The Champion

The Choice

I woke up with a start, looking around the room panic began to set in until I saw the shadowy figure sitting in a chair across from the bed that I was currently laying in. In the dark I couldn't tell who it was visually but by his smell I knew It was Caleb.

"What am I doing here?" I whispered, lowering my head and wishing I could just disappear.

"I found you by a small lake towards the outskirts of your territory. We were doing border runs when I smelt blood, your blood." He said sitting forward to look at me.

I blinked at him in surprise before the nights events came back to me, they had whipped me for what felt like hours because I skipped school.

"I would ask what happened but the shape that I found you in I can already guess, what I want to know though is how it's possible your even awake?" Suspicion and amazement were laced in his tone.

"I just sat down and called the pack doctor to come look at you, it didn't take me long to get you here and the looks of your wounds there is no way that you should be awake."  I stared at him, I didn't know what else to do. Why would he risk bringing me here?

"I have to go, I have to.. wait what time is it?" I demanded softly.

"Just after 1am, wait a few moments and let my pack doctor look at your wounds." He insisted.

"No, I have to go before someone notices I'm gone. I have had worse Caleb, I will survive." I said in a deadpan tone. I threw my legs over the side of the bed and was amazed that I was able to get up and walk. I felt cool air reach my stomach and back, instinctively I reach out and realized that my shirt had been shredded.

"Take one of mine," I glanced up as he held one out to me, taking the fabric in my hand I resisted the urge to lift it to my nose and smell it. 

"I would like for you to reconsider my offer Sonya. You will not survive much more of this, at least let me train you and show you a better way." The look in his eyes was pleading and I felt myself shifting towards him slightly.

"Fine, but on my terms." I whispered.

"I only want to help, you shouldn't have to live like this. I have never seen an omega be treated like you are." He said softly.

"We can train only at night and I want to learn how to fight, track and I, um, I need you to teach me how to shift." I glanced at the ground In humiliation.

"They didn't even teach you how to shift?" He growled out.

"I know enough, how to use her hearing and eyesight but anything else is hidden from me. She tries to show me but I'm weak and I don't have the concentration or skills needed to call her forth." I almost whimpered at my confession, It was rare that a wolf changed this late, usually their first shift happened at the age of 12 around puberty but I was 16 it should have happened before now.

"You will learn everything I have to teach you," he promised. I stared into his eyes, looking for dishonesty, for something but all I saw was clear eyes that seemed to suck me into them. That seemed to see right through to my soul, eyes that held no betrayal, no pain, only innocence.

I looked away not finding my excuse to turn him down yet again, "We will start tomorrow night, no more talking to me at school, don't step in front of blows for me. You act as if you couldn't care less. I don't need anymore instances where I get into trouble like tonight." I murmured at him.

I watched him nod softly, anger and regret flash through his eyes before it was gone. I walked to his open window and jumped down to the ground below, I had left his shirt laying in a puddle on his floor. I couldn't chance bringing it with me and we both knew that, yet I was still grateful for the gesture.