Meredith.
"You have to start combat classes as soon as your swimming lessons are over. And before then, you will build a good relationship with Draven and get him on our side."
I quickly glanced at Azul and Kira, told them I’d heard them and quickly excused myself.
I went into my bedroom and got on the bed to speak to my wolf.
"Why do we need Draven to be on our side?"
"Because you are such a weakling who only has strength in her mouth. And one day, you are going to get us killed because I won’t be able to protect you!"
Valmora sounded very furious with me, and it was understandable.
But she could have explained gently instead of scolding me.
"Draven isn’t the only good warrior out here. I actually prefer Dennis teaching me to him. He is so impatient and rude."
I tried to reason with my wolf, but she was even angrier than before.
"Little girl, don’t test my patience with your deductions. Do as I said," she ordered through gnashed teeth. "The only male you should have a close relationship with is our mate. He is very important to us. Do you understand, Meredith?"
My wolf called me a little girl, and she spoke so mercilessly to me as if I were her servant.
I need to question Azul and the others about what it feels like to have a wolf and what their relationship is like.
Because I feel so strongly in my spirit that what I have is beyond the normal wolf others have always mentioned.
"I understand." Though I said that to her, I was already reaching for that history book.
I have to complete my research before I can trash out the many questions wrapped around my brain.
I read more about the war centuries ago until it was time for my driving lessons with Dennis.
In today’s lessons, Dennis was teaching me how to park a car, and it wasn’t going well.
The only thing harder than figuring out how to operate my new phone was trying to park a car without killing a tree, a pedestrian, or his patience.
"Okay," Dennis said, arms folded as he stood by the car, watching me through the windshield with all the patience in the world—too much, actually. "Slowly... now ease the steering to the right. No—your other right!"
"I don’t have two rights!" I snapped from inside the car, trying to remember which way I was supposed to be turning while reversing. The tires made a pitiful skid against the gravel.
I stopped the car. Again. Third attempt.
Dennis didn’t say anything at first. I saw him drag a hand over his face.
I rolled the window down. "How bad is it?"
"Let’s just say if we were in a real parking lot, someone’s fancy car would be crying right now."
I groaned and leaned my forehead on the wheel.
"I told you I can’t do this," I muttered.
"You can," Dennis said. And I heard him walking around the car. A moment later, the passenger door opened and he slipped in beside me, bringing with him a faint scent of aftershave and roasted groundnuts.
He reached across and gently tugged my hand from where it was clutching the gear stick. "You just need practice. Reversing into a tight spot is tricky. Even good drivers get this wrong."
"You’re just saying that so I won’t give up."
"I’m saying that," he said, glancing at me with a teasing smile, "because I still value my life and don’t want to be your fourth bumper casualty."
That earned him a narrow-eyed glare from me, which only made him laugh harder.
"I mean it," he added more gently this time. "You did great today. Better than yesterday, given the technicality of today’s lessons. But parking... parking takes time. We will get there eventually"
I stared out the windshield at the crooked angle of the car, its nose way too close to a rosebush, and its rear looking like it was attempting a modern art sculpture with the driveway. "It’s horrible."
"It’s not great," he agreed, far too cheerfully. "But you didn’t crash. So, I call it progress."
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the small laugh that slipped out. "Fine. You win."
"Always."
He leaned back in the seat, hands behind his head like he hadn’t just spent the last twenty minutes risking his life beside a barely competent driver.
"Same time tomorrow?" he asked.
I nodded and sighed. "Sure... if you’re still alive by then."
Dennis chuckled and opened the car door. "Just remember, Meredith... three things matter when parking: confidence, calm, and not listening to your instincts when they tell you to turn the steering wheel the wrong way."
I followed him out of the car, giving it one last look like it had personally offended me.
"Thanks, Dennis," I said softly.
Best friend?
Wanda came rushing out of the main entrance, faster than I thought her pride would allow. And then, she hugged him with both arms.
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