FOURTY-ONE

I punched the boxing bag, then kicked and continued to hit the boxing bag.

'Drimos forest,' I thought.

An unknown forest that doesn't exist on the map of the supernatural world at the same it does. It hides under the name of an isolated forest, Dadia forest.

Rose said witches can sense the tiniest of magic in the atmosphere, and 'Vampires are reclusive creatures meaning the area they stay in has no magic since they don't want to associate with other creatures, including witches,'

Dadia is an isolated forest unknown to people but exists on the supernatural world map. Drimos hides under the Dadia forest. The forest exists and also does not exist.

'I don't know if I should be happy that we found the vampires, or we will be going to an isolated forest looking for another forest in it.' I thought as I punched the frustration out of my body.

Typhon, vampires, and everything frustrating me, I punched the boxing bag harder.

''I hope that's not my face you are imagining to punch,'' I heard Conrad's voice behind me.

I panted and turned to see Conrad with his arms crossed over his exposed chest from the two opened buttons leaning against the wall.

I forced my eyes to turn to another place that did not include him, 'or his body,' I added in my mind.

I removed the gloves and dropped them on the bench before unscrewing the bottled water cap to drink.

I exhaled before wiping the dripping water from my mouth with my arm.

''What are you doing here?'' I asked Conrad placing the bottle on the bench.

''I came to check on my mate because Harrison told me you were fighting without a break again,'' Conrad straightened up and walked toward me.

Although his face was blank, I could see the worry in his eyes.

He stared before asking me, ''Why do you train so much?"

I was stunned at the question he asked.

'Why do I train so much?' The question echoed in my mind.

'A promise, I made a promise,' I thought, remembering my past.

''To not be weak,'' I finished the sentence aloud.

''But you are not weak,'' Conrad said.

''I know, but I want to get stronger each time,'' I looked at him.

He stared at me for a while before speaking, ''Then let's fight.''

''Huh?''

''Let's fight. It seems that fighting means more to you than you said, so let's fight. Besides, you asked for a fight last time.'' Conrad said.

''Are you sure?'' I asked.

''Yes, I am.'' He said, putting distance between us.

I looked at him standing before taking a deep breath.

I got into an offensive position before charging toward him.

Conrad blocked my attack before kicking my side. I dodged the kick before punching his chest.

He used his hand to hold my hand to his chest before his leg tripped my leg.

He held my waist as I was about to fall.

We stared at each other, and I saw amusement in his eyes.

'He's playing,' I thought.

I removed my hand forcefully and pushed him before I fell backward with my hands behind me and my knee bent.

''You are not taking this seriously,'' I said while standing up from the ground.

''I am,'' He charged forward and kicked.

I was caught off guard but managed to block the attack in time before putting distance between us.

''It's all about using tricks, mate,'' He laughed lightly.

I stared at him before rushing up to him with the intent to attack him, but he didn't expect that I would throw myself at him, and we fell to the ground.

Conrad held me as we fell, but I fell on top of him.

I straddled his waist before staring at him, ''As you said, it's all about using tricks.''

He was stunned before he laughed.

He laughed and laughed so hard, ''I-I didn't expect y-you to do that.''

He tried to calm himself, but he couldn't just stop laughing.

He held my waist, and I continued to stare at him, mesmerized by his laughter.

I always thought he was handsome with his cold image, but I didn't expect he would be more good-looking with his laughter.

He calmed himself finally while staring at me.

''What?'' I asked as he looked at me.

''Don't do that again. You could get seriously injured.'' He said seriously, different from him, laughing so hard a few minutes ago.

I nodded, ruffling my hair to one side to look at Conrad below me.

When I was aware of our position, I felt my face turning red suddenly ''I-I should stand.''

I tried to move, but Conrad held my waist in place, not having the interest to move yet.

That's how we stayed, watching each other and enjoying our presence for one another.

That day ended.

The next day, Alphas started to send their ten warriors.

I am in charge of the werewolves warriors while there is a lycan commander of the Lycans.

I stayed on the training ground used for Lycans' warriors and noticed the fear directed at me.

'Maybe the Argos battle changed their view about me,' I thought while leaning against the wall with crossed arms.

But I ignored everything and continued staring at the training.

Even though the lycan commander doesn't speak to me, he always taught the werewolves patiently.

Werewolves asked questions, the commander directed fights between the two species, and they showed hostility toward one another, but he managed to do everything well without conflicts with both sides.

The training with the werewolves and the Lycans continued for days till one of the Lycans couldn't take it anymore and challenged me.

''I challenged you to a duel, commander carmen.''

I stared at the Lycan warrior who challenged me, hiding his fear, but I could sense it, ''May I ask why?''

''I have heard rumors of your battles with rogues, also the fact you trained almost every day, we noticed it, and you almost killed me in the Argos village.'' He paused before continuing.

''I didn't sense your attack then, towards me, so I want to know my level,'' He added.

''I see,'' I said, remembering that Conrad mentioned that I almost killed someone.

'So it's him,' I thought.

I looked at the Lycan commander, seeing that he had no problem. I said to the Lycan warrior, ''Don't beg me when the fight gets more painful.''