Maia woke early to the sound of birds chirping outside her window, their songs a stark contrast to the predawn darkness. She stretched and dressed quickly, her anticipation high for the day ahead. Today wasn't just any day; today was her first official training session with Diana, her father's personal assistant and legendary hunter. Diana was renowned for her supernatural ability to never miss a target, and now she was going to pass on some of her skills to Maia.
As she descended the grand staircase of the mansion, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness. The walls were adorned with the mounted heads of wolves, trophies of past hunts, each a testament to her father's prowess and legacy. Maia wasn't sure if she wanted to carry on this legacy, but she had to do something about it.
She found Diana waiting in the courtyard, the morning mist still clinging to the air. The older woman was a picture of calm and confidence, her long dark hair tied back in a practical braid, her eyes sharp and focused.
"Good morning, Maia," Diana greeted, her voice steady and warm. "Are you ready for your first lesson?"
Maia nodded, trying to mask her excitement. "Good morning, Diana. I'm ready."
Diana smiled and handed her a silver bow and a quiver of silver arrows. The bow gleamed in the early light, its craftsmanship flawless. "This is your new weapon. It's enchanted to never miss its target, but the magic relies on your ability to focus. Today, I'll teach you how to use it properly."
They walked to a clearing on the edge of the estate, where targets were set up at various distances. Diana picked up a gun from a nearby table and loaded it with bullets. "Watch closely," she said, taking aim at the furthest target. She fired, and the bullet hit the bullseye dead center. Without missing a beat, she nocked an arrow and shot it at the next target, the arrow splitting the previous bullseye in half.
"Impressive," Maia breathed, her eyes wide with awe.
Diana turned to her with a knowing smile. "It's all about focus. The gun and the bow are just tools. Your mind and eyes are what guide them."
Maia picked up her bow, feeling the smooth, cold metal under her fingers. She drew an arrow from the quiver and nocked it, aiming at the nearest target. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. As she exhaled, she released the arrow. It flew straight and true, hitting the target just outside the bullseye.
"Not bad for your first shot," Diana said, her tone encouraging. "Now, let's work on your focus. Look at the target, but don't just see it. Feel it. Let it become the only thing in your world."
Maia nodded and nocked another arrow. This time, she followed Diana's advice, letting everything else fade away until only the target remained. She released the arrow, and it hit the bullseye with a satisfying thud.
Diana's eyes gleamed with approval. "Excellent. Keep practicing that focus. It's the key to mastering this weapon."
They spent the next few hours shooting arrows, Diana providing tips and corrections along the way. Maia's confidence grew with each successful shot, her excitement tempered by the discipline of her training.
After a break for lunch, Diana led Maia to a different part of the training grounds, where a tall, muscular man was waiting. His arms were crossed, and his expression was one of mild impatience.
Maia remembered Michael from the first skirmish the wolves and hunters had. He had been capable of defeating Kai in a surprise attack, which many hunters couldn't boast of doing
"Maia, this is Michael," Diana introduced. "He's here to help you with your sparring lessons. Michael has super strength, so be prepared for a tough session."
Michael nodded in greeting, his voice a low rumble. "Ready to get started?"
Maia squared her shoulders. "Ready."
They began with basic drills, Michael demonstrating techniques and Maia mimicking his movements. Despite his intimidating size, Michael was a patient teacher, his instructions clear and concise.
"Remember, it's not just about strength," Michael said as they sparred. "It's about strategy and precision. Use your opponent's strength against them. Now take a swing at me."
Maia swung, landing a solid right hook that was parried by the flat of Michael's palm. Immediately their hands collided, something felt off. A feeling of twisted evil and wicked intention hung in the air. Maia couldn't quite place a finger on what it was, but the feeling immediately went away when their hands separated.
Once again, she dismissed it as one of those bad feelings she was suddenly beginning to have. Truthfully, she was not ready to face or feel any form of negative energy.
Maia tried to keep his advice in mind as they moved through the drills. Michael was incredibly skilled, parrying and blocking any chance she might have had to land a blow, not like it would make a difference.
She felt clumsy and slow compared to him, but she pushed through, determined to improve. As the session went on, she started to get a feel for the rhythms of the fight, anticipating Michael's moves and reacting more quickly.
After a particularly grueling round, Michael stepped back and nodded. "You're getting better. Keep practising, and you'll be a force to be reckoned with."
Michael smiled at Maia, and it took all her willpower to ignore how weird it all seemed.
"Thank you," Maia panted, wiping sweat from her brow. "I'll keep working on it."
The sun was beginning to set as they wrapped up the day's training. Maia's muscles ached, and she felt a tiredness that went deep into her bones, but there was also a sense of accomplishment. She had made progress today, and she was eager to continue improving.
As she made her way back to the mansion, she decided to take a detour through the woods. While on her excursion, she took a moment to appreciate the beauty of the twilight sky, the vibrant colours painting the horizon.
As she stepped back into the woods, she felt a sense of peace settle over her, the worries of the day fading away. Nature had a way of bringing her back, and renewing her senses. She felt that this applied to every human out there, but she couldn't have been more wrong, at least in the literal way that she thought.
Just as she reached the edge of the woods and was about to emerge, she saw a figure waiting for her. It was Kai, the Alpha of the local wolf pack. He was his usual dashing self, with piercing blue and gold eyes that seemed to see right through her. Maia's heart skipped a beat at the sight of him.
"Hey, young huntress," Kai said, his voice smooth and warm.
"Kai," Maia replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "What brings you here?"
Kai shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "Just wanted to see how your training went. From all the dirt I see it looks like it was really intense."
"Go away Kai. Just leave me be. I already told you, we can't have anything to do with each other with the situation at hand."
Kai's smile faded. He stepped closer to Maia, ensuring he was at a threatening distance. Maia backed away.
"You think I don't know that Maia?"
Maia flinched. It was the first time he ever called her name like that. It reminded her of her high school principal and his commanding tone.
Kai continued on.
"I really don't know you Maia, or your intentions. All I know is that you are the enemy, and I should rip out your throat right now."
Maia's hand rested on her bow. This might be the time to use it. But as she studied Kai, she noticed something really off. He had a confused expression that almost seemed at the verge of crying.
"But against my better judgement, each time I see you, my heart skips a beat. I don't know, it's like I'm running crazy."
Maia knew exactly what he was talking about, but of course, she would have never admitted it to him. She felt it too. It wa some of those unexplainable feelings she had and was not ready to face.
"Look Kai, I get you. But this, whatever you imply, cannot just be. The first time was a mistake. I need to be going back now. It's late."
Kai blocked her path, she tried to go around him but he quickly covered her from all angles. He did that, and did it quite literally. Before she knew what was happening, her lips were captured in a deep kiss.
This time, the kiss was less rushed and more passionate, like Kai really meant it. Maia wanted to be swept up in it all, but she had already made up her mind that she was not going to be foolish twice.
She pulled away.
Seeing Kai in this state was saddening. But she just couldn't go on with it.
"Kai. This can't happen. You know it. Sorry, but I gotta go."
As Maia proceeded to go, Kai didn't stop her. How could he? He didn't even understand what he was feeling.
"I know you are confused too just like I am. But give my race a chance at least. Come to the woods tomorrow at around this time, and I'll properly show you what it means to be a wolf."
Maia heard what he said, but acted like she didn't. As she walked on, she felt his gaze follow her till she was out of sight. She finally got home and headed to her room. As she lay down, her thoughts ravaged with the craziness of the day, from the weird feeling with Michael to the fiasco with Kai. Her eyes fluttered towards sleep as her body finally relaxed.
Now, if you are quite the dreamer, you would know better than to sleep with your thinking cap still on. That was exactly what Maia did. As expected, her thoughts drifted with her to sleep, and quite literally, became nightmares.