Chapter 9 Balance and Focus
1830 Words
Chapter 9
Balance and Focus
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Louise
The crisp autumn breeze had grown cooler by the time Mum and I drove onto the main street of our little town, fondly named Mist, with a population of 1,500. It was nestled snugly between the city limits, where St Jane’s Hospital and Our Lady of Souls High were stationed, and our pack’s borders, where surrounding packs occupied their lands. It wasn’t hard to blink and miss the turnoff on the freeway, but that was how we liked it. Either it was magic or luck, but it was unusual that non-pack members found it without an invitation. The packhouse stood in the centre of it all, brilliant and intimidating.
We pulled up at our little white weatherboard house when Mum’s watch chimed, signalling it was time for her to leave for work. She glanced at it and then back at me as I backed out of the car. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, I need to go…”
“I understand…” I sighed, closing the car door between us. In the distance, clouds began to cluster, threatening a rainstorm tonight. My chest still ached from the confrontation with Joseph. Each time I blinked, I saw his wolf-black eyes staring back at me and heard his tormenting words.
Mum wound the window down and called over to me. “I’m really sorry I have to leave, sweetheart.” She blew me a kiss. “One of the other secretaries came down with the flu a few days ago, and I’m covering her shifts… The downfalls of working with humans. I’ll be home early tonight. Pancakes are on the bench, and a casserole is in the fridge for dinner. Make sure you eat it.”
“Thanks, Mum,” I waved at her as she backed out of the driveway.
Once she was gone, I strolled back inside and over to the kitchen bench. Mum wasn’t kidding. There were two plates stacked high with fluffy pancakes, and she had laid out all the usual toppings. My stomach churned at the sight, but I knew I needed something. I took the closest plate over to the oak kitchen table and slid into the first chair. The entire house was silent. It did nothing to help drive the thoughts of Joseph from my mind.
I cut into the huge stack and held the fork to my mouth. The sweet scent made my stomach heave. Gagging, I dropped the fork back onto the plate and pushed myself away from the table. I can’t eat! I glanced around our cosy kitchen and dining room, and my eyes travelled to the clock above the hallway entrance that led to the three small bedrooms and bathroom. It was 3.30 in the afternoon, and pack training was about to start.
Sighing, I clambered to my feet and headed to my room at the end of the hallway. My mind had been made up. I’m going to train!
Once I had changed into grey sweatpants, a black singlet, and my favourite sneakers, I hurried out of the house. Raine and Jo stood at the end of the driveway, almost predicting I would be there.
“Louise,” Raine called as she hurried up to me. She grabbed my arm and pulled me to a stop. “You weren’t at school… We were worried… What happened?”
“We thought someone had kidnapped you…” Jo added.
“Kidnapped a werewolf?” I snorted a laugh. “That’s not something I have ever heard.”
“It’s possible,” she shrugged. “And you’re not in the best physical state…” Her eyes landed on the scar now visible from where Mum had held me. “What happened?”
“That was Mum… I mean Jewel…” I said, rubbing at it. “She held me back when Joseph… Well, you know…”
They nodded.
“So why did you leave school?” Raine asked.
I hugged myself, fighting off the tears. “It was Joseph… he… We had another heated conversation at school.”
“Are you serious?” Raine gulped, pulling me closer to her. “You need to tell us everything… but first…” she gestured before us. “Where are we going?”
“I’m going training…”
They both looked at me exasperated and shook their heads.
Jo frowned. “You sure that’s wise?”
I stepped out of my driveway, towing Raine along with me. “Wise or not, I need to do something.”
“We’re coming with you…” They echoed in unison.
By the time we reached the battlegrounds behind Gamma Archie’s cottage, they were both reeling from everything I had told them about the confrontation with Joseph. Well, nearly everything.
“I think I need to get drinks,” Jo said, pointing at the Esky the warriors brought out for each training session. It was stored under a tree across the other side of the field. “I won’t be long…”
“I’ll stay with Louise,” Raine insisted, still shaking her head. She turned to me. “Did he really say that?”
“Yes,” I closed my eyes, sucked in a deep breath and stretched my arms above me. I could hear the panting breaths of men and women training. Joseph’s face flashed behind my eyes. Why won’t he leave me alone? I opened my eyes again.
Raine stood before me. “What a horrible thing to do!” She huffed, kicking her feet out from under her and dropping back onto the bench. “He insulted you in the worst way possible!” She rubbed her forehead. “And here I thought our future Alpha would be kind, like his father. How wrong I was. I can’t believe he would do that…”
“He’s no Alpha of mine…” I huffed, shaking off my arms. My shoulder still ached.
“Louise?” She asked, eying me curiously.
“Hmm?” I replied, twisting myself left and then right.
“What else did he do?” She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her gaze on me. “Did he hurt you…?”
“He—” I started and then stopped and shut my mouth. I thought for a moment, chewing on my bottom lip. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her – or Jo about his admission… mate! He had only used it to torment me, hadn’t he? So, what was the use in upsetting my friends with that? And then there was the kiss! No, it meant nothing! I shook the thought from my head. “No, he didn’t…”
Her eyes darkened. Either she could sense the lie or my apprehension. “What did he do to you, Louise?”
“Nothing…” I lied again as I pushed myself away from the bench. A slow, deep ache was forming across my abdomen. “I’m just sore… And as you mentioned earlier… My strength isn’t how it used to be.”
Raine seemed happy enough with that response. She crossed one leg over the other and leaned back in the seat. “I’m surprised your mum let you out to train after the big news you were given this morning…” She turned her head in my direction. “Have you eaten today?”
“Does a quarter of a pretzel count?” I shrugged and laughed simultaneously. “And Mum doesn’t know I’m here…”
With a scowl, Raine shook her head. “Please tell me you’re joking…”
“It will be okay,” wincing, I grasped my waist, attempting to make the ache look like a stitch. “I’ll be fine…”
“You shouldn’t be overdoing it!” She argued, glancing up at me with the dark shadow of worry tainting her eyes. “You don’t want to end up in the hospital.”
“I won’t…” I stretched my left leg to the side and followed with my right. “I can’t sit back and twiddle my fingers. I need to keep active… And light training should be fine…”
“Seriously, Louise,” she shook her head, and her eyes softened. “You should be resting...”
“I’m fine… Nothing hurts…” I lied, ignoring the spreading cramp. “I promise...”
“Don’t try to act tough with me!” Raine chastised. She stood, hooking her hand on her hip. “Look, you need to start caring for yourself. This is a big deal. When Jo returns with our drinks, she will back me up.” She lowered her head, and her shoulder sagged. “Besides, I want my best friend to be here once it’s over.”
“Seriously, Raine, did you have to make me cry?” I sniffled, wiping a tear from my eye. “I’ve done enough of that today!”
She smiled softly. “I love you like a sister, Louise. Both Jo and I do. So, promise me... promise us you will look after yourself!”
“Fine… When I get home, I’ll eat some leftovers.”
She eyed me sideways. “And?”
“And…” I rolled my eyes. “I will take this session fifty per cent easier.” I hugged her. “I need to do a little run and some focus and balance training, and I promise I’ll be done for the day...”
“At least sixty per cent easier… And eww...” Screwing up her nose, she pushed me back. “How are you already sweaty?”
“Talent, I guess,” I winked at her, then jogged onto the outside of the battlegrounds, hoping she didn’t notice the pain in my eyes.
Most of the Delta warriors on the battlegrounds had recently come of age, with a couple of pro-warriors, Omegas and Betas dotted amongst them. In each session, they advocated a fresh warrior to a well-versed warrior. Last month, I did a focused and balanced training round with Omega warrior Lilly Peters. It consisted of – focus, balance and concentration. It wasn’t highly physical, but with cramping on top, it turned into a workout. I was the smallest on the field today, but no one knew my condition or cared. For warriors, it was – fight, train, fight, eat, sleep, and repeat.
“Good to see you back, Louise..” Lilly Peters called out when she spotted me. She wore her usual black shorts and a sports shirt, with a navy cap on backwards over a long brown ponytail. “We’ve missed seeing you around.”
“Glad to be back…” I called to her.
She watched as I headed over to the far side of the field, then turned back to the Omega she was training. Once her attention was off me, I clutched at my side and caught my breath. I can do this!
- Writer
