"Are you kidding me!? Oliver Hunt will train me? I can't!" Cassandra yelled. "Please, find someone else instead," she added and held her mate's hand. Sebastian will go back to his estate and investigate the council. Oliver is his friend, and Sebastian requested him to be Cassandra's trainer while he's away. The Battle of the Strongest was set to begin next week, and Cassandra only had a little time to train.
"You knew he and Abegail had a rough past!" Cassandra said. Sebastian heaves a sigh.
"I can't, hon. Oliver is a good fighter like me. I trust him to train you well," Sebastian said. "Plus, I already talked to Abegail about this, and she said she's fine with it," he added. Cassandra couldn't believe what he has said. She knew something was wrong. Frowning, she started walking away from Sebastian.
"Where are you going, love?" Sebastian asked.
"To Abby," Cassandra replied. She heard him sighed again, but he didn't stop her. Abegail is her friend, and it's natural for her to be worried. She spotted Abegail under the tree while reading a book in her hand.
"Hey," Cassandra called and sat beside her. Abegail looked at her, then smiled.
"Is it really okay with you?" Cassandra asked. Abegail sighed and put the book down. "Yes, it's okay with me," Abegail replied.
"Are you sure? You'll see and be with him for a week," Cassandra asked once again.
"Do you want me to be honest or not?" Abegail asked and chuckled. "I'm not fine, but I need to be fine. I really want to forget that bastard, but you know what? I still can't," she added sadly.
"This stupid heart of mine still beats for him," Abegail said, and her tears started streaming down her face. Cassandra hugged her while rubbing her back gently. She noticed Lisanna approaching. She also sat beside them and engulfed Abegail with a hug.
"We are here for you. Don't you ever forget that," Lisanna said that brought a smile to Abegail.
Cassandra sat on the bed and stared at her mate, "Are you going now?" she said. "Yes," Sebastian answered and smiled.
"I will miss you, Seb," Cassandra sadly said and hugged his waist. Sebastian chuckled and kissed the top of her head.
"I will miss you too, love. It's only a week; you won't even know that I'm gone," Sebastian said. Cassandra pouted her lips. For her, a week feels like an eternity without him by her side. She wanted to say this but chose not to. Cassandra's wolf whimpered; she doesn't want her mate to go.
"I need to go now," Sebastian said and took a step backward. Cassandra sadly smiled at him. He climbed up into Cassandra's window, ready to jump down, but suddenly he rushed back to Casandra, pulling her close to him and planted his lips to hers. Cassandra instantly wrapped his arms around his neck and kissed him back with the same intensity he was giving. She poured all of her love into the kiss.
"I love you," Sebastian said after the kiss, and then he disappeared into thin air. Casandra stood there, still in shock, while touching her swollen lips. She couldn't believe the words that came out of his mouth. Sebastian said the three words. She sat on the bed, grabbed the pillow, and screamed so loud. Cassandra's heart was beating erratically. She lay down on the bed and rolled happily.
"I love you too, Blood. I love you too," Cassandra whispered. "But, I still wished you to be here beside me and hugging me tight," she added and hugged the pillow tightly. Cassandra closed her eyes, welcoming the sleep.
The morning came, and Oliver Hunt arrived in the exclusive training ground of Sebastian. He saw Cassandra sitting on the chair together with her friends. They were talking and laughing carefreely. Olive put the boxing gloves on the table and cleared his throat.
"Good morning," he said. Oliver's eyes landed on Abegail. She's still beautiful as ever for him. Those luscious lips, her precious laugh, and even her mannerism of biting her fingernails when she's irritated, Oliver missed all of those. She is still the Abegail he knew and love. Lisanna smiled and pushed Cassandra.
"You go, girl! We'll be cheering you here," Lisanna said. Cassandra sighed and warily walked towards Oliver.
"I'm Oliver Hunt," Oliver introduced himself and handed his hand to her. She stared at him but nonetheless accepted his hand.
"Cassandra," she said.
"Shall we?" Oliver said and politely smiled. He handed the boxing gloves that he brought. Cassandra took it from his hand and wore it.
"I believe you've done stretching?" Oliver asked, and the only response he got from Cassandra was a small nod.
"You need to punch this sandbag 2000 times," Oliver said while smiling.
"What the hell, Oliver!? That's too harsh for a starter!" Abegail suddenly interjected. Oliver just smiled at her. He was feeling nostalgic because Abegail used to be like this when they trained together.
"No. She needs to do what I say," Oliver said. "First wants his girl to be ready for the battle. I'm just following his orders," he added. He missed arguing with her too.
"The way you followed their orders?" Abegail bitterly said. Oliver suddenly went silent. His smile vanished, and he avoided her gaze while clearing his throat.
"Go and punch it," Oliver ordered Cassandra. "Cassy," Lisanna worriedly said.
"Don't worry, girls. I can do this," Cassandra said. She began punching the sandbag. Oliver glanced at Abegail and saw her glaring at him. Feisty, it really suits her; his hard-headed girl. Oliver sighed and shook his head, realizing that Abegail was not his girl anymore. He left her because of their orders.
"Punch it harder, Cassandra. Put some force!" Oliver shouted. Cassandra glared at her and raised her middle finger when he turned his back. She already got four hundred punches.
"Go, girl!" Lisanna cheered why Abegail remained poker-faced. The training ended with Cassandra panting heavily.
"3 hours and 47 minutes. Good job," Oliver said. He picked the worn-out boxing gloves on the ground. It was already the fourth one, and the sandbag was changed three times because of her punches.
"Training will resume at exactly 4 pm," Oliver said. "You will fight Liam Wright in your wolf form. Go and rest," he added and grabbed his back. He glanced at Abegail before going out of the training ground.
"Cassy, you have bruises on your knuckles," Lisanna worriedly said and handed Cassandra a towel.
"This is nothing," Cassandra said. "I will rest here. You can go back later. I know you have something to do too. I don't want to be a burden," she added. Lisanna shook her head and smiled.
"I will stay here," Lisanna said.
"It's good that Lisanna will stay here with you," Abegail said and smiled. "I will go back to our dorm and clean," she added.
"Thank you, Abby," Cassandra sincerely said. Abegail nodded her head and grabbed her bag. When she went out, she quickly saw Oliver leaning on the wall. She began walking away, but Oliver grabbed her arm.
"Abegail, can we talk?" Oliver said. Abegail stopped and faced him.
"No, we can't," Abegail said and removed his hand. Oliver pulled her and leaned her on the wall.
"What the hell do you want, Oliver!?" Abegail angrily shouted.
"This," Oliver replied and kissed her on the lips. Abegail instantly closed her eyes and kissed him back. All of the past happy memories they shared returned to her, but the order destroyed it. With all of her strength, Abegail pushed Oliver back and ran away. Oliver didn't follow her, but Abegail heard him asked for forgiveness. If it is not for the Council's order, they will not end up like this.