Cara’s POV
“Wake up, white-haired lady!” Emma’s voice chimed, too loud for the early morning, echoing through the small space.
The sound of the door barging open, forced me to wake up from my restless sleep, my brain took a little longer for me to realise that it was already morning. My mind cleared looking at the two smiling familiar figures that had barged into my room. filling the room with their usual energy.
I groaned, burying my face in the blankets in frustration, I didn’t want to meet anyone, not after the shocking secret that their brothers told me that they were Rogues. I felt bad and wronged, though I can’t justify my feelings.
“Couldn’t you two knock, just once?”
“You’re always hiding away in here,” Emma whined, bouncing onto my bed with enough force to jostle me. “We’re not taking no for an answer today.”
I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head. “training? I thought I was a guest here. You know, resting.”
Emily rolled her eyes. “A guest? Please. You’ve been lounging long enough. Besides, we need to see what you’re made of.”
“Why do I feel like you two are plotting something?” I asked, my voice muffled under the covers.
No tricks this time,” Emily promised, . ” every pack member trains regularly, You need to learn how to defend yourself properly. Besides, it’ll be fun!”
Emma giggled. “Well, maybe we are. Or maybe we just want to spend some quality time with our new friend.”
I peeked out from the blanket, raising an eyebrow at her. Friend? That wasn’t a word I heard often, but the sincerity in her voice caught me off guard. Begrudgingly, I sat up.
I looked up at them, squinting suspiciously. “What is it this time?”
Emily smirked, crossing her arms over her chest. “We’re dragging you out for some training, and we are not taking nonfor an answer.”
“Your brother sent you, didn’t he?” I narrowed my eyes, accusing them.
Last night’s conversation with Alpha Alexander flashed in my mind. Rogues. I still couldn’t quite wrap my mind around it, why hadn’t they told me sooner? A sense of betrayal gnawed at me, but looking at the two girls’ bright faces, I understood why they would hide such information from me. Why should they trust me?
“Maybe,” Emily admitted, shrugging. “But we want you to come too. Please?”
Emma gave me a pleading look, her eyes wide and innocent. Despite myself, I felt the corners of my lips twitch. “Alright,” I sighed, finally relenting. “Lead the way.”
********
The pack’s training grounds were nestled deep within the forest, hidden among the towering trees and thick underbrush. As we arrived, I noticed how empty it seemed, with only a few warriors scattered about, sharpening their blades or practising their strikes.
“Where is everyone?” I asked, glancing around.
“They’re getting ready for the bonfire tonight,” Emma explained cheerfully. “It’s a big deal for our pack, so everyone is busy. dont worry you’ll see later.”
We moved to an open area at the edge of the training grounds. “We’ll start you off with the basics,” Emily began, her tone more serious than I’d ever heard. “It’s important that you know how to protect yourself.”
“Don’t worry,” Emma added with a grin. “We won’t go easy on you.”
I rolled my eyes but took my stance, ready to face whatever they had in store. They began with simple drills, footwork, dodging, and basic strikes. I tried to keep up, but it was harder than I thought. Their movements were quick, precise, and unlike any training I had experienced back in Brian’s pack.
“Focus on your feet,” Emily instructed, moving behind me to adjust my stance. “It’s not just about strength, it’s about balance and agility.”
I stumbled a few times, frustration bubbling up as I failed to execute even the simplest moves. “I know how to fight,” I muttered under my breath, more to myself than to them.
“But you’ve never fought like us,” Emma said, winking. “Give it time. You’ll get it.”
For the rest of the day, they guided me through the exercises, their patience never waning even when I made mistake after mistake. It was exhausting, both physically and mentally, but they never let me quit. And despite my initial reluctance, I found myself learning, slowly but surely.
As the days passed, I started to get the hang of it. My movements became more fluid, and I began to understand the pattern of their techniques.
Emma showed me how to track better, reading the smallest signs in the forest floor that even seasoned hunters might miss. Emily, meanwhile, explained how to make use of the forest’s natural resources, like medicinal herbs to heal fleshy wounds, but I refused to show them that I was already versed with the act of healing, right from birth. Debby says it’s because I am a cupbearer, but that was her own thoughts.
The more I trained with them, the more I realized just how skilled they truly were. Beneath their playful exteriors, Emma and Emily were warriors, dedicated to their pack and its survival. They had earned
In one of the lighter moments, we stopped to rest under a massive oak tree. Emma, always full of energy, challenged me to a friendly competition, who could climb the tree the fastest.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered, looking up at the towering branches.
“Oh, come on, Cara!” she grinned. “You’ve got to loosen up sometime. It’s all part of the training.”
Emily rolled her eyes but smiled. “Don’t let her pressure you. She’s just trying to show off.”
Against my better judgement, I decided to play along. Before I knew it, we were racing up the tree, laughing as we scrambled for handholds. It was ridiculous and completely unnecessary, but for the first time in a long time, I felt a strange lightness in my chest. I laughed, a real, genuine laugh.
Emma reached the top first, naturally, and sat triumphantly on a sturdy branch. “Told you! I’m unbeatable!”
I shook my head, settling next to her with Emily just behind us. As we looked out over the training grounds, a comfortable silence fell between us. The pack below was still hard at work, but up here, among the treetops, everything felt peaceful.
“You know,” Emma began, her voice softer than usual, “we tease you a lot, but we’re glad you’re here.”
Emily nodded. “You’re not like the others who come through here. There’s something different about you.”
I frowned, unsure of what to say. “Different? How?”
“You don’t act like you’re better than anyone else. You don’t push people around. You listen. That’s rare.” Emma’s grin was back, but it was softer, more genuine this time. “Plus, you’re kind of fun once you stop scowling so much.”
I chuckled, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease just a little more. “Thanks, I think.”
For the first time, I felt like I was more than just a stranger passing through. Maybe I was starting to belong.