5. MOCKERY OR TRAINING

MOCKERY OR TRAINING?

LUELLA

I didn’t bother to go for lunch after the stunt they pulled at the cafeteria yesterday. My legs were still shaky from the distance I had to walk to school. Just the thought of seeing him again made my stomach churn.

Who was I kidding?

I stepped into my last class to see everyone dressed as if they were going for a war. Leather suit pants. Jungle boots and… the ladies had their hair packed. Isn’t this supposed to be a normal class?

“Miss Rivers, how nice of you to join us,” the instructor said with a smile. It was hard to tell if he meant it, considering the smirk on the student faces, and I could bet they were already planning something stupid.

God, I missed Pineview High. 

At least I had my best friend and a few decent people to hang out with. Everyone here is a snob, and to think I’d have to see these faces for the next one year didn’t sound a bit exciting.

“Are you sure you hadn’t stepped into the wrong room?” Sabrina and her minions stepped forward with a smirk. While everyone else was covered up, they wore a bra top and leggings, showing off their bodies at every given opportunity as if that is all they are made up for.

I went to join the other students, ignoring them, but they just couldn't read the room.

“This room is not for weak omegas so if you haven’t shifted yet or have any real power, I’m afraid this is not somewhere you should be,” She smirked.

“Miss Rivers,” the instructor called, drawing attention away from those wannabe.

“Yes, sir?”

“Your powers weren’t mentioned when you transferred here. Ravenswood Academy trains students and teaches them how to use their power, which is all what this class is about. We need to know your specialization to know what you can handle.”

Oh, shit.

I don’t have my wolf yet. While it’s not completely strange, these assholes wouldn’t understand. Every head turned to look at me, and I had a gut feeling this wouldn’t end well. Sabrina arched her brows, waiting for my response.

 I clenched my teeth.

“I don’t have one yet,” I announced.

“Of course, she doesn’t,” Sabrina finished for me, her voice rising in a cruel delight. “She’s a late bloomer, or maybe just a dud. Isn’t that right, Rivers? Are you even a wolf or did your mother just lie to get a seat at the Alpha’s table?”

The students burst into a fit of laughter, but the only thing that rang in my head was… they knew. I didn’t expect Asher to announce who I was since he hated me anyway, but since no one has manners here, I’d have to show them that our supernatural abilities are just a plus.

My father taught me all I needed to know about martial arts. These weaklings can’t compete with me with their physical abilities, so what made them think they can look down on me?

“You sound like you can win a fair fight with me,” I shot back.

“Oou..” the students chorused behind us, but I was done playing nice.

“Your powers are just as useless if you have no control over your physical strength, so how about we compete to see who’s better?” I arched my brow, challenging her.

The room dropped silent.

“Do you have a death wish?” she inched closer, eyes glinting with a profound hatred.

That is it. Without her minions and claws, I bet she can’t even throw a punch.

“What? Too scared to let the school find out how much of a weakling you are?” 

The instructor cleared his throat, looking between Sabrina and I as if he was trying not to pick a side.

“Miss Rivers, I am afraid I cannot allow that. You have no powers and that is what this class is all about, so how about you drop this one?”

My head snapped to the instructor who had an apologetic look on his face. Sabrina’s lips curved into a smirk as she stared at me. 

“Sounds about right. Shoo.”

I clenched my teeth, throwing a death glare at Sabrina when the door swung open.

“No, let her stay.”

Asher’s voice rippled through the air before he graced us with his annoying face. His boot clicked against the floor as he stepped forward, and I couldn’t help but notice how his muscles flexed beneath his gear.

“Asher…” Sabrina rushed over to his side, but he didn’t acknowledge her.

“A-Asher,” the instructor stammered.

“She wanted to show us what she’s got, yeah? Why doesn't she duel with me?”

“That is a suicide mission.”

“She’s not going to accept, right?”

“Asher is the strongest among us all. No one can beat him in combat, let alone a weak girl who doesn’t even have her wolf.”

The students whispered among themselves.

“Aw, are you scared now?” Sabrina smirked as she stood beside Asher. “You sounded so confident earlier, or maybe it was all a bluff.”

My gaze shifted to Asher who was staring at me like this was the one thing he had been waiting for. I can’t back off now. Everyone would see me as a weakling that shied away because she was scared of defeat.

I may not stand a chance against him with his height and those stupid muscles, but I could use a few things to my advantage. The best werewolf trainer that lived was my father after all.

“Miss Rivers,” the instructor started. “You don’t have to do this. No one can beat Asher in this school…”

“I am in,” I cut him off, already cracking my knuckles. I rolled my shoulders as I prepared for the challenge.

Asher’s lips curved into a smirk as he walked away from Sabrina.

“Go easy on her,” the instructor called.

“Of course,” he snorted. “We don’t want mommy worrying about her.”

Fucking bastard.

He stepped onto the black mats, pulling his shirt over his head in one fluid motion. My breath hitched as I watched his toned chest. My gaze fell to the scar on his lower abdomen, and I knew I was no match for him.

He was born for this, and me? My father just taught me defense.

“Get on the mat, Nuella,” he commanded.

“I don’t have the gear,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt.

“So? You think a rogue will wait for you to change your shoes?” he beckoned me with a flick of his wrist, his smirk widening as Sabrina giggled from the sidelines.

“Come on. Show the class what ‘trash’ from Pineview can do.”

I swung a fist at his jaw, but he didn’t move. He just tilted his head, making the wind of my punch whistling past his ear. I stumbled, an impelling force carrying me forward, when I felt a vice grip the back of my neck.

He slammed my face into the mat, knocking the air out of my lungs. The taste of rubber and salt filled my mouth. Before I could scramble up, he pressed his knee on my back, pinning me down.

“Weak,” he hissed in my ear. His hot breath fanned my skin as he leaned closer, almost crushing my back with his weight.

“For a moment there, I almost believed you had it in you.”

“Get… Off… me,” I wheezed, clawing at his forearm.

“He’s going to kill her,” someone muttered between the crowd.

My heart skipped a beat as he flipped me over, grabbing both of my wrists and pinned them above my head. He hovered over me, his chest heaving, sweat dripping from his chin onto my collarbone.

For a second, the mocking smirk was gone. His dark eyes searched mine, looking for the moment I’d cry.

“Is that all you’ve got?” I spat, making sure my voice carried all the venom I felt towards him. “Bullying a girl because you're too afraid of a real fight? You’re just a coward with a title.”

The room fell silent, and the only sound that could be heard was our ragged breath.

“Coward?” he clicked his tongue, his face inches from mine. His hot breath fanned my cheeks, sending chills down my spine. Just a snap, and he could really kill me. I knew better than to run my mouth right now, but the arrogant look on his face only irks me more.

“Are you going to keep me here forever then?” I hissed.

His gaze fell to my lips, and his eyes flickered with something unreadable.

“That mouth will cause your ruin, but I’ll cut you loose today,” he pushed himself up, standing over me with a piercing gaze. 

I inhaled sharply the moment he released the pressure on my hand. I could see the redness forming there. It’d leave a bruise, but somehow the one thing I was worried about was his warmth.

“Speak to me like that again… and I won’t stop at your arms.”