Agony fell short; she was shattered.
Charlotte, a werewolf, endured relentless abuse, leaving her utterly fractured. Austin, her supposed mate, subjected her to constant mistreatment and even infidelity.
In a daring escape, she fled, only to encount...
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"Um... you start first," she said, her eyes filled with curiosity.
I took a deep breath before sharing, "Well, I've been challenged by Kenzie for the luna position. The fight is scheduled for two days from now. Today, I had very little time to train because something unexpected happened, so I sparred with your mate, John."
She nodded in understanding but then offered a word of caution, "You know, I don't think you're bad at all, but I have to be honest with you—Kenzie is an incredibly powerful wolf. She can certainly win with her abilities, but sometimes, she doesn't hesitate to use a few tricks up her sleeve." Her tone carried a note of concern.
Tricks? The idea left a lingering thought in my mind. Nevertheless, I was determined to win using my own abilities and strength. "Your... turn," I managed to mumble.
Lily's expression softened as she began to share her own story, "So, you guys probably already knew that John is my mate. The reason I didn't acknowledge him before was because I wasn't ready for a mate. I had a lot of things I wanted to accomplish, and as you saw, I was away for a few days."
She continued, "During that time, I did a lot of thinking, and I realized that a mate is given to you as your other half to make you feel complete. I know I hurt John's feelings back then, but I came back today and apologized to him, and here we are." A genuine smile graced her lips, and her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red.
Just as we were settling into the conversation, the door suddenly banged open, revealing an impatient Leon on the other side. He was practically yelling at Lily, "I need my mate back! We have to discuss the fight!"
At the mention of the fight, Lily sprang up like a bolt of lightning and hurried out of the room, clearly understanding the importance of the matter.
Leon took a seat beside me, and with a focused expression, he began, "I wanted to share some tips with you, things to keep in mind when you're fighting. We don't have much time left, and I hope that during your final training sessions with both John and me, you can apply these strategies."
He continued, "Firstly, in your previous spar with John, one mistake you made was immediately going on the offensive when the fight started. It's crucial to observe your opponent, learn their moves, and identify their weaknesses before launching your own attack."
As he spoke, it dawned on me that Leon had not just been idly watching our training sessions but had been carefully observing my every move and formulating feedback. I was determined not to let him down.
Leon delved into a discussion of some of my strengths that could be put to good use, but he also shared several tricks that he had picked up along the way. It seemed that my father's lessons on unconventional tactics had left a lasting impression on me.
As Leon continued to talk, the fatigue from the day's events began to catch up with me. Each word started to feel like a gentle lullaby, and my eyelids grew heavier. Before I knew it, warmth enveloped me as Leon lifted me in his arms and settled me gently on the bed. The sheets were drawn over me, and I watched through half-lidded eyes as he prepared for another day of intense training.
The following morning, we all assembled at the training grounds, greeted by both Lily and John. At least Kenzie wasn't present today, which offered a slight relief.
Lily began to speak, "Leon, my mom mentioned that Kenzie will need this training area in the afternoon. I can't understand why she supports her so much." She let out a sigh of exasperation.
I sighed too, knowing that my training time would once again be cut short. "Well, you guys don't know why your mom doesn't like me, but I do. She literally hates my guts."
With that, I spared John another round of sparring, trying to implement all the advice Leon had given me. I managed to dodge some of John's attacks and even landed a few hits, but ultimately, I still ended up on the losing side.
As I panted, feeling utterly exhausted and hopeless, John offered words of encouragement, "Hey, you've improved. I have faith that you'll do well tomorrow. Don't give up."
"Exactly," Leon chimed in, his warm breath brushing against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. "I know you can do this."
I mustered a small smile for their sake, but deep down, I was battling a sense of despair. I excused myself to find some time alone, hoping to regain my focus.
As I sat on the edge of my bed, I reached for a box that my parents had given me before I joined Leon's pack. Inside, I found a cherished photo of the three of us, a necklace, and something else that caught my eye.
