Hit

Chapter 23

When Derek told me he was going to train me I was not expecting it entailed him leaving me stranded in the middle of the woods with my only instructions being 'prepare for anything.' What the heck was that supposed to mean? So being the stubborn person that I was I sat on the ground and refused to move, no way was I going to be stumbling around in the woods waiting for something to happen. I closed my eyes and tried to focus my hearing on my surroundings. I heard the flutter of wings from a nearby bird and the light shuffle of leaves from a small animal making its way through the woods. When hearing got me nowhere I tried to use smell.

I took in the scents as the wind blew into my face causing my hair to lightly fly back away from my face. My eyes were still shut as I tried to decipher the strange smells. I could smell the crisp wind that would soon bring with it winter. I was surrounded by the scents of pine trees and of the earthy dirt. I tried to catch Derek's sweet sent, but what little glimpses I got were too faint and would disappear quickly. Then I remembered what Derek had said about being down wind, which is where he must be. Well now that I knew that what do I do with it? 'Remember I'm always with you.' Oh Moon Goddess if you really are always with me help me find something useful.

"Use all your senses Lauren." I nearly jumped at the sound, even though I had asked for it. I opened my eyes scanning my surroundings. I spotted a shadow moving through the trees and I focused my hearing. Whatever it was was large and moving fast, not the sounds I had heard from the animals out here. I ran around trying to get around the figure. I was past far enough to catch scent of whoever it was. It wasn't Derek but it was a wolf that much I could tell. I was watching the shadow that was about to take a step into the light revealing the identity of the stranger, but a noise coming from behind me broke my focus. I leaned over going into a cartwheel kicking the object coming at me. I landed upright as hands tried to wrap around my waist. I grabbed the petite wrist and flung the person around me and straight into the person I had kicked.

Octavia and Derek were laying in a tangled mess on the ground and a large smile crossed my lips. I guess I had won their little game. Derek pushed Octavia off him and she returned it with a slap to the back of his head. I laughed at their childlike actions. The wind was blowing my hair in front of my face but with it came another scent. I turned around just as I was slammed to the ground. Troy was lying on top of me giving me the family's famous smirk. "I thought you were dead slut?" God I hate him and I didn't hate anyone.

A chorus of growls were coming from Derek and Octavia; guess Troy wasn't part of the plan. My claws extended out of my hand as I ripped them across Troy's face. It caused enough of a distraction for me to get the upper hand. I flipped us over and now I was on top of Troy. I grabbed his throat in my hands as my teeth clenched together, my large fangs covering the tops of my bottom teeth. "Oh, I guess you like it on top. Maybe that's why Derek likes you because that's what Lana likes." My nails pierced the soft skin of Troy's neck and he growled at me careful not to move.

"I doubt that was what happened with Derek, you're just a push over. Easy to manipulate all someone has to say is you're better than him. I was wrong I don't hate you; I pity you. Always competing with Derek only to realize you will never be able beat him." I pushed off him and hovered over his body still lying flat on the ground. "Now touch me again and next time I won't let go of your neck." I stepped over him and walked to Derek who hastily wrapped his arm around me. Troy still laid on the ground his face red with anger and sorrow, he knew I was right. Derek walked off taking me with him as Octavia followed behind. Everyone was silent as we walked and I couldn't find anything to break this intoxicating absence of sound. When we far enough away from Troy everyone returned to their normal selves.

Derek turned to me, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Hope you can run fast little wolf." I gave him a blank look before both him and Octavia took off running. I stood there staring at them as they disappeared into the darkness, guess the game's not over. I ran after them following the scent they left behind. I was wearing charcoal gray tank top and matching shorts that helped me blend in with the dark woods. My feet hit the ground creating a pounding rhythmic sound with each stride I took. Thump, thump, thump, my feet hit the ground. Thump, thump, thump, my eyes caught sight of movement far in front of me. Thump, thump, thump, ba-dum, ba-dum.