CHAPTER 45 : FIRST DAY OF TRAINING

Once the whole family was done with breakfast, as usual, everyone went their separate ways. Bryan and Aiden went to see Morane, discussed a few things before they both left, and Aiden left for his meeting.

Bryan also had some work to do in the pack, and Kira had started training. One of the best male warriors in the pack was assigned to train her, their Beta, Ryker and sporadically Bryan and Aiden decided they would also assist in training her and knowing about her improvements. 

By right she should have trained before breakfast and all, but because of her visit to see Morane she missed it. Bryan asked her to start the next day, but she insisted on starting some hours after her breakfast had been digested.

Her training was taking place on a reserved training ground just for her. Not many people would be able to see her train unless allowed to. For now, that was more appropriate for her and her mates.

"Are you ready for this?" Ryker asked, his voice gruff but not unkind. Ryker was serious and took training Kira seriously, even Kira had not seen him look this serious since he arrived at the pack. For now, he was her trainer and she was his trainee on the training ground.

"I'm ready," Kira nodded and said, wiping her palms on her leggings, although a small voice inside her doubted that. It was her first day of training, something she had never thought would happen.

She knew she needed strength, she needed to know how to fight for herself, her mates and her Pack. She also wanted to be able to protect the people and things she loves.

"We are starting with the basics," Ryker stated, not wasting any more time. "Footwork, balance. It is the foundation of every fight."

"Okay." Kira muttered and took a deep breath.

Ryker proceeded to show her the first move, stepping lightly on the balls of his feet, his stance wide but grounded. "You need to stay light, ready to move in any direction, but balanced enough that no one. Can knock you off your feet." He explained to her. "Do you see the way I am doing it, now try it. Remember to be light and balanced."

"Noted!" Kira muttered and mimicked him, trying to match his grace. But as soon as she shifted her weight, she stumbled slightly, her door slipping on the grass.

"It's okay, don't rush it. You are trying too hard. Focus on your center of gravity." He advised her.

"Center of gravity," Kira whispered to herself and took a deep breath as she adjusted her stance. 

She was not sure if she was getting it. She could feel her body being resistive of the movements, and her legs burned. Not only that, but she attempted to push through, not wanting to look weak in front of Ryker.

For the next half hour, they drilled. Ryker had her moving forward, back, and side to side, all while maintaining her balance.

Kira was sweaty, her muscles aching, "ugh!" She almost felt like giving up, but she was just too stubborn to even give up.

"You are getting there," Ryker said after she managed a few steps without any mistakes or faltering, and it made her feel proud of her little achievement. At least she was getting something right. 

"But remember, Kira, it is not about speed. It is about control, although that should not stop you from wanting to be fast but learn your control first."

Kira nodded, her breathing heavy. Now that she had grasped the basics, Ryker decided to introduce a challenge to test her focus and reactions. So he moved to a tree where a simple wooden post stood.

"This is your target," he told her. "And I want you to land a clean hit on it without losing your balance."

"Okay!" She said and squared up, her feet shifting into the stance Ryker had taught her. 

Kira focused, lunged forward—whiff. Her punch missed the post by inches, and she stumbled, nearly falling forward.

"Again," Ryker said, not letting her pause.

She clenched her fists, feeling some frustration bubbling up, and tried again. This time she landed a hit but could feel how weak it was. Ryker was not impressed.

"You are fighting with yourself, hesitating. Don't second-guess yourself. Just strike."

Determined, she tries again and lines up once more. She struck with all her force, but this time, her footing slipped on the damp grass.

Kira fell hard, landing on her side with a grunt. "Sh*t." She cursed out, feeling very frustrated. "Why is it so difficult to just get this right!"

Ryker chuckled a bit and offered her a hand, to help her up. "That's enough for today. You are pushing yourself too hard."

"And you are laughing at me," Kira said, accepting his hand and getting up, her body aching all over.

"My apologies, Luna." 

"Luna, huh?" Kira raised a brow. "You are very funny and slightly confusing."

"I suppose I can be, Luna." He replied and offered her a bottle of water.

Kira grabbed the bottle of water he handed to her and took a long gulp, then said, "You didn't treat me as your Luna earlier and now you do. Hm!"

Then she wiped the sweat from her brow, glancing back at Ryker, who was already collecting the training equipment. He had heard what she said but decided not to respond, only smiling as he packed everything up.

Catching her eye, he told her. "You will get better, you have got potential. Just don't expect to be perfect on the first day."

Kiran nodded, appreciating his words of encouragement. 

"Thank you Ryker. I'll see you tomorrow," she said to him and thereafter, slung the bottle over her shoulder, heading back home.

Her legs were heavy with fatigue, and she thought she might drop to the ground soon if care was not taken. But at least, she made it through her first day of training.

Finally reaching home, Kira pushed open the door to the mansion, her body aching with every step. She barely made it to the hallway when she heard footsteps approaching.

Bryan appeared from around the corner with a smirk already playing on his lips. "Hey, how was your first day?"

"I can't feel my body," Kira muttered tiredly, her legs wobbling.

Just as Bryan reached her, her legs betrayed her, and she stumbled forward, her eyes widening as she felt herself falling.

Bryan was quick. He caught her before she could hit the floor, his arms wrapped around her waist. "Are you serious?" He laughed. "You can't even stand?"

"Are you laughing at me too?" Kira asked, pouting slightly.