Chapter 743: The Dance of Wolves and the Weight of Defeat
Chapter 742: The Dance of Wolves and the Weight of Defeat
The white wolf lunged again, her powerful legs propelling her forward in a burst of speed that sent snow spraying behind her. The dark wolf met her head-on, their bodies colliding with a muffled thud that echoed through the clearing. They tumbled together in a blur of white and silver, snow exploding around them.
Neoma was moving on instinct, her body responding to the fight in a way that felt both foreign and familiar. It had been so long since she’d been free like this, since she’d felt the earth beneath her paws and the wind in her fur. The sensation was intoxicating, and she let herself be carried by it, her movements fluid and powerful.
But Noctis was older, more experienced. He’d been fighting for years, and it showed in the way he moved. Every step was deliberate, every feint calculated. He read her movements before she made them, anticipating her attacks and countering them with ease.
He sidestepped her next lunge, his massive body twisting freely. She stumbled, her claws digging into the snow to catch her balance, and he used the moment to his advantage. His shoulder slammed into her side, sending her rolling across the clearing.
She scrambled up, shaking the snow from her fur. Her chest heaved, her breath coming in short, sharp bursts. But there was no fear in her eyes—only excitement.
She charged again, feinting left before veering right. Noctis was ready. He met her head-on, jaws snapping toward her neck. She ducked, sliding beneath him, and came up behind him, her claws raking across his flank.
Not hard enough to draw blood. Just enough to let him know she’d been there.
He spun, his amber eyes bright with approval.
They circled each other again, their paws leaving deep impressions in the snow. The cold air filled their lungs, and the only sounds were their breathing and the soft crunch beneath their feet.
Neoma lunged once more, faster now, more controlled. She drove him back, a blur of white fur and flashing teeth. Noctis gave ground—but only a little. He was letting her push him, testing her, seeing what she’d do.
She drove him toward the treeline, her teeth snapping at his heels. He let her get close, close enough to feel the heat radiating off his massive body. She lunged for his throat—
Then he moved.
He twisted, and she found herself flipped onto her back, his massive paws pinning her to the snow. His jaws hovered over her throat, his breath warm against her fur.
She stared up at him, her chest heaving, her eyes meeting his. For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then he released her, stepping back with a low, rumbling sound that might have been a laugh.
Her tail wagged, fast and unrestrained.
---
At the training grounds, the scene was very different.
The warriors lay scattered across the packed earth, their chests heaving, their bodies aching. Some had dropped their weapons. Others had collapsed to their knees, unable to rise. The snow around them was churned and muddy, stained with sweat and the faintest traces of blood.
The four trainers stood at the center of the grounds, barely winded.
Brynhild had not even drawn her second sword. Daniel had returned his sword to its sheath. Ellis had his axe resting casually over his shoulder, and Vincent had materialized from the shadows as if he had never left.
Daniel’s gaze swept across the fallen warriors, his expression cold and unimpressed.
"Is that all you’ve got?" he asked, his voice sharp.
No one answered.
He stepped forward, his hand gesturing toward the fallen warriors. "Is this really what you expect to bring to the battlefield? This pathetic display? If you cannot even defeat the four of us, how do you expect to face Victoria’s army? How do you expect to protect this pack?"
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"This is not even enough for what is to come. If you cannot defeat the four of us, then you have done nothing."
A few of the warriors stirred, their faces flushing with shame.
Brynhild spoke then, her voice calm but firm.
"Though I agree with you, Daniel, I must also admit that the warriors tried their best. It was not enough, but it was a start."
She paused, her silver eyes fixed on nothing, yet somehow seeing everything.
"You all need to do more. You need to push yourselves harder than you ever have before. You tried, and there is promise, but it’s not enough. So rest up for today. Visit the medical facility if you need to. Tend to your wounds and get some sleep."
She tilted her head slightly, listening to the ragged breathing of the warriors around her.
"No one is to give up on their training," she said firmly. "Things are going to be hectic from now on. We will push you harder than you have ever been pushed. We will demand more from you than you think you have to give. And we will not stop until we are certain that we are all ready."
She paused, then added, "What is coming is going to be even more brutal than this. It is a life-or-death situation, hence why we must be stronger. And even though you may not be in the next group training, do not give up on your training. Strive to do more, even on your own. The next time we train, I will not be so lenient."
A murmur of assent rippled through the warriors—soft, tired, but sincere.
"Yes, Captain," they said.
Brynhild nodded once, then smiled.
She turned in the direction of Daniel, Vincent, and Ellis. "Thank you all for your help."
"No need to thank us, Captain," Vincent said. "Honestly, we needed it to wake up too."
"How about we continue somewhere else then?" Daniel asked as they all began walking out of the training grounds.
Brynhild shook her head. "I would love to, but I have other things to do."
"I’ll just stick with Vincent and Ellis then," Daniel said.
Vincent shuddered visibly at that.
Comments