed and went down flat on my face.

“Tori!” Victor ran over and knelt beside me.

“Tori! Can you hear us?” Ryder yelled as he sat next to me, gently shaking my shoulder. I rolled over onto my back and groaned.

“s**t! That hurts! Next time I get a thought, I’ll keep it to myself!” I brought my hand up to my temple and rubbed it, wincing when I found the bones sensitive and thumping in pain.

“Come on sweetheart, sit up for me.” Victor grabbed my arm and sat me up.

“What were you thinking! You never take your eyes off your opponent. Especially the Beta!” Victor side-eyed Jeremy then looked at me in concern.

“I’m sorry! I just remembered something, and I turned to tell Victor.”

“What could be so important that distracted you during a fight?” Ryder asked, standing above me.

I shook my head and looked at Victor.

“What?” He asked sitting back.

“I remembered the smell.”

“What smell? What happened?” Jeremy asked, now quite concerned.

“When Captain Rivers was fighting me earlier, his scent seemed familiar to me.” Jeremy and Ryder looked at me confused, but Victor lost all color in his face.

“How?” Victor’s voice was low and cold.

“It was the same scent from the night of my intruder.”

Victor’s face became red, and his eyes turned black. Ivan was out and ready for blood.