Chapter 258

Instantly, as I moved through the portal, a searing pain tore through my body as if every nerve was set ablaze.

I cried out, my vision blurring as waves of dizziness washed over me.

It felt like an eternity before the agony began to subside, leaving me weak and disoriented.

My head throbbed and I held a hand to my temples, willing the pain to go away.

As the world slowly came back into focus, I found myself standing in a familiar looking room. It was the Ethereal Palace's training room.

How had I ended up here?

Liam appeared behind me, going through the portal with ease. His face showed zero signs of discomfort from the travel.

"How..." I began to question.

"You get used to it after a while," Liam noted, giving me a tight nod.

"No," I said, glancing around the room. Shock went through my body as I saw someone else in the room with us.

Prince Alexander stood before me, his expression grave yet compassionate.

"Hello, Shana." The Prince smiled at me, quirking his head to the side. "Are you feeling all right, dear? You appear to look a bit sick."

"How did we get here?"I asked, ignoring him. "I didn't know the portal could travel into rooms like this."

Liam stepped forward, his expression somber. "It's a more advanced form of portal travel, one that requires precision and control. We wanted to bring you directly to the training room to begin your lessons immediately."

I nodded slowly, trying to process the information.

The idea of traveling through portals into specific rooms was new to me, but it made sense considering the efficiency it offered. "Am I... going to remember this? Aren't you going to take my memory?"

Liam shook his head. "No, the King has advised that I let you grow used to the feeling of portal travel since you will be doing it often. It would be quite hard for you to adjust if I kept erasing your memory."

I was surprised by Liam's confession. Did that mean the King truly trusted me? Nobody was supposed to know about the portal's existence or how it operated.

Prince Alexander approached me, his demeanor gentle yet authoritative. "I assure you, Shana, you'll grow accustomed to the sensation with time. Portal travel can be disorienting at first, but your body will adapt."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "I'll... uh I'll do my best."

Prince Alexander offered me a reassuring smile before turning his attention to Liam. "Thanks for your help Liam, but we should begin her training immediately. Time is of the essence."

"How long will I be training for?" I questioned Alex.

Prince Alexander considered my question for a moment before responding, his voice calm and measured. "Training will be ongoing, Shana. There's much for you to learn, and it will take time to master your abilities fully. However, we'll start with the basics today and gradually progress as you become more proficient."

I nodded, a sense of determination settling within me. "I'm ready."

A small part of me was surprised that the Prince wasn't teasing me as much. Maybe he realized just how nervous about all of this I was.

With that, Liam left the room and Prince Alexander began to outline the day's training regimen. "Like I said, today we'll focus on the basics. I don't want to push you too far too fast."

Prince Alexander's words reassured me, and I appreciated his consideration for my well-being.

As Prince Alexander outlined the training regimen, I hung on to every word, eager to absorb every detail. I felt a mixture of anticipation and nervousness as I prepared myself for what lay ahead.

With a nod from the Prince, I slipped on the boxing mitts he handed me, the cool leather fitting snugly over my hands. Stepping up to the punching bag, I squared my shoulders, ready to follow his lead.

"Alright, Shana, let's start with some warmups," Prince Alexander instructed his voice firm but encouraging. "Focus on your form and technique."

As he guided me through the warmup routine, I followed his instructions diligently, throwing punches with precision and purpose.

With each strike, I felt a surge of energy coursing through me, the rhythmic thud of my fists against the bag echoing through the training room.

Alex watched me closely, his green eyes assessing my movements with a critical yet supportive gaze. "Good, Shana, but remember to keep your stance steady and your punches controlled. You want to conserve your energy for when it counts."

Nodding in understanding, I adjusted my stance, focusing on maintaining my balance and control with each punch.

"Don't be shy, Shana," he teased, holding up the pads for me to hit. "Give it your all."

"I am giving it my all," I replied, frustrated by his mocking tone.

Prince Alexander chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Come on now, White Wolf. I thought you were supposed to be the strongest wolf of all. Show me what you've got."

Gathering my resolve, I launched into a series of punches, putting all my strength behind each blow.

The impact reverberated through my arms, but I refused to let it show, determined to prove myself to the Prince.

"Is that all you got?" he questioned, fueling me to go harder and faster.

I nearly punched Alex in the face when he ordered me to stop. A chuckle fell over the room as he took a step back from me.

"Whoa, easy there, Shana," he exclaimed, taking a quick step back to avoid the potential collision.

A grin played at the corners of his lips as he observed me, amusement dancing in his eyes.

I froze, the momentum of my movements dissipating as I looked at him sheepishly, realizing how close I had come to accidentally hitting him.

"Sorry," I mumbled, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment. "I got a bit carried away."

Prince Alexander laughed, a hearty sound that filled the room with warmth. "No need to apologize, Shana. I appreciate the enthusiasm. But we wouldn't want any accidents during training."

"Are you sure it would be an accident if I punched you?" I questioned, tilting my head to the side.

The Prince's smile only grew. "Did I tell you that I missed you?"

"It's only been a day."

"A day too long," he commented, his smile now permanent.

I couldn't help but chuckle at his remark, feeling a sense of ease wash over me in his presence.

Despite the challenges of training and the uncertainty of what was to come, being with Prince Alexander felt oddly comforting.

"Well, lucky for you, I'm back now," I replied, unable to suppress a grin of my own.

"Indeed," he said with a nod, his gaze softening as he regarded me. "And I must say, you're showing remarkable progress already. Your dedication to your training is commendable."

I felt a swell of pride at his praise, grateful for his encouragement. "Thanks, Alex. I'm doing my best."

"Good, good," he encouraged, nodding approvingly. "But remember, it's not just about strength. It's about technique and precision."

"I'll keep that in mind," I replied, shooting him a wry smile. "But I make no promises about holding back."

Prince Alexander laughed, his laughter echoing through the training room. "That's what I like to hear, Shana. A little fire goes a long way in this line of work. Now show me what else you've got."