NOVEL NEXT Chapter 29: Training
The clearing was silent except for the faint rustle of leaves, the world around them hushed as if holding its breath. Orion's words lingered in the air, heavy with the promise of things to come. Scott's jaw tightened, and his brow furrowed as he absorbed the weight of what lay ahead. He straightened his posture, his fists relaxing as resolve settled over him.
Orion's sharp gaze never left him, his eyes gleaming with quiet approval. He nodded, his expression unreadable but tinged with a faint, knowing smile. "Good," Orion said, his deep voice carrying a note of finality. "Now that you've seen what we're up against, it's time to stop running and start preparing."
Scott's eyes narrowed slightly, determination sparking in their amber depths. "What do you mean by 'prepare'?" he asked, his voice steady but cautious.
Orion turned away, the long coat he wore swirling slightly with the motion. He paced slowly, his hands clasped behind his back as he spoke. "Your abilities, Scott—they're untamed, raw. You've barely scratched the surface of what you can do as a werewolf. Speed, strength, agility—those are just the beginning."
Scott took a step closer, his curiosity piqued despite the tension in his frame. "And what about Stiles?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder as if expecting his friend to materialize out of thin air.
Orion's lips curled into a faint smile, amusement flickering across his sharp features. "Ah, Stiles," he said, a hint of pride in his tone. "The vampire blood coursing through him gives him powers entirely different from yours. He's fast—blindingly so—and he has a mind for strategy that will serve us well. But he's as untrained as you are, which makes him just as dangerous to himself as to anyone else."
As if summoned, a rustle in the trees announced Stiles's arrival. He stepped into the clearing, his movements unnaturally silent despite the dry leaves beneath his boots. His pale skin seemed to catch the moonlight, and his sharp, dark eyes glinted with a restless energy. "Did I miss something?" he asked, his tone light but edged with curiosity as he scanned their faces.
Orion's smile widened slightly, and he gestured for Stiles to join them. "Perfect timing," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "We were just discussing your training."
Stiles arched an eyebrow, folding his arms over his chest. "Training?" he repeated, his tone skeptical. "What, like a supernatural boot camp?"
Scott shot him a look, his exasperation barely concealed. "It's not a joke, Stiles," he said firmly. "We're up against hunters—people who know how to take us down. If we don't learn to control our abilities, we're screwed."
Stiles's smirk faltered, and a more serious expression settled over his face. He nodded slowly, his gaze flickering to Orion. "Alright," he said, his voice quieter now. "What do we do?"
Orion stepped forward, his presence commanding but not overbearing. He placed a hand on each of their shoulders, his grip firm yet oddly comforting. "First," he said, meeting their eyes in turn, "you master the basics. Control. Discipline. Awareness. Your powers are tied to your emotions, and right now, those emotions are running wild. Until you can center yourselves, you're vulnerable."
Scott's brow furrowed, his jaw tightening as he absorbed Orion's words. "And after that?" he asked, his voice steady but tinged with curiosity.
Orion's enigmatic smile returned, and his eyes gleamed with something ancient and knowing. "After that," he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "I'll show you what more you're capable of. What you can become when you embrace what you are."
Scott and Stiles exchanged a glance, their expressions mirroring a mix of determination and unease. Stiles tilted his head slightly, his lips quirking into a faint, wry smile. "Well," he said, his voice light but tinged with a hint of nervousness, "this should be interesting."
Orion chuckled softly, the sound low and almost predatory. "Oh, it will be," he said, his tone laced with certainty. "But first, you both need to survive the training." He stepped back, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp as they swept over the two young men. "Come. Let's begin."
As Orion led them deeper into the woods, the moonlight filtering through the canopy above, Scott and Stiles followed, their movements hesitant but resolute. Each step carried them further into the unknown, their breaths steadying as they prepared to face the challenges ahead.