Chapter 97 The embrace 2

Chapter 97: Chapter 97 The embrace 2

Talia’s POV

I picked up the book and tried to read it again. This time, the words stayed still.

The day passed slowly.

I read about ancient spells and forgotten powers. About wolves who could command the elements, who could heal with a touch, and who could speak and make the world listen.

’Was that what I had done in Alpha Stone’s hall? Had I used some ancient magic without knowing it?’

I did not know, but I knew that I needed to understand.

The sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. I closed the book and stood up.

It was time.

I walked back to the room and changed into the training wear. The black top hugged my chest, and the leggings clung to my legs.

I looked at myself in the mirror, and I barely recognized the woman staring back.

I took a deep breath, then I stepped out of the room, and walked to the training room.

That evening, when I got to the training room, Kaelen was already there, waiting.

He stood in the center of the room, with his arms crossed, and his gray eyes fixed on the door.

When he saw me, his eyes lingered on me for a moment longer than usual. His gray eyes widened, and his lips parted slightly, like he looked stunned.

"What?" I asked with a confused voice.

He shook his head. "Nothing." But he did not look away. "You came," he said.

"I said I would," I answered.

He nodded and cleared his throat. "Then let us begin."

He showed me how to stand, with my feet shoulder-width apart, my knees slightly bent, and my hands up, protecting my face.

"No," he said, adjusting my stance. "Like this."

His hands were warm on my shoulders, guiding me into position. I felt clumsy and awkward, and like my body did not want to move the way he wanted it to.

"Now punch," he said.

I threw a punch, but it was weak and sloppy.

"Again," he instructed.

I threw another, which was better, but not good enough.

"Again," he said.

I punched until my arms ached and sweat dripped down my face.

Each punch I threw was a promise, and each swing of my arm was like a vow. I would not fail, I would not freeze, and I would not let anyone down. I repeated the words in my head like a prayer, Again, and Again, and Again. The bag swung back and forth, and I hit it harder each time.

Kaelen corrected my form, showed me how to block, and how to move my feet.

I missed a block, and he caught my fist gently.

"You are thinking too much," he said.

"I am trying," I replied.

"Stop trying. Just do," he said.

I clenched my fists and tried again. My punch was stronger this time, but still not right.

"Better," he said.

"It does not feel better." I looked away.

"It is good for a beginner, and it will get better with time," he said.

He stepped back and watched me throw another punch, and another, and another.

Sweat dripped down my face, and my arms were heavy, but I did not stop.

"You are improving," he said.

"I need to be more than improving. I need to be ready," I answered.

"You will be." He moved to my other side.

I missed a block, and he caught my fist gently.

"You need to stop thinking, and stay focused." He looked at me.

I nodded, but I could not stop thinking. The more punches I missed, and the more I thought about everything, the more frustration built inside me, hot and sharp.

I thought about Serena, and what she might be planning. Then I thought about the trial, and the weight of everyone’s expectations. ’What if I was not strong enough? What if I let everyone down?’

My eyes burned, my throat tightened, and my voice cracked.

I could feel the tears were coming. I tried to blink them back, but they would not listen, because I had been so strong for so long. But standing there, with my knuckles raw and my arms shaking, I felt like that girl in the storage room again, small, scared, and alone. Except I was not alone anymore.

"What if I am not enough?" I whispered after another missed punch.

Kaelen’s face softened, and he stepped closer. "You are enough," he said.

"I do not feel like enough." I looked at him with tear-filled eyes, then I looked away, and stared at my feet.

Suddenly Kaelen stepped forward, and he pulled me into an embrace. His arms wrapped around me, strong and steady, pulling me against his chest. I buried my face in his shoulder, and the tears I had been holding back finally fell.

He did not speak. He just held me, then he flinched.

He pulled back quickly, with his hand going to his chest. He moved his shirt down a bit, and his skin was red at a spot on his chest, and he winced.

I saw his reaction, and my eyes widened.

"What is wrong?" I asked.