Chapter 16: The Training

 

Two days later, the boredom was starting to kill me faster than any assassin could.

"I feel useless," I complained, watching Killian go through a stack of documents at the breakfast table. "I just sit here, eat, sleep, and wait for the next disaster. I'm a sitting duck, Killian."

Killian didn't look up, but his pen stopped moving. "You are carrying two royal heirs. Your job is to sit there and grow them."

"I hate it," I said, standing up. "If Chloe or anyone else comes at me again... I don't want to just rely on luck or a locked door. I want to know how to fight back."

Killian finally looked up. His blue eyes assessed me, sweeping over my frame. He seemed to be weighing the risk against my stubbornness.

Finally, he stood up.

"Fine," he said, tossing the pen down. "Go put on some leggings. Meet me in the gym downstairs in ten minutes."

---

The gym in the Forbidden Wing was just like the rest of the house—state-of-the-art and intimidating.

Killian was already there, wrapping his hands in black tape. He had shed his usual suit for a grey tank top that clung to his sweat-dampened skin, exposing the full glory of his tattooed arms.

I swallowed hard. Focusing was going to be a problem.

"You can't out-muscle a wolf," Killian said bluntly, turning to face me. "Especially not in your condition. If an Alpha attacks you, you have exactly three seconds to end it before he overpowers you."

He walked over to me, his presence looming large.

"So, we don't fight fair," he murmured. "We fight dirty."

"Dirty. Got it," I nodded.

"Stand here," he commanded.

He moved behind me. His large hands landed on my hips, adjusting my stance. His chest pressed against my back, his heat radiating through my thin shirt.

"Widen your legs," he whispered against my ear. "Lower your center of gravity. You are small, Elena. Use that. If you are low, you are harder to throw."

I tried to focus on my feet, but having the Alpha King practically wrapping himself around me was... distracting.

"Now," he said, one hand sliding down to guide my arm. "If someone grabs you from behind—like this—"

He wrapped a muscular arm around my neck. It was gentle, a mock hold, but the threat was implied.

"Don't pull away," he instructed. "Drop your weight. And drive your elbow back. Hard."

He tapped his own ribs to show the target.

"Here. The floating ribs. If you hit it right, you'll crack bone. It will give you enough time to run."

"Okay," I breathed.

"Try it."

He tightened his grip slightly. I dropped my weight just like he showed me and slammed my elbow back.

Thud.

It hit his solid muscle with a dull sound. It probably felt like a mosquito bite to him.

"Again," Killian growled, his voice vibrating against my spine. "Harder. Imagine it's Liam. Imagine it's Chloe trying to hurt the pups."

The anger flared instantly.

BAM.

I drove my elbow back with everything I had. This time, Killian actually grunted.

"Good," he praised, loosening his grip. He spun me around so I was facing him. His hands slid up my arms, resting on my shoulders.

"You have fire in you, Elena," he said, his eyes searching mine. "Most omegas would freeze. You fight."

"I have to," I whispered, breathless. "For them."

Killian’s gaze dropped to my lips. The air in the gym grew heavy, charged with static electricity. He took a half-step closer, eliminating the space between us.

Suddenly, a sharp, burning sensation spread across my chest.

"Ouch!" I gasped, clapping a hand over the silver necklace.

Killian pulled back instantly, his eyes narrowing. "The Moonstone?"

I pulled the pendant out. The blue stone was glowing faintly, warm to the touch.

"It burned me," I said, confused. "Is... is there danger?"

Killian scanned the room, his nostrils flaring as he scented the air. He checked the monitors on the wall. Nothing. The perimeter was secure.

He looked back at me, and his expression shifted from alert to something unreadable.

"No danger," he said slowly. He reached out, his finger brushing the glowing stone. "The stone reacts to high heart rates and intense surges of adrenaline or emotion."

He looked deep into my eyes.

"It wasn't warning you of an attack, Elena."

My face flushed as I realized what he meant.

It wasn't fear that had made my heart race just now. It was him. It was the way he looked at me.

Killian smirked, that arrogant, knowing smirk returning.

"Let's take a break," he said, grabbing a towel and wiping his face. "Before you set the whole gym on fire with that blush."

I glared at his back, clutching the warm stone.

Stupid magical necklace, I thought. Traitor.