165 Chapter 165 Setting the Pace
Elena’s POV 1
I’ve endured worse conditions than this before. Back at the previous base, they subjected us to hell week every few months. During those brutal seven days, we barely managed two hours of sleep each night.
The purpose was clear – preparing us for extended missions where sleep becomes a luxury we can’t afford for days at a time.
I understood they weren’t trying to break us down out of cruelty. They needed absolute certainty that we could defend ourselves and complete our assignments under any circumstances. Nothing more, nothing less.
I’d caught whispers about hell week happening here too, though nobody mentioned when it might begin. Right now, I couldn’t bring myself to care about the timing.
After we grabbed our food, Asher settled beside me at the far end of the table. Our conversation flowed naturally, and I found myself genuinely enjoying his company while Nico and Koa mingled with the other Hunters. The female recruits continued shooting me strange looks from across the
room.
Their obvious suspicion irritated me more than I wanted to admit.
I came here with a specific mission in mind. Asher’s preference for my company over theirs wasn’t something I could control or apologize for.
Maybe he appreciated that I wasn’t desperately competing for his attention like the others seemed to be doing.
“Time to move out, everyone.” Corbin’s voice cut through our conversation as he approached our table.
I pushed back from the table alongside Asher, Nico, and Koa, following Corbin’s lead as he guided us from the mess hall.
165 Chapter 165 Setting the Pace
He led us straight back to the obstacle course, laying out our next challenge with typical military precision. Complete the entire course and return to start in twelve minutes flat.
Dread settled heavy in my stomach. I’d known he would force me through this torture again, but knowing didn’t make facing it any easier.
Asher’s fingers brushed against mine, so light I almost missed the contact. When I glanced his way, his expression conveyed quiet reassurance – a silent message that everything would work out fine.
He must have read the apprehension written across my face. I couldn’t explain how he managed it, but his presence beside me created a sense of security I hadn’t expected to find here. With him nearby, I felt capable of pushing through whatever came next.
The feeling caught me off guard. Trust had never come easily for me, especially not this quickly. I’d learned early that relying on others usually led to disappointment.
I’d formed friendships throughout the years, sure, but I’d always maintained careful distance. Getting too close meant vulnerability I couldn’t afford.
Asher felt different somehow. Completely different.
When Corbin’s whistle pierced the air, all four of us launched into motion simultaneously. Running the course with the guys transformed the entire experience.
They actively worked to help me move faster through each obstacle. Whenever they cleared the wooden wall first, one would position himself on top and extend his hand, hauling me up effortlessly.
Their raw strength left me speechless. They could lift my entire body weight with a single arm like I weighed nothing at all, then we’d continue moving without missing a beat.
Our first run clocked in at fifteen minutes – still three minutes over the target time.
15:25
165 Chapter 165 Setting the Pace
Corbin granted us a brief rest period and water before sending us back through again.
“Why didn’t you give us fair warning?” Nico demanded, approaching me during our break.
“Warning about what exactly?” I asked, genuinely confused by his accusation.
“You’re incredibly tough for a teenage girl.” His tone carried both surprise and grudging respect.
“I’ve had extensive practice.” I kept my response simple and direct.
“No, it runs deeper than that.” Nico studied me with newfound interest, clearly trying to piece together something that didn’t quite add up in his mind.
“She’s practically grown up on military bases her entire life. She’s been running courses like this since she could barely walk. Makes perfect sense she can match our pace.” Asher stepped in to defend me, which genuinely surprised me.
“How about we don’t assist her this round and see exactly how skilled she really is?” Nico suggested. His tone wasn’t malicious – he seemed to be turning it into some kind of friendly competition.
“You’re on.” I dropped my water bottle decisively and headed straight back to the starting position.
“I didn’t mean we should start immediately. We’re supposed to be resting.” Nico protested, but I was already laughing at his reaction.
Corbin’s whistle sounded again, and the guys had to scramble to catch up since I’d already launched myself into the course without waiting.
The challenge energized me in a way I hadn’t anticipated. Without their assistance, I’d have to rely entirely on my own abilities and training. Every muscle in my body engaged as I attacked each obstacle with focused determination.
165 Chapter 165 Setting the Pace
My years of conditioning kicked in automatically. I scaled walls, crawled under barriers, and navigated balance beams with the fluid efficiency that had been drilled into me since childhood.
Behind me, I could hear the guys pushing themselves to keep pace. Their competitive spirit had awakened something in me too – a desire to prove that I belonged here on my own merits.
The course blurred past as I moved through it, my breathing controlled despite the burning in my lungs. This was what I’d trained for my entire life. This was where all those grueling hours of preparation finally meant something tangible.
As I approached the final obstacle, I could sense the guys close behind me. Whatever happened next, I’d proven something important to myself today. I wasn’t just keeping up anymore – I was setting the pace.
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