Chapter 19: The Training Session: Battling Arrogance

(POV: Lina)

"Serious? Is that all you've got?"

Scarllet mocks Sophie's punch at the punching bag hanging from the ceiling.

"Weak human! Tell me, what's the reason for you being here?"

Anger takes hold of me. I hate people who treat others with such arrogance and disdain in their eyes.

"Disgusting human? Tell me, walking blood bag!"

"She came to train and get stronger!" I speak firm, interrupting the conversation and moving away from the wall. I stare at Scarllet, showing no fear whatsoever.

"As far as I know I haven't talked to you, "supreme"," she says, rolling his eyes.

"But I," I point to myself, "am talking to you," I point to the bloodsucking creature in front of me.

I look at Sophie, her face sweaty and her eyes teary. In a brief moment of distraction, I didn't notice when Scarllet approached me. With her purple eyes (which sent shivers down my spine), she kicked me in the ribs, throwing me against the wall. As I hit the ground, I taste the metallic flavor of blood in my mouth and feel a sharp pain where I was hit.

"That's to teach you not to meddle where you're not called, Lina," she says my name with disdain. "But don't worry, now that you're a transformed wolf, you'll heal on your own within a few seconds," she turns her back. "And you, you half-hearted human, hit that defenseless bag harder!"

About three seconds later, I hear the sound of bones coming together. I confirm it is my own sound as I sense my skin stretch.. My rib bones are coming back together and returning to their rightful place.

No longer feeling any trace of pain, I rise from the ground, a satisfied smile on my face. (for being able to heal myself apace). I walk to the ring with a determined look, focusing on Sophie. Her face is as red as a tomato from exertion, and the scent of her sweat drips excessive from her forehead. It's clear from afar that she can no longer continue the training.

"I'm going to make you beg to quit, useless human," Scarllet whispers Silent in Sophie's ear. But I can hear it with my supernatural hearing.

"Scarllet!" I call her attention. "Come face someone at your level!"

It's a bluff; I'm far from being at her level. After all, she's the trainer. But I need to distract her to give poor Sophie a break.

In less than two seconds, Scarllet is inside the ring, looking me up and down.

"So, our pupil thinks she's on the same level as the master?"

I don't answer; I know I will probably regret it. I put my heels on the ground and lock my arms, preparing to run. With a burst of energy, I let my fists clench and run with all my speed toward Scarllet.

"That's enough!"

Upon hearing Deniel's voice, my muscles tense, and without any haste, I turn towards where Deniel is standing.

"You've trained enough for today."

He turns his back and leaves the training room.

"Well, kid, our fight will have to wait for another time," Scarllet says, leaving the ring.

Phew! I managed to avoid getting beaten up. I leave the ring and approach Sophie, who is sitting on the floor with her head between her knees, arms hugging her legs. I touch her shoulder, and she flinches and lets out a soft groan of pain. I only retract my hand.

"Sophie, let's go."

She lifts her head, and my heart tightens at the sight of the tears she sheds. Did I do the right thing by making her train with me without even

asking if she wanted to?

Sophie tries to stand up, but her legs give way, and before she falls, I put my right arm around her neck. I guide her to my room.

"Lina, my place is downstairs," she says weak.

I say nothing. We finally reach the door to my room. I enter and sit Sophie on the bed, closing the door.

"Lina, I... I can't..."

"Shh! I got you into this, and I'll take care of you."

Without waiting for a response, I start undressing her. When I finish, I carry her with one arm under her legs and the other arm hugging her back.

I head to the bathroom, supporting Sophie against the wall as I turn on the shower. The water is cold.

I'm sorry, dear, but you'll have to endure your trembling bones until I'm done.

In less than five minutes, I finish Sophie's shower. Her skin is very cold from the water, and her bones are still trembling from the cold. I carry her back to the room and sit her on the bed. I go to the wardrobe and get one of my nightgowns, dressing her in it. Then I go back to the bathroom to take a shower myself.

When I come out of the bathroom, I find Sophie lying on the bed in a position that will leave her sore when she wakes up tomorrow. She is in a deep sleep, her body still shivering from the cold.

I walk to the wardrobe and put on a nightgown. I approach the bed and adjust Sophie, lying down beside her and hugging her to keep her warm.

I don't sense the cold that she feels because I am a wolf, natural warm.

Lost in thoughts, I sense my eyelids growing heavier and heavier. I blink several times until I surrender to fatigue.