I knew this wasn’t going to be a cakewalk, but I thought I would at least have some kind of advantage having done this once already. But, Audrina knew what she was doing bringing me out here this early in the morning. The dew had settled on everything and without the sun to evaporate it, everything was slick as sh*t and the course had to be navigated completely differently than the first time.
“Get your scrawny ass moving. I thought you did this once already or was that made up bullsh*t too?” Audrina taunts. I just keep moving. I wouldn’t le her distract me on a normal day, let alone when I really need all my brain cells to complete this course.
I finally make it through to the end, covered in mud from the last section of the course climbing over and under beams. I know my hands are shredded from some of the ropes and we haven’t even started real training yet.
“Stand up straight. At least act like a warrior who has some basic training.” She snarls at my bent over form. I have my hands on my knees trying to catch my breath, but my pride wins out and I straighten to look her in the eye. “At least I can say you actually completed the course now. Let’s go.”
My retort dies as she takes off like lightning through the trees. I don’t know this area at all so I have to keep her in my sights. I have no idea what her plan is, but losing me in the woods off-trail is not something I’m going to let happen. We run for what feels like forever. It is exhilarating! I didn’t realize how much time has gone by since I have actually let loose and just run, full tilt, to my body’s limits. My wolf is purring in my head and hoping we get to shift and run soon too. She hasn’t been out longer than me and is starting to go stir crazy in my head.
Don’t worry. I’m sure we will be shifting a ton now and you don’t have to be a secret anymore.
I didn’t mind being your secret. As long as I get to be out once in a while. It was for your protection more than anything.
We begin to slow down and I can see the lights of the compound coming up ahead. We run by the ropes course and pick up our bags. I’m trying to control my breathing, I don’t want her to know how out of shape I am and feel right now. I pull out the shake and Audrina looks at me incredulously. “Where did that come from? There’s no food in the dorm rooms.”
“I stopped by the kitchen on my way out.” I shrug. I don’t owe her an explanation of any kind.
“The kitchen’s are closed outside of meal times, you are not to be in there. That’s grounds for punishment. You are just racking them up left and right. She’s starting to look smug but angry.
“I plan ahead, I assumed we would miss breakfast. Stella and Jack set me up.” I keep my eyes forward.
We walk around the back of the house where I hear a low din of voices when I am wrapped up in a tight hug. “You survived!” Wyatt’s whisper-yell comes from somewhere above my head, but I can’t see through all his bulky arm muscles.
“Not yet. I have to make it through the rest of the day, then we can celebrate.” I say as I finish off my shake and put the bottle back in my bag.
At least now, no matter how brief the moment is, I can be out of Audrina’s orbit. Warriors Osisten and Nickolas are at the front of our group in quiet conversation when we walk towards the front. I don’t want to miss any instructions and Audrina is less likely to mess with me this close to the leadership.
