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Chapter 15: The End of Training
**Thelma Zane’s POV**
I gasped for air, my hands resting on my knees as I bent forward in sheer exhaustion. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest, and for a fleeting moment, I wondered if I might actually collapse here.
Despite my disdain for Sir Aldrich’s overconfident demeanor, I had to begrudgingly admit he was an effective trainer. He had an uncanny ability to push me right to the edge of my limit and sometimes, it felt like beyond them. His relentless approach showed no concern for my protests or the apparent threat to my existence. Yet, every time I thought I couldn’t go on, my body somehow kept moving.
“You’re too weak,” Aldrich remarked with his arms crossed, his tone devoid of sympathy.
I couldn’t argue with his assessment. It was true. My stamina and strength were embarrassingly lacking. In the past, whenever I trained with others, they always reduced the difficulty for me, their concern wrapped in layers of overprotection. The moment I struggled, they would make me sit out, keeping me away from anything remotely challenging. My body, coddled in such a pampered environment, had grown soft. My muscles and bones had forgotten what it meant to work hard, and my willpower had grown just as rusty.
“I’m fine,” I insisted, picking up the dumbbells with trembling hands. Aldrich mirrored the movement effortlessly, his composure unshaken. Compared to his easy grace, I felt like a clumsy child struggling to keep up.
For all his annoying quirks and smug comments, Aldrich was undeniably good at what he did: He refused to indulge my complaints, brushing aside my groans with a determined focus. His steadfastness forced me to confront my weaknesses rather than hide behind excuses. As much as I hated to admit it, I could feel my endurance improving. Tasks that once seemed impossible were now within my reach. Perhaps my progress was aided by the gradual awakening of my werewolf traits, but I couldn’t deny that his training was making me
stronger.
“You can rest now, beautiful lady,” he teased, flashing that infuriatingly charming smile of
his.
I rolled my eyes, exhaling sharply as I walked away. Grabbing my water bottle, I collapsed onto the steps, my body too drained to make the journey back to the palace just yet. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Aldrich continuing his own training routine. His strength and dedication were undeniable, and despite my frustrations with him, I found myself rethinking my initial judgment.
Beneath his playful exterior, Aldrich was surprisingly serious about his work. His training regimen was meticulously planned, each exercise tailored to my abilities and aimed at pushing me just enough to grow without breaking. He also emphasized the importance of
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understanding my body’s reactions, teaching me to listen to its cues and adjust accordingly.. This attention to detail had accelerated my progress, instilling a confidence I hadn’t felt in
years.
It felt empowering to face challenges head–on and succeed. The sense of accomplishment was intoxicating, filling me with a pride I hadn’t experienced before.
Aldrich approached me then, his smirk firmly in place. “You did a good job today,” he said, his tone filled with mock sincerity.
Somehow, even his compliments managed to irritate me. “Thank you for your guidance,” I replied, forcing myself to sound polite. Gratitude, I reminded myself, was a virtue.
“When did you return, Miss Thelma?” His gray eyes sparkled with curiosity, and I could see he was eager for details.
“Just a few days ago,” I said simply. “You know I’m eighteen now.”
His face lit up with excitement. “That means your werewolf awakening is near! That’s incredible! When mine awakened four years ago, it was the most exhilarating experience of my life. Congratulations in advance, Miss Thelmal”
For once, his enthusiasm felt genuine. It softened his features, making him look less like the arrogant playboy I had pegged him as and more like a young man who was simply thrilled to share in someone else’s joy. Still, he had an uncanny ability to derail any pleasant moment.
I took a calming breath and decided to make a suggestion. “You can call me Thelma. I’ll call you Aldrich. Is that alright?”
His smile faltered, replaced by a look of surprise. He studied me for a moment, as if gauging my sincerity. “May 1?” he asked cautiously.
“Yes, of course. There’s no need to be so formal all the time. And please stop staring at me like that.”
His expression shifted again, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “If you hadn’t been staring at me first, you wouldn’t have noticed I was looking at you,” he said smugly. “Just admit it you find me irresistible.”
My patience snapped. “I think anyone with a shred of charm would never find you charming!”
His grin faded, replaced by a wounded expression that was both pitiful and absurdly endearing. I turned away, determined not to let him see the hint of a smile tugging at my lips. *Don’t let him get to you, Thelma, Focus.*
Before I could take another step, Aldrich caught up to me, his voice dripping with mock sorrow. “Oh, my dear Thelma, are you really leaving me behind? My heart can’t take such cruelty!”
I stopped abruptly, raising a hand as if to swat him away, but the sight of my parents
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approaching made me freeze. Aldrich’s demeanor shifted instantly. His teasing smile vanished, replaced by a stoic expression as he stood at attention.
We both straightened as if nothing had happened, adopting the stiff posture of soldiers
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awaiting inspection. The scene was almost comical–a stark contrast to the banter we’d shared moments earlier.
Ridiculous didn’t even begin to describe it.
