“Hey Midge, you alright? You look a little pale.” Wyatt asks, getting Lillian and Nathaniel’s attention too.
“No. I mean yeah, I’m good.” I can’t look him in the eye though.
“You can shift, right? I mean, I guess you wouldn’t be here if you couldn’t yet.” Nathaniel says to himself more than to me.
“Yeah, no, I’m okay, I can shift. I just don’t really like changing in front of people. I’ll be fine, I just wasn’t expecting it, that’s all.” I take a deep breath trying to control my breathing. I can get through this, I have to get through this. I chose to keep the scars when I was given the chance to get rid of them, now I have to live with my decision. One more big deep breath as we all set our bags down and turn to get instructions.
“Alright, those of you that were at trials got a glimpse of this technique. Those of you who were unable to go this is what we are trying to accomplish, Skylar, step up.” Nathaniel calls out and looks directly at me. I stop breathing and freeze. “I did not stutter, move!” I jump like my ass was bit and move forward. “Lose the shirt, you’re going to shift mid fight. The less clothes we have to replace the better.”
I turn and slowly take my shirt off with shaky hands. I keep my eyes closed as I turn back towards him, take another deep breath, open my eyes and move to the center of the circle towards Warrior Nickolas.
I can hear murmurs, but nothing any of them are saying. I keep my focus on Nickolas in case he plans on throwing some kind of surprise attack after obviously getting me emotionally disoriented.
“We are going to spar for 5 minutes, you must stay in the circle the entire time. When I shift you do. Your one goal is to evade capture. Do you understand your assignment?” I nod, it’s all I’ve got to give at this moment.
He doesn’t spare me much more than that moment before he starts to circle me like a predator does his prey. His eyes are calculating, he’s sizing me up even though we have fought a few times now. I have changed a bit since the locker room and haven’t actually done any kind of sparring for over a month now. As the thought hits me, I realize I am nervous for the first time in a very long time. But I can’t decide if it is a good thing or a bad thing. I’m weak and out of shape, but I have enough training that muscle memory should kick in and help me out.
Don’t worry sweet girl, we will do this together. My wolf reminds me she’s here with me. I’m not alone.
Save your energy as much as possible. We have no idea when he’s going to shift and that is the one thing we are lacking experience in, shifting and fighting immediately following.
No sooner did I say that than Warrior Nickloas charged at me. I blocked his arms but wasn’t quick enough to stop the leg sweep that followed and I started to fall towards my back. I used the momentum to grab at his arm and pull him back with me throwing him back over my shoulder as I rolled backwards, he was forced to release his grip and tuck and roll forward. I was quicker to my feet and stepped back. I wasn’t going to charge at him yet. I need to get him to use up some of his energy first, especially before he forces us to shift.
