Chapter 117 - Training

The last few days have been crazy for Ashton. In fact so much has happened that it's hard to believe that all of it was real. Ashton returned to school after quite a long leave. While his teachers were a bit furious, however the wolf teachers remained more or less ignorant towards him. On some level they were scared of him, not only because he was a pureblooded Alpha, but also because he was now related to the head Alpha now.

Even the students seemed terrified of him. The wolves were aware of the reason, while the humans simply followed the suit on the grounds of the rumor stating 'he is dangerous'. Exhausted from being under the scrutinizing gaze of judgemental eyes, he headed off to see his sisters. Their room was empty, so he followed their scent that led to a field. 

He wasn't that surprised to see the twins with Caleb. By now it was very well established how much they enjoyed spending their time with his mate. There was a time when he used to mind, but now, he simply enjoyed it. 

He was at a considerably far away distance from them, so it is possible that they did not notice his presence. He observes how he trained the girls. He was nice to them, but he was more strict that usual. He even caught Ava glaring at Caleb. During their one on one battle between the twins a wince from Ava made Ashton come closer. "Wow, that was brutal" Caleb commented. "Nicely done" He approved with a smile.

Ashton gave him an unamused expression as he helped Ava get back on her feet. "Why are you here"? Ava asked Ashton suggestively.

"I came here looking for you", Ashton admitted honestly.

"Sure, sure. It was us you were looking for". Ariel teased. Ashton frowned for a moment until he got what his sisters were trying to imply. He shook his head before he sighed.

"Seriously, I went to your room first. You weren't there so I followed your scent"Ashton pressed.

"Yes yes, we believe you. What more reason could you possibly have for coming here"Ava noted sarcastically earning a embarrassed sigh from Ashton and an amused chuckle from Caleb.

"Don't think too much! You are here to train, train properly"Ashton scolded them.

"He is right," Ava turned to Ariel. "We should train properly. But…" She turned back to Ashton with a suspicious smirk.

"Don't worry, we won't mind if you admit you are here to see Caleb. We are not that petty". Ariel chimed in.

"You guys are ridiculous" Ashton commented and turned around to leave, when Ava grabbed his hand. Caleb who was amused by the entire situation decided to step in.

"Since you are here, why don't you give this a try as well. Remember, the twins weren't the only ones who were supposed to train"? Caleb asked suggestively.

"That was…"Ashton began, but found himself at a loss of any excuses. "You know what, sure."

"Whom do you want to fight first"? Caleb asked.

"What do you mean"? Ashton frowned. He looked at the twins staring at him with expectant expressions before his eyes widened. "I am not fighting my sisters"!

"But you will fight your mate"? Ava replied to him with a snark. "Just admit you are here for him". And her teasing tone was back.

"Do you want us to give you some privacy"? Ariel jumped in.

"Girls"! Ashton shrieked.

"You know what, we are a bit tired. How about we call it a day. You can continue to teach him". Ava informed Caleb before dragging her twin sister away with her.

"Ain't that sweet of her" Caleb remarked.

"I am not here to see you, I was here to see them"! He insisted. 

"Yeah well, you are still stuck with me". Caleb sighed. "Anyways, last time you were here, you were lagging behind a little bit. Let's see if you can defeat me this time" without waiting for the other to reply, Caleb shifted into his while wolf form. 

"How can I improve? I barely got any time to practice" Ashton protested.

[Oh, come on!] Caleb linked him and scolded him.

"Fine"Ashton shrugged before shifting as well. They combated against each other for a while. Ashton, who was familiar with Caleb's techniques thanks to their last time, he was quite aware of what to expect. Maybe he wouldn't do so well if it were someone unfamiliar, but with Caleb, he found it easier to win this time.

Ashton bared his claws in the heat of the fight and was about to run them through his skin, when he recalled that he didn't actually want to hurt him. Taking that momentary hesitation as an opportunity, Caleb raked his bare claws through him, making him wince and ultimately talking him down.

[You should not have hesitated.] Caleb voiced in a cold tone.

[Yeah, noted] Ashton winced in pain before Caleb finally let him go. [I am surprised how easy it is for you to attack me.] Ashton added. He didn't mean to come off as accusatory, but somehow he did. He was actually glad, since he felt reassured that if Ashton ever failed to control himself, Caleb would fight back.

[Yeah, well. I trained with my brother. I hesitated too when I was new. He made me tough I guess] Caleb explained. [I won't say I am okay with hurting people I care about, but I am capable of hurting them regardless.]

[I doubt, I can] Ashton mumbled.

[We will see] Caleb nudged him on his shoulder with his snout. [That was impressive by the way. Even without any formal training you have definitely improved. So what do you say? Want to continue?]

[I have to now, don't I?] Ashton scoffed. [I like it or not I am a part of this pack, I think. And like you said, if I know how to use my strength judiciously, I would be able to protect the people I love better.] Despite their hairy snouts, Ashton could see a glimpse of a smile on Caleb's face.