Dana POV

　　She tries to get up, but suddenly Rafael, the gamma, arrives and reaches for her hands.

　　"I don't need your help," she says, anger evident in her eyes.

　　Rafael smiles. "Here you are again, putting on a tough act. There's no need for it anymore; it's obvious you've been defeated," he says, teasing her before walking away, leaving Divine seething with rage.

　　Despite the pain she's in, she looks at me. I don't feel anything in my hand. I'm not sure what I just did, but I feel a strange satisfaction in having done it to her.

　　I recall Anna's words, "Consider that causing harm to someone may ultimately benefit you."

　　"You never answered my question," I state.

　　She gulps, meeting my gaze. "You did," she admits. "You did a good job," she awkwardly adds before turning her back to me.

　　"Don't you want to watch me?" I inquire.

　　She turns to face me once more. "That's not the time for that," she states firmly, and I can't help but smirk as she walks away.

　　Did I just make the only Divine feel pain?

　　"I guess you've made some improvements," Xia says happily, but I don't even show my happiness.

　　But finally, a smile creeps onto my face as I realize that I'm slowly making progress... I'm gradually gaining the strength I need. I glance towards the doorway where Divine exited, but my heart skips a beat when Bathel enters with his beta, Adrian. They're whispering something, but I'm too focused on Bathel's features.

　　I can't seem to tear my gaze away from him, and the excitement coursing through me feels undeniable, yet somehow wrong. Of course, I don't like him, and I'm well aware that my heart still belongs to the man who hurt me.

　　I can't allow myself to fall in love with a man I can never have again.

　　"I have to focus on myself," I whisper to myself as I try to stretch my arms, but I don't expect to hit someone behind me.

　　I turn around, shocked to see Bathel standing there. I didn't realize I was blocking his way.

　　Embarrassment floods over me, and I take a deep breath. "I'm sorry- "

　　"You're doing a great job," he interrupts me, his voice drowning out mine.

　　The compliment feels different when it comes from him.

　　"Alpha- Bathel," I whisper. "Thank you," I add.

　　"Well, I'm happy to see you gaining confidence in doing things your way," he states, and I simply nod with a smile.

　　"Well, I just hope it all turns out well," I say, and he walks even closer to me, giving me a chance to study his features more closely.

　　"You can always call me if you want a different level of training," he whispers.

　　"That's good..." I awkwardly respond, and a smile forms on his face before he walks past me.

　　I watch him go, still smiling.

　　Hours have passed since I trained alone, and now I find myself in Bathel's private chamber, ready to accept his offer for advanced combat training. It's just the two of us, and the atmosphere feels awkward.

　　As he removes his jacket, I can't help but feel uneasy, prompting me to look away. There's something about him that stirs unfamiliar emotions within me.

　　I notice numerous pictures adorning the walls, and I come across a cute picture of him. A smile tugs at my lips. Despite his youthfulness and the innocence evident in his face, he still exudes a commanding handsomeness.

　　"Are you busy?" His words draw my attention back to him.

　　"Oh, sorry, I just can't help but admire the paintings on the wall," I say with a smile.

　　"Oh I want to take that off because my ex-girlfriend designed them," he states. His response catches me off guard, and I find myself staring at him, not expecting that revelation.

　　He chuckles. "So, shall we begin?" he asks.

　　I nod eagerly. "Yeah, of course!"

　　"I want you to come closer," he orders. I comply, moving closer to him. He touches my shoulder, turning me around so that my back is now facing him, with him positioned behind me.

　　His touch feels different...

　　"I want you to try kicking me in case I try to take you," he whispers, his proximity causing me to gulp nervously.

　　"It's for your safety nowadays," he whispers with a raspy voice, his big, veiny hands covering my mouth. I feel the tightness of his grip around my waist.

　　I gasp, biting his hand and scratching it, almost kicking him before stopping myself. I laugh unexpectedly, my head landing on his chest while we both laugh softly together.

　　I gulp nervously as I slowly turn to face him, my eyes locking onto his beautiful face, those enticing lips. He gazes back at me, and I remain still as he gently cups both of my cheeks, his eyes dropping to my lips.

　　I find myself looking at his lips too.

　　It's as if we both understand what we want to happen, but neither of us can bring ourselves to say it.

　　He draws his face slowly closer to mine. I close my eyes, hoping his lips will meet mine, yet simultaneously fearing the potential consequences of this action.

　　But there's no kiss. Instead, I feel his lips against my ear. "Bad idea," he whispers.

　　"Indeed, a bad idea," I awkwardly respond, avoiding his gaze.