Chapter 22
G
Lila
The moment Damon stepped back onto the training grounds, my breath caught in my throat.
He wasn’t wearing the royal black attire I had seen him in before. Instead, he was dressed in dark training gear–fitted black pants that hugged his powerful legs and a sleeveless top that left his arms and shoulders completely exposed.
His skin gleamed slightly with sweat, his muscles flexing with every movement as he adjusted the wraps around his hands. He looked every bit the warrior king, and worse, every bit the kind of man who made it impossible not to stare.
He looked dangerous. He looked untouchable. He looked… Hot.
1 clenched my jaw, banishing the thought as quickly as it surfaced. No. Absolutely not. My supposed mate or not, I would not be one of the pathetic women who drooled over him.
I forced my gaze away before he could catch me ogling him like a fool. Get a grip, Lila. He’s a tyrant, not a fantasy,
I exhaled slowly, schooling my expression into one of irritation as he stopped in front of me.
“Prepare yourself.” His voice was clipped, authoritative. “We start training, now.”
I stiffened. “What?”
Damon’s brows rose ever so slightly, as if daring me to challenge him. “You heard me. That wasn’t a request, little wolf. You’re not leaving this field until} say so.”
Annoyance simmered in my chest. “And if I refuse?”
His lips curled in the faintest smirk. “Try.” He didn’t even give me the chance to argue before he turned and walked toward the center of the training ground.
Others training stopped what they were doing, eyes flicking between us with curiosity. It wasn’t every day the Lycan King personally trained someone; especially not some noblewoman whose presence in the palace was already gossip fodder.
Heat prickled against my skin as I followed, every step heavy with reluctance. My legs were still sore from yesterday’s sprint through the palace, and now he wanted me to spar?
Fine. I’d humor him.
I rolled my shoulders, stretching out the tension in my muscles, and took a fighting stance across from Damon
He regarded me coolly, his hands still resting at his sides, His relaxed posture only irritated me further.
“You’re not taking this seriously,” I snapped.
He tilted his head slightly. “Am I not?”
That was when he moved.
It was so quick I barely saw it happen. One moment, he was standing there, a lazy arrogance about him. The next, he had closed the space between us, his body a blur of strength and precision.
This was why he was the Lycan King.
I barely dodged in time, twisting out of his reach. But even then, he wasn’t trying. I could feel it.
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Chapter 22
ju, 29 May
A frustrated growl rumbled in my throat. “You’re holding back.”
Damon’s expression didn’t change, but something darkened the edges of his eyes, “You’re not ready for that,” he said evenly.
His words sent a surge of defiance through me. My fists clenched at my sides. I lunged at him, throwing a sharp kick toward his ribs.
Damon sidestepped it with insulting ease, barely shifting his weight as he evaded me. I spun, aiming at his jaw, but he caught my wrist in a crushing grip Before I could wrench free, he moved – too fast, too strong- and suddenly, my world tilted.
In an instant, I was on the ground, Damon’s weight pinning me down. I barely had time to process what had happened.
The world tilted, and the next thing I knew, I was flat on my back, Damon’s body hovering inches above mine. One of his hands gripped my wrists, pinning them above my head. His other hand pressed against my stomach, holding me firmly in place.
Ruby roared to life inside me, her need burning through my veins.
Mate! she howled, her voice clawing at my mind, Ours! He’s strong, dominant. Perfect. Let him claim us.
Not happening, I snapped back at her.
Stop fighting it” Ruby whined, a deep longing vibrating through me. He is ours.
He is a tyrant! I countered, struggling beneath Damon’s weight. And he doesn’t want us.
That last part silenced her for a moment, but I could feel her defiance simmering beneath the surface.
Damon’s scent wrapped around me, and Ruby practically purred at the closeness, pressing against my consciousness, eager to close the distance with Damon and his wolf.
1
My breath came out in a sharp gasp; I struggled, twisting beneath him, but his grip didn’t budge.
“You wanted me to stop holding back?” His voice was a low rumble, dangerously soft. “Careful what you wish for, little wolf… Yield.”
I grit my teeth, chest heaving. “No.”
His gaze sharpened. I could feel the moment he acknowledged my defiance in the way his fingers flexed against my wrist, the way his own breathing slowed, as if reevaluating.
He shifted, pressing more of his weight down, his body an unmovable force above me, so close I could feel the taut muscles beneath the fabric of his
training gear.
Damn it. My heart pounded from more than exertion.
Ruby whispered. Touch him.
Not now, Ruby I snapped.
”
The closeness made my mind race, made it impossible not to notice the way his hair fell slightly over his forehead, the way his lips parted just enough for his breath to mingle with mine.
I hated that my body reacted to him in ways I couldn’t control, that my mind even dared to entertain thoughts about how his hands might feel trailing elsewhere…
No. Absolutely not.
I clenched my jaw, glaring up at him. “You’re heavier than you look.”
For a moment, I thought he might push harder, force my submission. But then, something shifted. A flicker of something like… approval. His lips twitched, just barely. “Stubborn.”
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17:48 Thu, 29 May
Chapter 22
I took that as a compliment.
With one last surge of strength, I twisted beneath him, shifting my weight in just the right way to loosen his hold on my arm. It wasn’t enough for me to slip free, but Damon loosened his grip and I rolled to the side, stumbling to my feet as he rose effortlessly.
The guards and bride candidates watching us murmured among themselves.
I straightened, forcing my breath to even out. My skin was still burning from his touch, from the sheer dominance he had exerted over me.
Dámon met and held my gaze. “Same time tomorrow. Don’t be late.”
I blinked. “You’re serious?”
He didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. The way he turned his back to me, already walking away, was answer enough.
I like him, Ruby mused, completely unbothered by the fact that he had just pinned me down like I was nothing. He is strong. He is worthy.
Shut it.
I inhaled sharply, fists clenching at my sides. No matter how much I told myself otherwise, my body still remembered the heat of his against mine. The feel of his strength. The raw power beneath his control.
I stared after him, heart pounding, skin still tingling where he had touched me.
Damn him. Damn his arrogance. And damn the way my thoughts kept lingering on the heat of his body against mine.
Asher’s teasing comment rang out in my mind.
Try not to get yourself killed. Hmm?
