Chapter 16: Embracing a New Path
**Thelma Zane’s POV**
“How do you feel?” my father asked in his usual even tone, his expression unreadable.
I straightened my posture, determined to keep my voice steady. “Not bad,” I replied, doing my best to sound professional.
“Your Majesty, her performance was excellent,” Aldrich chimed in, his face unexpectedly serious. “She shows great potential and will undoubtedly become a formidable warrior in the
future.‘
Hearing Aldrich praise me with such formality was surreal, almost unsettling. It felt entirely out of character for the man who never missed an opportunity to tease or annoy me. Still, I was relieved that my parents seemed to appreciate his evaluation.
“That’s wonderful!” my mother said warmly, her smile kind. “We’ll continue tomorrow. Thank you for your hard work, Aldrich.”
“It’s my honor,” he replied with a respectful nod
As we turned to leave, I couldn’t resist glancing back over my shoulder. Aldrich, now standing alone, caught my gaze and pulled a ridiculous face, his playful nature breaking through the
facade of seriousness.
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling to myself. He really couldn’t hide his true nature for long.
“Thelma, is something wrong?” my mother asked, her voice curious. Her question startled.
and I quickly snapped back to reality.
me,
“Nothing, I’m coming,” I said, jogging a few steps to catch up with my parents. In that moment, I felt oddly like a child being picked up from school, though I knew that wasn’t the case. In my former pack, children rarely had the luxury of their parents escorting them anywhere.
As we walked back to the palace, my parents chatted amiably, often steering the conversation into embarrassing territory. Despite their occasional teasing, I cherished moments like this. Spending time with them made me feel truly connected, something I hadn’t experienced in a long time.
Once we returned home, we shared a meal together. Later, during an evening stroll through the palace gardens, my mother brought up a topic that took me completely by surprise.
“Thelma, I think it’s time you went to school,” she said, her tone gentle but firm.
“Me? School?” I echoed, blinking at her in confusion. “I thought training with Aldrich was already my ‘class.“”
Chap 16–Embracing a New Path.
“Not that kind of class, sweetheart,” she replied, her voice softening even further. “You need more than just physical training. You need friends, experiences, and a chance to live your life beyond these palace walls.”
Her words caught me off guard. This was the same mother who, just this morning, had lamented how little time we had together. Now, she was suggesting that I leave the palace entirely? At least with training, she could visit me whenever she wanted. School would be different –more distant, more independent.
“I…” I hesitated, unsure of how to respond..
My father chimed in, his voice as steady as ever. “Your mother is right, Thelma. You need to form bonds with people your own age. When you eventually take on the role of Queen Regent, those connections will be invaluable. You’ll need the support of trusted allies and friends.”
He paused, his gaze softening slightly. “And don’t worry about the academic side. The school’s curriculum is designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of background. Your classmates will be civilians, not warriors, so the training won’t be as intense as what Aldrich puts you through.”
The thought of meeting new people and experiencing a different environment intrigued me. I’d often wondered what life was like outside the palace, and now I had the chance to find out.
“But what about my training with Aldrich?” I asked. “Won’t that conflict with school?”
My father chuckled. “Don’t worry about that. The school’s training program is more general, aimed at teaching basic skills. You can continue learning advanced techniques from Aldrich a few times a week. It’s important to show everyone what you’re capable of both as a future
leader and as a warrior.”
The more they spoke, the more appealing the idea became. Attending school would mean less time with Aldrich, more freedom to explore, and the opportunity to make new friends. What could be better than that?
“I want to go!” I said eagerly, worried they might change their minds if I hesitated.
My father’s expression turned serious again. “That’s good to hear, but remember, Thelma, this isn’t an excuse to slack off. You’ll still need to dedicate yourself to your training. In fact, your regimen may become even stricter. Your awakening as a Lycan is approaching, and you’ll need to be ready for the responsibilities that come with it.”
“I understand,” I said, nodding earnestly. The prospect of balancing school and training seemed daunting, but I was ready to rise to the challenge.
My mother smiled, her hand resting gently on my father’s arm. “Our little girl is growing up so quickly,” she said wistfully. “We should have enrolled her in school sooner. Look at her she’s practically glowing with excitement.
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I couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll always prefer spending time with you-
Chuppé 16 Embracing a New Path
well, as long as Aldrich isn’t around to ruin the mood.”
My mother laughed along with me. “You’re funny, Thelma. Aldrich may be a bit…. unconventional, but he’s a good person at heart. He just has his own way of doing things.”
“Sure, if being annoying counts as ‘his own way,“” I muttered, eliciting more laughter from my parents.
“Don’t worry,” my father added with a grin. “You’ll find training with Aldrich gets easier over time. Who knows? You might even start to enjoy it.”
“Unlikely,” I said under my breath, though their laughter suggested they’d heard me anyway.
“Alright, since you’ve decided, how about starting tomorrow?” my father suggested. “Tomorrow works for me!” I said enthusiastically, eager to begin this new chapter of my life. “I’ll make the arrangements,” he said with a nod. “Your first class will be in the afternoon.” As much as I wanted to downplay my excitement, I couldn’t hide the grin spreading across my face. The idea of escaping Aldrich’s relentless training even if only partially–felt like a dream come true.
“Thelma,” my mother said, taking my hands in hers, “promise me you’ll approach this opportunity with an open heart. Treat everyone with kindness and respect, regardless of their background.”
“I promise,” I said sincerely, though I couldn’t resist adding a silent exception for Aldrich.
Satisfied, my mother smiled and gently nudged me toward the palace. “You’ve had a long day, sweetheart. Go get some rest. Your father and I will handle the details.”
As I made my way back to my room, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. Tomorrow marked the beginning of a new adventure, one that would undoubtedly shape the future I was meant to embrace.
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