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It was obvious that they didn't come from the same backgrounds. He didn't grow up in the wild with a pack. He grew up with supportive parents and learned how to read and manners and apparently, how to skate. She, on the other hand, grew up in a coyote skin with nothing but instincts to guide her. She learned how to hide every time she felt pain or weakness because to show it meant you didn't deserve to live. She watched coyotes die from falling ill or picking the wrong fights. Just a broken leg could could get you left behind and ultimately killed by other predators. She learned not to trust anyone but herself. Showing any kind of weakness was still forbidden in her mind. It had taken Frost and the other people in her life months to show her that others could be trusted, that she could get something for nothing sometimes and that she could learn to lean on others until she could stand on her own too feet. It still felt wrong sometimes but she'd learned to brush it off because in the end, she felt it would only help her survive and anything was worth it if she survived. This skating thing was no different. She trusted Ashton enough to help her get started and then she planned on working at it until she got it right. She wanted to be as graceful as he was, if not, more so. She would practice until her feet fell off if that's what it took cause she hated to be bad at anything. She looked down on those people using the walls. Maybe it was wrong but it was instinct. They showed weakness in the open which made them weak. It was obvious by his words that he would never understand that. She furrowed her brows at him for a minute before shrugging. "Whatever. Still not doing it." It came out a little harsh and she didn't mean it that way but she was set in her ways just as she was sure he was set in his. She didn't want to sit here and explain it all to him. He still had an animal side so she felt in some way, he should already understand. Unless his human logic was just overriding it. It only made her more curious of what he shifted into. She knew different species could think very differently. His voice was soft when he said it and she felt bad for snapping so she sighed and looked back down at her unsteady feet. She appreciated his help. "Sorry, you just wouldn't understand." She finally mumbled. He stayed close and she was grateful for that. She didn't want to have to lean on him for help all the time like a sad little puppy but she didn't want to feel like a fool trying to do this all by herself either. The moment her feet slipped out from uner her, she cringed and closed her eyes, expecting the hard unforgiving surface of the wood floor to come up and meet her. When she felt only a more forgiving warm hard surface, she slowly opened her eyes, only to gasp. Ashton had caught her and pulled her against his chest. His arms were wrapped around her. She tensed up, her skin on fire everywhere it was touching him. She blinked as she looked into his bright blue eyes. Oh God, what had she done? Did she throw herself into his arms? He must think she was so desperate! But he only asked if she was okay. She grimaced and bit down on her lip before nodding. But then she narrowed her eyes in a glare when he asked if she would quite being so proud and use the wall. She snorted and pushed herself out of his grasp, folding her arms as she tried to keep very still, knowing movement might set off her feet again. "I was fine. I had it handled. I can do this, no wall required." She set her jaw in determination and took a slow step forward, letting out her breath in a slow exhale as she did the same with the other. Slowly but surely, she got a rhythm going and felt confidence pouring back into her. She beamed as she glided around the rink, albeit much slower than the average skater. But still, it was progress. Over time, she didn't have to hold her arms out to the sides and was able to keep them closer to her body. She kept going and going, looking only at her feet at first until she felt confident enough to look where she was going so she could keep out of the way of other skaters. She didn't know how long they'd been here or how long they were staying but all at once, she felt she could stay here forever doing this. It was so freeing once she picked up a little speed. She wobbled more than a few times, but her heart rate was slowing and it was easier to stay calm. She stuck to the outer edges, only reaching for the railing when she thought others weren't looking, especially Ashton. She only used it for seconds at a time, enough to steady her when she couldn't quit wobbling or when she felt her feet go a little too fast and she needed to slow down. But overall, she felt she was starting to get it. And my, how fun it was starting to be! |