55. Cora

"I can't believe Ver intends on letting her stay here. I mean look what just happened. She picked a fight with Ty for no reason."

Slo was pacing his room after what happened downstairs. I watched him wincing every time he spun the pain in his ribs hurting. I knew there was no point stopping him so I didn't even try. After he came home last night beaten to hell blood everywhere he'd told me he'd been in one of the Lycan fights. I tried to talk to him but he refused to talk to me about it. He's been distant ever since Ver was poisoned.

"Slo calm down-"

"No Cora don't you see she shouldn't be here all she does is cause trouble."

I sighed as he went off an another spiel about Raine and that she's dangerous. She shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the pack. I had a feeling that whatever he was mad at it had nothing to do with Raine.

"Slo will you please just stop."

He paused mid pace. His back was to me as he ran a hand through his hair taking a deep breath. Slowly I approached him gently forcing him to face me. His face was bruised with two black eyes and a split lip. I knew under his t short were even more bruise with definite broken ribs. Reaching up I lightly touched his face.

"Talk to me Slo what's really going on?"

He look so lost it almost broke my heart. His hands grabbed mine as he sat down next to me on the bed.

"Honestly I don't know Cora it's just...I don't know I guess being around so many strong wolves it just.. it's childish I know but I just feel like I'll never be as strong as they are. I've always known I was weaker then Ver but he's got the power of the red eyed king so it made it alright since of course there was no way I could be as strong as him. But lately I've started to realise it's not just him. I'm supposed to be the son of an alpha, not just any alpha but one of the strongest yet..."

His voice trailed off but I knew what he meant. I knew because I was feeling much the same as he was. Ver had always tried to protect me because I was a rare shifter. Sure I knew the basics just enough to at least try fighting my way out of I was ever in trouble but not enough to make a difference. I mean I wasn't the daughter of an alpha but I still knew what it felt like to feel useless.

"Listen to me Slo you may not be as strong as Ver or as skilled as Raine but that doesn't mean your useless or weak. Your strong in your own way a way that's different then they are-"

He scowled at me.

"That's not the point Cora it's not about strength or skill it's about respect. I feel like I don't know if the others respect me for my own merits or because I'm Vers little brother."

"Well if you want them to see you as more then show them. Prove to them that you are more then just Vers little brother. You think any of them got better just by shear will? All of them trained for years to get as good as they are. The lycans fight every night to prove themselves. If you want to show them that your just as strong as they are, to prove to them that you deserve their respect then show them your willing to work for it."

He was silent letting my words sink in. My own words made me realise that I needed to do the same thing. It was pointless feeling down about ourselves for being weaker then the others if we weren't willing to do something to change it then we only had ourselves to blame.

A knock sounded at the door. Slo took a breath then yelled out for them to come in. Jenny popped her head in to tell Slo that Ver wanted to see him then disappeared as fast as she came. Sighing he gave me a quick kiss then left to go after her.

Now alone the scene form downstairs between Ty and Raine replayed in my head. She was so good at everything it must have taken years to perfect everything she could do yet she made it look easy. She was the most skilled female I had ever seen.

Getting up I knew what I had to do.

Nervously I knocked on the door to the infirmary and waited. When it finally opened the first thing I saw was the mask she always wore.

"Well well this is a surprise."

Gathering my courage I forced my eyes to meet hers. The now silver hue only making her even more terrifying. She leaned against the door frame a playful smile on her lips.

"Is there something you wanted?"

My eyes looked passed her to Malix who lay in one of the beds behind her a curious look in his features.

"You can come in if it's Malix you wanted to see."

I shook my head trying to get ahold of myself.

"No actually i wanted to talk to you... well to ask you something really.."

Her eyes narrowed at me suspiciously.

"Ok well shoot what do you want to ask?"

Taking a deep breath I blurted it out in a rush of words.

"I wanted to ask if you would train me."

Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Train you?"

"I don't want to be left behind any more or treated like I'm some delicate flower. I want to help fight."

"And you think I can help you do that?"

I didn't know if she was just testing me but I was determined. I knew I wanted her to be the one to train me.

"I know you can."

Her eyes took in all of me like she was judging just how serious I was. I could have saved her the trouble but I stood tall and didn't let her intimidate me even though inside I was shitting myself.

"I won't go easy on you. You know that right?"

"I don't want you to."

A genuine smile spread on her lips making the scar on her cheek distort.

"Alright then I suggest you back a bag."

"Raine no!"

She ignored Malixs outburst.

"If your serious about this meet me out back at sun down if you don't show then you don't have what it takes."

She pushed off the door frame and closed the door leaving me alone in the hall. I had no idea what I'd just got myself into but I refused to back down. If I truly wanted to help the pack, to become stronger it started now. I'll prove to her that I can be strong, that I definitely have what it takes to be her student.

It was in the middle of packing my bag that my bedroom door burst open.

"There is no way in hell you are going!"

I groaned I knew this was coming I had been rehearsing in my head what I'd say when it did but the look on his face made my mind go blank. Slo rushed forward snatching my bag out of my hands. I scowled at him.

"Seriously Slo?!"

"Don't give me that look Cora I'm not letting you go with Raine. Do you even know where they plan on going or why their doing?"

I snatched the bag back.

"It doesn't matter I've made a decision and I intend to stick to it."

He growled in anger his eyes glowing with emotion.

"This is insane! It's dangerous you could be killed!"

I sighed. If I allowed myself to get angry it would only make him worse. Setting the bag down on the bed i cupped his face to try and calm him.

"Listen to me Slo. What we were talking about earlier is all true. All my life I relied on you and Ver to shield me from the outside world. Protect me from those how heated my power. I've stood back while both of you fought every obstacle that has threatened our pack, our family. I can't do it any more and I won't. I want to help fight. Driak is a god with a whole pack backing him up. I may not be able to make much of a difference but I want the chance to try. I want to prove that I can be useful and won't be a burden when the time comes to fight. I know you don't trust Raine but surprisingly I do and I know she can help me become strong so that I can fight along side you instead of hiding not knowing if I'll ever see you again. Please understand that this is something I have to do for me."

His eyes softened at my words his anger turning to worry.

"I get it Cora really I do but does it have to be her?"

"Yes I can't explain it but I feel that she's the only who can."

His hands covered mine as he leaned into my touch.

"I just..I don't want to loose you."

Stepping closer I wrapped my arms around him.

"You won't loose me Slo we've only just started our lives together I won't let anything tear us apart. I promise if something happens I still have my falcon form. The chances of there being another shifter like me there are slim so I'll be able to fly straight home."

His hand tangled in my hair as he kissed the top of my head.

"I still don't like this but I know I won't be able to stop you. I just wish you had of down this when she wasn't due to go on a dangerous mission."

I chuckled.

"My timing always did suck."

He pulled away gently touching his lips to mine.

"Be carful Cora i mean it don't take any risks."

He sighed as I turned to continue packing my bags. I still didn't know what the mission was but I knew I'd find out soon enough. When I'd told Slo I trusted Raine i meant it. I had a feeling being her student would be hard but I was determined to see this through. I will become someone that can stand on her own without needing others to protect me and tonight is my first step towards that goal.