~Emily~



'You're a very tenacious girl". I looked up to Phil. He had a broad smile on his face as he offered me a hand up. 'Not bad for a human. You deserve my respect. '


'Well this failure is a learning phase for me, I will train hard and maybe we can have another duel", I said looking very serious.



Applause rang out from behind me and asked over the field. My heart melted for the affection they displayed to me.

Ever since my arrival here, I've found it very difficult to get most lycans approval. They seemed to carry a burning hatred for humans.



But it warmed my heart to see their approval for my effort.

I turned my head to look over as Rowan came over to me with an approving face.


'You guys did a good job, especially your Emily. I didn't think you had such quick reflexes".

He laid his large hands on my shoulder, his eyes staring into mine. He spoke like a proud father would to his daughter.

'I just need to work on your raw power, and who knows you might just be ready to take down Phil"

Those words from Rowan really encouraged me. It was nice to hear such encouraging words.


I wish Zayne was here to see me in action, he might have been just as proud as Rowan.


'Emily, come with me. It's time to take you to the grounds"

Rowan said, I followed him at once, on my heels rather than toes.


'Emily you will be training here, using these equipments and with these people"

He took me to another section of the training ground.

Zayne only told me they were two, one for the battle ready warriors and the other for the aspiring warriors.


'I thought they were only two sections, Rowan?" I asked, still confused, where I actually was.

'Yeah, they are!

But this section of the training is where myself and Cedric personally train younger Lycans on the basics before they are fit for the training grounds"

The equipment at this section of the training were more complicated, they were designed to make it safer for us.

I looked round the ground, the Lycans here were much younger and lean compared to the other Lycans.

I felt a bit undermined by the position I was placed in but nevertheless, my hunger to train and improve myself for the better was still unwavering.

'So Rowan, when do I start?" I asked with excitement evident in my voice.


'Now!"


The training began.

. The first exercise was a physical running exercise.

Our assignment was simply to run as fast as possible.

Myself and the young Lycans through the fields.

As I ran, the wind blew past my ears, I opened my mouth and shut my eyes partly taking in the warm breeze.

Despite my best speed it was still difficult to keep up with the Lycans. They were much stronger than I was, despite their youth.

I couldn't lag. I had to train with all my strength.


Time passed slowly and it was soon afternoon

The scorching sun rained down on us as we trained non stop.


Each obstacle was exhausting, I had to exert more than my average strength capacity.


'Okay, that's it for today, Lycans. Everyone rest well, don't be late for tomorrow's training"


Rowan's voice reached my ears. I dropped down to the floor, panting heavily.

My body could finally relax. My whole body was soaked in sweat and every joint aches me terribly.

Several small cuts covered my skin, but I didn't really feel any remorse for myself, for me it served as a kind of battle scar.


Rowan came up to me offering me a hand up and I obliged.

'I'm impressed Emily, I really am" he had a smile of reassurance on his face, but underneath that I could see something was bothering him.


'Rowan what's wrong? I know something is bothering you"


Rowan froze at the spot, short of words to answer me.

'Come on Rowan, what's wrong you can tell me"

I moved closer to him, my eyes fixed on his face eagerly waiting for him.

'It's about your sister Steph" Rowan's mention of Steph seemed to ignite fear in me. 'What's wrong with her? Is she sick? Someone hurt her?

Rowan tell me!" I spoke at random tension in my voice.

Rowan just looked at me, his brows scattered, he seemed dumbfounded by my reaction.


'Emily, calm down nothing happened to her" my heart calmed down after hearing his words. As I took in a couple of deep breaths.


'So what about my sister?"


'Well since we brought you and your sister as slaves from Riverview, Steph always seems to catch my attention"

I looked curiously at Rowan as he spoke.

'So to cut it short I really like your sister"


I've never seen Rowan so flustered as he spoke to me.

He must really like Steph, so my heart wish is coming to pass.

'Aww.. Rowan I'm happy for you guys. I knew you were always the best for her"


I noticed Rowan's expression. His face was pale, he didn't seem happy, but why?"


'Rowan why aren't happy, you just confessed your feelings for Steph to me"


'Emily, Steph won't even lay an eye on me ever since that drowning incident.

She still thinks I'm the one who pushed her and besides she told several times that her heart only belongs to Luther"


My heart sank in despair as Rowan spoke to me. I could feel the genuine pain and heartache.

I couldn't do much but feel for myself.

'Luther doesn't love her. He just uses her like with other girls. I wish she knew this"

Every word Rowan said was true.

Luther doesn't love Steph, not even in the slightest. But her mind is so clouded up by his fake promises, she can't see the truth right in front of her eyes.


'I'm sorry Rowan, I really am. I wish I could help you but Steph won't even look at me right now"


'It's okay Emily, don't beat yourself up about it. Maybe she isn't from me after all" Rowan said, his voice very dull. He turned and headed in the opposite direction to mine.


With a heavy heart, I myself turned and headed towards my room.


The sun had set on the edge of the mountain, and the dim light shone on me. I gradually walked, taking each step at a time.

The bruises I got from training schedule through my whole body.

Although they were all small cuts, the pain was evident and was fresh in my mind.

I think I need to take care of the wounds.


I went back to my room and met a huge surprise.

I saw the wound medicine on the table, which was prepared in advance to deal with trauma.

Who prepared this for me?

I felt warmth from such an act, and my fatigue seemed to be relieved.

I didn't care who did this, but I could do nothing more but appreciate it.

But nevertheless I think it was Flora, it's either her or Crystal.

And no way in hell would Crystal prepare This for me even at gunpoint.

I sat on the bed and rubbed those wounds on my body, and the pain soon dissipated.

I thought I had to go and thank Flora or my heart won't be at rest.

She must still be in the kitchen.


I walked out of the room and soon found Flora. She must empty the trash in the kitchen alley.


'Flora, thank you for the medicine, I really appreciate"

I said my voice was genuine and my heart was true.

'Medicine?" Flora's brows were raised. She was terribly confused.

'Oh! That wasn't me dear, it was King Zayne. I think you should go and thank him"


'Zayne? Prepared this for me" I could hardly believe my ears.

'Flora are you sure? Or did he put you up to this"


'Of course he did. You're a very lucky girl Emily. If I were you, I would never leave Zayne's side"


My heart was full of doubts and at the same time expectations, so I hesitated for a while and then turned around and walked towards Zayne's place.

If he had prepared the medicine for my injury, I should thank him.


I went to the door of Zayne's room, and just as I was about to knock, he came out.

Almost startling me.

'Zayne, I just came here to say thank you," I said to him, my words stuttering.

'Forget It Emily. Tomorrow you will be sharp and active. I need you to be trained in self defence as quickly as possible"


'Okay Zayne I will" I turned away from him, taking a few steps and his voice came again.

'Emily!"

I turned my head in a heartbeat.

'Stay safe, OK?"

He said his voice was soft and tender, but I could see the worry in his eyes.

'Okay I will"I answered him.

As I walked back to my room, I could only wonder why Zayne was behaving like this.

Why is he so worried about me? Is someone after me?


~Zayne~


After I watched Emily's brawl with the young Lycan I couldn't help but be impressed. She had very quick reflexes and speed but she lacked the physical strength and endurance required to be stronger.

Hopefully Rowan and Cedric can take care of that.


I left the training grounds and headed back to the castle.

II had to discuss with Cedric and Luther on how we prepare for the imminent war set to happen between the Lycans and the vampires.


We also had to discuss how we broke the news of the war to the residents of the castle.

I would normally have loved to consult both Rowan and Cedric but I had personally assigned Rowan to handle Emily's training.


It was a long and tense meeting, as the time went by slowly.

It was soon dark and the castle was nearly empty.


We all dispersed to our various places.


THUM

THUM


I heard distant footsteps approaching my room, which surprised me. No one was normally found outside their homes past the curfew.

The footsteps stopped at my door. The person seemed to just stand there, not attempting to knock.

I reached for my door, as I gently opened it.

I was surprised to see Emily standing outside my door.

Her face was beaming like the moonlight as she wore a warm smile on her face.


'Zayne, I just came here to say thank you," Emily said.

'Forget It Emily. Tomorrow you will be sharp and active. I need you to be trained in self defence as quickly as possible"


'Okay Zayne I will" I watched as she gently walked away from me

'Emily!"

I

'Stay safe, OK?"

I said to her my voice was soft and tender.


'Okay I will"l


The next day arrived quickly for me.


As I fluttered my eyes open to the new day. I noticed my breakfast tray was already in place.

I glanced at the clock and it read 7:25 am.

Why did Emily serve my breakfast so early?

As she reached closer to the tray, she left a small note by its side.

I picked it up and read the note word for word.


‘Good morning my lord, sorry I served breakfast so early, I hope it's not too cold.

I had to go to the training grounds as early as possible to make early progress'


It warmed my heart to see Emily taking her training so seriously.

With her hunger in no time she will be where she needs to be.


I decided to go check on her. Leaving the note on my bed, I got up at once and headed to the training ground.

I followed the familiar path I took yesterday and arrived at the place I was standing yesterday.

I squinted my eyes trying to find Emily.

There she……

What!

My eyes widened in shock. I saw Rowan's hands firmly placed beside Emily's waist.


What are they doing!!