11: Exercise & Information

"Exercise is therapy."

***

As usual, I woke up with the sun shining directly into my eyes, causing me to squint and grumble in annoyance. I groggily glanced at the alarm clock positioned next to me, and my heart nearly skipped a beat as I read the time. It was already 8:45 a.m. Panic surged through my veins, and I shot out of bed like a rocket, frantically realising that I was running late. This was becoming a recurring theme in my life, and if I kept it up, I'd be jeopardising more lives than I could save.

In a hurry, I dashed into the bathroom, snatching my toothbrush in a state of frenzy. However, as I stood there, toothbrush in hand, I suddenly froze mid-action, my mind registering the unfamiliar surroundings.

The luxurious white and black bathroom before me bore no resemblance to the one in my own humble abode. "You've got to be kidding me," I groaned, the realisation hitting me like a ton of bricks. Memories of recent events flooded my mind like a tumultuous storm, and I let out a crazed chuckle. "I'm at the pack house," I muttered to myself, gazing at my reflection in the mirror. "It's been three days, and I'm still not used to it."

Gathering myself, I proceeded to brush my teeth and take a quick shower, wanting to make the most of the limited time I had left. I threw on a comfortable outfit consisting of black leggings and a black hoodie, matching the shades of my soul. Descending the stairs in search of breakfast, I unintentionally collided with a tall figure, none other than Tyson, as I entered the kitchen. "Sorry," I hastily apologised, attempting to maneuver around him.

"Let me guess, you thought you were late for work again, didn't you?" Nova's voice rang out from behind, tinged with amusement. She stood there, enjoying her cereal, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes. I couldn't help but wonder how she knew that.

"How did you know?" I questioned, genuinely curious, while Tyson, with a hint of smugness, retrieved something from the fridge.

"You have that look plastered all over your face," Tyson chimed in, taking a casual sip of his water. "The look of... stupidity," he added, pausing for effect.

Nova erupted into laughter, almost spitting out her food. Irritated, I shot them an icy glare before grabbing a bowl of cereal to quell the hunger gnawing at my insides. "It's been three days, and you're still not used to it?" Nova quizzed, finally recovering from her fit of laughter.

I shrugged nonchalantly as I poured milk into the bowl, "I guess my body just needs more time to adjust. Besides, it's only temporary. We'll be heading back home soon enough, so there's no point in getting too comfortable here."

"That's true," Nova concurred, nodding her head sagely. "They're having a meeting today to discuss the eradication of the rogue werewolves encroaching upon our borders," she informed me casually.

I simply nodded, engrossed in my cereal consumption. Tyson interjected, playfully cautioning, "Slow down, tiger. At this rate, you'll choke." Taking a sip of his water, he added, "During these past three days, I've come to know you, or at least get used to your presence."

I rolled my eyes, his persistent flirtations never ceasing to annoy me. "Don't flatter yourself," I retorted, raising my middle finger as a gesture of my disdain.

He responded, unfazed by my gesture, a smirk playing on his lips, "I'm quite skilled with my fingers, especially the middle one." His words held a suggestive undertone, and I could feel my patience waning. If he didn't back off soon, I might just have to kick him so hard that he'd become infertile.

"That's disgusting, and it's something I didn't need to know," I snapped, my irritation mounting.

"What? I was merely expressing my proficiency in typing. If you ever need assistance, you know who to call," he retorted, smirking mischievously.

"That makes absolutely no sense!" I exclaimed, exasperated.

"Whatever floats your boat, baby girl," he laughed, promptly making his escape from the kitchen before I could pounce on him.

"That idiot," I groaned, frustrated by his incessant teasing. Nova chuckled at my irritation while she washed her dishes in the sink. Returning to my seat, I resolved to finish the remainder of my cereal, hoping to satiate the hunger within me.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Nova inquired, "So, what are your plans for today?"

Shrugging noncommittally, I replied, "I don't know, maybe watch something on Netflix or delve into some medical research."

She nodded in understanding, her gaze filled with contemplation. "Why do you ask? Do you need something?" I inquired, proceeding to wash my dishes.

"No, I was simply wondering if you wanted to come and train with me," Nova revealed, her words hanging in the air.

My hands paused mid-action, suspended in the air as if frozen in time. Gradually, I continued the process of rinsing the dishes, maintaining an eerie silence. Drying my hands, I turned to face Nova, finding her deep in thought, her gaze fixed on me. I studied her in return, our eyes locked for what felt like an eternity, before finally nodding my head.

"You want me to come?" I asked, astonishment evident in my voice. She nods in response.

"I don't see a reason not to," I replied, shrugging outwardly, though inwardly my heart raced, threatening to burst out of my chest. Why was I suddenly so nervous? It's not like she asked me to engage in a physical altercation... right?

I voiced my uncertainty, seeking clarification, "I'll just be watching, right?"

A hint of a smile played on her lips as she reassured me, "You can join in and train too, if you want."

Shaking my head vehemently, I declined the offer, "No, thank you. I'll stick to being a spectator."

Chuckling at my reaction, she responded, "Okay, then you'll just be watching."

"Are we going now or later?" I inquired, eager to know the schedule for the day.

"Now. If I don't train while I still have the energy, I might never get to it," Nova replied, rising from her chair with a sense of purpose.

"Sounds logical," I laughed, amused by her candidness. "Give me five minutes to change, and we'll be on our way!" she called out, her voice fading as she left the kitchen, heading toward her room.

I nodded absentmindedly, even though I knew she was long gone, lost in my thoughts. Memories of the recent Ball flooded my mind, making their presence known in the forefront of my consciousness. My father's words echoed relentlessly in my head, digging deeper into my heart, leaving a profound ache.

"You're a werewolf, Skylar. You're a hybrid. They're not dead." Each phrase reverberated through my being, sending a surge of emotions coursing through me. I instinctively clutched my chest, attempting to alleviate the pain, taking deep breaths in a futile effort to find calm.

The room began to spin, and breathing became increasingly arduous. Desperately, I rested my head on the table, hoping the solid surface would anchor me and alleviate the dizziness, but it only intensified.

Suddenly, a pair of arms encircled my waist, and I found myself face-to-face with a solid chest. "It's okay," a soothing voice reassured me. "Look at me and take deep, steady breaths." Gentle hands cupped my face, guiding my attention toward the source of comfort.

"Inhale... exhale... inhale... exhale," the voice repeated, the cadence of the words matching the rhythm of my breath as it gradually steadied. Taking one final deep breath, I let out an awkward chuckle, grateful for the sudden reprieve.

"Thanks," I muttered, my gaze fixed on the person in front of me, their eyes reflecting relief tainted with a hint of wariness. "Are you sure you're okay?" they inquired, suspicion lingering in their voice.

Offering a reassuring smile, I nodded and replied, "Yeah, I'm fine now."

"Skylar, I'm done. Let's... Oh, hello, Alpha Blake," Nova interjected, her surprise evident at his sudden appearance.

In an instant, Blake's hands recoiled as if scorched, leaving me embarrassed, though fortunately, my warm brown skin prevented my face from displaying the full extent of my mortification.

"Are you done? Great, then let's go!" I said, seizing Nova's arm and hastily exiting the room without waiting for her response.

Nova pulled me to a halt in the middle of a hallway, thankfully far away from prying eyes. "Whoa, slow down. What's the rush?" she questioned, curiosity evident in her tone.

"It's nothing. I'm just excited to watch you train," I lied, my words failing to hide the real reason behind my haste.

Raising an eyebrow, she scrutinised me, fully aware that I hadn't spoken the truth. "It's nothing. Let's go," I said, resuming my brisk pace.

"Skye!" she called out.

I turned to face her, my expression questioning.

"You're going the wrong way," she pointed out, her voice filled with amusement.

"Oh," I replied lamely, the realisation of my mistake washing over me.

She laughed at my absentmindedness. "Just follow me," she said, leading the way. I trailed behind her as she guided me to an indoor gym within the pack house. The sight that greeted me was awe-inspiring—every exercise equipment one could imagine was meticulously arranged, transforming the room into a sanctuary for gym enthusiasts. Treadmills, stationary bicycles, punching bags, dumbbells, smith machines, and various other apparatuses filled the spacious area.

Observing the pack members immersed in their training duties, I couldn't help but remark, "Wow! This is quite the sight."

"I know, right?" Nova murmured, her gaze lingering on the male figures with beads of sweat trickling down their bodies.

I playfully nudged her, remarking, "Stop staring, or you'll start to creep people out."

She retorted, "You're the weird one for not staring."

"I possess something called self-control," I retorted.

"Yeah, right," she scoffed sarcastically, causing me to roll my eyes.

"I feel like punching something, so let's head over to the punching bags," Nova suggested, pointing to the far end of the room.

I nodded in agreement, trailing behind her as we made our way through the gym. My attention was caught by a particularly muscular guy struggling to bench press a heavy barbell, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. Concerned for his safety, I veered off course and headed toward him.

"Need some help?" I offered, my voice laced with genuine concern.

Startled, he glanced up at me, his face turning a shade of crimson. "Um... I... I think I'm good," he stammered, his gaze flickering between me and the barbell.

"Are you sure? It looks like you're having a bit of trouble," I persisted, extending a helping hand.

His eyes widened in panic, and he blurted, "I'm good, really!"

"Okay, suit yourself," I shrugged, unwilling to press the matter further. I rejoined Nova, who was now busy wrapping her hands with boxing wraps. She smirked knowingly, and I shot her a playful glare.

"Don't say a word," I warned, already anticipating her teasing.

"I didn't say anything," she replied innocently, though her eyes sparkled mischievously.

I glanced around the bustling room, taking in the sight of pack members diligently going about their training routines. It was a hive of activity, with the air filled with the clinking of weights, the whirring of treadmills, and the occasional thud of a punching bag. Curiosity piqued, I turned to Nova.

"Hey, Nova, why is the room so packed? Hasn't the pack meeting started yet?" I asked, my voice carrying a hint of confusion.

She paused for a moment, her eyes scanning the room before meeting my gaze. "The pack members who will be fighting the rogues are attending the meeting right now. Those who won't be joining the fight are required to continue training," she explained, her words laced with a sense of determination.

I furrowed my brow, trying to make sense of it all. "So, only these pack members won't be fighting the rogues?" I inquired, seeking further clarification.

Nova nodded in affirmation. "That's correct. The rest of the pack is training outside, focusing more on combat techniques," she replied, her voice filled with a tinge of respect for their dedication.

A thought struck me, and I couldn't help but voice it. "But why aren't all pack members taking part in the fight against the rogues?" I asked, a mix of curiosity and concern evident in my tone.

She leaned closer, her voice lowering slightly. "Skylar, this is the largest pack on the entire continent. We have an abundance of capable fighters. It's important to have pack members remaining behind to protect the pack house, tend to the injured, and care for those who are too young or elderly to engage in battle," she explained, providing me with a glimpse into the strategic considerations of their operations.

The revelation left me astonished. "Wait, you're saying Blake's pack is the biggest in the entire continent?" I exclaimed, my eyes widening in disbelief.

Nova nodded, her expression serious. "That's correct. In fact, his pack is not only the largest but also one of the most feared. Your dad's pack holds a similar reputation," she revealed, shocking me with the magnitude of their influence.

Feeling overwhelmed by the newfound knowledge, I decided to retreat to a quieter spot in the room, seeking solace in the cozy sitting area nestled in the corner. As I settled into a comfortable chair, I couldn't help but remark, "I think that's enough information for today. Any more, and my head might explode."

Nova chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Are you sure you don't want to join me for a workout?" she teased.

I shook my head, my lips curving into a smile. "Nah, I'm fine. Besides, I'm not exactly dressed for the occasion," I replied, glancing down at my attire, which was far from gym-appropriate.

She nodded understandingly. "Fair enough. I'll be done in about two hours, and then we can leave," she said, giving me a timeframe to plan around.

I arched an eyebrow playfully. "Well, if I get bored, I can't promise I'll stick around. I might just leave you here," I jested, feigning a nonchalant demeanor.

She chuckled, accepting the challenge. "Deal," she said, her laughter filling the room as we settled into a comfortable camaraderie.

I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Maybe spending the day at the pack house wouldn't be so bad after all.