Chapter eight

The next day kicked in like normal, for normal people, the beast's glare into my eyes before it was killed by my mate haunted me even in my sleep. And I winced, the pain in my shoulder blade had subsided compared to when Garrett was applying ointments a few hours ago.

"What are you doing get down here?" Said my trainer, Garrett, I plopped into the training ground and the morning sun reflected on my face, I used my hand as a shield as I walked past the archers, their efficiency was undisputed, it was different from what they had back in the packhouse. Fast, uniform and experienced as if ready for war.

"Good morning sir," I said and he barely looked at me as he got his hands full. A slightly worried frown knitted on my face but I looked at him, for once I saw light in what he did,  how he does it with passion as he positioned the boy before him.

He placed his hands on his waist and focused his hands properly on the bow."Pull out your chest, not too much, relax and release."

"Archery is an art and art isn't supposed to look beautiful, your perception makes it."

He was right I thought, knowing his words didn't only partake in archery alone.

"Nice work out here, trainer," I said, I prefer calling him trainer because he is one, and more so I couldn't disrespect the fact that he already had grey hairs sprung out of his deep black hair.

"You shouldn't be out already," he said and I smiled at him lightly. 

"What about you, are you less injured than I'm?" I meant running my hands through my head before pointing at his bandaged ribs. And he let out a chuckle, 

 "I'm a warrior." He reminded me of me. He was right, no one cared how they felt even after suffering losses they put up a strong face and pretend as if it doesn't reach them.

We were chatting and laughing at the very least, I also learnt from him, he experienced more than I thought and reminded me of the alchemist, just me being stubborn back then, barely listening to him.

"Is there anything you don't know?" I said and his jovial expression changed instantly." Did I do something wrong?" I asked worried as to why he had flinched.

"No, you didn't just that–"

"You can tell me I won't judge you," I assured him and he loosened his face, I knew something bothered him.

"Uhm, I lost my family in the last war that had occurred between Ramanov and the elven clan," he said as he turned his face away.

"That doesn't make you a coward, you know, it must have been hard for you." I tried to assure him, and relieve the guilt it might have inflicted on him.

"I wasn't there to save my five-year-old baby and her mother." His face twisted, and I couldn't help it, I know the pain he felt, I've been there when the only thing you cared about goes all up against you.

"But you tried your best I'm sure, you ain't a person to give up easily."

"Anyway sorry for bothering you, I'll leave you to your training," I said turning to leave and I was busy selecting the lightest among the sword racked up. I didn't want him to get into emotional trauma.

He smiled and returned to the field, I trailed behind him with the sword I had taken, I was eager to learn swordsmanship, at least if I couldn't shift I could be fast and expedient, to standout for myself.

"You're weak to standout." He said eyeing my shoulder blade briskly.

"And yet we shouldn't succumb to it." I winked at him, circumstances do make people get closer, especially Garrett, I thought he was proud and cold-hearted, realizing he was more lively than his daily expression, I've grown fond of my trainer, he was comfortable to train with I smiled.

I launched the sword in my hand in attack in the air clashing with his in defence giving a metallic sound. This went on for minutes. Clang clang.

"Gotchya," I said.

"Do not relax at supposed victory." He said and in a blink of an eye, he was already pointing his sword at me.

"How can I beat you?" I asked teasingly.

"Staying alert."

We trained and I found a mark on his hand, he had concealed this wearing long sleeves always, even in summer, but my knife tore through it, 

"You're from sunju pack?" I asked, the mark was a representation of a crescent moon and a star, 

He rapidly covered it and I could see he was scared of people finding out his identity.

We all have our pasts, and this gave me an understanding of trying to blend in and what he had done yesterday in the carrier with the girl. Covering up my scent using hers.

"Yes, during the first fall some of us ran to neighbouring packs and it happened I had been one of them." Sanju pack was currently run by a Japanese luna, she had her pack reside in Vienna and they were all rogues considering their special skills in kung-fu.

"But you kept it hidden, why?" I asked, surprised at how he had gone unnoticed.

"Andrea's father, had taken us in when all other packs rejected us, he gave me home – no one is as brave as you're Lucia, so I prefer to go unnoticed," he said and I blushed a little, he was the only one that didn't slander me for who I am.

"I want to be like you, be strong against my enemies," I don't know where the word is coming from but it gave a jolt of joy to my wolf, Garrett chuckled and threw a stick into my pact.

"You're too inexperienced practising with a blade." He said and I didn't hesitate.

Claire walked past us, she noticed how I  wasn't interested in talking to her and took my dedication to my practice as a confirmation. Honestly, she reminded me a little of myself in the past, feeling traces of loneliness and desire to be acknowledged by her.

"No matter how you try you can never become perfect." She mouthed and I didn't flinch at her words.

"Let's have a drink together." I proposed after giving it a sensible thought, and my ribs were aching for the six hours straight practice on the field.

We studied each other's movements and facial expressions waiting for who to talk to first. I was okay with the way she had reacted, who wouldn't? We were uncomfortable and that is okay, we're equal to rivals.

I gently pushed the teacup towards her and she peered through it.

"It's the nicest tea I've had since I came here." I started, killing the silent aura that surrounds us.

She wasn't touching it and was staring at the teacup so strangely that one could say it was made out of dirty water.

"Why did you want to have a drink with me?" She opened up, I narrowed my eyes and my heart sank.

"Just so you don't get mad at Andrea for saving my life." It baffled me how I've mouthed it out so easily, the woman I hated for taking away my mate, I'm here begging her not to be mad at him. I couldn't deny I felt pity towards my tenderness.

But then her eyes began to water, moistened and a pretentious smile twitched on her lips.

"Just get out of here and go back to where you came from, you think I'll welcome you by acting all innocent and simple? Never!"

She spat at me, then got to her feet, I closed my eyes and then turned them to the left, relaxing my heart, and how she might have perceived me.