Chapter 23: Training in Shadow
Enid cornered me after the Defense Initiative session with the kind of nervous energy that usually preceded either confessions or explosions. Given recent developments in our relationship, either seemed equally likely.
"I need help," she announced, bouncing on her toes in a way that made her seem younger despite the alpha power radiating from her like heat. "My wolf is—it's too loud now. Since the alpha thing."
Power control issues. The eternal struggle.
"Too loud how?"
"I almost shifted in class yesterday because someone cut in line." Her voice climbed an octave. "Cut. In. Line. That's not worth violence, but my wolf thought it was a dominance challenge that required immediate response."
Alpha instincts without alpha training. Recipe for disaster.
Traditional pack training focused on dominance assertion and territorial control—exactly the opposite of what Enid needed. She was trying to integrate alpha power without becoming the aggressive leader her family envisioned.
"I know about abilities that could consume you," I said carefully. "We can work on control together."
Personal experience with power corruption fears.
"Really? You'd help me not become a monster?"
Already helped Eugene become tactically competent. Enid's just a different challenge.
"Training schedule. Dusk sessions in the woods, away from students who might trigger your protective responses."
Eugene overheard from across the room and grinned like he was watching his favorite romantic subplot develop. I created a shadow construct—small pillow formed from darkness—and launched it at his head with enough force to mess up his hair.
"Subtle," Enid laughed. "Very mature."
Worth it for Eugene's scandalized expression.
Our first training session established the rhythm that would define everything between us. The woods provided perfect isolation—no students to trigger Enid's protective aggression, no observers to complicate power development with performance anxiety.
"Your wolf isn't separate from you," I explained, settling into meditation position that had become automatic after months of shadow control practice. "It's you without social performance."
Core principle. Power as extension of self rather than external force.
Enid tried to follow my breathing exercises, but frustration built quickly when her attempts at partial transformation kept triggering full alpha emergence. Her eyes flashed gold, claws extended involuntarily, and the scent of predator musk filled the clearing.
Control through understanding, not suppression.
I placed my hand over hers without flinching, feeling sharp edges that could tear through flesh but trusting her not to hurt me.
"The wolf protects what matters. Right now, what matters is learning control so you don't hurt someone you love accidentally."
Truth. Simple truth that cuts through panic.
The touch grounded her, alpha instincts recognizing pack bond rather than threat. Slowly, deliberately, the claws retracted.
Progress. Real progress.
We worked for two hours as twilight deepened, and I demonstrated my shadow sense—perceiving through darkness itself to detect movement beyond normal visual range. My shadows moved with unconscious grace, extending and contracting like breathing made visible.
"You're beautiful when you use your powers," Enid said quietly. "Like dancing with darkness."
No response to genuine compliment. Still learning how to accept praise.
My shadows curled toward her with almost sentient affection, responding to emotional warmth I was still learning to acknowledge.
Connection. Genuine connection.
The breakthrough happened during our fourth session. Enid achieved partial transformation—wolf ears and enhanced senses without full shift—for the first time in her life. The precision was incredible, alpha power channeled with surgical control instead of overwhelming force.
Perfect balance. Humanity and wolf working together.
She laughed with pure joy, the sound echoing through the forest like music.
Celebration time.
I pushed my own boundaries in response, creating five shadow constructs simultaneously while maintaining conversation and movement. Multiple independent forms that obeyed complex commands, mental strain significant but manageable.
Eugene's training protocols working. Systematic improvement through practice.
Enid tackled me in excitement, and we ended up tangled in forest undergrowth with her wolf-enhanced hearing picking up details I'd rather keep private.
"I can hear how nervous you are," she teased, eyes still glowing with residual alpha power.
Werewolf perception. Of course.
"You're on top of me and your eyes are glowing gold. Context suggests appropriate nervous response."
Deadpan honesty. My default defense mechanism.
She kissed me properly this time—no desperation or uncertainty, just warmth and certainty that made something in my chest feel lighter. My shadows wrapped around us both like protective cocoon, unconscious gesture that spoke to trust I was still learning to feel.
Safety. For the first time since transmigration, actual safety.
Walking back to campus, Enid took my hand naturally, and the reality hit like cold water: I was in a relationship. Actual relationship with feelings and expectations and vulnerability I hadn't allowed myself since arriving in this world.
Terror. Immediate and overwhelming.
Enid sensed my tension through whatever pack bond we'd been building—werewolf perception cutting through emotional walls like they were tissue paper.
"You're panicking. Talk to me."
Direct approach. Very Enid.
I forced honesty despite every instinct screaming to retreat into safe isolation: "I don't know how to be someone's... person. I've spent so long being forgettable."
Truth. Painful truth about systematic emotional isolation.
Her response was characteristically direct: "Then stop trying to fade into background and just be here with me. I see you, Aron. The real you. And I'm choosing to stay."
Words that break something fundamental in my chest.
I pulled her into proper embrace—rare initiated physical affection that made her understand how significant this was for someone who'd spent months avoiding genuine connection.
Found family expanding. Eugene, Wednesday, now Enid.
My shadows settled around us, and for the first time in months, I felt anchored instead of drifting.
Home. This feeling is home.
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