#Chapter 3 Sparring Lessons

I’m startled out of my thoughts as Lynn shifts to see what I keep looking at. She takes a look at the picture on my phone and then lets out a dreamy sigh.

“He looks so strong,” she giggles. “I bet he’s really handsome. It’s a shame that you’ve never seen his face.

I nod, still thinking about the sleeve in the picture. “Hey Lynne?”

“What’s up? Everything okay?”

“Yeah, I was just wondering something. I know it’s not a lot to go on, but does this arm look familiar to you?”

Lynn takes another look at the picture, studying it carefully before shaking her head. “I don’t think so.”

I look back down at the screen, feeling better about what I see. It is probably just a coincidence, I am sure lots of people own that shirt. If nothing else about the photo looks familiar to Lynn, then I am probably just overreacting.

Reassured I tap out a quick reply to Felix.

Iris: I could really use that strength today. The future Alpha at my school is such a jerk. I wish you were here to stand up to him.

Felix: I wish I was too. If I saw him bothering you, I’d be sure to teach him some manners.

I smile down at my phone. There is no way that Felix is secretly Vedant. If it were, he’d probably go on some tirade about respecting Alphas and learning my place.

Lynn looks up from over my shoulder and meets my eye with a grin. “It seems like he really like you, Chiara. Have you ever considered meeting up with him?”

I can’t help the sigh that escapes my lips before nodding. “I’ve considered it,” I say hesitantly.

“Considered?” Lynn asks. “What could possibly be holding you back from meeting up with a protective, kind, probably hunky, and definitely head over heels for you internet boy?”

“Ever heard of internet safety?”

Lynn rolls her eyes. “Be real. You trust Felix more than anyone. What’s actually holding you back?”

I let out another sigh before answering. Felix had asked if we could meet in person more than once, but I had always come up with some reason not to go.

“It’s not that I don’t want to. I really want to, but I’d rather wait until I reach adulthood. Once I’m sure that my mate isn’t in the New Moon pack, I will be free to meet Felix in person and confess my feelings for him.

Lynn nods. “I’m sure Felix would understand that.”

I smile at Lynn. “Thanks.”

“You guys think so much alike that I’m positive you’re fated mates,” she adds with a giggle.

At her comment, my cheeks heat. “I’m looking forward to finding out.”

I take one last look at my phone, before stowing it in my pocket. “Come on. It’s almost time for calculus.”

When we arrive at our next class I take a look at the old clock on the wall and am pleased to see we have a few minutes before class gets started. We take our seats and I pull out my homework from the night before, hoping that Lynn can help me with a few problems that I couldn’t quite wrap my head around.

Students continue to trickle into the room as we work, heads bent. Math has never been my strongest subject, and I am grateful to Lynn for the help. She is halfway through explaining a particularly difficult equation when a voice sounds over the intercom.

“All students are to report to the training field immediately. Please proceed in an orderly fashion.”

Me and Lynn exchange a look before quickly packing up our homework and making our way to the training field with everyone else. This must be the training class that Simon had been asking Vedant about.

We arrive at the field and look around, carefully scanning the crowd for a good place to stand. After a moment’s consideration, we make our way to a spot near the edge, where we won’t be noticed.

The crowd buzzes with excited energy and I can’t help but let my own excitement bubble up in response. This class could be the chance I need to prove myself.

Eventually, the rest of the school files onto the field and Mr. Beech addresses the group. “I need boys on the left side of the field and girls on the right. When you’ve all settled, Mrs. Amanita and I will tell you what to do from there.”

The field becomes a flurry of movement as those who ended up on the wrong side of the field quickly move to correct their positions. Lynn and I carefully shuffle through the crowd, until we’ve situated ourselves on the right side.

Once the activity dies down Mrs. Amanita regards the girls. “Alright ladies, this class was designed to strengthen our pack against the increase in rogue activity that has been plaguing packs in the area. That means you need to know how to fight.”

A murmur goes through the crowd and she pauses to let it pass before continuing. “Today I will be splitting you into sparring pairs to assess the skills you already have and we’ll go from there.”

I meet Lynn’s eyes and shoot her a nervous smile as Mrs. Amanita starts rattling off the pairs. “Allison Regalis you’re with Samantha Rufus. Lynn Plumbea you’re with Alice Helvus.”

Alice laughs as she looks Lynn up and down. “This is going to be too easy.”

Lynn’s eyes widen and she turns to me in a panic. “She’s going to kill me Chiara. I’m going to die.”

I give her a sympathetic look. “Maybe it won’t be that bad. You might surprise yourself.”

Even though my words are reassuring, I can’t help but worry. Alice is ruthless and Lynn has always had a problem standing up for herself.

She shoots me a disbelieving look but goes to stand reluctantly by Alice. Mrs. Amanita continues listing off names and eventually I’m paired with one of Alice’s friends, Caroline. Once all the pairs have been divided up, Mrs. Amanita goes through the rules of the spar and then blows a whistle to start the fighting.

Caroline rushes forward, arms extended, and I quickly dodge out of the way. We continue on in this manner with Caroline lunging, relying on her brute strength and me using my speed to my advantage careful not to show just how fast I really am.

I glance over at Lynn and see that her fight is going about as well as expected. Alice lands blow after blow and Lynn’s energy is clearly spent. I hold my breath waiting for Alice to stop, to call the fight, but she doesn’t.

Instead, she knocks Lynn to the ground, and her foot goes back, the trajectory of the kick, aimed in the direction of Lynn’s neck. It only takes a second for me to realize how their fight is going to end without interference.

I shift my body in Lynn’s direction and this time when Caroline charges I don’t dodge out of the way. Instead, I let the full weight of her knock me back until I’ve made contact with Lynn, pushing her out of the way of Alice’s attack.

A growl escapes Alice’s throat as she looks at me. “You did that on purpose.”

Anger pulses through my veins. “And what if I did?”

“You have no right to meddle in my fight.”

I don’t answer, instead, I turn to Mrs. Amanita “This fight is over. Alice just tried to kill Lynn!”

Before Mrs. Amanita can say anything Alice’s fist rears back. For a split second I think about dodging, but Alice is too close. If I move out of the way now, people will see how fast I really am.

I make my promise to my wolf Molly that keep her a secret. And I need to stay out of trouble before I come of age. So I can’t risk showing what I can do.

I close my eyes waiting for the strike, but after a second, I realize it’s not coming. I open my eyes all I can see is a familiar broad back, and he’s wearing the same shirt I was obsessing over just half an hour ago.

He’s stepped in between me and Alice.

It's Vedant.