Free Web NovelChapter 79: Brutal Training II
"Come on, Harper," Elijah cheered from my side. "Just one more and you’re done."
Nineteen.
I had completed nineteen out of twenty of Damon’s hellish laps around the field. It was a miracle I had even made it this far― if it were me of the past, I would’ve probably been knocked out cold by the fifth round or so, even at the peak of my physical health.
Elijah — and the rest of the wolves present at the training session — had completed their rounds long ago. By the time I was on my tenth round, Elijah had already completed his. He ran an additional nine rounds just to make sure I wouldn’t die midway through. Even so, he didn’t seem to even be breaking a sweat.
"I think I’m about to hurl," I said. "Is this why Damon advised against getting breakfast before coming here? I thought I should at least eat before exercising."
Elijah grimaced. "Let’s just say that it’s rather difficult to clear up bile and vomit from the training grounds," he said. "Do you need water? I can bring you a bottle―"
He cut himself off abruptly, his pace slowing down to linger a step or so behind me. Elijah seemed deep in thought, his eyebrows furrowed as he pursed his lips.
I sighed. "What is it? What did the commander from hell want?"
"I need to go," he answered sheepishly, jogging a little faster to close the distance between us before keeping at the same pace. "You’re taking a little too long and the trainees need to move on to the next segment. Alpha Damon requested I take over the training session for them."
"Requested," I repeated the word, disliking the way it tasted on my tongue. "More like ordered."
"Nothing I can do about that either way," Elijah said with a shrug. "The alpha will personally take over your training session." He winked, giving me a thumbs up. "You will be in safe hands."
"That’s the exact opposite of how I would describe my current situation," I grumbled under my breath.
If Elijah had heard me — and there was no doubt that he did, considering his sharp hearing — he didn’t react. He simply increased his speed and darted off, running over to the group of werewolves who were waiting for him. As soon as he came over, they gathered and moved to a different side of the training area, moving on with their program.
As for me, at the end of my torturous final round, Damon was already waiting for me with a towel and a bottle of water in hand. He held them out to me, to which I took with a soft grumble of thanks.
"Don’t chug," he said as I gulped the water down as though I had been trudging through the desert for months before this.
Water dribbled down from the corners of my lips. Once I was done, I let out a satisfying sigh before using the towel to dab at my forehead and neck.
"What else have you got?" I asked, feeling rejuvenated from that quick drink. "This can’t be the only exercise you’ll have me do, right?"
"Of course not," Damon replied with a scoff. "Your strength seems much better than when you first arrived at Fangborne. However, against the average werewolf, you’re still weak."
This time, it was my turn to scoff. I huffed, blowing at the stray strand of hair that had slipped out of my ponytail and fallen over my eyes.
"What do you suggest, then?"
"To play dirty," Damon said. "Catch."
I dropped the empty plastic bottle onto the ground just in time to catch whatever it was Damon had thrown at me. It was much heavier than I had predicted and I lurched forward a little due to the weight. However, as Damon said, I was much stronger than before― it might have some weight to them but they weren’t enough for me to tire out easily just by carrying them.
Flipping them around, I had to take my time to examine what it was that I held in my hands. I couldn’t tell what they were exactly but I could at least come to the conclusion that it must be some sort of weapon.
"Press this," Damon said.
He flicked up a small hidden switch that I hadn’t noticed and out sprang more of the material. It extended itself until it became a long rod, one which I estimated would be taller than me if I had positioned it vertically. It was surprisingly lighter than it looked, now that it was fully extended.
He explained, noting my confusion, "It’s a weapon that you can use in a fight." freewёbnoνel.com
There was a faint buzz that originated from the material, vibrating against my skin. However, it wasn’t uncomfortable, just weird.
"They’re made from a mix of various ingredients, mainly metal," he continued. "Silver is incorporated into the material so that you will do more damage against werewolves and certain other supernatural creatures. Thus, you shouldn’t bring it around unless necessary."
When Damon’s fingers released the weapon, the tips of his fingers were a little red. It had most likely reacted with the silver in the weapon but the concentration wasn’t enough to deal sustaining damage since he barely touched it. He rubbed his fingers together as though dusting them and after a few seconds, the red faded.
"Silver..."
"It shouldn’t hurt you as much as it would ordinary werewolves," Damon said. "According to Nicole, your body has some form of resistance against silver. Not much, but enough to use the advantage to set the distance between you and your opponent."
I tested the weight of the weapons in my hands.
"I’ve never heard of werewolves using weapons," I commented with slight amusement.
"You have no claws to aid you in times of need," Damon said, his voice a little soft.
I looked up. Was that sadness I detected? Whatever it was, he quickly obscured it, replacing it with a cool, stoic expression.
"This will hopefully help you until then."
My lips twitched. "Not ’if’?"
"You and I both know that your newfound strength comes from your wolf," he said. "It’s only a matter of time before you unlock your full potential."
