“Please, don’t assume that you would have that much of an effect on me. I am just training,” Rose replied, turning back around.
“Oh, yea. You want to be the strongest warrior in the pack,” Taylor said, smirking. “You really do dream hard. I mean, you are so small that I can just pick you up and throw you down. The fight will be finished.”
Rose scowled at him. “You will have to catch me first,” she snapped back.
“If you say so,” Taylor said, trying not to laugh.
“Don’t you have somewhere to be? Like with your friends, getting drunk and having fights?” Rose said, narrowing her eyes.
“I should be doing that, but this is more interesting. Small, delicate Rose, punching a big hard rock,” Taylor said, bursting into a fit of laughter.
Suddenly there was a loud cracking noise behind him, and he turned around to see a small pebble, embedded in the tree. Rose had thrown it, and it had just narrowly missed his head.
“Next time, I will aim for you,” she said, cheerfully.
“That was impressive. This is better than hanging out with my friends,” Taylor said, smirking. Rose growled in frustration and started to walk away.
“Hey, where are you going?” Taylor called out.
“Home!” Rose shouted back.
“Wait,” Taylor said, running to catch up with her. “Look, I understand your reaction. I know I come off as a bit arrogant and cocky, but I am a good guy.”
“What does that have to do with me?” Rose asked, frowning.
“Give me a chance. You don’t have to say yes. Just let me take you out. We will go on some dates, get to know each other, and then you can give your final answer,” Taylor said.
“I don’t need to date you to give my final answer. It’s not going to change,” Rose said.
“Yes, maybe nothing will change your mind, but it won’t hurt. Just go out on one date with me,” Taylor said.
“You know, even flies aren’t as annoying as you are,” Rose said, giving a fake smile.
“Ouch. I don’t get it. You don’t even know me. Why won’t you give me a chance? You are being very prejudiced, judging me like that,” Taylor said.
Rose stopped walking and turned around to face him. “I did give you a chance. Three years ago, remember?” she asked.
Taylor frowned. He didn’t remember ever taking Rose out. Seeing his expression, Rose started to laugh.
“Oh, wow. You don’t even remember. I am not surprised, though. Why would the great Taylor remember someone insignificant like me?” Rose said, and then started walking away again.
Taylor stood there frozen for a minute, and then he ran after her. He grabbed her hand, stopping her, and said, “What do you mean?”
Rose stared into his eyes for a minute, and then pulled her arm away. “I mean, we are done," she said, before walking away.
Chapter 5
Rose
Rose couldn’t believe the audacity of Taylor. Not only did he forget what happened three years ago, but he also dared to ask her out. As if it can change anything. He will never change; he will always be the same egoistic wolf who never truly grew up.
Rose reached her cabin and sat on her bed. She needed to bandage her bleeding hand and do some stretches before she slept. Taylor was right, training against the mountain was deforming her bones. Her knuckles were getting thicker, as bone deposited around it. But Rose never wanted to be pretty. She didn’t care about beauty. Her hardened deformed knuckles will make her punches stronger and more powerful. She had to be the strongest warrior, no matter what.
∞∞∞
It was early next morning, and Rose was standing outside the council headquarters where Dominque had called everyone. Rose knew he was going to announce the ultimate championship. It was a tournament held every five years, where matches took place between wolves, and the victor, the son of the healer, was given the title of the champion.
Rose had wanted to participate in this championship for years, and this year she was going to sign up.
