We took off towards a building deeper in the village.
As I've mentioned before, I'm not so physically active so my lungs started burning not even a couple minutes after we started running.
"We only have 15 minutes, so let's make the most of it." Steven exclaimed with a glint of excitement in his silver eyes.
We entered the building and several heads whipped our direction causing me to shrink behind Steven.
"This is our training grounds. We learn here how to protect ourselves and to fight. If you're interested; I'd be delighted to train you some self defense." He said with some weariness in his gaze.
Hope sparked in my veins at the prospect of me protecting myself once and for all.
I can protect myself from my mother....
Tears began to brim and I vigorously nodded my head with a smile.
"I'd love that!" I say with emotion wiping my eyes quickly.
"Hey! Who's the new girl!" A red head piped up with excitement.
.
.
.
Training clothes was given to me as well as undergarments. I was very thankful that most of the girls had extras on them and that they didn't mind me using them.
I felt very strange in the tight black spandex leggings I was given. I was hoping they'd give me a shirt but they said that the sports bra was all I needed.
But further protest from me and some words from Steven and I was given a tank top that was also skin tight black and made of the same material.
At least my stomach is covered now.
I was then led to a corner where I was paired up with the red head who spoke up when I first got in here.
She showed me some basic moves and we practiced for a couple minutes.
Again I was flat on my back panting but I felt proud of myself.
"Not bad Helang! You actually got a hit in this time!" The red head with freckles splashed across her face said.
"Want to go again? Maybe we can work on some things and also increase your balance and stamina as well." She said bouncing with enthusiasm.
The doors to the building burst open and all our heads whipped towards the door.
Oh no.
Jerry locked eyes with me and I saw disappointment pooling in them.
He leaned his head over and spoke into his radio.
"I have eyes on her. She's ok. She's with that guy who left the office earlier. " He says gruffly.
"Helang! Pay attention! Watch how I do this and see if you can copy."
The girl exclaims shuffling her feet in anticipation.
I turn my focus on her and she has Steven as a dummy and shows me a defensive move that would help me out of a chokehold.
I stare in fascination and when she's done, I watch as Steven gets up with a small chuckle and dusts himself off.
"You've been practicing I see." He praises her.
A small blush covers her cheeks and nose before she turns quickly towards me signaling for it being my turn.
I stand nervously in front of Steven who gives me an encouraging smile.
I nod my head to let him know I was ok.
Relief sweeps through him; he walked to me and then shifted as if he was going past me, then his arm snaked around me and with a small gasp of horror escaping my lips, he held me from behind by my neck with his arm.
I let out a strangled cry and Jerry began walking forward; hand at his gun, but stopped after a moment to watch more.
"Come on Helang calm your breathing and do as I do." The girl said making motions with her invisible opponent.
I nodded and followed her moves clumsily and too shaken.
"Have a purpose with your moves! You want to get free and you want to hurt the bad guy and keep yourself protected. Do you want to stay weak?" She said coaching me.
Fire burned in my veins at the thought of never protecting myself.
With a quick throw back of my elbow, Steven crumbled with a groan and I threw my head back as hard as I could. With a sickening crack Steven let go and held his face.
I turned around and I immediately started apologizing to him.
"No no. Don't apologize. That was really good. Altho I believe you can do better but that wasn't bad for your first time. Are you ok?" Steven praised me then concern took over as he saw I started to cry.
Steven's eyes widened and he quickly scrambled upwards.
"Helang really. You didn't hurt me. We practice this stuff in here all the time." He says calmly and soothingly.
"That's right gurl! Honestly I was the same way when I started learning!" The girl piped in.
"Nadia it's time to switch pairs; let's go." A boy yelled.
Nadia took off with a quick wave and a promise to be back.
Jerry walked over with a stern look on his face.
"Helang, Steven, you're needed back at the office. Let's go." His statement left no arguments, just a command that said follow me or your punishment will be worse.
I look over at Steven with fear in my eyes for lying to Jerry and what would happen.
.
.
.
Helang and Steven were being torn to shreds in that office by everyone.
I was yelled at first for half an hour and nearly arrested but everything was smoothed over.
However, I smirked at the thought of Steven cowering in his pants like the weakling he is.
Did he really think I'd make it easy for him to have Helang. She's mine and only mine.
"Not another word!" I hear the alpha boom out.
That was the last thing I heard before everything was hushly discussed.
30 minutes later everyone started to shuffle out of the office.
Helang had her head lowered while Steven flanked behind with a neutral face.
"What happened?" I jump up and questioned once Helang is close enough.
She looks up at me and flinches away bumping into Steven who steadies her by the hips.
I gnash my teeth together with a small growl when I realize she leaned into his touch a bit.
*You're supposed to be staying away from her, so it's none of your concern.*
Steven mind linked me with arrogance and a small smirk at his lips.
*Anything to do with her is my concern!* I seeth out baring my teeth in frustration.
Helang lets out a whimper and backs away again causing Steven to comfortingly wrap his arm around her.
"What's going on out here?" Mr McCarter questions rounding the corner.
I glare at Steven and stalk off.
I'll have to find out later.
I head to the training grounds and team up with one of the guys for combat practice.
Just a couple months and I can go near her again.
The doors to the training grounds open and in walk Helang and Steven.
Nadia races over excitement bubbling from her very pores as she animatedly talks with them.
I let out a small growl and turn back to my combat partner just to get a kick to the face.
"Pay attention!" He yells as I raise my hands to cover my face.
Left, right, kick out.
Elbow to the face and a quick dash of my foot to knock him off balance.
I keep sparing until we're both panting heavily and he's tapping out.
I let go of his arm and he finally crumples to the floor the rest of the way holding his shoulder in relief.
*Something bothering you?* I hear my sparing partner telepath to me.
*I'm fine!* I snap ready to leave but then I hear Helang let out a laugh of amusement. I turn around and I see Nadia acting like an absolute clown.
At least I know she's making friends.
I think sarcastically.
.
.
.
A few months went by and thank moon goddess Helang is still here.
Long story short, Helang asked to stay in this "group home" because she finally made some friends and was learning self defense.
She said even tho she was brought here by deceit, she wanted to stay.
She asked if she could stay with Nadia in her "sleeping quarters" to which a high pitched squeal of delight was let out by Nadia herself.
Nadia is a foot shorter than Helang so when she barreled into her with a gleeful bear hug, she looked like a child even more.
Swear she gives off the vibes of rainbows and bubbles.
Once Helang left the office, officer McCarter and the other 3 began discussing her life here.
They discussed everything down to the "we are actually werewolves" part. Obviously, they weren't too happy, but then officer McCarter dropped the mic when he said that Helang is a witch whose powers were being blocked. Any big amount of stress could trigger her awakening but they've been tasked to keep her powers suppressed because of how powerful she actually is. Not only is she a danger to herself but to the people around her.
That's why her mother was constantly trying to kill her because a freak accident that killed her mother's sister when Helang was still a toddler.
The officers kindly asked for them not to say anything to Helang about being werewolves in fear it will trigger her.
The last time she had a really bad incident was when he was taking her away from the institution and she had a ptsd attack. He said the winds picked up so violently and the car started veering around uncontrollably. The only way to stop the tornado that she began forming unknowingly was to sedate her. That's why every time something happens, and she feels like it's too much, she presses a button on the back of her necklace signaling her being in danger.
I wish I honestly knew all of this before.
Witches are feared among werewolves.
And I brought one straight into the heart of our pack.
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I briskly walk up to Nadia's cottage home that Helang has been in.
I rub my hands vigorously together and take a deep breath; coaching myself I finally knock on the door and wait for it to be opened.