Chapter 3 - Lost My Scent

•• Seleste’s POV •••

“You woke up early,” Ezekiel said, approaching me from behind.

I did not bother responding to him as I kept my attention on Instructor Hale, knowing that if she saw me looking anywhere but her, I would rather find myself running around the truck than dealing with her rage.

“Yes. We had classes to attend.”

“Up before sunrise? Didn’t peg you for a morning wolf, he smirked before taking a step back.

Truth be told, I wasn’t. But I needed to shower, and I wasn’t going to be able to get out of bed, my clothes, and everything that I was going to need to strip out of and freshen up with if I slept in. I needed to be sure to do it when HE was asleep. And thank God for the fact that he was a heavy sleeper.

“Attention!” Instructor Hale’s voice cut through the air like a whip. The chatter died instantly, and we all snapped into place, standing in rigid lines. 

Her training yesterday had me sore, but I didn’t show it. I stood, looking at her, knowing that she was going to throw something different at us today. 

The other students didn’t look as exhausted, but they were far more trained than I was. I was still new here, and each one of them has been preparing for this since as long as he could remember. 

Unlike me…

Her cold blue eyes swept over us, landing on me for the briefest moment. I kept my gaze forward, my breathing even. She moved on, and I exhaled slowly. 

Just keep your head low, and no one will notice.

“Today, we’re starting with combat training,” she announced. “Paired drills. You’ll be tested on your speed, strength, and adaptability. Weakness will not be tolerated. The first to lose is going to be clearing out when we’re done.”

My wolf stirred, a ripple of anticipation beneath my skin. Combat training was dangerous; it meant close contact, sharp senses, and instincts I would have to suppress. But it was also my strength, especially my other side which usually came out when I was training with my late Mom. 

I reminded myself I could hold my own. I had to. I had to stand strong, and I had to dodge every touch. Well, I had to make sure that no one touched me… 

“Pair up,” Hale ordered.

The group shifted, students sizing each other up as alliances formed in subtle glances and nods. I stayed where I was, waiting. I couldn’t risk choosing wrong, couldn’t draw attention.

A shadow fell over me. I looked up, and my heart dropped.

Tristan Rhiel stood before me, his expression unreadable. His dark hair was tousled, a stark contrast to the pristine training uniform he wore. His stance was relaxed, but there was nothing casual about the intensity in his eyes.

“Aiden, right?” he asked.

I swallowed, nodding. “Yes.”

His lips twitched, not quite a smile. “You’re with me.”

I didn’t argue. Couldn’t, even if I wanted to. Instead, I followed him to an open space, the earth beneath us worn from years of battle. The other pairs spread out, but I could feel their eyes on us, filled with curiosity and a sense of effortless anticipation.

Tristan rolled his shoulders, his movements fluid. “Rules are simple. No mercy. You showed your running skills yesterday. As a new blood, your position was already good. I am curious about how you would be doing in combat today.”

I forced a smirk, hoping it looked confident. “I wasn’t expecting any.”

His expression didn’t change, but a spark of something darkened his gaze. He took my words as a challenge. 

He moved first, and I barely had time to react. His fist grazed my cheek as I twisted, the force of his attack sending me stumbling. So much for not letting anyone touch me.

“Faster,” he said, his voice calm. “If that’s all you’ve got, you won’t last long here unless you’re planning to clear out once we’re done. You have the figure for it. Your small body does not reflect Alpha.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, the coppery taste of blood grounding me. But it was his words that triggered me. 

“I’m just getting started.”

I lunged, using my smaller size to my advantage. My fists struck out, and he blocked them with ease, his movements precise, practiced. He wasn’t testing me; he was toying with me.

Anger flared, hot and unwelcome; my other power was about to erupt. I pressed it down. Instead, I pressed forward, feinting left before driving my knee up. He caught my leg, twisted, and I hit the ground hard, the breath rushing from my lungs.

“Not bad,” he said, standing over me. “But not good enough.”

I glared up at him, my pride stinging. I rolled to my feet, ignoring the pain that radiated through my side. 

“Again.”

This time, he didn’t hold back. His attacks came fast, calculated. I met each blow, my body moving on instinct, years of training sharpening every response. I wasn’t as strong, but I was quick. Agile.

For a moment, I saw an opening. I darted forward, my fist connecting with his ribs. He grunted, his composure cracking, and I felt a flicker of triumph, until his hand closed around my wrist, his grip like iron. I glared at him as my eyes hardened, but he did not flinch, nor did he react.

He spun me, twisting my arm behind my back, and I bit back a gasp of pain. His breath was warm against my ear, his voice a low growl. “You fight well. But you’re hiding something.”

My blood ran cold. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He tightened his hold, just enough to make me wince. “Your scent. It’s wrong. Faint. Like you’re masking it. You have something that you’re hiding.”

I forced a laugh, a brittle sound. “I told your brother I was sick. Lost my scent.”

Tristan’s silence was heavy, dangerous. “You think I’m an idiot? If he believed it, then have mercy on him, he is going to be falling for other games a lot faster than I could have imagined.”

Before I could respond, he released me, shoving me forward. I stumbled, catching myself just before I hit the ground. When I turned, his expression was closed off, a wall I couldn’t see through.

“Keep up, Aiden,” he said, his voice devoid of the earlier edge. “Or you won’t survive here.”

He moved back into position, signaling the fight wasn’t over. I hesitated, my mind racing. He was suspicious, too close to the truth. But I couldn’t back down. I couldn’t let fear paralyze me.

I took my stance, forcing my body to obey, my mind to focus. “I’m not going anywhere.”

We clashed again, our bodies a blur of motion. He didn’t speak, and I let my silence match his. My movements became sharper, my strikes more precise. I couldn’t overpower him, but I could outlast him.

The world narrowed to the rhythm of our fight, the bite of the cold air, the burn of muscle and bone. I lost track of time, lost in the dance of survival.

When Instructor Hale called for a halt, I stumbled back, my chest heaving, sweat slicking my skin despite the chill. Tristan stood tall, barely winded, but his expression had shifted. There was a question in his eyes, a challenge.

“Well done,” Hale said, her voice as sharp as ever. “Some of you might just make it.”

The groups began to disperse, but I stayed where I was, my body refusing to move. Tristan stepped closer, his voice a whisper only I could hear.

“I’ll figure you out, Aiden. It’s only a matter of time.”

I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. I had shown them nearly my whole strength because of his taunt, and I had to be more careful from now on. 

I turned, forcing my legs to carry me away, my mind a storm of fear and defiance as his words played in my head, and a small, silent promise played in mine…

Unless I’m extra careful to ensure that you don’t ever find out.