The next training nearly broke me—the day after made me question everything.
By the time a week had passed, I stopped counting how many times I hit the ground.
What mattered was that I got back up and continued every time.
“Again” Cassian’s voice was calm and unmoved by my frustration.
I exhaled sharply, wiping sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand.
“I hate that word” I muttered.
“I know” “Then stop saying it” “No.” I shot him a look.
He didn’t even try to hide his faint amusement.
Within the past week, Cassian had taught me several positions.
“You are cruel” I added.
“That’s what makes me Cassian,” I sighed, adjusting my stance.
My legs were still too slow and I needed to work on my balance.
But I had gotten better over the last few days and the changes were not hard to notice.
My instincts had become faster and my punches stronger.
“Watch my shoulder” Cassian said.
“Not my hands” I narrowed my eyes.
“You say that every time” “And yet you still watch my hands instead of doing the opposite” “Because they’re the ones hitting me” I said in defense.
“They’re not the problem” I huffed.
Of course, they were my major problem but I focused on his shoulders like he had said.
Cassian moved in a flash but I was quick to catch the movement and that saved me.
I smiled brightly at Cassian.
“Good.
You’re getting better” I straightened my shoulders.
“Don’t sound so surprised.
Soon you’ll be on the receiving end” he laughed loudly.
“I’d like to see that” “You will” “I’m actually impressed.
I didn’t think you would had it in you.
That is to fight” “That’s because you underestimated me” “My bad” A small, reluctant smile tugged at my lips.
“Careful.
You’re starting to sound encouraging” I said.
“Don’t get used to it” Too late.
I already was.
The remaining were blurred with training.
It’s either I was training or resting and then back to training.
My body ached constantly and my muscles protested every moment.
I was now used to the pain.
Elke still hovered sometimes, watching but she didn’t taunt me as much now not since Cassian stepped in but she never missed a chance to show her distaste.
“You’re improving” I stopped and turned to glance at Cassian.
I was training by myself since Cassian was busy and I didn’t expect him to come here.
“It’s all thanks to you” “I barely did anything.
I just showed you the basics” “Still thanks to you” Cassian smirked faintly.
“I’m guessing you didn’t fall today” “That’s because you didn’t knock me down” I teased.
“I didn’t need to” A quiet laugh escaped him and it made me smile.
“Anyways, what are you doing here?
I thought you had something urgent to attend to” “Yes, I did.
I decided to come check on you and like I guessed you are training alone.
I can assign someone to help you when I’m not available” I shook my head.
“It’s fine.
I can train alone when you’re not available.
I’ve gotten so used to you now” “If you insist.
Also, you need to rest.
You can’t learn everything in a day” “I’ll rest when I’m tired” “I’ll see you later” Somewhere along the way, I stopped counting the days until the full moon.
I stopped waking up with the same heavy dread pressing on my chest.
I woke up every day with the excitement of training.
I also didn’t think about him.
His absence didn’t feel like a constant weight anymore.
Enough that the space he left behind didn’t feel so suffocating.
It was strange how easy it became, talking to Cassian, training with him, and being around him.
There was no tension and it was so much fun.
I started looking forward to seeing Cassian and not just during training.
Before and after, in passing.
“You’re thinking too much again” Cassian said one afternoon after training.
I blinked.
“How do you know that?” “I can see the wheels turning in your head” I laughed.
“I’m serious.
You look like you’re having an internal battle with yourself” I frowned.
“That’s not true” “You’re doing it right now.” “I’m not…” I stopped and sighed.
“Okay, maybe a little.” Cassian’s lips twitched.
“A lot.” “Don’t push it.” “What was it like?” he asked as we sat at the edge of the training ground.
“What?” “Before this pack.
I mean in the Royal pack” I hesitated then shrugged.
“It was just there” “Peaceful?” I thought about it then shook my head.
“No” I paused.
“Nothing about my life has been peaceful.
This is the first time I’m experiencing anything close to peace” Cassian didn’t press and didn’t ask more.
I appreciated that.
That night for the first time, I didn’t have the urge to sleep early.
The pack felt less suffocating now and I longed to feel the cool night air on my skin so I went to the courtyard.
The sky stretched wide above, the sky scattered with stars, it was beautiful.
I sat on the low stone edge near the outer courtyard, my legs pulled up slightly, my body sore but I was no longer unfamiliar with its soreness.
“You’ll catch a cold there” I didn’t need to turn to know who was speaking.
“Is that a wolf thing or a human thing?” “Both.” I smiled slightly as Cassian stepped beside me.
“I’ll risk it” He leaned casually against the stone beside me.
“You couldn’t sleep?” “No.
Also, I wanted to see the stars” “Really?
I didn’t know you were a lover of nature” “Who doesn’t love nature?” “Hades” I scoffed at that.
“He doesn’t know about the good things of life.
That’s why he’s so stuck up” I muttered.
Once I realized what I had said, I quickly covered my mouth.
“I-I shouldn’t have said that.” “There’s nothing wrong with airing your mind” he moved closer, “I totally agree with you” he whispered and we laughed.
“You’ve really improved.
I was impressed with your movements today at training” he said after a moment.
“Don’t ruin the moment” I said with a sigh.
“I’m serious.
I need to commend your progress any chance I get” I glanced at him.
“Thank you” Cassian nodded once.
“I didn’t think I’d make it past the first day” I admitted.
“You almost didn’t” I laughed softly.
That memory would always stick with me till the end of time.
“Were you expecting me to quit?” “Yes” “That’s not encouraging” “I’m just being honest.
Elke would have made you quit after your first day” “True, I already planned to until you stepped in.Why does she hate me so much?
Is it because I’m human?” “Elke hates everybody” I laughed.
“Don’t let Elke bother you” “No.
I don’t really care about that.
I’m used to people being hostile so Elke’s behavior is not new to me” “You’re not saying much today.
That’s a wonder” he said.
“I’m tired.” He huffed softly.
“I told you not to wear yourself.
Rest for as long as you want before you continue training” I smiled faintly.
“I’ll try” We didn’t say anything for a while and the only thing that could be heard was the sounds of birds and other animals of the night.
“What do you think of the pack?” Cassian asked.
“Hmm..I haven’t really formed an opinion about the pack yet but I think it’s a very beautiful place and it’s huge.
It feels different now” I admitted.
“You’re different now” he said.
I frowned slightly.
“How?” “You don’t look scared anymore like when you first arrived here” The words caught me off guard.
I looked away.
“It doesn’t matter if I’m scared or not.
I’m still going to die” I said softly.
Cassian didn’t respond immediately.
“Maybe” I glanced at him sharply.
“Maybe?” His gaze stayed forward.
“Things change.” My chest tightened slightly.
He was trying to give me hope but I knew better.
“I don’t think this does.
Has the Alpha ever tried to find a solution for this?” Cassian glanced at me briefly then away again.
“Of course but he was told that when the solution comes he would know” “So there’s actually a solution?” “In simpler terms, he has to wait for the solution to come to him” “And so innocent people would keep dying?” I asked in frustration.
“Honestly, I don’t have an answer to that.
I’m confused as to why the curse only affects Hades” Before I could ask further questions, something in the air shifted.
The hairs on my body rose and my pulse quickened.
That feeling…I knew it and I’ve not felt like that for the past week.
Cassian must have felt it too because he straightened and that could only mean one thing.
Alpha Hades was back.
I turned slowly and then I saw him.
Alpha Hades stood at the edge of the courtyard.
Even in the dark, I could feel the intensity of his gaze.
But it wasn’t his presence that made my heart race.
It was what came with it.
He was angry.
It rolled off him in waves, thick enough that I could feel it pressing against my skin.
My breath caught and the ease I had felt moments ago before his appearance was replaced instantly with fear.
I remembered Carina’s warning.
Don’t look him in the eyes, I told myself Yet, I couldn’t look away.
His gaze was locked on me.
Then it shifted briefly to Cassian.
Something darker flickered there and it made my stomach drop.
Then his gaze moved to me.
The tension in the air became thicker.
My hand gripped the stone beside me.
I tried to maintain a balance as my legs were shaking.
I didn’t know what to expect.
“You’re back” Cassian spoke first but the tension was not broken.
“Care to explain what’s happening here?” Alpha Hades’ came out roughly and the anger in his voice could not be hidden.