Gifted | Werewolf

Chapter 24

< Chapter 24 >

Liam and I enter the dining room hand in hand and take our seats next to each other at the head of the table. The maids have cooked a meal for us today and it smelt wonderful to my empty stomach and my hungry wolf-ish body. It was something called 'cow-boy' soup with homemade bread and the bread was enough to make me melt at sight.

I eye the others and notice that they already started eating as fast as they could, I guess I'm not the only hungry wolf in here, well we all are, except for Tom. I dig in my food happily and moan as I swallow the fresh baked bread. Liam eyes me with amusement as he shakes his head at my toothy smile, which is probably not attractive since I haven't swallowed my second bite.

''So how are you Emily?'' Asks Jess with concern as she elbows John.

''Yeah... Erm, how are you feeling?'' He asks uncomfortably.

''I'm okay'' I answer half-smiling after I swallow my fifth bite.

I'm not exactly proud of fainting after my warm-up exercise. That's not a good impression, and I thank my lucky stars that it was a private training. How embarrassing it would have been if I'd fainted in front of the whole pack. I'd probably never show my face again.

I probably wouldn't allow such a situation to happen, if you would just feed me!

I'm sorry, alright! I already apologized to Liam and you, no need to bring up the past.

''Why? What happened?'' Oliver asks as he takes another piece of bread.

''She fainted'' John answers directly.

''Why?'' Asks Tom as he looks at John confused.

''Because she's weak'' Matt says arrogantly. What?

''No. She's not. She was just too tired from practicing on her gift and her body couldn't put up with more physical activity'' Pen answers back to Matt while glaring daggers at him.

''Look, I don't dislike Emily, she seems very kind but she's not a Luna. At least not yet. Therefore I won't treat her like one. She had lunch break, a whole hour. I'd think that's enough rest to be able to continue four more hours instead of wasting them sleeping all day waiting for prince charming here, to wake her up'' He says as he points at Liam. Wait. What?

''She used up her lunch break to continue practicing, which she did'' Liam defends me as he holds my hand under the table and squeezes it assuringly. I'm literally in shock. This is totally not what I expected dinner to be like. Matt is not wrong, I'm obviously not Luna material but where is this sudden disdain coming from?

''All the more reason to show that she's not responsible! If she can't take care of her own health, how can she make sure a whole pack is okay?'' Matt critics. I squirm in my place from his intense gaze as he eyes the others who eye him in complete disbelief.

''You can't expect her to be the best alright? She hasn't been a supernatural for long and she just lost her parents. You should have more understanding that she's actually doing her best to protect you, that instead of feeding herself she used her free time to master an ability so that when the war comes, you won't die'' Tom argues back.

''But as a Luna she must always be prepared in case something happens! Yes, she used up her time to keep practicing, but in doing so, she fainted an hour later and has been unconscious for the last five hours'' Matt speaks but get interrupted.

''Matt, that's enough, you made your point. No need to make it a big deal'' Oli says.

''A big deal? Oliver it's already a big deal. In those five hours, Michael's pack could have gotten in, started a war, killed her in her sleep and what help would that do, huh? Nothing! Because she can't fight and her gift isn't exactly offensive, so no, it wouldn't help if she mastered an ability instead of learning how to really fight'' Matt shouts back as he stands up.

0 to 100 real quick. Sophia comments.

Tears start brimming in my eyes and I try to blink them away. I feel so useless. The others divert their eyes from me, as if in some cruel but understanding way, they agree with Matt. And I couldn't bear hearing their thoughts that were laced with disappointment, even Liam, who knows the motives to my action, is disappointed that I didn't start training. They agree that I need physical training, because I'm useless to them in my current state.

I wipe my mouth with a tissue-paper, stand up and speed walk out of the room while looking shamefully down.

''Emily!'' Pen says as she stands up to run after me, but Jess blocks her.

''She needs to be alone right now'' She says.

I run out into the corridors and bump into a maid, who looks up at me in alert and notices my tears. She speaks but I hear no words, but from her facial expression, I'm guessing she's asking if I'm okay. I nod and run forward out of the pack house into the forest.

''Matt! Why would you say something like that?'' Oli asks.

''She needs to know that just because she's new doesn't mean we have less expectations from her. There's a war coming up and she needs to act like it''

''Are you mad? She's doing everything in her power to fit in our world and be what she's supposed to be and you still expect more? She's not a miracle, you know? She's like you and me and she needs time'' Pen replies.

''That's something we don't have. Don't you get it? We've met her two weeks ago! And until now she hasn't trained. We're wasting time. She's not serious about this war. She thinks just because her parents died then we have to pity her.

"But in case you all forgot, there is a war going on and she's not the only one who's lost family'' Matt says, overcome by so many emotions he's barely holding himself from shifting. He lost someone too just like I did, and while everyone is being kind toward me he's being real.

I lean on a random tree to catch my breath and figure out what I'm going to do. But I can't think when I can hear their voices and my hiccups block my thoughts so I keep running. Their words and emotions are so loud.

''Matthew! Whether you understand or not, her situation is different from yours. I haven't forgotten that there is a war going on, but for her to become a great Luna and a Gifted Alpha, we need to give her as much support as we can, she knows just like we all know, that she has a long way to go. You're not wrong, but instead of harshly critiquing her, help her instead" Liam scowls at Matt as he pushes his chair back and walks over to him.

"To be honest, I still can't believe she's even willing to fight with us when this war, this supernatural world, is the reason she lost her parents. You should be impressed that she's even willing to learn to help our people despite just losing her parents. It's about time you understand that it's not easy for her either'' Matt visibly relaxes and eyes Liam understandingly with a hint of sadness as Liam squeezes Matt's shoulder assuringly.

I can still hear them, even though I'm far away, I can still hear and see them in my mind as if I'm sitting right where I was. Unconsciously, I put my hands on my ears as if to try and block their voices, but I can still hear them clearly. Why does my gift work when I don't need it!

More tears drop from my eyes as I keep running blindly in the forest with no direction. I just run run and run until I reach the spot that always seemed to comfort me. The oak tree. I drop in front of it and hug myself tightly as I cry. I know it's not my fault, Matt is right but it's not my fault. I was just trying to help. But no matter what I do, I feel so useless.

I'm sorry, I wish I could do something to help you... Like, beat the crap out of Matt. Sophia says. I manage a little laugh.

Yeah, that sounds good... But I can't let you. He has a point you know? I feel like we're overreacting a bit, but I needed to be alone.

Yes, but he didn't have to be so mean about it. He needs to be more empathic.

Yeah. But he's still right. I have to be more responsible. I'll have to work on my leader-abilities, and combat practices... I have to do it for the pack and for myself. You in?

Sure. Got anything in mind?

Do you know any exercise? Like a punch or a kick or whatever it is, that is basic?

Pick a tree. We're going to punch the negative emotions out of us.

***