Chapter 9 9

Chapter 9

*How Hard Can it Get?*

"Did you bring her here??" Arthur asked. Both of them turned silent, staring into each other, and I assumed he was using a mind link, telling him something that he wouldn't want the rest of us to hear. As werewolves, we all could mind-link each other, but mine was gone, along with my wolf.

"She's not supposed to be at this training center, take her back," he said. Elias looked at me, probably signaling me to be ready for action. I placed my hands together, "Please help me," I pleaded, hoping for a change of heart. I was ready to kneel if that was what he wanted.

"Elias," He called, and I could sense a hint of annoyance in his voice, but I stood my ground.

"Please, Alpha. My father is in trouble."

"If you can successfully dodge two blows, I'll listen to you and then maybe agree to help."

Really! How hard can it get? I turned optimistic; I'd do my best to make sure I win so he gives in.

"But if you're unsuccessful, you'll go back with Elias, agreed?" I nodded my response. I found him adjusting the strap band on his fist with a calculative, serious expression on his face. The others in the room had stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to us, some cheering me, boosting my morale, "Go girl!"

I warmed up, stretching out my shoulder and limbs. Okay, I can do this. I just have one task: to dodge all his attacks. I had some old training skills that I'd put into use after so many years.

I stood in front of him, trying to not let his towering heights intimidate me. My eyes never leaving him, focused on the motion of his shoulder until he struck the first time. The survival instinct in me unconsciously pulled me out of there, and his blow landed in mid-air. Hearing the crowd cheer made me go on cloud nine, and I imagined a small celebration in my head. I stuck out my tongue to taunt him with my hands above my head.

My mood suddenly lit up, and just when I was still in my celebratory moment, he threw punch .

.As his fist connected with my stomach, forcing me backwards. I rolled out of his way just in time to dodge another punch.

He was fast. Faster than anyone else.

I wasn't sure how long I spent dodging his blows. When he stopped attacking me, I was completely exhausted.

"Oww!" I cried out, holding my sprained ankle. The pain I felt stung from the inside,

His beta rushed to me, lending me his hand, "Are you alright, Elara?" He asked with his voice laced with concern, but I was too dizzy to give any reply. I saw two Elias and a vibrating training room which made me remain on the spot for a while, trying to regain myself before standing up. That blow could have sent me to oblivion.

"You lost, now you should go back home," he said with a wink back at me. Probably payback for sticking out my tongue and thinking I could do better. He threw the straps in front of me with a smirk on his face. I couldn't imagine anyone more heartless than him. He has a rotten personality!

"Elias, take her home and make sure she gets treated." Arthur instructed before leaving the room.

Elias's hand still hung in mid-air, "Come, Elara, let's take you out of here." I leaned on him for support till we were out of the room.

The moment we arrived back at the mansion, I rushed upstairs to my room.

Even after washing, my ankle. was still hurting.Looking back, I knew he wanted me to back down. If he really hit me, I couldn't avoid it

In a few hours, I was called by the Beta, and he said I wouldn't be living here anymore. At first, I panicked; I hadn't thought of where to go, at least not now. But he informed me that the Alpha had asked them to prepare a new place for me where I would be moved to in a few days if I still wanted to stay with the Pack. Else, I could leave.

First, he wouldn't help me with my father, and he didn't mind hitting me in the training center. And now he arranged a place for me to stay. I found it hard to understand his game. He was an impossible person to read.

Elara's POV:

He wanted to send me out of here; I sulked in. Now I have less than a week to finally convince him before I would be sent to the new house.

"Can you hear me?" Arthur's Beta asked when he noticed my silence.

"Tell him I'm grateful," I responded. I sighed heavily; he didn't want to help me. Now I'm certain. I took staggering steps back to my room, with Elias following behind. Once I was in front of the door, it caught my attention that he had followed me all the way there.

"Arthur said you have no wolf, so your wound wouldn't heal on its own. Let me see your feet," he suggested, and I sat by the edge of the bed, dangling my feet in the air for him to see. "See, I'm fine; the wound is covering up."

"I took care of that too," I replied.

"I don't want to get in trouble with Arthur; bring your feet forward," he instructed as he squatted in front of me. He applied ointment first, letting his cold fingers run over my injured feet a few times.

"Sorry for the incident this morning. That was a bad idea, and it's my fault for underestimating Arthur. I thought he wouldn't fight with you because you're a female. He'd never go into combat with a woman. I know him."

" He just wanted this way to make me give up the idea of asking him to help my father. But I won't give up."

"But you did so well for a wolf-less girl of your size." Realizing he'd gone off point, he bit his tongue slightly. "I meant, where did you learn to dodge so well?" Elias asked, and it drew back memories from my childhood.

"My father. He taught me for self-defense." Back in the day, there used to be a time when the Scorpio pack was one of the most vulnerable packs in the mountains. At this time, they didn't have an alliance with the strongest packs in society. Every week, rogues would come to cause commotion, kidnapping young wolves. Rumor has it that they wanted to create another pack, which was why they needed members. My father taught me simple fighting skills for self-defense.

"Your father must have been good in combat. That defense was everything. You know, I learned to fight the hard way. As future Beta and Alpha of our pack back then, we were pushed to the war ground, and forced to defend ourselves. I and Arthur," he said.

"That's harsh," I commented.

"I know, right? Now tell me something else," he said, leaning forward with a curious expression on his face. From the little time I've known him, he was nice, and his presence brought warmth. If the Alpha was fire, he was the wind that cooled him down, and I was beginning to enjoy his company.

"Why did you leave your pack?" Elias asked, and the question caught me off guard. Seeing that I didn't respond, he pressed on. "Hmm? You can tell me; I promise to keep your secret safe with me," he said, pretending to zip his lips shut.

I didn't know how to start. In less than a month, my life turned into a rollercoaster. "Is it okay if I tell you next time? I don't want to speak about it, at least not now," I responded, and he hummed.

"Okay then. You can take your time." He got up with the first aid box in his hand. "I'm done here. Just make sure you don't stress yourself; we don't want it getting infected while it's still healing."

"See you later," were his last words before leaving.

After he left, I was restless. I pivoted around the room until I felt the need for fresh air. I strode out of the room, padding my feet down the stairs till I was out of the mansion. The night was cold, and the cool breeze indicated the season we were about to enter, Winter.

I stared at the evening sky. The sky had a hue color with patches of crimson; the sun was about to set. Somehow, I didn't miss home. I didn't miss my life at the Scorpio pack territory and I never want to go back; the only people I missed were my father and my friends.

The weather had started to give me goosebumps, but I wasn't ready to leave the cold. I rubbed my palms against my skin to give myself warmth as I continued to stare into the sky. My mind continued to roam around one thing, Arthur. He has to help me. There's no one else I can turn to.

Still out in the cold, someone tapped me from behind. It was one of the servants, she was about my age. Seeing her here made me recall my usual position in the Scorpio pack and I imagined what made me fantasize about a life with Harden, a life with the Alpha when my family was demoted to Omegas. Our job was to serve throughout our lives.

"Ms., here are some blankets to keep you warm," she said and proceeded to wrap one around my shoulders.

"The Alpha has asked us to make sure that you sleep comfortably tonight, which includes leaving the cold now."

I immediately caught sight of something, of someone, standing by the balcony and immediately, they left. Had he been watching me all along? I asked myself. I thought of going to meet him once more, perhaps knowing why he wouldn't help me, but I should call it a day.

"Ms.," the girl drew my attention.

"Hmm?"

"Please go back inside; he'll be mad if you continue to stay out here. And the fall starts tonight. It has started snowing from the mountains. The weather will only get worse with time." She was right, the cold had started to crawl under my skin but I still felt like staying out here.

"Ok." I supported the blanket, wrapping it around my shoulder properly before going back inside.

"Do you need anything more?" I asked when I noticed she still followed me.

"I'll leave once you fall asleep," she informed me, and for the first time in my life, I felt special. I've never had anyone waiting on me. I was always the one who waited after people, from family members of the Alpha to guests at the Scorpio pack.

My stomach churned lightly at the kindness I was receiving. My feet curled with an uncontrollable smile widening my cheek. I should thank him again tomorrow morning, I thought.

As she took a seat by my bedside, waiting for me to sleep, I gazed at the ceiling, the blanket cocooning me until drowsiness took over. She switched off the light, adjusted the blanket, and quietly left the room.

The soft light of dawn peeked through my window, nudging me awake. Groggy-eyed, I stretched and kicked off my blankets, readying for the day. As I undressed, my phone began ringing loudly. It was an old friend from the Scorpio pack. We hadn't talked in ages since she left to be with her mate in another pack. She shared the happy news of having a new pup, inviting me to visit once she came by the pack. But things in my life had taken a different, rough, and unplanned turn.