32

Chapter 32

Kayla's POV

It's been a few days since we arrived here, and all we've been doing is integrating rogues who do not like to talk. It has something to do with a boss, and they want a breeder. I think it's nothing but lies; they are probably trying to infiltrate this place and take everything. When unsuccessful, they end up resorting to violence. I feel the urge to explore the castle, so I decided to get up early. Maybe I'll even train with the warriors. After taking a shower and getting dressed, I left my bedroom, not knowing where they were training. I roamed around and admired the gardens they had planted; I particularly loved the veggie gardens. I planned to pick a few veggies later to make a small salad. As I explored, I stumbled upon a swimming pool. There wasn't just one but also an indoor pool alongside a jacuzzi on the other side. I yearned to relax in the jacuzzi and feel the jets hitting my back. Spotting a few kids running around the building, I decided to see what they were up to. Following the sounds, I discovered the training grounds. I sat on a bench to observe for a while. The trainers were starting with warm-ups. One of them noticed me sitting there. She approached me, hands on her hips. I refrained from laughing and decided to show respect since this wasn't my home. However, if she challenged me, I was prepared to respond.

"If you're just going to sit there and watch, why don't you join us new recruit and learn something instead of sitting down?" Oh, I couldn't believe she said that to me. I smirked, stood up, and joined the group in line. It was amusing how they perceived me as a new warrior-in-training. Little did they know, I was already a seasoned warrior. Standing in line silently, I awaited her instructions.

"Alright, guys, I want you to do sixty laps. Move those feet. Let's go," she commanded. I executed the sixty laps effortlessly. Some struggled to keep up, while others maintained pace. They were eager to impress the trainer, showcasing their commitment. After the laps, we proceeded with sit-ups, push-ups, leg lifts, and other exercises. The trainer even had us practice on a punching bag. It was exhilarating. When it was my turn to showcase my skills, I delivered. I executed kicks, punches, and even a backflip that accidentally knocked the bag off the tree. The trainer didn't show any sign of disrespect; however, she narrowed her eyes, raised an eyebrow, and gazed at me intensely before returning to normal. Something seemed off; the friendly demeanor vanished. She seemed prepared to challenge me, and I was ready to face it. I initially intended to observe the training, but now I found myself drawn into a challenge.

Flora's POV:

All the new recruits were here right on time for once. I was starting to talk to them until I saw a female walk over to sit down. Now who does she think she is, just prancing over here and sitting down when she should be training with the rest? So, I walked over there with my hands on my hips. I stood there for a few seconds to see if she would get up and join us, but this girl was just being lazy. I spoke to her, knowing I was a little disrespectful, but she had been the same just by walking over and sitting down.

"You're just going to sit there and watch? Why don't you come up here in line and join us, new recruit? Maybe you can learn something besides sitting down," she got up without saying a word, walking over to the group to stand in line. She did everything I told her to do and more. I was impressed. When we started with the punching bag, she was the last one to do it. Honestly, I thought she was just showing off, or someone else had trained her, and she wanted to be cocky – the little...

I mind-linked the group, telling them to stand back. I was going to spar with this new recruit, they nodded, and then I looked at her.

"So, you like to punch and kick a punching bag until it comes off the chains. Have you trained before and quit because you couldn’t handle it? How about you and I do a friendly spar to see how good you are? If you beat me, then you become a warrior. If I beat you, you will fall in line and do as you are told. Is that clear?" I swear I saw her smirk. Her eyes turned silver and gold. What the hell was this girl? I wasn't scared. I killed different creatures than her. Let her play her games. I will finish it for her.

"Alright. So, if you trained before, you will know what to do. I want you to get in your best fighting stance for me. I'll throw a hit at you. I want you to block me and then throw one right back. We will go from there. Don't stop because I'm not. I will tell you when the sparring is over." She nodded and got in her fighting stance. I was impressed. Let's see what she's got because I know she will see what I got. I...

I threw a hit at her. She blocked it right away and threw one back at me. We went back and forth kicking, punching, flipping backward, and everything else. I got a few hits on her; she got a lot on me. This girl was good at fighting. Where has this girl been? She would be an awesome warrior. I would even put in a good word with the king. We need this girl. After a while, it was mainly fun. She broke my nose, and...

The voice boomed for us to stop. I went down on my knees, bowing to the king.

"What the hell is going on here? Why are you two fighting like this? How dare you hit my mate!" We both looked at Lucas, stunned. Was he talking about me? There was no way in hell I was his mate. He would have come to me and claimed me. We had fun from time to time, but if I was his mate, he would have...

I stood up quickly, walking over to him. My arms went around his neck.

"Lucas, why didn't you tell me?" He gently pushed me away.

"I’m sorry, Flora, but you are not my mate." I understood, stood away from him, and slowly looked over at the new girl. She was busy looking from me to Lucas. This girl did not have a clue. She hadn't even shifted yet, but she was strong, very strong. Then I asked him.

"Who is she, Lucas?"

"She is the granddaughter of none other than Mercury Black, the mafia. I asked them to come and help with what's been going on. I didn't know she was my mate until she came a few days ago." Shaking my head, I moved away from him. I didn't want to be standing too close to the king with the queen just a few feet away.

"Then go get her, Lucas. It's not going to hurt me. I know I will find my mate, so go and get her." I heard him sigh and then looked back at me.

"I really wanted to do this when everything was figured out, when the rogues were taken care of, and when I found the people who were taking what is ours, what belongs to the kingdom. But my dumb ass mouth leaked it out. I thought about this for a few minutes. He couldn't take it back. She was walking over to us now. He better do something, or she is going to flip, or she will deny it. Who knows, but I'm not going to be a part of it. I whispered 'good luck' to him, then I hurried away, telling the others to leave. I am not going to be a part of this shit, no way, no how.”