CHAPTER 77 : HIM AGAIN

Thud! Bam! Bam!

Kira's fists collided with the heavy bag, the impact echoing through the training ground. 

THUD! BAM!

She exhaled, her breath coming in sharp bursts. "Hah! Hah! Oof"

As her fists collided with the heavy bag, she steadied her stance before throwing more in combination. Her muscles burned, but she didn't let up.

Smack-thud-smack!

Her legs shuffled as she pivoted, her fists flying. One jab, then a hook, followed by a cross. 

"Huuu" She breathed out, while bouncing on the balls of her feet. 

Kira drove her energy into every punch as sweat dripped down her temples, stinging her eyes, but she ignored it, too focused to stop. 

She wanted a different style for her hair today and wore her hair in a tight, fighter's braid early in the morning before going for training.

Today they were training in the boxing area, which had all the equipment they needed—reinforced mats, multiple heavy bags and so on.

Ryker stood nearby with his arms crossed. He watched Kira closely as she trained, his expression both approving and critical.

"Come on, harder!" He barked, stepping closer. "Use your core. Tighten that guard. Punch like you mean it!"

"Arghh!" Kira grunted in frustration, adjusting her stance, and then Bam! She threw another punch with everything she had.

"Mhm... That's it!" Ryker encouraged. "Good job, now I need you to keep that momentum. Don't let up! I know you have a lot more in you!"

With Ryker praising her and believing in her, it fueled her energy as she pressed on. Her fists a blur as she combined strikes. 

Jab! Cross! Hook! Kick.

"Yeah! Get it!" Ryker barked out proudly, "That's what I'm talking about!"

Kira's leg shot out and slammed against the punching bag. She staggered slightly, breathing heavily, but she quickly recovered, regaining her balance. 

"That's enough for today," Ryker said, tossing her a bottle of water. "You did good!"

"Thanks," she murmured, catching the bottle with a smirk. 

Kira unscrewed the cap, tilted her head back as she took a long sip. The cold and satisfying water hit her tongue, sliding down her throat as she drank deeply. Drops of water trickled from the corner of her mouth, her face, and body all sweaty. Finishing all the water, she exhaled slowly and wiped her lips with the back of her hand.

"You are getting stronger, Luna," Ryker said as he watched her with a faint grin.

Kira chuckled lightly, rolling her shoulders, and feeling the soreness settle in. "Yeah… but it still kicks my ass."

"Well…" Ryker chuckled with her, "Not for long."

She had really improved over the past few days. Her force got stronger, movements sharper, although she still had a lot of work to do. There were also moments where she still felt weak, her body aching from the strain. But with each session, she found herself getting tougher, and more determined.

Kira stepped forward, handing the empty bottle to Ryker, who took it without hesitation. "Thank you!" She said to him with gratitude and let out a deep breath, "Goddess, I'm so exhausted."

"Apologies, rest your muscles when you get home," he said to her, as he grabbed a clean towel from the bench nearby and extended it to her. "Here!"

"Oh, trust me, I will." Kira sighed and accepted the towel with a small nod, "Thank you again."

"That's a lot of thank you's," Ryker laughed a bit, "It's okay, Luna. Anything to help."

"I can't help it sometimes," Kira defended herself, laughing too and wiping her forehead with the towel. She dabbed the sweat from her brow, neck, and the sides of her face.

Ryker patiently waited for her to be done and once she was finished, she draped the towel loosely around her neck.

"So," she began, "Any work for today? And how is everything going with the other projects we have working on?"

"All good so far. Not much will be going on today, so you can take your time to rest. You have been busy these last few days and deserve a break." Ryker informed her.

"I will take that break and if anything comes up, please do let me know," Kira told him.

 

"Of course, Luna," Ryker answered with a curt nod.

"Alright then." She smiled, "I will leave first. Take care."

"You too, Luna." He returned the smile, "See you tomorrow."

Stepping outside, Kira rolled her shoulders some more, wanting to ease some tension from her muscles. While walking back home, she interacted with some pack members who greeted, talked to her and so on.

Just as she finished talking and smiling to a pack member and resumed her walk back home, a figure blocked her view. Kira looked up, knowing the first was familiar. 

Within seconds, she recognized him. "You!" She said sharply. 

The young man smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Good morning, Luna. I am sorry for stopping you like this." He apologized, rubbing the back of his neck as if he was nervous.

"Do you always do this?" Kira questioned sharply, feeling  annoyed.

"I'm sorry, I just thought you would still be upset with me about yesterday and not wish to see me, and I also brought a gift to apologize," the young man started explaining, showing her the gift. "I also would like to work for you. I don't want you to dislike me, because of my silly mistake. I don't want what happened to make you dislike me, Luna."

Kira looked at the small, wrapped box and took a deep breath. "It's okay." She shook her head, rejecting the gift. "I have already forgotten about it," she told him, her voice polite but cool.

"Oh, okay," the young man said, feeling upset that she did not accept his gift. But just as his anger came, was how it disappeared, only to be replaced with a grin back on his face, "It's okay, it's okay." He muttered to himself.

"What is okay?" Kira asked him, feeling confused.

"Nothing, Luna. I am just glad you have forgiven me," the young man quickly answered, his grin growing wider.

"So… does that mean I can work for you?" He asked as he took a step closer. "I could be your personal bodyguard or your errand boy. I can even help you feel good...safe… comfortable. Anything you want, I can do it."

"Hm, I'm sure you can," Kira hummed and nodded while watching him. "What is your name, though?"