Jax.

Chapter 3.

Camryn.

We’d been waiting for over an hour, sitting on the cold gym floor while the clock ticked away. Some of the other new students were chatting quietly, a few were stretching but I just sat there, arms crossed, growing more annoyed by the second.

This physical training class was supposed to start ages ago.

Just when I was about to get up and leave, the double doors swung open.

And Jax walked in.

He didn’t say a word at first. He didn’t have to. His presence alone demanded attention. Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a black singlet and gym shorts, he walked like someone used to being in charge. Every movement was confident and powerful. The air in the room shifted.

“Alright,” he finally said, his voice deep and clear. “I’m Jax. I’ll be your instructor for today.”

A couple of girls near me sat up straighter, some even giggled.

“So,” he continued, looking around, “everyone find a partner.”

Everyone scrambled to pair up. People moved quickly, as if their lives depended on it. I didn’t know anyone well enough to even make eye contact and before I could react, everyone had already claimed a partner.

I stood awkwardly in the middle of the gym like the last picked kid at dodgeball.

“Umm…” I raised my hand. “I don’t have a partner.”

Jax raised an eyebrow, amused. “Well then, looks like you’re with me.”

He walked over, and I swallowed hard.

“This is a basic sparring session,” Jax explained, stepping into the center of the mat. “It’s about control, not power. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Control? I could barely keep my balance half the time.

He faced me, relaxed but focused.

I hesitated.

I raised my hand again. “Can I switch partners?”

“No,” he replied flatly, a slight smirk on his lips.

I groaned inwardly.

"Don't worry I'll go easy on you," Jax said.

Go easy? It didn't sound so comforting coming from him

Around us, the room buzzed with students already sparring. But all I could focus on was the guy in front of me, bigger, stronger, faster.

And that’s when he swept my legs out from under me.

I hit the ground with a loud thud.

“Ow!” I snapped, rubbing my back.

“You’re slow,” he said, towering over me. “Get up.”

I did, my pride already bruised. I threw a quick punch, but he caught my fist. I tried again and same result.

He held both my hands now. I glanced down, thinking maybe I could kick him.

“Don’t even think about it,” he said calmly.

“Can wolves read minds now?” I muttered.

“Not yours. You’re just that obvious.”

He released my arms.

“Try harder,” he challenged. “I’m being nice.”

I threw another punch and again he blocked it like it was nothing. He leaned down slightly, his eyes locking onto mine. I noticed how sharp and intense his icy blue eyes were. It threw me off.

“Camryn,” he said softly, “hit me.”

I tried. Again. And again. But he caught my arm and didn’t let go right away. His grip was strong, but not rough. And for a moment, everything slowed. The noise in the gym faded. My breath caught.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he let go and stepped back.

“That’s it for today,” Jax called out. “Most of you did great. Some of you,” his eyes flicked to “need work.”

I looked away feeling a bit embarrassed.

As the others began leaving, I knelt to grab my stuff. That’s when I noticed her, Heather. Standing near the doors, arms crossed, watching me. Her face was stone cold.

Then Jax walked up to her, gave her a short kiss, and they walked out together.

I stood there, alone, not sure what had just happened. My stomach twisted but I wasn’t sure if it was confusion or just embarrassment.

After finishing my classes for the day, I headed back to my room. My legs ached and so did my pride.

Today had been… a lot.

And I wasn’t sure how to feel about any of it.

-----

I sat on my bed, finishing up some schoolwork. For once, the room was quiet and it felt good. No loud music, no fake singing, no drama. Just peace.

Heather was out, and I was enjoying every second of it. Whenever she was around, she either had music blasting through her speakers or was singing off-key like she was auditioning for a talent show she had no business joining.

I smiled to myself and stretched out.

But of course, I spoke too soon.

The door burst open, slamming shut behind her. Heather.

So much for peace and quiet.

“Yayyy, she’s back,” I muttered under my breath. It was dumb, I forgot she had wolf hearing.

She shot me a cold glare but I just went back to my work, pretending not to care.

“Camryn, I want to talk to you about something,” she said suddenly, and I looked up. Her tone was... different.

“Yeah?” I asked, surprised she was even speaking to me without rolling her eyes.

“It’s about Jax.”

And just like that, the mood in the room shifted.

“I saw you today,” she said, arms crossed. “The way you looked at him. I don’t know what that was, but I'm sure it didn't mean anything right.”

I raised a brow. “It was a sparring session, Heather. Of course it was going to be a little physical.”

“I don’t care,” she snapped. “Jax is my boyfriend. So whatever that was I didn't like it so it shouldn't happen again. You don’t want to cross me, Camryn.”

I stood up, closing my notebook slowly. “Wow, you're being really dramatic right now..”

“I’m serious,” she warned, lifting her hand to cut me off before I could say more.

She turned to leave, clearly thinking she’d just shut me down.

But I wasn’t done.

“One more thing, Heather,” I called out.

She paused at the door.

“I don’t like being threatened.”

We stared at each other for a moment. She didn’t say a word. Just tossed her hair over her shoulder and walked out.

The door closed gently this time, but the tension stayed.

I had only been here a week, and I already knew two things, Heather didn’t like to be challenged and neither did I.