The Beasts Inside Us

Chapter 10

The last time I had stepped into the ring to train was a month ago.

Caide had been tough on me, making me work out for a couple hours before sparring. I was slightly slower that day, which had caused him to be more stern towards me. A 10 mile run, push ups, sit ups.. I felt like I did it all.

When he felt I had done enough exercising, we sparred—he didn't go easy on me.

Not that he usually does, but I can sometimes sense when he's holding back.

He wasn't holding back that day.

We sparred for a couple minutes, each gaining and losing advantage. Until finally Caide caught me off guard and I mis-stepped, leaving an opening for him to throw a punch at my face. It seemed as though Caide had put all the force he could muster in the punch because, seconds later, I was lying on the floor with a hand to my cheek.

Marie had forced me to keep an ice bag on my black eye for a full 4 weeks, even though it healed in two. She also tried to lecture Caide about acting as though we were fighting in real life when we were only training. In her words, "you are not actually trying to kill each other. It is okay to hold back and not permanently damage your sparring partner."

I think back to that moment as I step into the ring with Ava.

I realize that Ava is in the same position as I was. Fighting a more experienced fighter.

I am 100% sure Caide has been training since the day he was born. His skill is outstanding and his techniques, according to me, are mesmerizing to watch.

I have a moment of pity as I glance at my opponent, who looks as though she's considering running away.

Ava's eyes dart to the only exit a couple times, making her look like a skittish rabbit. She appears to be on the verge of a panic attack.

I chuckle at the ironic thought that I'm the predator that Ava fears.

Because, unknowingly to her, I really am a predator.

A wolf, to be more specific.

I'll go easy on her, I decide in a final thought. Though I will definitely not allow her to get even one hit in.

We stand across from each other, nervous blue clashing with determined and focused green. I hold my arms up in a fighting stance as Ava awkwardly tries to mimic me.

I wait for her to make the first move, and she does, throwing an inexperienced punch forward. She leans into it way too much, her awkward stance making her unbalanced. All I have to do is swifly step out of the way and Ava is flat on the floor.

She lands with a small thud and groans, her brows creasing her forehead in frustration.

I smirk and her eyes harden.

She stands back up without a word and turns back to me.

Our eyes meet for a second as I try to communicate to her that I'm making the next move.

I attack, swinging a fist forward. I think twice when Ava doesn't move out of the way and pause right before I punch her. In a late reaction, Ava winces at the sight of my fist slightly brushing against the end of her nose.

I sigh and back away.

"you need to duck or dodge or block.. something to avoid getting hit."

Ava rolls her eyes, "oh yeah.. why didn't I think of that?"

"Someone's getting an attitude." I am a little astonished at the quick change in Ava's personality. When I look at her, I see a determined, still slightly scared and inexperienced girl. This is quite a big difference from the timid bunny she was acting like only five minutes ago.

The ring can do that to you.

Ava doesn't answer my observation. She gets back into stance, and not a minute later is going in for an attack. She let's out a yell as she swings at me, only to be blocked by my arm. She goes for a kick, but I dodge, grab her arm, and flip her.

Ava lands on her back, getting the breath knocked out of her. Pain flashes in her eyes before she squeezes them shut. She groans and rolls over.

I offer to help her up, feeling slightly bad.

She stands up, brushing my hand away. This is the first she has shown any obvious sign of disliking me. I can't help but feel a little proud of her for standing up for herself.

I see the look of determination again and get ready.

I feel the same rush of adrenaline I always experience in a fight. My eyes lock on Ava's next move, filled with excitement and anticipation.

As I get into stance again, I stiffen, hearing footsteps.

My mind momentarily wanders, distracted from the fight. All my senses go to focusing on figuring out who this unexpected visitor is.

Just as the door opens and I start to turn around, Ava goes for a kick and knocks me right off my feet.

Taken by surprise, I gasp as I fall through the air and land on my butt.

The maid just beat me.

And Caide was there to see it all.

My face goes red with both anger and embarrassment as I look up and meet Caide's gaze from the ground. He's ten minutes earlier than usual.

Surprise and amusement shine in his eyes, along with something that fills my stomach with dread.

Disappointment.

Caide has spent so much time training me and I was just knocked down by a maid whose probably never even punched a pillow.

My eyes turn black in fury as the wolf in me threatens to come out.

I have never experienced this much anger, but Caide did tell me this was a side effect that most of his experiments have.

When we experience intense emotions, our wolf instincts come out.

I feel it in full force as I seethe in anger.

Ava did this.

First she steals my job.

Then Marie and Ted.

Then Caide.

Now, not only did I lose him, I have lost his respect.

How am I ever going to come back from this? He will never feel comfortable having me as a guard again.

If Ava can knock me down, surely anyone else can, right?

I whip around towards Ava, my dark eyes and elongated teeth causing her to let out a squeal. I lunge and tackle her to the ground, ready to show just how strong I really am.

"Allie!"

I only get two punches in before I'm ripped away from Ava and thrown a couple feet away. I land on my side and roll, knowing I won't feel the effects until tomorrow.

As I stand, I turn around and get ready to pounce again.

The sight that meets my eyes causes me to pause.

Caide stands protectively in front of Ava, watching me cautiously, with a dark expression. Ava cowers behind him, looking terrified. A small stream of blood falls from her nose and her lip is split, already bruising.

My gaze is caught on Caide's expression and for the first time, I feel like the outsider.

A monster.

I back away.

For the first time, I start to wonder if.. maybe I am one of the bad guys.