Fated to the war general

Training with the general

Delilah

Shocked is an understatement to how I feel about meeting General Kane here. Immediately I see him underneath the water, I rise to the surface and swim to the shore.

Initially, I thought I was going to have a private moment to think. But General Kane's presence has just ruined everything. Who am I kidding? He said this was his personal spot. It's bad that I also find it comfortable here.

He lifts his head out of the water and looks at me with a frown. "I told you not to come here."

Ignoring him, I continue putting on my clothes. Deep down, I wish I could disappear from his sight with the snap of my fingers.

Before I can finish dressing, he pulls himself out of the pond. Beads of water roll down his chest onto his torso. For a second I can't help but stare at him.

His sharp green eyes catch mine and I look away shyly. General Kane walks up to me and I feel like running away. What is this temptation? I never asked for this. He gets closer to me and I turn to walk away. He takes hold of my hand.

"Wait."

That one word, coupled with the feel of his hand on mine, sends a shiver down my body. What does he want from me? I turn around and face him. "Yes?"

"How are you feeling?"

I frown, not expecting this question from him. "Good. Fine. Why do you even care?"

"Because I want you to start training."

The words sound foreign to me, especially since he's the one saying it. I withdraw my hand from his and fold my arm, looking squarely at him. "You want me, Delilah, to start training? Why? I thought you said you could defend me."

"Yes, I can. But you still need to know how to fight on your own. Every wolf needs to do so."

I scoff and take a step back. "I don't want your training. I can handle myself."

I turn around to leave again and he doesn't hold me back this time. "Blood moon pack is under attack," he says and I freeze in my steps. "Do you still reject my offer?"

Turning around slowly, I meet his gaze. "I was once a lead sentinel at my old pack. So thank you, I can help myself."

This time, General Kane doesn't stop me when I walk away. I can't be at his mercy if there's an attack. It's either I run away from the Blood moon pack or I train as hard as I can. I wonder how much time we have left before a fight breaks out.

I take a detour on my way to the Alpha quarters and find another part of the woods where I can stay and train. There's a small patch of sandy soil underneath a tree. The air feels a bit cool here and the tree provides adequate shade. I settle underneath and start my training.

My moves are a bit rusty since it's been a long time since I practised. I blame General Kane and Nora for this. At least at Silver Crest, I had the leverage of moving around freely and carrying out personal activities. The pack turned me into their personal errand girl, but I wasn't caged up in a room that smelled like a hospital.

I direct all my anger towards the tree, kicking and punching it.

I send a strong kick into the tree. My hands move quickly, raining blows into the tree trunk.

"Your knuckles would get bruised if you continue doing that."

My heart skips on hearing his voice and I turn around sharply to meet General Kane's steady gaze. His shirt is hung casually over his shoulder. Why does he have to look so hot and dangerous at the same time? Most times I'm torn between avoiding him and seeking his attention.

His voice comes out deep and calm. "You don't have to train alone, let me join you."

I shake my head. "No, I'm fine on my own."

"You clearly aren't," he presses further, "let me help you."

I scoff and fold my arms, staring straight into his eyes. "You want to defend me, train me, keep me safe, treat my illness, but you don't want to be my mate."

"Yes," he replies sharply and walks closer to me. "Because such a relationship can't thrive between the two of us. Now punch me," he says, assuming a fighting position.

His words make me super angry. "I said I don't want you to train me."

"And I'm not. But you need someone to join you. Do you think I'd be here if this wasn't important?"

Frowning, I consider his words before finally agreeing. Besides, it would be fun to fight him. A little way to pour out my anger on him for all the emotional turmoil he has caused me.

I move at him fast and with as much force as I can muster. He dodges my kicks and blows but doesn't attack me back. Taking a brief pause, I regain my stance before attacking him again.

I can feel it in my bones, this is not the real me. My moves don't flow easily, and my power is limited. I give Kane one last punch in frustration, groaning out loud, before turning and kicking the tree.

"Arrgh!" I shout, balling my fists in anger. "This is bullshit! I wasn't like this! This isn't the real me!"

I squat on the ground and cover my face. Tears threaten to fall from my eyes, but I hold them in. I've cried a lot already. It never solved the problem.

I feel General Kane's shadow looming over me. When I look up, I meet his stare. A crease forms in his eyebrows, and he stretches out his hand to me. I take hold of it and he gently pulls me to my feet.

"I want to believe you haven't given up."

The tears sting in my eyes as I fight to hold them in. I shake my head in reply.

"Good."

General Kane moves backwards and takes his fighting position. "You once had your powers, you can have them again. But remember, it won't be easy to achieve this."

I nod in agreement, trying to feel motivated.

"Now imagine I'm the one in custody of all your powers, all your fighting expertise and strengths. Imagine you want to beat them out of my hands."

Now he puts it this way, I feel the urge to fight again. I train my focus on him. I badly want to beat him up because he isn't just posing as the one withholding my powers from me. He is actively doing so by refusing to mate with me. And he's about to know how much that drives me crazy.