Chapter 3

I awoke at around 7 o'clock, feeling groggy with an annoying kink in my neck. I must have slept in an awkward position. Pulling myself upright, I sat at the edge of my bed and stretched out my neck, rubbing it gently to ease the discomfort.

Eventually, I rose from the bed, clad in my slightly oversized onesie, and headed into the bathroom. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I returned to my room to tackle my hair. I combed it meticulously and fashioned it into a sleek, neat bun. Satisfied, I moved to my closet next.

At the very back of my closet, I kept my training gear. I always kept a fully stocked selection as shifting inevitably resulted in torn clothes. I chose a pair of black three-quarter leggings and white trainers, paired with a pink sports top that revealed my toned midriff. A baggy black hoodie, perfect for the journey to the training area, completed my ensemble.

I located my sports bag in a corner of the closet and packed an extra set of sportswear. Preparation is key, after all. Glancing at the clock, I noticed it was already 8 o'clock. I tossed my bag onto the bed and descended the stairs, managing to avoid my mother and her pack friends congregating in the living room.

Reaching the kitchen, I retrieved some milk from the fridge and poured it over a bowl of Special K cereal. As my cup of tea brewed, I grabbed an apple, then carefully balanced my breakfast items to transport them back to my room.

Once settled on the bed, I turned on my docking station, scrolling through my music library until I found the perfect track. The familiar lyrics of Imagine Dragons' "Demons" filled the room as I began eating.

I related to this song on a profound level, humming along while enjoying my meal. After I'd finished, I returned my dishes to the kitchen and retreated back to my room to tackle some homework. With an hour to spare, it seemed like the ideal time.

As I worked, another Imagine Dragons song played, "It's Time." I adored this song, too, but there was one line that resonated with me deeply. As it came around, I found myself singing along.

"So this is where you fell, and I am left to sell, the path to heaven runs through miles of clouded hell..."

"Right to the top, don't look back, turning the rags and giving the commodities a rain check..." I sighed contentedly, truly enamored with their music. Just as I was wrapping up my music homework, I glanced at the clock: 9:45. It was time to head out. Placing my work aside, I gathered my sports bag and zipped up my hoodie. On my way out, I remembered grabbing a couple of bottles of water.

My house was nestled right at the edge of the forest, a location that I loved. Venturing into the forest, I followed a familiar path. I'd tread this route so often that I could probably navigate it blindfolded. My scent of rose and vanilla was a familiar presence in the woods.

Immersed in the forest, I breathed in its earthy fragrance, feeling at peace. The connection I felt with nature was profound. I attributed this comfort to my silver-hued wolf persona. The forest was an extension of my being, a place where I felt free and centered.

Eventually, I reached the expansive clearing where Kendrick was lounging on the grass. This large open space, concealed in the heart of the forest, provided privacy, something I was grateful for. If any pack member saw me in my wolf form, they'd likely faint or think they were hallucinating.

Stepping into the clearing, I caught Kendrick's attention. I stowed my bag by a nearby tree and greeted Kendrick, who rose to meet me. He was like an uncle to me - I cherished the familial bond we shared. It was a pity his son didn't embody the same virtues.

"Hey Kendrick. Ready to get your ass kicked?" I teased.

"Feeling a bit confident, aren't we?" Kendrick playfully shot back, his arms folded across his chest.

Our laughter filled the clearing. "Anyway, let's get going," Kendrick suggested.

Shedding my hoodie and leaving it with my bag by the tree, I began stretching to prepare for our routine workout. Kendrick and I would always start by stretching, followed by thirty laps around the clearing. Despite our accelerated pace (and my superior speed), completing the thirty laps took a solid thirty minutes. Yes, the clearing was that immense.

Half an hour later, we had concluded our warm-up. Neither of us were panting or drenched in sweat just yet. If anything, Kendrick seemed to have expended more energy than I did. I took a gulp of water, then tossed a bottle to Kendrick who gratefully took a swig.

"I'm thinking we should focus on human combat training," Kendrick began, his tone embodying that of a true mentor. "Your skill level in your wolf form is top-notch. I mean, you consistently beat me without a hint of hesitation. Therefore, mastering human combat seems to be the next logical step. Once we accomplish that, there won't be much more I can teach you, aside from the need for ongoing independent and joint training."

"Sounds like a solid plan. Let's do this," I responded, brimming with enthusiasm.

"When you're fighting, you already know the basics: 1) always be aware of your surroundings and rely on your instincts. Your senses are more heightened than mine, so maximize their use — scent, sight, and hearing. 2) Utilize your skills to your advantage. In your human form, your strength may be slightly lesser than mine. Naturally, your wolf form is more powerful, but in your human guise, we're more evenly matched, despite you being stronger than most women. Therefore, rely on your speed, agility, and quick-thinking abilities. Once pinned, escaping may be quite difficult," Kendrick elaborated.

I nodded, signaling my understanding.

"The combat stance requires one foot to be placed ahead of the other for a balanced and centered stance. This helps reduce the chances of being knocked off balance. Keep your arms in front of you with clenched fists to protect your body and head from punches. Additionally, this position makes it easier to counterattack," Kendrick continued.

Demonstrating the stance, Kendrick moved with sharp, precise strikes. He expounded the benefits of the stance as he shifted around. I mirrored his moves, and Kendrick pointed out areas where I could improve. He had me practicing various strikes until I had mastered them, constantly pushing my boundaries.

"Never let your guard down. Keep your eyes on your opponent until they're incapacitated, either dead or too injured to continue the fight. Rogues and enemies won't show you any mercy," Kendrick cautioned, then asked, "Ready to give it a try against me?"

I swallowed hard, anticipation and a hint of fear swirling within me. The thought of how badly this could turn out crossed my mind, but I steeled myself for the challenge. As Kendrick assumed his stance, I mirrored him. He lunged at me, but I swiftly sidestepped and counterattacked, my foot connecting with his back. He grunted, quickly grabbed my foot, and unbalanced me, causing me to hit the ground. I rolled away from his subsequent punch, retaliated with a kick, and used the momentary reprieve to recover. However, my lapse in concentration cost me as Kendrick lunged again, pinning me to the ground. I squirmed, but escape seemed impossible.

"Always keep an eye on your opponent, regardless of fatigue or injury. But considering this is your first go, it's quite promising. You managed to land some solid hits on me. I'm impressed," Kendrick complimented, pulling me up with him as he stood.

Breathing heavily, I rubbed my side where I had fallen awkwardly.

"I think I've got the hang of it," I replied, before jogging off to hydrate.

We continued our training for another hour. Each skirmish resulted in me being tossed to the ground and pinned, the wind knocked out of me every time. Kendrick was consistently leveraging his superior strength against me, my marginally inferior strength proving to be my Achilles' heel. I pushed myself off the ground, panting heavily. Sweat had started to dot my forehead, and my hair was slipping from its bun.

"Come on, Gia, you've got this," Kendrick encouraged. "You have more potential than me. You're not fully leveraging your skills. We won't stop until you manage to pin me."

"Alright," I replied, interspersing my words with labored breaths.

I rose to my feet, resuming my defensive stance. I needed a new strategy. Kendrick was more vulnerable when I was behind him; his extra weight was a potential weakness. I was faster and more flexible. I had to get behind him and pin him – that was my plan.

Kendrick lunged at me once more. Swiftly, I placed my hands on his shoulders and vaulted over him, landing behind him. I immediately wrapped my arms around his neck and used my weight to yank him backward. Then, with a swift kick to his right leg, I sent us both crashing to the ground. As we tumbled, I maneuvered myself so that I was on top of him, holding down his arms and pressing my calf against his neck. He attempted to dislodge me by shifting his weight, but I had him pinned in such a way that his efforts were futile.

"Alright, Gia, you've got me this time," Kendrick conceded, gasping for air.

I released him and stood up, extending my hand to help him rise. He was now panting as well.

"Well done, Gia. I knew you could do it. However, as a consequence of taking down your Alpha, you now owe me another 30 laps as a cool down," Kendrick commanded.

"You can't be serious! We've been training for the past three hours. I'm exhausted," I protested.

"That's an order," Kendrick retorted.

Mumbling under my breath, I embarked on my laps, aggrieved by the sight of Kendrick lounging by a tree, sipping water, and relaxing simply because I'd bested him.

Eventually, I completed my laps and collapsed on the ground, draining the rest of my water. I splashed some on my face, seeking some relief from the heat.

"That was a productive training session. We'll conduct a few more focuses on hand-to-hand combat, and then you just need to maintain your skill level," Kendrick outlined.

"Sounds good, but next time when I kick your butt, you're doing the laps instead of me," I complained.

"Sorry, but as the Alpha, my decisions are final," Kendrick stated with a smug grin.

"'As the Alpha, my decisions are final,'" I parroted in a mocking tone.

In response, Kendrick maneuvered me into a playful headlock and began ruffling my hair.

"Kendrick, not my hair. Please, stop," I pleaded, squirming in his grip.

"That's the penalty for cheekiness," Kendrick chuckled.

Finally, he released me, and I shot him a glowering look, to which he responded with a hearty laugh. I shook my head at him, and we eventually parted ways. I grabbed my bag and water bottle, pulling my hoodie back on.

"See you later, Kendrick," I called out as I ventured into the tree line.

"See you later, kiddo," Kendrick replied.

Then, I started my journey home, completely exhausted. Yet, I knew I was becoming a better fighter and growing stronger. I was now capable of defending myself, but until my secret was unveiled, I wouldn't be able to fully utilize these newfound skills.