Elara pov

I didn’t sleep after Kael kissed me.

I mean I Couldn't sleep after I kissed him back.

And I hated myself for it.

I hate the fact that I need him.

I lay in bed looking up, my heart a traitor in my chest, and my lips still swollen from the kiss. With my skin still tingling where he touched me.

And Every time I closed my fucking eyes, I saw him.

His smirk.

His eyes.

And The way he said my name like a promise and a threat.

I should have pushed him away.

I should’ve pushed harder, cut him, said something cruel enough to snap the tension between us and make him angry.

But I didn’t.

Because a part of me wanted to feel it again.

And that part? It's dangerous.

It can destroy me

And my mission.

———

“Combat drills,” Beta Lennox announced as we all stood in the center of the outdoor arena.

With Sweat already slicking our necks. “No mercy. You’re not here to look pretty. You’re here to bleed.” he added

I rolled my eyes. "Typical" I murmured

But the werewolves around me cracked their necks

And flexed their claws,

And grinned like they were ready to rip each other apart.

I could feel a piercing gaze on me so I looked

Across the ring, and there he was Kael Draven, his golden gaze burned into me, his black hair was messy and was all over his face, and he was shirtless, revealing his muscles.

Making him look hot....

Oh fuck I need to concentrate.

He didn't take his eyes of me, but this time I looked away, as the tension was becoming unbearable.

I feel so stupid for ever thinking I could handle him.

“Pairs,” Lennox barked. “Now.”

I watched as everyone started grabbing his partner, so I turned about to grab the girl beside me but she immediately shift, "don't touch me" she said as she glared at me.

I looked at her unbelievably, so just because I am not from an elite background I shouldn't touch her?

i sighed angrily about to speak when a large hand curled around my waist.

I immediately recognized who it was from the scent and spark from the touch.

“you are with me" Kael said turning everyone's attention to me, their were all glaring at me, especially one girl I recognized as Kael's friend.

My stomach flipped from the burning gaze.

Beta Lennox raised a brow but said nothing.

And Kael didn’t wait for my permission. He pushed me toward the center of the ring.

like he owned me.

“You don’t get to choose my partner,” I snapped. “This isn’t your kingdom.” you can't control me.

He smirked before He leaned in, his voice calm but dark. “Then stop acting like my queen.”

I bit my lower lip angrily before I could speak again the whistle blew.

Before I could comprehend anything he came at me hard.

And I barely dodged in time.

But He didn’t stop.

his hits were brutal,

fast,

And calculated.

He wasn't joking around anymore.

I hit the ground twice in the first minute.

And

The third time, I didn’t fall—

I flew.....

He knocked me on my back so hard the air fled my lungs. I gasped, furious, and immediately stood back on my feet and lunged at him with all my strength.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I spat.

His jaw clenched. “You kissed me.” he said barely a whisper.

My eyes widened as more anger build up in me.

He kissed me first and now he is saying I kissed him?.

“You kissed me first bastard” I whispered also not wanting anyone to hear.

He stepped forward again. But this time I kicked his leg and rolled to my feet.

But he immediately caught my wrist mid motion and pinned me to the ground again.

He didn’t hit me.

Instead

He hovered over me

And Pressed me tight against him.

His Heart was slamming into mine like a war drum.

“why are you driving me crazy?” he questioned.

I gasped before I managed to say “i am not, I hate you kael" I spitted out angrily.

“Then why does your body betray you every time I touch it?”

I hated how breathless I was.

How alive I felt beneath him.

How my traitor of a wolf purred under his dominance.

“This is just another game to you,” I hissed.

“No,” he said, his voice low. “This is war Elara"

And then just like that, he released me.

He stood up

Turned.

AndWalked away.

Leaving me on the mat, breathless and burning.

"Bitch" someone whispered I looked up and I stood up and look at the girl that said that, it was kael's friend.

She walked to me I was about to curse her back when she pushed me aside and followed behind him.

"Don't mind Lisa" another Friend of his said before he followed behind her, and the rest of the two didn't even spare me a glance there also followed behind them.

It seems like I have already made tons of enemies without making a single friend.

It was already getting dark so I walked to the locker room to grab my bag.

i almost jumped out of my skin when I saw him.

In the locker room.

And what scared me more were the lights in the locker room were low.

I came to get my bag, but the moment the door opened and I saw Kael his scent flooded the space, and my whole body went tight.

“why do I keep clashing Into you, or Maybe you are following me” he said, stepping into view.

He was still shirtless.

And His skin gleamed under the dim lights, his scars on full display like war medals.

“I am not, instead I feel like you are the one following me” I said, backing toward the door.

I knew I had to get out of here because I was losing control and just wanted to touch him.

But He followed me. “really now.”

“Kael” I called warning as I tried to open the door.

But side He slammed a hand beside my head.

Making me to gasp.

Even though he wasn't touching me I could feel sparks throughout my body.

“Tell me you didn’t feel it, tell me you didn't feel the mate bond” he growled. “Tell me I’m imagining all this elara”

“You are,” I lied.

But my body betrayed me again.

And He saw it in the way I trembled.

He pressed closer, his voice low. “You want me, so it's real.”

I stared at him trying to keep my traitor of a body still “i don't want you, I don't trust you, all I want is for you to stay away from me ”

He slowly leaned in, his lips grazing my neck. “Good. Because I don’t trust you either, and keep lying to yourself that you what me to stay away”.

I was about to speak when his lips clashed on mine, sending shivers down my spine.

The kids was harder this time.

It was Hot,

punishing,

And desperate.

And Like he hated himself for it.

His hands slid under my shirt, roughly tracing the curve of my waist.

then it went lower.

I gripped him tighter as I felt his hand about to slid into my pants as he pinned me against the lockers.

I moaned into his mouth

And may the gods help me because I kissed him back again.......