The Ember In The Dark novel Chapter 21

"I was beginning to think you had died on the way here." Ash joked as I took my seat next to him.

Toni had left to work on some beta training duties. I need to tell Charles that Toni is my mate, but I worry for Toni when I do. I honestly need to tell all my parents. I sighed thinking about how that conversation will go.

Ash and I finished breakfast together and then had private training with Charles. Charles had both of us train in wolf form. He's trying to build Talia and my stamina. It's harder for me to fight in wolf form. There's a disconnection between the way I want to fight and the way she fights. We're not used to one another still.

'You need to be in wolf form as often as possible. You need to get used to one another. You're fighting worse than the pups that just got their wolf.' Charles linked me.

It hurt to hear, but I knew he was right. Talia and I need to bond. We don't have the same bond as everyone else. She feels close to me since she could feel me over the years. I however feel very odd around her. I don't know how to be myself. I think my sense of self needs to change entirely.

Charles had me in wolf form for 8 hours before having me shift back. My body felt so exhausted and sore. My legs were hurting so bad they were shaking. Charles wasn't trying to be mean, but he was driving me hard. He wants Talia in better shape and quickly.

It was 4 now which gave me about 3 hours to get healed, talk to all my parents and get ready for the date. As excited as I am, I am feeling more and more nervous.

"Let me heal you." Ash said, as he watched me struggle to walk to the pack house.

"Yes, please." I leaned against him, feeling the warmth of his magic pass through me.

"He's being too harsh." Ash was mad.

"He's right though, Ash. I need to get better with Talia and the only way to do that is to be in wolf form for as long as I can." Ash sighed at my words.

"Still." He pouted.

"I'm fine, as long as you're here to heal me after." I smiled at him, patting his large shoulder. "Also I'm about to call a parent meeting and tell them all about Toni. Can you come and support me?" Ash gave me the biggest smile.

"About time! Yes I will totally be there." He sounded so excited.

"Great cause I have a date with Toni."

Ash wrapped his arms around mine, picking me up and squeezing me tight. He was so happy for me.

"This is great!"

I think it dawned on us both at the same moment, that this was it. This was the moment we would start seeing less of each other. A sad air fell about us as we walked arm in arm to the pack house. Ash has always been by my side. My great protector and best friend. I know he'll always be there for me, but knowing we won't be around each other as much is depressing.

"Enough of this sadness. You're going on your first real date. We should be happy right now." Ash shook my shoulders as if to shake the sadness out of me.

It made me smile for the most part. There was still a bittersweet feeling in my heart, but I pushed past it. I called everyone and asked them to meet in Charles' office now. They were all concerned and asked questions, but I told them all to wait till they got here.

"They'll be here soon." I told Ash.

"You can do this!" He encouraged me.