A Break

Reya’s POV 

I was continuously tossing and turning on my bed all through the night. I was unable to get any good sleep until the early hours of the morning. All that I could do was brood over Lycan Tristan and the fact that he was residing under the same roof as me.

I glanced over at the clock on my bed stand and griped into the pillow. I must have been rising up and getting ready for round one of the games that were to begin today but I just couldn't get enough sleep to roll out of bed.

The threat of leaving my room and running into Lycan Tristan kept me from acting in any way. The suffering, memories and resentment which I believed I had long buried within myself for the past five years had been awakened upon seeing him yesterday and it was abhorrent.

Forget about that piece of crap, Reya," my wolf said to me, her voice the sole voice of sense in my head. "Today's the day you get to show that you're good enough to be part of the Lycan King's army and show off your skills. You shouldn't be caring about someone as meaningless as that idiot.

I breathed deeply. No matter how hard I tried, I wasn’t able to shake him from my thoughts. Thinking about everything I had to endure while with him was all that would cross my mind. I closed my eyes, rubbing my temples as I listened to the soft voice of my son.

"Mama?" he exclaimed, his small voice echoing in my room and in my heart. I forgot all my problems for a moment and my face crept into a smile.

I smiled as he stumbled into my room, rubbing his sleepy eyes as his small legs climbed onto my bed to embrace me as he did every morning.

"Hey, baby," I said. "How was your night?"

My smile came to a standstill as I gazed into his grey eyes. It wasn't the first time that I had found myself staring at him and realizing that he was a carbon copy of Lycan Tristan and anyone with eyes could see that he was alike, but it was the first time that it hurt my heart as panic tore through me.

"Ready to compete today?" he asked, his gray eyes looking directly into my eyes. The weight on my sore heart lifted and my smile returned. Although he was like his father, my son was unlike him.

Luis knew compassion. He knew love and care and would never harm anyone intentionally.

I kissed his cheek. "Do I look like I'm not ready?"

He shrugged. "Can you come with me?" he scowled, his eyes glancing down at my night clothes. "You're still in bed."

I began to panic because I would certainly be late if I didn't leave right away. Gently freeing myself from his hold, I leaped out of bed and was off to do my morning routine of brushing teeth and taking the bath.

My handsome son was still waiting when I went finishing and he held out his hand like a gentleman. I took it smiling, allowing him to walk me to the door.

"Give 'them hell." He slapped and my chest bubbled up with laughter.

"Did you already learn a bad word?" I glanced around. "Where's your sister?"

He shrugged again. "Still sleeping. She snores."

I laughed again. I really did miss spending time with them like this. "Go wake her up while I make us breakfast."

He squirmed free of my hold, skipping down to his room like he wasn't just pretending to be an adult five minutes ago.

'See that,' my chest rang with Ciara's voice. 'That is why you have to be strong. You can't let Tristan intimidate you because the moment he finds out those children are his, he'll do everything within his power to take them from you!'

The chest pain returned full force and I stumbled. I grasped the kitchen counter for support to keep my shaky knees from giving way beneath me.

Those kids were my everything and I'd be damned if I'd let him take them away from me.

I hastened to make breakfast of scrambled eggs, tea and bread, before I could finish, Luis and sleep eyed Pearl were already seated at the dining table.

"Good morning, mom," she said drowsily. "Goodluck today."

I planted a kiss on her cheek. "I know I have all the luck in the world right here with me and I'll win if you both are there to watch me."

She smiled and the dimples on her cheek grew deeper. While Pearl was a replica of me, Luis was a half-picture of Lycan Tristan. Her stunning red hair was a birds' nest on her head and her blue eyes twinkled with warmth that melted my heart.

I was not going to lose these two. Never!

Jessi came later and helped me get the children ready. Soon, we went out and into the training area where Lycan Xander and the other challengers were waiting.

Lycan Xander was talking when I got there and nodded his head in my direction for a moment. Pearl held my hand in a tight grip with her small ones as if to give me reassurance.

"You're going to kick some ass today, mama." She whispered.

My heart was brimming with pride and I smiled at her, but inside, all I wanted to do was kick someone's ass in a room in the guest lounge of the pack house.

Lycan Xander finished speaking and we all moved on to the courtyard where the competition was to be held.

The instant I stepped out; my eyes directly landed on Lycan Tristan whose own eyes seemed to be looking at every face. I hastily looked away, not wishing to be caught staring at him.

Ciara growled within me and made a few heads turn in my direction. The old Reya would have been apologetic and attempted to hide from them, but not me. I had no idea how to be anything else but who I was at the moment.

I smiled at them and a mock salute before making my way over to Lydia, who stood in the center of the yard. She smiled upon seeing me.

"Ready?" she asked, powdering my neck and palm.

I smiled at her. "Do I look ready?"

She shook her head. Of course, I was ready. I wasn't that high on rank or as high as Lydia was on the Lycan King's ranks but I knew I was adequate. Though I didn't rely so much on the strength of my wolf, I still managed to overpower even the strongest soldiers.

The only person I had been unable to defeat was Lydia and that was due to the fact that she would always manage to catch me.

"Your first opponent is of Moon-heart pack," she explained. "They don't have the strongest forces but they are good. Hitting and manipulation are their strong area, be careful about that.”

I nodded even though I was not really listening. Moon-heart was a name I recognized and I was trying to recall where I heard the name before.

"His leader is Alpha Wyvern, who is renowned –"

My heart skipped a beat. Did she mention Alpha Wyvern? The same one that I was sold to by Tristan? Why was he here? His name did not appear on the guest list…

Lydia elbowed my shoulder, pushing me gently ahead. "Good luck."