It hurts so much but I laugh

The blow comes from Talia's right hand–Dena.

it sends me flying into the wall.

My spine trembles on impact as the shockwave travels through my body.

I hit the ground gasping for air.

My mind is racing.

That's harder than she's ever been allowed to hit me. It felt like Talia herself hit me.

Now I'm scared of what will happen if she actually does. And she will, I've been through this routine before.

They each get their turn before the Luna to be.

Maris takes me by the hair, how typical of her.

She forces me up just in time for Rhea's blow to meet my chest.

The pain travels to my heart–sharp and breathtaking.

I would've fallen to my knees, but Maris still has my hair. And I don't think she plans on letting go any time soon.

Usually they target places where the bruises can be hidden till they heal, even when they know I heal rather quickly for an omega.

But not today; they just saw me take on an Alpha, surely I can handle much more than they usually dish out.

Maris confirms this when she throws me against the wall. I guess I was wrong about her not letting go.

I feel the rain before the pain.

As it poured, I chuckled.

Big mistake as Dena runs her foot into my stomach. And all three just start stomping on me with everything they have.

Then they stop.

Blood is covering my eyes, but I do not need to see to understand what is about to happen.

It's Talia's turn.

I can barely breathe now as I make a wheezing sound when I try.

They try to pick me up, but I can't stand anymore. My legs aren't what they used to be, thanks to Rhea I think.

So they hold me up.

She doesn't say a word as I feel her hand on my chin.

I'm trembling.

I really didn't want her to know I'm scared, but my body can't help it.

I feel as her fingers turn to claws.

As she draws a line of pain from my jaw to my breasts before signing her name in my skin.

Then the blow from an Alpha.

And everything goes dark.

I guess death finally found me.

–

I open my eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling and every muscle in my body aching.

The room is unfamiliar but the lingering scent is not–Celeste.

This must be her room. And she was right; it is dreadfully dull, and doesn't match her at all.

I laugh.

It hurts so much but I laugh.

I survived again.

And I'm a Cadet now. Step-one complete.

I force myself up.

Then I catch another scent. On me–Caspian.

Now I'm confused. It couldn't have gotten on me from our bout earlier, I would have noticed this much of him on me then.

“So when?” I whisper, just as the door flies open.

Startled, I stand against the wall, claws drawn.

It's a boy, the one seated with Celeste back then.

“She's awake!” he calls out and Celeste all but flies into the room tackling me to the ground.

“You're just full of surprises aren't you, Amelia” she says, as she helps me up.

“See, Corrin; I told you she would pull through” she says, facing the boy.

“Yeah you did Lest, I'm sorry I doubted your infinite wisdom” he says, making bowing gestures.

Celeste smiles. “At least you're learning”

Then she turns to me, concern written all over her face with a hint of anger. “And you. You said it was going to be fine”

I don't know why, but I feel bad; like a child caught in a lie.

“Well–technically I am fine” I say, looking everywhere but her “ a little bruised but fine”

“A little?” She asks, “you should have seen yourself when we found you. I thought you were dead. You looked dead”

Maybe I was.

“How did you find me?” I ask. Celeste is obviously new in town and I doubt she just happened to find me deep in that alley.

She looks to Corrin, and he shrugs before she turns back to me, “technically we didn't”

I'm about to ask her more when Corrin interrupts “Yesterday, We found you laid out on a bench under the shade close to here. Like someone wanted us to find you”.

Caspian.

That's the only explanation. But why?

“Wait, yesterday?” I ask.

“Yeah, you've been asleep from yesterday's evening to this afternoon. You heal faster than even we do”. Celeste answers.

“It's afternoon?” I ask in a panic.

“Uhm yeah” she answers, and I rush off the bed for the door but Corrin blocks my path.

“Let me pass!” I exclaim, “it's almost time for training and I can't miss the first day”

“But we aren't even sure you're completely healed,” Celeste explains.

“I'm fine” I say, as I spin for them to see, “look all healed”

“It's more than that” she continues, “Talia and her friends will be there, what if you're paired with one of them, what if they kill you during sparring”

Celeste understands the message Talia engraved on my body: “Do not come back”

I understand too. I just can't go back now–not when I'm finally on my way to freedom.

“Yes, I understand the risks, but they can't do what they did yesterday, not during class. They've never gone that far before, and I doubt they'd do so during class for all to see. Three betas and an Alpha against an omega, come on they'd be too embarrassed”

“Before?” she gasps, “you mean this wasn't the first time?”

“Damn,” Corrin says, covering his mouth with his hand.

The worry and pity on their faces is discomforting. It's been a long time since someone actually cared for me, and now I have two before me.

It's a bit disorientating.

I can feel Kael give his sign of approval and I smile a little.

“Don't worry” I assure them, “I'll be careful, I've survived this long and this–this is something I need to do”

They both sigh.

Then Celeste smiles “fine, let's go”

We get to the arena just in time to see Talia telling the instructor I wasn't going to make it. The look on her face when I walk in is almost worth the pain she caused me.

The instructor looks pleased to see me, which surprises me.

As we took our seats I could hear Varek’s howl of joy in my mind.

“Soon” I whisper to myself.

Soon I'll be free.

Free to run in the forests again.

Free to shift completely again.

Free to track.

Free to hunt.

And free to rip apart the humans that took everything from me.