Training

Chapter 9

The morning felt cold as I walked down the rocky path toward the training grounds . My heart was beating so fast I almost felt sick. Today was my first day of real werewolf training. I had waited for this day , yet now all I wanted to do was turn back.

I didn't want anyone to call me weak.

I didn't want the whispers to continue.

I wanted to prove something to myself, more than anyone.

When I reached the training ground I stopped and stared for a moment, the entrance was huge , carved by time and storms , their flames shaking gently in the cold air.

The worriors were already gathered outside big, confident men stretching and sharpening their blades. Their laughter echoed everywhere. They didn’t even look at me. I felt small, like I didn’t belong here.

I stepped forward slowly, "Roshan".

He stood with his arms crossed, staring at the warriors like he owned the whole mountain. His dark hair was tied back, his jaw sharp, his eyes cold and strong.

he looked unshakeable, like nothing could ever break him.

I felt heat rushed to my cheek.

I hated the why he made me react.

He turned his head slightly at me, and his eyes landed on me ,a slow smirk pulled at his lips.

"Little Iris ",he said , his voice deep and calm. " You came ."

I tried to stand straight," I'm not little".

"Hmm,"his smirk grew. " we will see".

Before I could reply an older voice called out .

"Iris"

It was Lillard, the seer and keeper of the cave . His long silver hair shone under the crystal lights. And his eyes looked like he could see straight into my soul.I

Walked towards him and bowed my head. You have spirit," he said gently. But today you will learn how to turn that spirit into strength.

I nodded, even though my stomach twisted with fear.

Roshan moved beside me his shadow falling across my feets. "Let's begin ". He said.

He dropped a wooden training sword at my feet, it hit the ground loudly making me jumb.

"Pick it up" ,he commanded .

I bent down to pick it up, but the moment I lifted it, the weight almost pulled me down. The sword felt like stone in my hands.

Behind me some worriors laughed .

Their laughter felt like knives , I tried to tighten my grip but my hands shook badly.

Roshan's voice finally boomed.

"Enough ".

Everyone went quiet.

He walked behind me slowly , and he watched every movement that I made. My breath caught inside my chest .

"You're holding it wrong," he said.

I'm trying ....." I wispered."

He stepped closer so close that I felt his warmeth behind me when he touched my hands, I felt heat underneath.

"Relax" he murmured, his voice brushed my ears , "not like that, like this ."

His finger slide over mine, guilding my grip . His other hand touched my waist slightly as he adjusted my stance. I felt heat rush up my neck, and I prayed he couldn't hear my heartbeat.

"Good," he wispered, now lift.

With his help, the sword rose easily . My arm still trembled , but not as badly .

"I swallowed," T.. thank you.

He leaned a little closer, "see? Not hopeless ".

I stepped forward quickly to put a distance between us." I don't need your help.

He chuckled softly, if you say so .

I tried again on my own , lifting the sword the way he directed. But without his hands guilding me it felt hevy. My feet slipped, and my arm shook.

"The sword dropped", the worriors bust out laughing .

"A child pretending to be a wolf"

This must be a joke.

My heart tightened at their words, my eyes stung. I tried to blink fast but the tears still came .

I couldn't let them see, I walked away quickly into an inner part of the training field. My steps got faster...faster until I was running.

I leaned against the cold wall, and covered my face with my hands.

I'm useless, I wispered to myself, why did I even come.

My tear came harder, my throat hurts. I hated myself for crying , I hated the worriors for laughing and I hated Roshan saw me fail.

" Maybe I'm really a burden." I wispered to myself.

hot tears rolled down my cheeks.

Footsteps echoed near me , slow and steady.

Roshan.

I stood up wiping my face quickly , but I knew he saw.

Iris, he said softly .

I didn't look look up , I bent my head trying to wipe the last tear that dropped,

"I'm fine ".

You're crying , he wispered .

"No , I'm sweating."

"In your eyes ?"

I didn't answer, I couldn't find the right words.

His eyes lingered over me, "iris " you're not a burden.

I shook my head, The worriors were right.

"You're not useless", he said.

You're young Iris training takes time , it takes commitment and skill, you will not now but definitely.

" I expect not to embarrass myself." I wispered.

He reached out and gently lifted my chin.

My body shook lightly at his touch.

"Iris", he said quietly, you're not a burden, you're becoming.

I wanted to believe him so badly, but I felt useless.

I pulled my face away slowly, let's just get back.

Roshan hesitated for a moment....then push a strand of hair from my face.

One day , he wispered, they will regret mocking you.

He stepped back and held out his arm,

"Come"

For a moment, I just stared at his hand, then placed mine in it slowly.his grip was warm and strong.

And for the first time that morning I didn't feel weak.

Roshan stayed beside me as I tried to calm my breathing, his presence alone made my chest warm and I didn't want him to see the last tear.

I don't want to run again." I said quietly.

Good he answered, then stand up and come to the field.

I looked down at my hands, "what if I fail again ".

"Then you fail again, and again untill you stop failing."

Strength does not come in a day Iris it comes after pain, rejection and sturbboness.

He pulled me up, when I was on my feet , he didn't let go immediately.

"Ready", he asked

I nodded.

he finally released my hand, and we walked back to the training field. The worriors turned to watch whispering again, this time I tired harder to ignore them.

When Roshan and I reached the sword again, he picked up the same one sword I dropped earlier.

"Lift it,"he said simply.

I took a deep breath and wrapped my finger against the hilt, it was still hevy but I tried to steady my wrist.

Roshan came behind me , close too close his chest brushed my back lightly. My whole body stiffened, his heat sorrounded me, and I felt small not in a bad way but...more than protected.