Chapter 7

Madeline’s POV

My eyes locked with Alpha Keiran, and I didn’t look away. Neither did he as he continued, “Some of you will break before the week is over.”

His voice boomed in their training hall, giving a chill to every new warrior in training. And honestly, so did mine, but I didn’t show it.

Demonmaw Nightwalkers Pack were known for its ruthlessness and mercilessness. If I wanted to escape here, I needed first to survive. And to do so…  I needed to blend in.

“Nice pep talk…” I couldn’t help but sarcastically remark under my breath.

Keiran obviously put me in with this new batch of warriors to scare me away. Well, I’m about to prove him wrong.

I may not have had my first shift yet, but I’m a Lycan Princess born with above-average capabilities. And with all my secret training in the woods, I’d say I got what it takes.

But obviously, I couldn’t be compared to him. Despite the softness of my remark, he still heard it. Taking a long stride over me, he asked, “What was that?”

“This should be fun…” One of the new warriors snickered from the side.

Keiran and I both turned in the direction of the voice, and I found a skinny but physically fit man with a necklace engraved with his name. Jaxon…

Not as amused as Jaxon was, Keiran took a step back and crossed his arms, eyes narrowing with judgment. He pointed his finger at Jaxon before me and ordered, “You. Spar with her.”

“Wait, what?” I asked in shock as soon as I registered what he ordered, making me subconsciously throw a glare at him.

A spar the second I step into the academy? I’ve only been in this pack for a day, for goddess sake.

He shrugged, a taunting smirk playing on his lips as he nodded to the ring. “You said you can handle yourself. Show me.”

What a petty person… He really knew how to hold a grudge.

He still remembered what I said at the gate yesterday. 

The crowd parted, immediately forming a circle of interest, eyes focused on me and Jaxon.

Stepping forward, he cracked his knuckles and stretched his neck, making me scrunch my face in disgust at his stereotypical, egoistic mannerisms.

Removing my hoodie, which was a bit loose and might come in my way, I entered the ring and nonchalantly faced him.

He grinned. “I’ll go easy on you… Princess.”

I froze and swallowed with difficulty as I fought the building panic within me. “I’m not a princess,” I hissed.

Jaxon grinned with mockery, but it was Keiran outside the ring who replied with amusement, “Then prove it.”

Damn, right, I will!

As soon as the bell rang to signal the start, Jaxon lunged at me without warning, not even waiting for me to be ready.

Barely managing to dodge, I stumbled back a bit, causing him to let out a laugh of victory.

“Too soon, asshole!”

“You’ll have to do better than that.” He jumped at his place, loosening up and preparing to attack again.

Narrowing my eyes as my blood boil, I steadied myself.

When he rushed forward again, I ducked low, spun, and landed a swift kick to his side, staggering him, but he quickly recovered.

Glaring at me, he let out a growl. “Lucky shot.”

Completely fed up with his egoistic remarks, I heightened my senses and clenched my fist. When he charged again, I stepped to the side and was about to throw a punch at him, but when he stretched his arms, he caught hold of my injured shoulder.

Pain immediately shot through me, and I gasped for air as I fell to my knees, eyes sending a glare at him.

Jaxon snickered, as did the rest of the trainees in the crowd. I subconsciously looked in Kerian’s direction and found him to be looking at me with narrowed eyes but unreadable emotions.

He’s probably judging me now or thinking of ways to send me off.

Gritting my teeth, I stood up and faced that annoying grin on Jaxon’s face. He swung again, but this time, I ducked and rolled beside his legs and behind him before I stretched my left leg.

With quick reflex, I steadied my leg like steel, and I swept his legs from behind him, sending him crashing to the ground with a loud tad, his head bouncing with harsh impact.

He groaned and coughed in pain, struggling to get up.

As he struggled to get up, I kneeled beside him, claws on his neck.

“Game over…” I stared at him before letting out a smirk, repeating his mocking endearment before sparring, “Princess.”

“Did she just–”

“That was fast–”

Murmurs echoed around the ring while Jaxon continued to send me glares.

“Not bad…” Keiran jumped on the ring, nodding his head and looking intrigued but still far from impressed.

Jaxon smacked my hand away as I tried to offer him a hand to stand and did it himself, to which I just rolled my eyes.

“You lasted longer than I thought… but you still let your emotions control you. Too much yapping,” he commented, making me send him a glare.

Nodding in Jaxon’s direction, I asked, “Don’t you think you’re barking at the wrong tree?”

He smirked and leaned in, hissing in my ear. “And that is exactly what will get you killed. Your sarcasm.”

Leaning back, he sharply said, “Defiance has no room in this academy, much less this pack.”

“Well, there’s always first in everything; I’ll survive,” I replied as I snatched my hoodie from the corner and wore it.