Douglas became my mentor, teaching me how to move silently through the woods, how to fight with my fists and feet, and how to use a bow and arrow just like him.
As I became more skilled, I started to notice Douglas in a different way. He was no longer just my mentor, but also an intriguing and attentive man. Moreover, I killed my feelings for him, telling myself that romance had no place in the harsh world of the woods, not in the Howler moon pack or in my high school.
I could kill my feelings for him but the only thing I could not kill was every time he smiled at me or brushed his hand against mine because it always caused my heart to race.
I knew that I needed to focus on my training, knowing fully well that it would have a great impact on my life after my suspension was over.
I was surprised at how quickly I picked up the fighting techniques he taught maybe because he was a patient teacher, but he didn't take it lightly with me as I had ought. Instead, he pushed me to my limits and always encouraged me to strive for improvement and be bold.
I found myself becoming more bold and sure unlike before. I was no longer scared of the rustling in the bushes or the strange sounds of the scavengers in the middle of the night. I was a North fighter now, and I was ready for whatever the woods could offer to me.
On Monday we go out to the forest to pick up herbal medicines. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Douglas shifts to his wolf while I run in my human form since I have no wolf. On Thursday and Friday, we train and practice picking wild fruits in the woods.
Today was Tuesday so we are going for our run. Douglas stood at the starting point of the lane, winking at me as we were ready to run. Then he blew his whistle then we kicked off.
As we were running through the woods, Douglas turned to me. "Hmmm....You're fast," he said. I smiled at him as he said. "But you need to be faster. Running is as important as fighting out here" he added, picking up his pace.
So we started adding more and more running into our training. We ran alone and we ran together, helping me to push harder every day single day. A month later, I was able to keep pace with Douglas, but I could not surpass him.
I began to develop passion and love for a run and my feet were pounding on the forest floor. Running made me feel alive and relished in a way that nothing else ever had.
"Amaya!" Douglas called me from behind. We were done with our training for the day and I was at his front dragging my legs tiredly at my little cabin when he called.
"Yes, Douglas." I turned at him, looking so tired and at the same time happy.
"Do you know today makes it three months that you have been here with us?" He asked, causing me to wide eye at him. Three months? I never knew time was as fast as this. In my former pack, I used to believe the time was slower due to how badly they often treated me, but now I believe that the rate of time depends on how you feel inside of you.
"I don't know, Douglas!" I responded, laughing out loud like a fool before him.
"I know you are very strong now, Amaya. You are not as weak as you were before," he said to me, covering up the distance between us.
His eyes were flickering at me, revealing how cute he was as he pronounced words of encouragement to me and I got so emotional. Tears filled the brim of my eyes and he helped me wipe it off with his fingers and smiled at me under the moon.
"Hello, Amaya! I have seen how good you have become in the little time you have spent with us. I can see you are now a heroine," Douglas's father applauded me.
"Thank you so much I really appreciate how you have trained me so much and I will forever remember the warlock rogues of the North," I said, hands jeering up in the sky.
"Now don't forget to be a good daughter in the Howler moon pack and make sure you are not suspended again!" One of them said.
"And mind you, all this training we have taught you are meant to protect you and not to oppress anyone", one of them added.
"Alright, Sir. I will take note of all you have said."
I was encouraged by some of the members of the warlock and I was given a little metal piece for training so well with them.
I packed my bags and set out, ready to face whatever adventure lay ahead. Douglas held my hands so closely, intertwined as we walked towards the woods and he smiled at me before he shifted back to his wolf and ran back. His pernicious movement stirred up a little energy inside of me and as I perfect trainer I began to run in my human form towards the packs that once rejected me, taking away all the dangerous things I saw on the way.