Chapter 19

Darian's POV

The training ring is quieter than the ballroom had been. Here there is no music, no suffocating scent of perfumes and pheromones. And most of all, no need to make small talk trying to entertain people he didn't care about.

It's just him, the scent of iron, sand, and his own pheromones.

It's quiet in the training ring. A solitude when it gets too much sometimes.

Or when he needs his wolf refocus. And in this case, to stop craving and wanting a certain...woman.

At least here he can fight without restraint.

Be blood hungry.

Could lose that polished Prince act he puts up in front of people.

Here he can just be...Alpha Darian.

Darian stands shirtless in the middle of the ring, muscles bulging sweat-slicked skin glistening as he grips another axe, aiming it at a cut-down tree some distance away.

He pulls his hand back aiming with narrowed eyes, before he flings, watching as it lands perfectly right at the centre of his target with a thud.

David claps slowly behind him, "Nice, cousin." He's smirking, steps unhuried as he comes closer.

Darian scoffs, not sparing him a glance."Not now, David."

But David doesn't plan to let him off so easily. Instead, he takes his tunic off, rolling his shoulders.

"Let's fight." He proposes, eyes glinting.

This time Darian looks at him. He raises a brow, "You still want to fight me? Really?"

David just shrugs, strapping wraps carefully around his hands, eyes sharp.

Darian cocks a brow but nods, ignoring the wraps entirely, taking a stance with his bare hands, already preparing for the fight.

"You look worse than last night." David says plainly once he's done, stepping in front of David. He should be intimidated by the sheer height of the Alpha prince, his broad shoulders and sculpted body stretching in front of him.

But he knows Darian wouldn't really hurt him. They've been training together since childhood, David refusing to back down even after Darian grew much stronger.

Darian flexes his muscles. "Are you here to fight, or annoy me?"

David huffs a quiet laugh. "I'm just saying..."

The prince doesn't have a comeback this time. Doesn't need to.

The tightness in his shoulders, the way his senses are a little too sharp, his scent clouding every space around them...already says enough.

David stretches his neck, then motions him forward. "Come in your highness, it's been a long time since we got into it."

Darian growls and doesn't hesitate, closing the remaining distance with clenched jaws. There's a second long staring match, before David tries to throw him off track by throwing the first punch.

Tries, because Darian has more enhanced senses than the typical Alphas. He dodges the blow before it even gets close, countering by driving a hit into David's ribs that makes him grunt out in pain.

David doesn't bend over for long, trying again to aim at Darian's jaw this time.

But Darian still manages to slip out on time, though it still hits his left shoulder with enough force, the impact barely a scratch to his bigger frame.

“Show off!’ David huffs as they circle each other, toes digging into the sand, the cycle starting again;

David striking, Darian blocking or slipping out from his path before it even connects.

David rolls his shoulder again, not giving up. "You're slower than usual," he teases, hoping for an opening as he throws another punch that Darian still blocks.

The prince's brow furrows. "Maybe focus on your speed first?"

David smirks, mischief settling in his tongue. "I am. But I'm also focussing on the fact that you nearly lost control last night."

That does it.

Darian lunges, hitting David twice...once on his jaw, the other punch landing on his temple.

The younger man grunts and leans over, breaths coming out in shallow gasps. He still doesn't stop though,

"Your pheromones reek, man." He mutters, forcing his breathing to even out. "You know that right?"

Darian exhales sharply through his nose, chest rising and falling as his wolf snarls, agitated at the mention.

"I have it under control." He says. It doesn't sound convincing, even to his own ears.

David attacks again, still teasing, "it's because of her, isn't it? Isabella Ravelle?"

Darian stills at the name, just for a second, but it's enough opening for David to finally land his first punch, hard enough that Darian spits out blood.

"You see...? Distracted" David muses.

It hurts, but Darian barely reacts. His gaze darkens, "Watch your mouth."

The younger man flexes his aching knuckles. "I'm serious, Darian." His voice is serious now. "I've never seen you like this before. Ever."

Darian growls, "I know.” He pauses, “ that's why I told her to give me some space."

"But you still came out to her last night when you heard her." David counters. "You do know what would have happened if the guards had let her into your chamber last night…right? If I hadn't come there on time?"

Darian is quiet. He knows it's true. He knows his wolf has been acting uncontrollably around the maid.

It's irritating to say the least.

"She's just a maid, Darian." David continues. "But more than that, she's a Ravelle. Do you know what would happen if the Queen even finds that out?"

"Shut up!"

"You're allowed to have a little fun." David does in fact not stop. "But not so close to your coronation. And especially not with..."

Darian moves forward before he can finish. This time he doesn't hold back, blow after blow after blow, until David is coughing loudly, pressed against a wall, blood dripping down his nose.

"I said... shut up!" Darian snaps as he pulls away, voice warning.

David studies him for a moment, wiping the blood off his nose and lips. He straightens slowly, lowering his hands.

"Your rut is about to hit." He says matter of factly, tired of beating around the bush.

"I know." Darian growls, but doesn't hit him again.

"And your wolf wants her..." He adds carefully, "Why?"

He looks away. "I don't know." Hid gaze finds his bloodied hands now. "I find her so attractive. I- fuck, and her smell drives me crazy..."

"But..." David supplies,

"But..." Darian hesitates. "But it's more than that. I don't know what, but there's something that pulls me to her."

David just sighs. "She's human, Darian. There’s no supernatural bond between humans and wolves. Which means whatever you’re feeling right now…”

He pauses. “....it’s not normal.”

"I know."

"Then what are you planning to do?"

When Darian didn't answer, he continues, "Do you love her?"

Darian scoffs. "Don't be ridiculous!" He rubs his temples. "It's just.. It's just a fleeting attraction. It'll pass."

Darian isn't sure of that answer himself. If anything, a memory comes no matter how many times he tries to block it out,

Kayla; beautiful, smart, well refined, from a good family…standing in front of him trying to get his attention.

But his attention...his attention was solely on the maid serving drinks to guests at the back instead.

Will it really pass?

He thinks of the times she's tried to walk away from him. Twice in the garden, then in that ball. The rage he felt, the way his wolf urged him to do something irreversible.

Then he remembers how frantic she'd been to talk to him last night... He shuts his eyes with a groan.

Darian sighs in understanding. "You're about to be king, Darian." He says seriously. "You know what that means…?"

"But I'm still a prince.."

"Who's about to be crowned in a few weeks." He cuts in. "You have beautiful women lining up to marry you. Pick one, spend your rut with her, and forget about that maid."

Darian's chest is rising and falling. They've kissed twice, just twice...and he's already like this.

If he knots her during his rut, then....

He drags a hand through his hair, pacing once across the space like a caged animal.

"I'll stay away from her."

"Good." David agrees. "And you need to pick a mate before your rut. When is it?"

"I don't know," He answers honestly. "It's unpredictable this time."

"When she's near?"

"Especially when she's near."