The Ember In The Dark novel Chapter 16

I woke up feeling like shit. My body hurt all over, extremely sore from shifting for the first time. I groaned loudly.

"Some of us are still trying to sleep." Ash said cranky.

I forgot we slept in the same bed last night.

"Sorry, princess. Better not mess with that beauty sleep." I said sarcastically. "Don't mind me. I'll just die silently over here."

"You're not being very silent." He deadpanned and I threw a pillow at his face.

His eyes slit open and he smiled that cheeky smile of his. Never cranky for long, this one.

"Alright alright. What's wrong?" He asked.

"I feel like I got run over by 3 semis, repeatedly." I sighed.

"Oh yeah. Your body is pretty sore after your first shift. I'll do for you what mom did for me."

He sat up on the bed real serious all of a sudden. He slapped his hands together, rubbing them fast until they began to glow, then he placed them on me. A quick shock flew through me and it was like my body was better than before. Like I was just given an adrenaline shot that also healed my body.

"Well damn." I chuckled. "Thanks."

"No problem. Let's go eat and train. I heard Charles say it's combat training today. Your area of expertise. I bet with your wolf you'll be able to beat everyone." Ash smiled proudly at me. He liked underdog moments and that's all I've ever been, an underdog.

"Can't wait." I smiled.

I could use an outlet after last night. I still feel so pent up after my kiss with Toni. Just thinking about it had my body tingling.

Ash and I ate quickly as we were running a bit late. Not a great start. Charles is gonna chew us out.

We ran out toward the field in the back. Charles was training intermediate fighters while the beta trained the beginners. I waved at Gabe as we ran towards Charles, he gave me a small shake of the head.

"Why are you late?" Charles' loud voice called.

"Sorry alpha. It's my fault. I was a bit sore this morning." Charles' face softened at my words, some sympathy in his eyes.

"Get in place. You'll be the first to spar with each other as punishment."

Ash and I took our place in the front. I got a tingling on the side of my face. Toni was watching me. I could feel it. He's somewhere in this crowd of intermediate fighters. I didn't look around though. I don't want to lose focus.

"Today is test day. I'll be ranking you all. I've set up brackets. As you can see my pups have joined us. They won't get any special treatment. They must reach the top on their own. As punishment they will spar each other in front of you all. Study their moves and learn before we start our test." Charles directed everyone in his alpha voice. Real authoritarian this one. "Ash, Ember, come on up." He called us.

"20 bucks says I win this time." Ash whispered to me as we made our way to the center mat.

"You're on. No, 'I owe yous' either." I smiled at him.

"Take your places." Charles barked and we hurried to our sides. "Commence." He yelled.

Ash lunged at me the second the last syllable left Charles' mouth. He was always so fast, but he seemed slower now that I had my wolf. Ash went to grab me, but I spun gracefully out of the way. I was like a dancer twirling around Ash as he tried to grab me.

He punched and I dodged, pushing his forearm with my own and twisting my body around him. I landed a blow to his stomach and spun out of the way before he grabbed me. I toyed with him a bit as I laid against his back.

"Come on brother. A little faster." I mocked and he growled at me.

"No problem sister." He gave me that wicked smile before he kicked me in the side.

The wind was knocked out of me, but I recovered before he landed another blow. Our speed was reaching speeds neither of us had ever gone before. I felt like everyone around us was blurring.

Ash went to punch my face, but I caught it and landed a kick on his chest. He took a couple steps back, preventing himself from falling.

"That's enough." Charles called out. "Don't want to tire you out before the real test."

Ash and I stared at each other breathless for a moment, a fighting aura still encasing us. Ash stood straight, pulling down the hem of his shirt, fixing it. I stood straight, following him back to our spots.

"Guess it's a draw." I whispered to him.

"Are you kidding? I owe you $20. You were kicking my ass, Ember. I'm tired." He snorted.

Did I really tire him out that much?