Chapter 23
1093 Words
_Lyla's POV_
After breakfast, Aaron leaned back in his chair, arms crossed as he watched me finish the last of my toast. There was a teasing glint in his eyes.
“You ready?” he asked.
I wiped my hands on a napkin. “Ready for what?”
Aaron smirked. “Training, of course. Unless you need more time to digest. I wouldn’t want you throwing up on me when I take you down.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Take me down?”
He grinned. “Oh, absolutely. I may go easy on you since it’s your first day, but don’t get used to it.”
I scoffed, pushing my chair back. “Let’s go, Alpha. Let’s see if you can keep up.”
His chuckle followed me as we left the dining hall, his steps falling in sync with mine. The moment we stepped outside, the crisp morning air brushed against my skin. The training grounds were already busy. There were many warriors training. I felt a lump form in my throat.
They were good. No, they were incredible. Fast, strong, disciplined. I watched as two warriors clashed, their punches quick, dodges even quicker. I swallowed hard. Compared to them, I was nothing.
Aaron must have noticed my hesitation because he leaned in, voice low and gentle. “Don’t compare yourself to them, Lyla. They have been training for years. You’re just starting.”
I bit my lip. “But I feel so… weak.”
He turned me to face him, his blue eyes locking onto mine. “You are not weak. You’re just untrained. There’s a difference.”
I took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay.”
His lips curled into a smirk. “Besides, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to watching you get all sweaty.”
My mouth dropped open. “Aaron!”
“What?” He raised an innocent brow. “It’s a perfectly valid observation.”
I huffed, crossing my arms. “You’re impossible.”
“And yet, you like me anyway,” he said, his smirk widening.
I rolled my eyes. “Let’s just start.”
We moved to an open space, and Aaron stretched his arms. “Alright, first things first—your stance. Show me what you have got.”
I hesitated before trying to mimic the way the other warriors stood—feet apart, hands up. Aaron walked around me, inspecting. Then, without warning, he nudged my shoulder lightly.
I wobbled.
“Mm-hmm.” He nodded. “As I suspected. You stand like a baby deer.”
I shot him a glare. “Excuse me?”
He chuckled, stepping behind me. “Here, let me show you.” His hands found my waist and he adjusted my stance. “Widen your stance. Bend your knees a little. You need balance.”
I tried to focus, but it was difficult with him this close. His breath tickled my ear, and my face heated.
“Okay,” he murmured, his voice suddenly deeper. “Now, throw a punch.”
I did.
He caught my wrist easily, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Not bad, but try again. With actual force this time.”
I exhaled and swung again. He dodged smoothly and shook his head. “Still not good enough.”
I groaned. “You know, you could be a little less smug about this.”
“Oh, but where’s the fun in that?” His grin was absolutely infuriating.
I took another swing, but this time, I faked it. The moment he leaned to the side, I quickly spun and aimed a punch at his other side.
His eyes flashed with surprise just before I landed a soft hit on his shoulder.
I gasped. “I did it!”
Aaron blinked at me, then tilted his head. “You did.” Then, before I could react, he grabbed me by the waist and flipped me over effortlessly.
I landed on my back with a startled gasp, Aaron hovering over me with a triumphant smirk. “And now, I win.”
I scowled up at him. “That was cheating!”
He leaned in slightly, his lips dangerously close. “No, sweetheart. That was strategy.”
My heart pounded. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
He grinned. “Absolutely.”
Before he could gloat any further, I grabbed a handful of dirt and tossed it at him.
He coughed, pulling back as I scrambled to my feet. “Did you just—”
I smirked. “That was strategy.”
He wiped his face, laughing. “Alright, I deserved that.”
We continued training, and despite my initial embarrassment, I found myself enjoying it. Aaron pushed me but never too hard. He was patient, guiding me through every movement, adjusting my posture, making sure I understood.
Every now and then, he would throw in a teasing comment.
“Try not to look so adorable when you punch. It’s distracting.”
“Are you sure you are not a kitten instead of a wolf?”
“Don’t pout, Lyla. You’ll make me want to kiss it away.”
I pretended to be annoyed, but I couldn’t stop the smile that kept sneaking onto my face.
By the time we finished, I was exhausted, sweaty, and sore. But I felt good. Stronger.
Aaron handed me a water bottle, his eyes scanning my face. “You did well.”
I exhaled. “I still have a long way to go.”
“You do,” he agreed. “But I am proud of you.”
Warmth bloomed in my chest. “Thank you, Aaron.”
He leaned in, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You’re welcome. Now, should I carry you back, or do you think your legs still work?”
I shot him a look. “They work just fine, thank you.”
He chuckled, wrapping an arm around my waist anyway. “Mm, I don’t know. You might collapse, and I would be devastated if you fell into my arms.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you love it.”
I sighed dramatically. “Unfortunately.”
His laughter was warm, and as we walked back together, I realized something.
I wasn’t just training. I was growing. Learning. And with Aaron by my side, I was starting to believe that maybe, just maybe, I really could be strong enough to face whatever fate had in store for me.
- Writer
