CHAPTER 10

LYRA’S POV

The quietness in the room was broken by my alarm buzzing sound. I let out a moan and slammed it shut. For a few seconds, I considered sliding back under the duvet but the constant movement and footsteps around the house succeeded in pulling my mind awake.

“Jeezzz…don't y'all sleep?”. I rolled over my pillow, muffling my mouth with it before letting out my frustration in a muffled scream.

Today is my first day of training.

For a moment, I stared into the ceiling thinking of how best to make this work. I let out a deep sigh before rolling over the bed, forcing myself up, and making my way to the bathroom.

I gripped the sink, staring at myself in the mirror. With pale skin and eye bags, I didn't look like someone cut out for a fight. Come to think of it, I had always imagined mate Bond being all rosy and a happily-ever-after union. Not some Vikings show-off. Pushing the thought aside, I grabbed my towel and entered the shower.

I quickly dressed up and made my way to the kitchen. The aroma of already-made breakfast made my stomach rumble. I grabbed a plate, piling it up with food. I knew I needed the energy.

I was about to eat when I heard a chorus greeting

"Good morning, Your Highness."

I froze. A piece of toast halfway to my mouth. My plate was stacked with food, obviously not the most dignifying look in front of the Queen.

For a split second, my brain went into panic mode. Should I put some food back? Hide the plate? Too late. Tessa’s sharp eyes already landed on me.

"Lyra," she greeted. "Planning to feed the entire pack with that?" A polite smile curved her lips.

I somehow wished the ground could have swallowed me at that instant. "Uh… I—the training. I'd need the food." I stammered.

Tessa chuckled, her expression softening. "Go ahead, You’ll need it."

I nodded, hoping she’d ignore my embarrassing display and move on. Instead, she pulled out a chair and sat beside me

"So," she said, "how are you feeling about your first day of training?"

Oh my, I instantly lost my appetite. "Nervous, mostly”.

Her lips twitched in amusement. " Jake, he won't be easy on you. Try not to take it personally. He just wants results."

Before I could respond, her phone buzzed. She looked at the screen and sighed. "Sorry, I have to take this." With a nod, she turned and walked away.

I sighed, finally taking a bite of my toast. Hopefully, my training session wouldn’t be nearly as embarrassing as this moment.

“You've got twenty minutes to meet me outside!” Jake ordered, standing by the door and pointing at his smartwatch. Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.

“Why the whole rush, jeez!” I muttered under my breath. I ate as fast as possible before dashing out to meet Jake who was already halfway down the field. I fastened my pace to meet up.

Jake stood in the clearing, his posture rigid, hands behind his back as he watched me approach.

“You're late,” he fired at me.

I exhaled sharply, still trying to catch my breath. “I…uh.., I was…” my chest heaved.

“Excuse won't help you in life” he abruptly cut me off. His tone sent a flicker of irritation through me but I swallowed it.

Last night, Jake had been different, softer, almost tender. But now, he was acting like a stranger, distant, Cold. It was as if the warmth he had shown me was just an illusion.

“This is my training den,” Jake mentioned. He stopped pacing and turned to face me.

It was an open space surrounded by tall trees and thick wood beyond. It felt a bit secluded.

“Are you going to stand there admiring the trees or we are going to start up?” Jake’s voice cut through the moment, sharp and impatient.

I flinched. “ Yeah, I’m ready,” I said, stepping forward.

“Good, let's start with the basics. Now show me your stance “.

“Stance? I hesitated before posing into what I felt was a good fighting stance. I had seen some in movies.

My legs felt awkward and unsteady. I glanced up at Jake, searching for some sign of approval, but the look he gave me was not encouraging.

“Your feet are too close together, You’ll lose your balance the moment someone pushes you. Widen your stance and stop being difficult!” he said. His voice held no empathy.

My eyes were already glassy with tears but I bit my lips, trying to hold it back.

“Please tell me you know how to do this at least”. He extended his claws.

“That I don't know how to transform doesn't mean I'm completely useless, you know”. I extended mine.

“Impressive!” So why then do you not know how to transform?

I kept mute.

“Well..as werewolves, we are two different entities dwelling in a space and both cannot function as one if there is no proper bonding”. He explained.

“The moment you treat your wolf as a separate entity, or you let a traumatic experience get the best of you, transformation becomes impossible and slowly your wolf dies”. The last statement made Tara whimper inside me.

Maybe I was the reason for my problem. Since the night I watched my mum get mauled by that beast. I couldn't get myself to transform for fear of hurting people with my wolf even though I knew Tara wasn't capable of hurting anyone. It was more like a PTSD.

“Now, let go of whatever it is, take a deep breath, and connect with her. Allow her to take over you” He said.

“Tara, let's do this…we can do this”. I closed my eyes for seconds trying to concentrate.

“Come on! You can do this, it doesn't take forever! It's as easy as ABC” Jake interrupted.

“Can you just be quiet? You're not helping,” I barked.

I closed my eyes again, gnashing my teeth, trying to force every nerve in me to transform but nothing happened. I tried over and over, yet no sign.

We’d been at it for what felt like hours. My muscles ached, my palms were raw from gripping hard to the nearby tree, and devastation was beginning to set in.

Jake’s complaints and critics were becoming unbearable and annoying. I wonder if he was here to teach or make me feel worse about myself.

“Again,” he barked, his voice sharp as I stumbled backward, barely catching myself before I fell. “You’re too slow”

I stared at him with frustration. “Maybe you should consider not picking on me”

Jake’s eyes flashed, and for a moment, I thought he might snap back at me. But instead, his expression changed.

“Jake?” I took a step toward him, my anger forgotten. “What’s wrong?”

“Stay back,” he snarled, his voice barely human. His gray eyes began to fade into a darker shade, he kept twisting and turning slamming into trees as he fought to control himself. “Go…run…run! I can’t…”

Before I could move a muscle, he let out a loud growl. And then, without warning, he pounced on me.

I barely had time to react. With a swipe of his claw, he tore my skin open. Had I not shielded my face, I might have lost an eye. His eyes were wild and feral, and there was no trace of Jake in them.

“Jake, it’s me!” my voice trembled. “It’s Lyra!, you're hurting me!”

He pulled back immediately, slowly regaining control. “Oh shit! What have I done? I’m sorry Lyra, I'm so sorry,” he whispered, panting heavily.

“You need to stay away from me,” His voice laced with guilt as he stumbled away.

“Jake! Wait!...”

He dashed into the woods.