Chapter 208
He stepped over to the trainer who was keeping time and grabbed a water and a towel before
turning back to the group and dividing us up into pairs. I am pulled over to Warrior Osiston.
“When can I train with the group, this seems like a punishment now. Did I do something wrong that
you keep separating me from them?” I look at him, needing answers. They brought me here, I didn’t
request it. I was perfectly fine waiting until I was old enough, but now something feels off like they
are regretting bringing me here, but can’t send me away either. So they are just tolerating me,
waiting to figure out what to do with me.
“Not punishment, just acclimating.” He says cryptically.
“Seriously? That’s the best you could come up with? I can handle the truth. If you don’t think I’m
ready just say so. I know you don’t want to send me back to my pack, and I’m not sure I want to be
there right now anyway. But, I could just do school here, I don’t have to be in training if you all have
decided you don’t want me here or I’m not ready or whatever.” I try to keep the hurt out of my voice,
but I don’t think I did a very good job.
I’ve only been here a couple days, but this feels right. Even with Audrina breathing her clear dislike
down my neck every possible chance, this is where I’m supposed to be. The old sting of not being
wanted or good enough slices through my heart though. I wanted to come here to get away from
that. I have been working so hard the last year on being accepted for me. The guys and Sierra
really helped too. Being seen and wanted felt good and now the idea of going back to being the girl
that was just kept for image’s sake, but not really wanted or needed around chaffed.
“It’s not that we think you are not ready, and we are not actually acclimating you, we are acclimating
the rest of the warriors. You are a force Little One, and make an impression wherever you go. Your
intelligence, fighting skills, and general demeanor are well above your age, but you are still very
young in some ways and I don’t want to interfere with experiences that you, as a teenager, are
supposed to have either. You have seen the extreme reactions people have around you. The
negative interactions have not gone unnoticed by the trainers, but we will not step in unless you
request it. We know not everyone will get along here, we want you all to handle your own business,
but I will not tolerate you letting it get as far as you did back in your pack. They have all seen you
fight now and they have seen your scars and injuries that are still on the mend. They know you’ve
seen real battle and dealt with real trauma. Some may outright ask and others will beat around the
bush to find out what happened. They are trainees as well and have just as much to learn as you
do, but there are also things that you have trained regularly that they have never been taught. So,
until I see fit, you train with me. Understood?’
“Yes, Sir.”
We train for the rest of the day. Sometimes in human form, sometimes as wolves. I am becoming
more comfortable with being around all of these naked people. Not like I really have a choice. I think
I am the only one here that hasn’t been given a warrior brand yet, so the trainers are forced to shift
so I can be given instructions. I kind of feel bad to being an inconvenience, but Warrior Ossiton and
Alpha Reggie won’t let me have it yet, so I really don’t have any control over that.
By the time we are done, everyone is covered in a thick layer of dirt and sweat. It’s kind of gross,
but I feel very satisfied and thoroughly tired. It feels so good to train hard and with people who are
at my level. I am learning from them, not just teaching. I can’t wait for school tomorrow so I can tell
Sierra all about it.
Dinner was uneventful, thank the Goddess. I’m not sure if it’s because Of my session with Warrior
Nickolas or if everyone is tired from the hours of shifting and fighting, but I won’t complain either
way.
“When you are ready, I really want to hear the story behind the scars on your back. That’s not
something that just happens and you ignore. I am actually curious if you are so good because of the
scars or if you got the scars because you are so good.” Lillian muses like this is the most normal
dinner conversation ever.
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