Chapter 5 Pursuit

“You can't be serious.” I spoke out after a while of trying to digest what was just placed before me.

“Can you?

“My dear Lila, we're more than serious, child.” One of the elders spoke.

“We can't tell for now the extent of your powers, and from last night, the gravity at which it operates from could be more than your understanding.” Cassius toned out.

“And who cares?” My tone had piped up. “I already have a coach. Unless you gentlemen killed him.”

“Lila, behave.” My father immediately snapped at me, but that didn't stop the scowl that formed all over my face.

“Coach Renner is very much alive, Lila.”

I rolled my eyes at his words. They're probably going to come up with a ridiculous excuse why they think this madness should be accepted.

“I guess we have nothing else to talk about.” I spoke out, trying not to come out rude but I also wasn't hiding my displeasure.

“Listen to them, Lila” Kael finally spoke— for the first time since the conversation.

But that didn't mean I very much valued his input. Especially now that I saw him past just the whole Alpha thing.

“Let me guess, I'm sure you had a hand in this.” My annoyance directed at him. “Are you trying to humiliate me further? Is this a joke to you?”

“Would you at least listen before you start acting all hysterical?”

I laughed bitterly at his words. It was audacity for me.

“Silence, both of you.” Cassius' voice immediately cut sharp into our conversation.

Kael looked away and I followed suit—not wanting to be the last one staring.

“This decision has already been made, Lila.” The words dropped hard on me. “Kael here knows more about control than you possibly do. Plus being the undefeated champion for three seasons straight…”

Here we go.

“...he would make the best person to train you until we get to understand your level of strength.”

My hands suddenly clenched into a fist; as I tried holding in my reaction. It felt as if something wanted to jump right out in that instance without any control whatsoever. But I couldn't bring any more attention to myself.

Bad publicity for that matter.

“The matter has already been directed at your former coach.” Cassius continued. “He's free to train you on the sidelines if you so desire that.”

A sharp scoff escaped my lips. “Do I have a say in this?”

“The decision has already been made, Lila.” My father spoke up, obviously in agreement with everyone else but his own daughter. “Read the room.”

Looking past everyone's faces, I could tell that my future had already been written by another person's ink. I turned around and matched away from there without a thought.

The sound of my name filled my ears but I didn't flinch. There was no point talking further since the deed has already been done.

Just then, someone pulled at my wrist hard, yanking me around only for me to sight Kael.

“Let go of me.” I hissed.

“What's this childish display you're giving?” He said, throwing my hands away in the air. “You think you can now walk out on everyone because of your new found speed?”

Was he jealous or just gaining an attitude?

I laughed bitterly, a part of me finding his words amusing.

“And why do you care what I do? Do you think you have some legal claim over me now that you're my coach?”

Kael didn't reply immediately. But there was a tension in the air and I could feel it. Almost as if it was piercing into my skin.

Finally clearing my throat, I took two steps back; creating a gap between us.

“That's what I thought.” I rubbed my wrist tightly. “I just had something good going on for me for the first time in years, and I am not going to let you or anyone take that from me.”

Without further discussion, I turned on my heels and bolted out of there like a strike of lightning. I could feel every thread of anger in me slowly waste away as the cool breeze hit softly against my skin.

Running. This was what I was made for. It caused my blood to rush in such a way that caused more than just relief.

All it took for me to actually be away from there to actually see the consequences of the council's decision. Not only was the whole Northern circuit yet to digest the earlier news about me, but now, the news of Kael training me is no longer news anymore.

I slowly began dreading going for the meeting in the first place.

Not like I had much of a choice since my father was playing the leading role in my affairs now.

When I pulled up in front of my house, I sighted the amount of crowd piled up there. I couldn't help but laugh softly as my brand new life unfolded right before me.

Was this really how it felt like to be truly liked?

The feeling was still very much new to me. I avoided anyone catching sight of me while I calculated the distance between the gate and where I stood.

It was reachable. I thought.

Taking in deep breaths, not because I needed any but purely from habit, I sped across the field before me, covering the distance between myself and the entrance of my house before anyone could actually catch proper sight of me.

Before everyone could actually rush over at me, I rushed in and shut the gate slowly. Not to be rude—but, I preferred if I didn't have a pile of happy people rushing so eagerly towards me like they wanted to scare my wolf away.

Besides, I needed a lot of time to myself at that moment. Probably still trying to untie myself from getting cooped up with Kael.

Finally making my way inside my house, I could feel my heart almost leap out of its chest when I felt a sudden presence appear right in front of me.