CHAPTER 14

Aurora

After some few days , my wounds were completely healed. The joy of standing in the sunshine again jolted me out of the room. I took a moment to enjoy the ambiance all around me as my skin glowed in porcelain white. From my peripheral vision, I caught some of the she-wolves in the courtyard stealing glances at me while passing through. They quickly dashed as I met their gaze. The few days I rested really brought out the fairness of my skin. “Maybe it’s the portion the healer gave me to drink.” I chuckled to myself. I continued to stroll around around the palace where I met Raven training with other warrior wolves in the gym room.

She was in the process of coaching the others on self defense tactics when she noticed me. Initially, I shuddered and tried to walk away but something halted my movement. “Strong and fierce..” Suddenly I remembered the advice of Cameron yesterday and it dawned on me. “I’m no more anyone’s prey.” Instinctively I faced raven and nodded to greet her. She twisted her lips slightly and nodded back in acceptance.

“Join us Aurora.” She gestured with her hand for me to come closer. I took a deep breath and strode towards her in confidence. The other warriors giggled quietly, but I remained unfazed to be thrown-off by anyone’s snide comments. Raven’s demeanor changed which shuddered them. There was a pinpoint silence as I approached the floor mat.

“Welcome Aurora, luckily you caught us today on one of our training exercises. We are focused today on self-defense tactics.” Raven said to me in a serious voice. She was definitely in her element as one of Darius’ strongest warriors. She had a charismatic aura that earned the fawn of her subordinates and fellow warrior. She had the stance of an a****n lady in her gym wear and yoga pants. Her body shape had toned muscles, yet was proportioned in all the right places.

“Thank you Raven.” I replied in a respectable tone. I knew it was best to keep it formal since her juniors were also in attendance. I didn’t want her to lose face in front of them if I responded to her casually. I bravely stood a step forward and joined the circle-shaped group on the mat while she stayed in the center. I was small compared to the muscular warriors standing beside me, yet I held my shoulders high and listened keenly to her instructions.

“ No matter how big or strong your enemy is, you can always maneuver them with the right moves and tactics.” Raven yelled out. A wave of courage washed over me. Hearing her say this gave me the courage that I can learn to take on anyone without feeling scared again. I watched her closely as she instructed one of her juniors to come out. He was a huge man standing over 6ft 5 effortlessly with broad shoulders and a muscular frame.

Raven was barely above 5ft 7 but there is no sign of fear in her eyes. I squinted and saw her curve her lips slightly to form a grin on her face. He stopped some few inches away from her in the large circle.

“Try to take me down if you can!” She uttered. A wave of panic washed over me. “What if he does, won’t she look weak in front of her juniors?” I mumbled to myself. Yet, as I looked around, there is no sign of panic. Like they all knew the outcome even before it started. I held the tips of my finger and said a silent prayer for Raven not to lose.

The huge man jumped at her with great speed like a greasily bear, his wide arms spread open as he charged at her head on. Yet, she waited just till when he was about to grab her, then she held his forearm around her and in one full swing, slowly threw him over her shoulders. He lost his balance and gasped as he saw himself in the air in a 90 degree position plunged to the mat with his back touching it first.

The whole group cheered and roared in admiration as she playfully helped him back on his feet. They was instant applause and he respectfully nodded to her and proceeded back to his position. She nodded back in acceptance as she resumed her initial stance. His fellow colleagues tapped his head jokingly while he covered it in shame. My mouth opened in awe at what just happened. Raven caught my gaze and called me out.

“Aurora, kindly step forward.” She gestured to me to trust her. The group suddenly became silent as I stepped to the circle. She signaled I stand beside her and imitate her stance. The space between her two feet were perfectly apart. This mounted her legs to the ground firmly making it impossible to unbalance her.

I imitated her stance and tried to balance my feet apart from each other. Raven curved her lips slightly and leaned close to me. “Like this..” She helped me position properly to even the distance of my legs. When I finally stood properly, she walked around me to observe my stance.

“Your body most be balanced perfectly with your feet in an upright position.” She adjusted my lower back, while her second hand was placed on collarbone. She moved them simultaneously to help me stand straight. After this was completed, she stepped back to stare at my overall stance. She nodded in approval.

“With this stance, it will be very difficult for your enemy to charge head-on to take you down. You can easily step back and use their own weight against them.” She tried to push me, but my stance was solid which helped me remain rigid and unwillingly to bulge. The other warriors were in awe over quick learning

“What about me?” A familiar voice asked at a distance. The whole group turned to the source of that voice and it was Darius