Chapter 35

I relied on my speed and agility, my body moving with practiced grace as I avoided Jessica's powerful strikes with calculated precision.

Each successful evasion fueled a surge of confidence, a reminder that I had the skills to hold my own against her. The intensity of our training session escalated as neither of us showed any signs of backing down.

This wasn't even a partnership—

it was a full-on war.

Sweat dripped down my forehead, my heart pounding with a mixture of adrenaline and determination. I knew that Jessica's hatred and desire to defeat me only fueled her aggression, making her more relentless with each strike. But I refused to be intimidated.

"Is that the best you can do, Shana?" Jessica sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "I expected more from someone who thinks they're so special."

"If anyone here thinks they're special." I gritted my teeth, straightening my stance. "It's you."

Jessica's laugh was empty and dry. "You say the silliest things, Shana."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Maybe you should focus less on me and more on improving your own skills, Jessica. You seem more interested in bringing me down than in bettering yourself."

Her eyes flared with anger, her fists clenched tightly. "You think you're so clever, don't you? Just because Lucas trains you for a few weeks, you think you're better than the rest of us."

"When have I ever said that?" I questioned. "All I try to do is leave you alone."

Jessica's eyes flare with anger. "All you do is lie, Shana. Now, I'm going to see how long that confidence of yours will last."

We continued our fierce dance, exchanging blows and countering each other's moves with precision. The room filled with the sound of our grunts and the thud of our blows, creating an intense symphony of determination.

I went to throw a punch at Jessica's face, but she stepped aside, hitting me in the ribs instead with her werewolf’s long arm.

Finally, she had used her wolf.

The side of my waist was slightly scratched by her claw.

My body doubled over as I struggled to allow air into my lungs.

Ouch. That hurt.

When I came back to my senses, Jessica's claws had changed back.

"You can't keep up, Shana," Jessica taunted, her strikes growing more aggressive. "I've always been one step ahead, and nothing's going to change that."

I relied on my instincts, my body moving on instinct as I countered her attacks. I stood up quickly, raising my hands to my face to protect myself.

"You're still the same wolfless girl you were at the beginning of the school year," Shana spat, attempting to punch me again, but she wasn't fast enough. I quickly moved out of the way.

Our fists collided, sending shockwaves through our bodies. Pain coursed through my limbs, but I refused to let it weaken me. I had grown physically and mentally stronger, and I was determined to prove it.

The coach suddenly walked into the room and noticed the crowd that had formed around Jessica and me. He hurried over as he watched our fierce battle, and I thought he was going to stop us, but he let us continue.

His eyes narrowed as he witnessed my improvement. "Impressive, Shana!" he exclaimed, his voice revealing admiration. "Your blocks are efficient, and your stance is strong."

The praise only seemed to fuel Jessica's fury.

Jessica didn't dare to use her wolf in front of the coach, but she would occasionally change her claws in secret, slightly scratching the skin under my clothes when he wasn’t looking.

And she became even more aggressive, launching a fury of strikes with increased speed and power. Each blow pushed me to my limits, testing my endurance and resilience.

But I refused to falter. I channeled my determination into every move, unleashing my own counterattacks with fierce precision. Blow after blow, I met her aggression with my own unwavering resolve.

The training room seemed to fade away as all my focus centered on Jessica. Time slowed down, our movements becoming a blur of motion and skill.

The sound of our grunts and the thud of our blows echoed in the room, drowning out all other noise.

My muscles screamed with exertion, my breath coming in labored gasps.

The physical and mental strain pushed me to the edge, but I refused to give in. I could feel a fire burning within me, a drive to prove myself not only to others but also to myself.

As the intense battle continued, the coach's voice broke through the haze.

"Break it up!" he bellowed, his commanding tone demanding obedience. "I think that's enough for the both of you today. I don't want to end up taking anyone to Nurse Rebecca."

Reluctantly, we separated, both panting and covered in bruises. Jessica's eyes burned with unrelenting hatred, her fists still clenched tightly as she glared at me. It was clear that our fight being interrupted had left her unsatisfied, and she was determined to leave a mark on my face.

I could sense the animosity radiating from her and it fueled my own determination. I refused to back down, even in the face of her relentless aggression. I took a tentative step backward, putting some distance between us while keeping my gaze locked with hers.

Her lips curled into a malicious grin, a dangerous glint in her eyes.

"You think this is over, Shana?" she spat, her voice laced with venom. "You may have gotten lucky once, but I assure you, that won't happen again."

I remained composed, refusing to show any signs of fear or doubt. "Luck had nothing to do with it, Jessica," I retorted, my voice steady and confident. "I've been training hard, honing my skills. I won't let you intimidate me."

Her nostrils flared, anger coursing through her veins.

"You're just a weak human," she sneered, her words dripping with contempt. "No matter how much you train, you'll always be at a disadvantage against someone like me."

I felt a surge of defiance rise within me, my wolf's presence stirring just beneath the surface. I had spent my entire life being labeled as weak and unworthy, and I refused to let Jessica's words define me.

"Strength isn't just about physical power,” I stated firmly, my eyes narrowing. “It's about determination, resilience, and the willingness to push beyond your limits. And in that regard, I believe I have the advantage."

"We'll see about that," she growled.

As we prepared to resume our training, the room fell into a tense silence. The whispers and murmurs of our classmates ceased, and their attention focused on the two of us. It was clear that our rivalry had ignited a fire within the training room, drawing everyone into the intensity of our clash.

I squared my shoulders, my gaze never wavering from Jessica's. I was ready to face whatever she threw at me. Our fight would continue, pushing us both to our limits and driving us to become stronger.

And no matter the outcome, I was determined to prove that I was more than just a weak human.

The training room buzzed with anticipation, the air thick with an unspoken promise. I took a deep breath, my focus unwavering. I knew that I had the strength and resilience to face whatever lay ahead.

And with every ounce of my being, I was prepared to prove it.