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VENUS“Yeah, she is,” Sydney says as she leans forward, “But it’s against the rules and wouldn’t her eyes glow when she uses them?” I purse my lips. That’s right. Rowan’s eyes were glowing golden when he used his power over me. Olivia’s eyes looked…normal. Nothing different.Then what was that? I sigh in defeat and drop the folk on the plate. It makes a clattering sound. “Maybe my body was exhausted. I don’t know.” “You have been training with Rowan and he does not go easy for anyone. So it’s a possibility.” Sydney says, her gaze showing concern. She wanted to say something more but stopped herself. I can tell it was about Bronze. Things aren’t good between us, so that must have been putting pressure on me mentally, too. Maybe the mental exhaustion is now affecting me physically. My gaze flicks to the head of the room where Rowan sits talking to Nile and a few other instructors. He hasn’t glanced at me once. When the battle was over, Rowan declared her as the winner in a calm v
VENUSBut Rowan’s voice cuts in like a sharp blade. “If you need your own powers to win with a special weapon, you’re the one who’s weak.” A flush rises on Olivia’s face. She looks away, hiding her scowl and says nothing. I hold back from smirking. For a brief moment, I feel something warm in my chest. I grip the dagger. It hums against my palm like it recognizes me. A wave of electricity rushes from the tip of my fingers to my spine. It’s heavy and strong. That’s why he spoke about bearing its power. Olivia and I stand in front of each other. Rowan gives the signal. “Begin.” Olivia lunges first. She’s fast and her movements are aggressive. But showy, like she wants to win with flair. I duck beneath her, strike and roll to the side, using her momentum to my advantage. The dagger pulses in my hand, almost guiding me, syncing with the rhythm of my breath. Our daggers clash. My body remembers every sword match with Ezra. Since I don’t have a wolf yet, I trained with weapons. So
VENUSThe next morning, the campgrounds are buzzing with a new energy. By the time I arrive with Alex and Sydney, everyone’s there. They’re talking about what’s going to happen today. The first one-on-one battle session begins. From this day on, we’ll participate in several battles. Of course, there will be training sessions too. Rowan’s going to decide the schedule for everything. I feel that excitement surge through my bones. This is going to be my first time battling other wolves. Powerful ones. A part of me is scared. Scared that I won’t survive for long. Use of special wolf powers is allowed. I don’t even have a wolf to begin with.It hasn’t been that long since the camp started and I can already feel that I’m changing. Learning. Growing. It’s all thanks to Rowan. He’s really an excellent instructor. The three of us settle by the weapons rack to wait for him to arrive. Sydney nudges me with her elbow, her lips twitching. “So,” she sings, “how was your special punishment ti
VENUSI gape at him, feeling so betrayed.“I hate you,” I mutter under my breath.“Good,” he says, and turns to leave. “That means it’s working.”The door clicks shut.I stare at the shelves. A sigh leaves my lips. This is going to take forever. “I swear to the Goddess,” I mutter under my breath, dragging the next dusty box off the shelf, “Rowan’s a sadist in disguise.”I plop the box on the table and flip it open. Folders, old and yellowed, some of them so stiff they barely bend. I sigh dramatically and begin sorting. Dates. Names. Administrative stamps. This is so boring I think I might actually cry. If I had known he’d punish me like this, I would have not riled him up.Half an hour in, I’m cranky and covered in a thin sheen of sweat. My fingers are smudged with dust and my legs ache from standing.Then one folder slips out of my hands and hits the ground with a dull thump.I bend to pick it up, and my eyes lock on the bold black print: Alpha Nova – Deceased.I blink.Alpha Nov
VENUSThe nickname shouldn’t make my stomach twist with heat, but it does. I blink, unblinking, as he closes the distance between us with silent, stalking steps. He’s not shouting. He doesn’t need to. His presence alone is like a cold blade pressed to my throat. Still, I hold my ground. Head tipped up in defiance, even as heat curls in the pit of my belly.I swallow. “Sorry,” I say sweetly, then tilt my head, batting my lashes like a damn fool. “Fuck your rules…sir.”Goddess. What the hell am I doing?He’s the Alpha King. He could ruin me with a single command. But that’s not what’s rushing through my blood right now. All I can think is…what is he going to do next?His eyes darken like he’s reading every reckless thought in my head.Then, without warning, he pushes me.My body drops onto the chair behind me with a thump, breath hitching in my throat. Before I can speak, his hand is on my chin, fingers rough and demanding as he forces my gaze up to meet his.“You want to play dangero
VENUSEveryone turns still. He stands right before us, arms crossed, his gaze sharp and cold. My stomach sinks. His gaze flicks from Olivia to me. “No arguments are allowed during training hours. None. You both know the rules.”His voice isn’t angry. It’s worse. Disappointed.The sting I felt before multiplies.“Venus, meet me at the office after training’s over,” he commands sharply. My gaze shifts to Olivia. She smirks at me as if she won. Well, I did kind of break a rule. Everyone gets back at training and I stand with Alex and Sydney. “I can’t believe he called me because I threw water at Olivia,” I huff and cross my arms. “That’s unfair.” “All the best to you. Hope he doesn't make it a reason to kick your ass out of the camp again,” Alex says and I roll my eyes. “Thanks, Alex. Very encouraging.” I say sarcastically and he gives me a smile. “What can I say, I’m always looking at the brighter side of things.” He taunts and Sydney shakes her head. “It was amazing though.