Chapter 11 Part 1 Training

Chapter 11 Part 1

SERENA POV 

Soon, I moved closer to the crowd. I walked straight toward Jayden, neither of us breaking eye contact. Our gazes stayed locked, unyielding, like a silent challenge passing between us.

He observed me slowly while commanding his warriors, barking instructions without ever looking away from me. The intensity in his eyes was suffocating. The way he controlled everything, the field, the warriors, the air itself, was dangerous. I hated it.

And gods, I loved it. It even makes me a bit aroused.

His aura demanded respect without him ever asking for it. He stood out effortlessly, powerful, commanding, untouchable. 

Every woman wanted a man like that. An extraordinary man. A man who ruled without trying. A man who made others fall in line simply by existing. This man is mine, he has always been. But not now. Not yet. But eventually. He is my mate.

“Good morning, my king,” I said calmly when I reached him. His expression hardened instantly. He didn’t reply.

Instead, he turned back to the group of warriors in front of him as if I didn’t exist.

So we’re at the ignoring stage. Fine.

Today was my first day. Artemis’ first day. Our first real test. And if we survived it, maybe, just maybe, I could earn a sliver of respect from him. Or at the very least prove that I wasn’t fragile.

“Serena.” He called out. His voice sliced cleanly through the chaos in my mind like steel. Calm. Cold. Controlling.

I froze, then took a deep breath and stepped forward. 

 “Yes, Your Majesty,” I replied. Then I added, deliberately pushing my luck. 

“Though you know it’s rude not to return a greeting, Jayden.” I said, knowing fully well that I was playing with fire.

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, almost a smirk, but it didn’t reach his eyes. His expression remained sharp. Dangerous. Calculating. 

“Well,” he said coolly, turning to the field, “everyone, look who decided to join us. Your Luna.”

His tone was mocking. Sharp. Intentional.

“Wouldn’t you greet her?”

“Good morning,” they replied, voices reluctant and stiff.

“Morning, guys,” I said with a small smile.

Jayden clasped his hands behind his back.

“Gather around,” he ordered everyone. “Let’s all watch your Luna’s first training session.”

The warriors complied instantly, forming a loose circle.

“There,” he said, gesturing toward the far end of the field. My gaze followed.

Climbing walls. Heavy combat dummies. Agility bars. Targets marked with symbols. It wasn’t basic training, it was designed to push limits.

“You will begin with agility drills,” Jayden said, his tone even but sharp.

 “Follow exactly what I instruct. Disobey, and you will face consequences.”

“I’m ready,” I said, stepping closer, lowering my voice as I leaned near his ear.

“Bring it on. I’m not scared.”

Despite my confidence of saying all those words to him, every muscle in my body tightened. Artemis twined through me, every nerve alert, every sense heightened and ready. This wasn't ordinary training.

“Don’t worry,” Artemis said. “We’ve got this.”

He wants to test us. Break me. Humiliate me. Physically and mentally. The first obstacle loomed before me: a wall taller than any I had ever climbed, smooth and unforgiving. 

My palms itched to grip, but I forced myself to pause, scanning for footholds, listening to Jayden’s instructions.

“Move.” Jayden ordered.

I sprinted forward, my muscles screaming, my heart beating louder. My hands found grip, my legs pushed, and I pulled myself over. 

My body burned, sweat trickled down my spine, and my lungs screamed for air.

Jayden’s eyes followed every motion, unblinking. 

I could feel the bond reacting, pulsing sharply in my chest, a silent drum of warning tension and desire twisting together that even Artemis struggled to control.

“He is ours.” Artemis said. “Remember that. He can't hurt us. He is just hurting, and wants us to share what he feels" 

I landed on the other side, rolling to absorb the impact. My chest heaved, and I caught sight of him watching, not a single muscle out of place, not a single flicker of doubt.

“Too Slow,” he said quietly, but loud enough for me to hear. Not a command, but a warning.

“Slow?” I muttered under my breath, frustration flaring. “I'm not slow.

“Control is more important than speed,” he said, voice sharper now. “Precision outweighs recklessness. Remember that, Luna.”

The title burned on my skin. Luna. Not the queen. Not a Luna queen. Not mate, just a reminder that I was under his control. 

Artemis growled inside me, claws scraping my mind. Do not falter. Do not submit.

“But it wasn’t slow,” I said aloud.

Jayden tilted his head. “Really?”

“Zora,” he called. “Step forward.”

The woman leading the female warriors approached. Strong. Confidence. And the way she looked at him, she wanted him.

Good. A competitor. Not that it mattered.

Jayden is mine. “She is just a bitch lusting after what was never her's” Artemis said, which I nodded to.

“Am here, Your majesty” She said gently.

“Go,” he said. “Climb the wall and show her what ‘slow’ looks like.”

Zora ran forward and scaled the wall effortlessly, landing smoothly on the other side before climbing back down.

“Done, Your Majesty,” she said, casting me a provoking glance

.

“You see?” Jayden said. “That’s how it’s done.”

I folded my arms.

“You’re happy she did it right. Am I correct.” I asked and continued without waiting for their reply.

“I don't care, because she’s clearly been training and practicing for years. This is my first time. You can’t expect perfection.” Silence.

“And I am pretty sure that during her first time. She doesn't even reach my level” I asked, they don't reply but the look in Zora's eyes tell me I guess right.

“And don’t compare me to her,” I continued, steady and firm.

“Only the Goddess knows how long she trained to reach that level. I respect that. But I also respect myself.” I turned back toward the wall.

“This is my first day,” I said over my shoulder. “And I’ll learn.”

Without waiting for permission, I stepped forward again.