My lungs burned as I forced my feet to keep going. I had been at this for quite a long time now but I wasn't going to give up till it was done.
I had to keep going or everything I wanted to work towards would be destroyed completely and that couldn't happen.
I had come too far for a simple training to stop me.
I was burned out completely but the thought of being weak had me pushing past whatever limits I had.
Just another lap, the day had darkened beyond measure and I was certain it was close to midnight now but I couldn't afford to give up just yet.
As I forced myself past the last line to make it two hundred laps, my legs gave out and I went crashing down to the ground with a yelp but what shocked me wasn't that.
It was the claps and hoots that followed as candles lit up and a warm feeling rushed through me as the warriors that I thought had left all came to help me up.
They brought me to a log and sat me down and one served me a warm sweet water that I downed, still in the state of shock.
They lit up a small bonfire as each of them congratulated me over and over again till I could no longer hold back my tears and one of them trailed down my cheeks.
"How.. you were all here the whole time?" I choked out before clearing my throat and Myra came out from their midst, bringing a mug of ale to me while taking the cup of warm water and spilling it out.
"Yes. We are big on support and you are quite persistent and a charmer" she said and laughter left my lips, echoed by the others and as I sat there. My eyes staring at each of them, I turned to Myra and whispered.
"Thank you" I never thought I would be this accepted but they made me feel that being optimistic wasn't that bad even though I knew better.
"Don't sweat it. Be up for tomorrow's run. Don't slack off" she ordered and laughter filled the place— it would seem she didn't play with training and I was happy that she was the one in charge of my training.
But the gathering still brought fear to my chest and I was becoming uncomfortable soon enough which had me reeling from guilt.
They had come to support me but my trauma was making me look ungrateful to them.
"Clear out. Or you'll have double patrols on your hands" They all scrambled away at that threat and a huge smile split my face as Fermion came up to me and without warning, he picked me up in his arms and began to leave.
"I'm sweaty" I tried, hoping he would put me down but no such luck.
"Doesnt bother me." He pecked my cheeks and I blushed red, hiding my face in his chest and he laughed.
"Don't slack off" Myra's voice yelled from somewhere behind us and I smiled.
"Yes, Master" I responded lowly, knowing with her werewolf senses she could easily hear me.
"You know you don't have to call her that, you'll be Luna as soon as you accept me" Fermion informed as he walked and I gave him a glance.
"I know, but it's deserving of someone like her. She's to be respected" I whispered, thinking of how Myra had handed me my ass today before I could even think of making any move.
My jaws hurt from how hard she had hit me and I was convinced she was holding back in me that time but Fermion's next words made me doubt that.
"She is to be respected. She never held back on beating you down and I'm certain she won't." I brought my head up to glance at him only to discover that we were standing in front of the healing bay.
"What do you mean?" He glanced at me after my words before he sighed.
"She never once held back when she fought with you and that's what I'm worried about. That she would beat you up beyond repair" that was surprising, Myra never held back which would mean that gasps from the warriors when I was asked to perform two hundred laps was shocking.
"The running…" I trailed off and he nodded.
"Yeah, everyone went through it. It will only increase as time goes on"he informed me with a low tone as he gently brought me to my feet and steadied me before letting go and I instantly missed his touch.
Calm girl.. I was still in distrust of his care and his words but I felt that my body wouldn't listen to my thoughts because my privates were reacting strangely.
"Yeah, it will. And you just couldn't wait for your whole body to be healed before breaking them over again?" Grayson chided and I went rigid before plastering a sweet smile and slowly turned to him.
"Healer" I greeted but he glared at me in the dim lighting. My knees were aching really bad and I needed to sit down soon enough or I just might fall.
"After the week of running and the first training sessions, I'll take you to your floor at the pack house" Fermion bent down into my neck from behind and bit me softly which had my eyes snapping shut and my lips letting out a sigh of pleasure but as soon as it started.
It was gone and I swirled on my feet to find that he was already leaving, and soon he disappeared into the night.
"Come on, duck" Grayson said as he unlocked the door and walked in and I followed behind him as we walked to my room here at the healing bay.
"I know you like Myra" I found myself saying as I got situated on my bed and he flashed on the light with shock on his face.
"Obvious much?" He asked and I smiled with pure amusement.