Chapter 15

Elena’s POV

King Harvey sighs heavily as he looks at me. I know he is wondering if I can handle his werewolf training.

“This is not a joke, King Harvey.”

King Harvey frowns. “You might get hurt, Elena. I do not want that for you.”

“I know…” I take a deep breath, but my heart beats violently. I want to prove myself desperately.

King Harvey leans into me and squeezes the limp flesh on my arm. “Your strength and stamina are poor, Elena… but we can start with running. If you can run ten kilometers with a five-pound bag in 45 minutes, I will consider formally teaching you how to fight.”

My eyes widen at his words.

This is a daunting task for someone who has never exercised before.

“I would like to try, King Harvey…” I whisper softly.

He nods, then guides me to my room. He leans in and kisses me on the cheek again, making my knees weak and leaves me.

I go to sleep.

The next day, I found myself at the werewolf training ground. The werewolves are training on orange gravel ground, they all take pause and stare at me. It is fenced in, with metal racks filled with weapons.

Around the fence is a red running track.

King Harvey rushes over to me after giving them a few commands. They all get in formation with spears and begin to move in motion.

I swallow dryly as my fears begin to bubble up. I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of everyone, especially King Harvey.

He lifts my arms and wraps a sandbag around my waist. “You will be fine, Elena. Do your best.” King Harvey whispers to me, then motions for me to start running.

I hear the collective of werewolves’ gasps when they see me running around the track with the sandbag around my waist. Lap after lap, between my stinging legs and their comments I find myself feeling extremely defeated.

After an eternity, I am ready to fall flat on my face. Sweat drenches my clothes and face, I feel as if the sandbags tied to my waist weigh a thousand pounds.

As the werewolves look at me panting, they pant with me, mocking me.

I start to hear them commenting on me.

“She is such poor physical health!”

Another werewolf snarls. “She has never been trained; she can’t finish this run in 45 minutes!”

Grinding my teeth at their heckling and laughter, I push myself forward with every burning step.

One lap.

Two laps.

Ten laps…. My lungs are now as effective as shredded paper.

“She is insane! Why is she still running?” The werewolf that said that runs up to the chain link fence in pure shock.

Eventually, I feel that the scenery on either side of me becomes nothing more than blurs. My body is no longer mine as I keep pushing myself. I am a machine now.

“Oh my!! Ten kilometers, she really finished!” The same shocked werewolf exclaims as I tumble to my knees at the start line.

All I feel is my blood burning and rushing through my body. My muscles pound and itch as I catach my breath desperately. The air is so thin. My head aches.

Am I really done? Did I really do ten kilometers?

With a final exhale, I fall backwards as my vision blurs. My back doesn’t meet the track, instead two warm massive hands cradle my back.

King Harvey is holding me.

He stands above me and pulls me into his chest for a bear hug.

“You did great!” King Harvey whispers in my ear as he holds me.

The werewolves have stopped training and surround us. I feel uncomfortable and find myself momentarily burying my face in King Harvey’s chest for some peace.

My strength leaves me, and I fall forward in my exhaustion.

King Harvey pulls me to his chest and protectively holds me in his arms, protecting me from the world.

I don’t have the strength or courage to look back and up to see King Harvey’s face.

Staring ahead of me at the sky, I exhale. “How long have I been running, King Harvey?” I ask, my fears overwhelming me.

“An hour and 15 minutes.” He replies with pride.

“She did it!”

“Look at her! She did it! She finished the track!”

“I can’t believe she did it!”

The werewolves chorus as they look at us.

I am a bit disappointed at my time. One hour and 15 minutes. I am very far away from the time King Harvey asked of me. He doesn’t believe I am a failure. I feel that I am one.

I did my very best.

I can’t help my disappointment with myself taking hold of me. I want to sit and weep but I know how foolish it would look. I am fully aware I am nothing more than a human compared to all these werewolves that train around me.

My heart pounds as I think of asking King Harvey what he thinks of me, I would bet my life he thinks I am nothing more than a foolish woman and failure.

I place my face in my hands and force myself to think of my sister Emily instead, she would be proud of me for trying and doing this despite having no training or exercise experience.

I know the Beta in the pack would effortlessly run tens of kilometers every day with a load of 30 catties.

I could never do that. Are humans even capable of that?

I can’t believe that that weight slowed me down so much. I can’t believe how weak I am as a human. I really thought I would be under an hour at the least.

I am constantly on my feet taking care of all the werewolves, so I thought my stamina would have been better.

My mood continues to sink as I run through all my thoughts.

Exhaling, I have no words left to think or say. This was so embarrassing! All those werewolves staring at me and heckling me. King Harvey saw the whole thing…

How could he want me to be his wife and luna? I have no stamina, what does that say about me?

Could I keep up with King Harvey? Between him being a werewolf and helping him by being his luna could I do all that he needs? Will the werewolves take me seriously, ever?

I need to take myself seriously, but I can’t even finish a run when asked of me.

What else can I say or do?

How can I redeem myself? Is there any way I can redeem myself?

My whole body locks up between my stress and agony I went through with this run.

Is there anything I can do or say? I have done my best, but that was not enough.

I sigh shakily, fighting bitter tears of disappointment.

Now, with no hope for myself left, I rest my head on King Harvey’s chest.

The irony doesn’t escape me.

King Harvey is holding me; this is the man that has given me a new life and kindness that I don’t deserve.

He is kind to me despite my failures and flaws.

There is no way to make up for this pure embarrassment.

I don’t want the werewolves to look down on him now or ever. Maybe it is best I just leave?

I sigh, unsure of what to say do or think. My mind is spinning, and I am drowning in my sorrows. What else can I say or do at this point?

King Harvey suddenly clears his throat, making me glance up at him.

“Elena.”

His booming voice fills my ears and heart with something like hope.

What is going to happen now?