Chapter three

~Lexa’s POV~

FIVE YEARS LATER

“Mother, you have to understand that I have authority. I am Alpha, and she is an outsider you brought in and fawn over so much. She’s not one of us.”

His mother frowned at him as if he had trampled every flower in her garden.

“Why would you say that? She has been with us for five years, and that is more than enough time for her to declare herself one of us.”

“No.” He shook his head. “There is no way I’m going to argue about her with you when you’re never going to take my side.”

He was damn right about that but hell I hate to stand here, begging this stubborn alpha to get his permission.

I acted like he wasn’t there because apparently to him I wasn’t.

“Zane!” Mum snapped, her eyes turning sharp. Turning to look at me if I took offense with that.

I turned away, taking a deep breath. “She is not training with us, and that’s final, Mother.”

Before she could answer, he strode off. He was headed to the training grounds when mum intercepted her stubborn, pretty annoying son, trying to force him to let me into combat training.

There was no way he would ever agree to that. I know but I was going to keep asking till he eventually gave in.

It was a clear afternoon. The sky was bright with big puffy clouds.

How warm.

I forcefully smiled as I walked down the corridor behind him, past bowing guards, toward the training grounds, which shook with grunts, growls, and heavy punches.

The sight of warriors sparring always lifted my mood.

He finally froze.

“Why the hell do you keep following me when you know I’m not giving you my consent?” He turned back to face me, almost bumping into me but I took a step backward.

It was like I’ve mastered our daily routine with all our front and back.

His gaze fell on the mate mark on my neck again, something he’s been doing secretly all these years.

Every muscle in my body went taut. That mark always made his eyes darken like he knew the secrets behind them but I’m never telling. I don’t remember a thing from my past, was my story .

He wanted to drag me away.

Wanted to do something harmful to me with the way his eyes always darken

It’s why I’m never trusting a man ever again

I’m under his care but I don’t trust him.

"Alpha."

“What do you think you’re doing here, Lexa?” He asked, keeping a deep frown on his face, acting like he didn’t just look at my neck.

I faced him, completely unbothered by his presence. “What does it look like I’m doing, Alpha?”

The audacity I know right

Where did she get the nerve to talk to me like that? That’s exactly what he should be saying behind that frown.

“Stop being persistent, if my mum put you up for it just know that it won’t work.

“You are not training with us and that’s final.”

“Why, though?” I sighed, folding my arms under my bosom. Here we go again…

“You are not cut out for it and I just don’t want to see you even down here.” He said smoothly like it really took nothing to say those words.

A smirk on his lips as I returned his gesture with a smile. The one he hates to see on my face, that smile that said I was still going to get what I want.

But Goddess, I was furious.

Always furious with Alpha Zane, everything about him ticks me off.

“I can handle myself,” I said, looking past him to stare at the people training real hard .

I just wanted to train, so I could defend myself and not run away from pain or hurt ever again.

“It’s not about your ability. It’s my order that you not train with the warriors,” he stated rather too clearly but it all fell on deaf ears.

I halted, scowling deeply as I let it all out. “Look, I understand you don’t like me—”

He cuts in. “It’s not like that. It’s just—”

“I don’t like you either. There's no need to feel bad.” I was completely flat and dismissive. It’s a neutral feeling and I know he only acts nice because of his mum

“How rude,” he scoffed. “You—!”

“Zane!” Mum’s voice snapped his mouth shut.

“There you are,” she came closer, beaming at me like I was the daughter she never had.

I could swear I saw him nearly roll his eyes.

I smiled back as if Mum were the mother I never had. Because truthfully she was since she gave me a chance five years ago.

Goddess.

“Has Zane agreed to let you join training?” Mum asked, acting like he wasn’t there to ask him directly.

“No. Not yet,” I answered. Both of us turned to stare at him as if he were some villain. Which he clearly was!

“Zane, this is not how I raised you!” Mum slapped his arm and I’m sure my smothered smile made the pain so much worse

I’d grown used to Zane these past years. And one thing I know he hates was definitely my smile.

“Fine.” He turned to me with hateful eyes.

I watched him with wide, expectant eyes. Waiting for those words to come out after waiting for so long “You can train.”he spit out like he was forced to.

A small smile curved my lips. I dipped her head. “Thank you, Alpha.”

Finally

My smile didn't naturally get to my eyes. They were always dark and hard. Sometimes completely blank and other times mocking a certain someone.

I was doing him a favour giving him an empty but a real smile right now.

"Now you are my son." Mum looked absurdly proud. The surprised look on her face was more evident than mine.

“On one condition,” he added and our smiles vanished.

“What do you mean?” I asked, not too surprised by the change of heart. Men!

Mum slapped his arm again. “What are you doing?” Her voice cracked, sounding now unsure.

“Do you want to train or not?” He asked because he always had the upper hand. My frown only deepened.

“What’s the condition?” I ground out. A reaction he found oddly satisfying.

“Go on a date with me.”

My eyes flew wide. “What? A date?”

Mum went silent, grinning so brightly it was blinding.

I inhaled cause a date with Alpha Zane was the worst fate imaginable. I was so pissed but I couldn’t turn it down.

"Don't..."

“Fine,” I said before he could say anything. My heart skipped a beat. “I’ll go on a date with you, Alpha Zane.”