Chapter 32
Fuck, fuck, fuck. I wasn't wearing my lenses this whole time? My breath hitched. Bad things are starting to come into mind, making me go into a panic state. No, no, not again.
I suddenly felt pain in my chest, my mind clouding with distant memories. I loss my balance, my mind overcoming everything, I held on to the little table in front of me but missed, I fell down along with the vase on it.
The vase broke on the floor and the sound of crack resounded in the room.
The mind is a very strong tool. Positivity, realism, and negative thoughts are all possible ways for us to think. Some ideas go by through our minds quickly and are forgotten, while others are ingrained in our minds and ultimately define who we are.
I landed on my front, curving into a ball and putting both my hands on the side of my head. It's starting again.
Familiar faces started to appear in my head, the pointing of fingers and their sinister laughs echoing in my ears. It was like I traveled back in time and is experiencing the same thing again.
"Freak!"
"Were you experimented on? You look ugly."
I clutched my head, the reminisce clouding my mind, my high school life playing inside my head. Memories can pile up but can also quickly pass as if it were a gust of wind.
"Orphan!"
"Her eyes look creepy, no wonder she's an outcast."
"Violet? Looks bad, ugh."
Tears started to form in my eyes, I closed it trying to stop it from falling and worsening my condition. My breathing was more intense than before.
This isn't suppose to be happening, I don't want it to happen again. The feel of pain burning inside one's body can either make the person go into panic, or use it as inspiration to go further.
A pair of strong arms picked me up and hugged me from behind, I couldn't open my eyes, I was panicking. What will this person do? Will they hit me? Throw insults?
I gasped, the tears coming down from my eyes, unable to hold them back anymore. I cried, I waited for the worst but none of it happened. "Shh, it's alright. I'm here." He whispered in my ears, trying to calm me down. He held me against his chest.
He was breathing heavily while holding me still, diverting my attention away from the memories. "It's alright, you are here now. You're okay."
He just stood there, his body heat helping me calm down my racing heart. I started to feel better bit by bit.
The memories that were playing is now gone, my mind blank. My breath was still heavy but it was calm, not erratic.
The tears in my eyes were starting to dry up, leaving trails in my face. All the while, the Alpha held me, caged in his arms.
He kissed my head and kept whispering words into my ears, helping in my state. "You are going to be fine, Katelyn." The way my name slid from his tongue sent shivers down my spine.
I inhaled deeply, letting the air go a second later. I repeated the process when I felt myself breathing perfectly normal.
I leaned back, my head to his chest. I closed my eyes and melted into him. I didn't care what he thinks of me right now, I just need someone.
When I was knew fine, I opened my eyes and turned around, his arms still around me. "You okay?" He began, worry in his eyes.
I nodded tiredly, my eyelids felt heavy. I rubbed it and a yawn came out of me. I covered it with my hand and made eye contact once again with the Alpha.
He just stared at me, waiting for my answer. Without hesitation I nodded, yawning once again. I think I've used too much energy.
My body is not back to normal yet, it kinda explains why I'm losing more energy than before and how tiredness came so soon.
My eyes were half closed, sleep was close I could feel it. I heard a door open after my eyes closed completely, I see nothing but darkness but I was awake.
He put me down on the bed and covered me with the warm blankets, the bed was too soft and smells like lavender, luring me more into sleep.
I slowly walked to the house and opened the door, going inside.
"La, la, la, la..." Someone hummed through the house, the sounds echoing on the walls.
The mysterious voice keeps humming a song that I haven't heard of. Curiosity got the best of me so I climbed up the stairs into the next floor.
The walls were covered in light brown, there was a door to the end of the hall. I walked towards it while clutching my hands.
When I reached it, I hesitated for a moment before opening the door. I put my hands on the handle a twisted it, making a squeaky sound.
The door creaked and a lady in a wheelchair came into view. She was facing the window while knitting something.
"La, la, la, la..." She hummed, looking up to the window then back down.
"Who are you?" I asked, walking closer to her. She turned around and gave a dazzling smile. "I'm Amelia Locky- I mean Locket my dearest." She giggled, stopping her knitting and turning her attention to me.
She put down the knits and turned her wheelchair facing me, giving me a full view of her. Her eyes were of violet, fire danced in them. She was wearing something comfortable for grannies like a long dress that was softly made and definitely warmer.
"Dear, dear. Out of all the names, you used mine. Why is that?" I touched my nape and rubbed against it. "It kinda suddenly popped in my head so..." I pursed my lips, looking away.
She giggled, shaking her head. "It must be because you're a direct bloodline of mine." My eyes furrowed, direct bloodline?
"I'm sorry but this is my first time meeting you. Are you perhaps my grandmother's mother or my grandfather's mother?" She shook her head, indicating a no.
"Why you sure are an idiot, ain't ya?
Let me tell you this though. DNA is something else, something complicated yet extraordinary.
It replicates, yes but sometimes that replication thing goes out of hand.
Only 25% is the DNA we share, but then here you are with the same eyes as me.
My daughter did not inherit my color of the eyes but my granddaughter did.
Well, this world is full of science and math, but in short it's just to prove you are part of me as am of you.
" I think I became a dumbass for a bit there, what?
"So in short, this is proof that you're family?" She clapped her hands, applauding. "Very good, child." Such simple thing yet I'm confused.
"How long have you known me? Or did you know me..?" I scratched my head. "I've known you the moment I laid my eyes on yours. That is a long time ago..." Her eyes suddenly turned sad, her smile fading away.
"Oh, you're not here anymore, are you?" I asked hesitantly. She nodded and gave a sad smile. "Unfortunately, but I have a reason why I am here."
The walls and windows then started to crumble to the ground, darkness rising. "I don't have much time but listen." She began, her eyes wide and at me. "Only one queen may remain, Avery. One." She said firmly, determination in her eyes.
Before I could tell her what she meant I was already falling into darkness, the house was gone from view and so was her.
I just met my grandmother and she wasn't even alive.
I gasped loudly, my body went rigid and I woke up from my dream.
I looked away and gulped.
I saw my contacts and picked it up, I got up and headed to the bathroom to put it on. I won't ask where he got it, I'm just thankful he handed it to me.
I got out and sat back down on the bed. "Thank you..." I whispered, eyeing the pancakes and fruits. "Were you with me the whole time?" I took a peak to see him nod his head, putting his hands on his pocket and standing in front of me and looking back down again.
I couldn't look him in the eye, he saw me in such an awful state and the things I kept saying about him guilts me.
It was soft, and the syrup tastes really sweet. "I have a question." I began, still chewing food.
I spat the liquid at his face, shocked by his words. "W-what the hell?" He hissed, getting up and looking for a dry cloth.
His white shirt and black jogging pants were wet because of the juice I spat at him. It wasn't my fault, what he said was utterly ridiculous! Kiss him? I mean, I wouldn't mind but that was too sudden.
What?
He turned to me then smirked. "Anything to touch that lips of yours." I threw the empty glass at him.
I put the tray back on the bedside table and turned to him. "Fine. I give you my permission. Just make sure they'll learn something or you'll just tire yourself because of those fools."
I gave him a victory smile and a thumbs up. "Thanks." He found a cloth and decided to take off his shirt.
My eyes widened and immediately turned around, landing my front on the bed. "You asshole!" I heard him chuckle deeply.
I sighed heavily, and fixed myself on the bed. I felt my cheeks burning and my heart pounding against my ribs.
I saw his white shirt on the couch. The memory of him without it plays repeatedly in my mind. The six packs and his biceps flexing when he took off his shirt, the leftover juice I spat on his chest dripping down his body sent shivers down my spine.
I coughed, I gotta snap out of it. I slapped myself a bit and shook my head, getting rid of those thoughts. I need to focus.
Now I have his permission, I can get them into shape. Even though he said that he only comes here to protect the land and not its people, I want to at least help them with basic things.
I stopped myself from asking the question why he wanted to protect a land so much because I believe I would be crossing the line.
I got up and headed towards the closet, I don't know who if belongs to but anything works for me. I saw a black cargo pants and a black t-shirt. Literally thankful it wasn't white, I prefer rolling on the ground in trainings wearing black than white.
What? It's hard to get the stain off, everyone knows that.
I picked it up and got dressed, not caring if it was too big or too small. When I was done, I got out and headed to the door, opening it and stepping out.
The pants were smaller than I expected, it fit me perfectly but the shirt was big, I had to tuck it in so that it wouldn't look bad with my pants.
While walking towards the entrance, a buff man approached me.
When I didn't feel his presence, I looked back and witnessed his eyes fogging before he it came back normal.
I guess that's what they call mind-link. "Walk with me." I signaled for him to follow with my hand.
He nodded and we walked together to the training grounds, him behind me and I'm up front.
He nodded and said, "There are some in the training grounds, you may choose anything that is to your liking." I nodded back and faced ahead.
When we reached the training grounds, there was at least ten people standing in the middle. I believe they're the warriors of this pack.
Our footsteps echoed through the whole training grounds because of the silent atmosphere. I first headed to where Lilo pointed where the footwear are.
I didn't have a hard time picking what to wear, it's all basically the same, combat boots. Your typical training shoes.
Oh how I miss the military. I wonder how they're doing.
I walked towards Lilo and stood in front of him then turned around, facing the people that is lined up in front of us.
They all held nothing on their faces, their heads are held with pride. Their eyes were drilling into me, judging me. I glared at them.
People began to pile up the training grounds one by one, lining up behind every people in front. "Second of all, I am in charge of this training, anything that you do or say will reach me and I will deal with it however I want to."
I spoke loudly, making sure everything can hear me. There was more people compared to before. "And lastly, You say what I do." I held my head, glaring at each and every one of them.
He screamed, the pain overwhelming his insides. I let go when I was satisfied. I crouched down to his level and looked him dead in the eye.
They're werewolves yet they don't acknowledge it. You're only what you are if you accept it. I nodded my head and began training.
They all began to run around the track, still lined up behind each other yet the pace was there. If I were to begin this training, I want to do it properly.
I'll start with teamwork and duel.
Fuck, this pack needs help. They were scared their faces were gonna get bruised if I continued to let them duel, I'll kill them myself if they piss me off one more time.
Lilo and I split them into groups of two, each one dueling the other. The duel was simple, knock out your enemy and win.
That was it, but they can't even land a fucking punch without hurting their hand. I groaned, rubbing my nape.
Since 18, I've been exposed to violence. Everyone felt pity just knowing my story and it pisses me off. It just reminds me of bad things that happened in the past that I try so hard to forget.
So I enlisted in the military, exposing myself to more violence. But instead of experiencing something traumatizing, I learned how to make friends and learned how to love.
The ability I lost when Kyle was burned by those flames. It's the only reason why I hate fire, it was the thing that killed my brother.
Safe to say that the military was my saving grace, I hopped back in life and began socializing. It changed my life forever.
She ducked and was able to avoid the punch, but was stopped when the other girl punched her in the guts.
She groaned, taking a few steps back, losing balance. The other girl finished her off with an uppercut, making her lose.
I kept giving advices to them, they were all the same. They are unable to dodge punches and some are unable to punch.
I want to start immediately but seeing this know, we're gonna go with the basics.
They stopped the duel and went to where the punching bags are, picking up one for each of them.
They began to hook it in the punching bag side, some where lined up because there were too many of them practice simultaneously.
I sat down on a bench, just a few feet away from them. Lilo stood behind me, his hands behind his back, attentive as always.
They began their training, practicing their punches. I told them to take a break when I witnessed some of their punches were weakening.
They took turns every now and then, taking breaks and punching. Next time, they'll be punching a damn wall.
They began to do what I say, their punches improving even by a little bit. And as always, they took turns and I advices the same thing over and over again.
Tomorrow, we'll see your improvements on a duel.
——
- Oprah Winfrey