Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
Werewolves challenged each other all the time. It was their way of establishing the pack order, but a lower-ranked werewolf would rarely challenge its Alpha or Luna.
Veronica wanted to make sure I knew my place, and according to her, it wasn’t next to her Alpha. How could I be a worthy Luna when I wasn’t even of the same species? But what Veronica didn’t know about me was that I was desperate. I had no home, and Torin was the closest thing to it at the moment.
I had no choice but to recall all the training sessions Dad had put me through.
Tense and stiff, Torin leaned in and whispered, “You don’t have to do this. I can—”
“No, Torin. I can’t always hide behind you.”
And Hayden.
People underestimated me, and Veronica was no different.
The pack’s unofficial Luna had to be stronger than any pack member; otherwise, there would be a line of women challenging me for the position until one took over.
This was the unwavering code of werewolves—the Alpha and Luna had to embody unmatched power, so no one dared question their authority.
The men circled around us on the blue mats, giving us enough space to spar. The moment the signal was given, Veronica rushed me and tackled me hard to the ground.
Ouch.
She’d caught me off guard. But I bet she didn’t expect the elbow blow in her face. I used the moment to stand back up, giving Veronica time to focus her narrowed eyes on me. Her cheek formed a pinkish tinge close to her temples.
I scanned my opponent’s body composition as Dad had taught me. But my distance from all things supernatural over the past seven years meant I’d also forgotten how to train like one. Would the yoga sessions on my soft rug in my London apartment help me win over this crazy woman?
There was so much hatred in her eyes. What the heck had I done to piss her off so much? Was this all about Torin or more about the Luna position? Or something else?
Veronica went for a punch to my face. I blocked it, moving to her side, and grabbed her long ponytail.
I yanked the woman down by her hair and away from me.
She let out a half-angry, half-painful groan.
Veronica lost her balance and stumbled out of the mat area.
The crowd parted for her, and no one attempted to intervene.
Smart werewolves.
Veronica stepped behind some of the men, and I followed her. But she wasn’t hiding, as I suspected. She picked up a sharp throwing knife from a foldable table where several kinds of weapons lay.
I was sure there was an unspoken rule—weapons were not allowed in challenges. At least she hadn’t picked up the crossbow and arrows because we were only about ten feet apart, and I could dodge a throwing knife but not an arrow. Maybe.
I took a deep breath as Veronica planted her feet wide, readying herself for the throw. Dad had taught me to slow down moments like this and watch my attacker carefully for the direction of the throw. She stood way too close, the distance short enough for her to stick the knife in my heart.
I zeroed in on Veronica’s eyes, and I followed every little twitch of her muscles. Her arm lifted and swung back, her gaze falling on my chest.
I took a sharp breath. She was aiming for my heart. My brain processed the clues as fast as it could. Her hammer grip told me she was going to throw the dagger with no spin. Once the dagger left her fingers, I was already flying to the side, dodging it by mere inches.
But it sliced my shoulder. Sharp pain exploded under the torn material of my shirt, and I winced. The wound throbbed, and warm liquid traveled down my skin to the inside of my elbow.
“Anna!” Torin’s growly voice boomed in the vast space, causing goosebumps to prick on my neck.
I glanced over my shoulder and froze. He was making his way toward me. But the real issue was that Torin had started transforming into his vampire form.
Not again.
Torin blinked, flashing red eyes, and they remained crimson and narrowed at me. His hair had already turned the color of the moon.
My gaze locked with Torin’s hungry one, and a chilling realization dawned on me—a predatory gleam flickered in the depths of his crimson eyes, and I was his prey. Just moments ago, the vampire could walk away from me, but now…
Now I was bleeding.
His nostrils flared, and as he took in the scent of my essence, the vampire made a sound from his throat that resembled a hungry moan.
I stumbled back, clutching my injured shoulder as if I could hide the blood seeping from my wound. Pain flared through my body, but being eaten by Torin would hurt more.
Wouldn’t his so-called practicing to be around me stop him from draining my blood now?
He wouldn’t, I said to myself. I was his mate, and that had to count for something.
But doubts snaked around my chest, tightening and squeezing painfully, while I waited out this déjà vu moment when Torin had chased me in my dream realm and when he’d almost tasted me after the attack in my London office.
I should have learned my lesson, but I hadn’t.
Silence filled the space with a sense of danger. Wouldn’t the warriors stop their Alpha from approaching me? Or did they dare? The air turned thick and tense, and I swallowed the dryness in my throat.
Torin’s gaze set firmly on my shoulder, and his fangs protruded. He wasn’t gaining control over his instinct to taste my blood.
He closed the distance between us, ready to pounce on me. His hunger drove him to the brink of oblivion. The moment Torin reached toward me, Alexander and two other Councilmen grabbed him from behind, pulling him away from me.
Alexander moved fast in front of Torin and punched him in the stomach. Torin groaned and coughed.
“I needed that,” he mumbled, straightening up.
“I’m sorry, Alpha, but you told me to hit you if you lost it.” Alexander’s voice trembled.
Torin nodded and glanced over his Beta’s shoulder. His amber eyes flashed several times as if his humanity struggled to emerge. The primal hunger in his eyes was replaced by regret and hurt. He shook off his Councilmen.
“I’m fine now,” he said through a clenched jaw.
Another close call.
Torin’s hair changed to its usual black color, and Alexander’s shoulders relaxed as he let out a loud sigh. He turned his head to me.
“Breanna, you may want to wrap this up fast. I’m taking the Alpha to the apartment.”
“I’m staying,” Torin said, crossing his arms around his chest.
But my wound still bled.
I stared at Torin for any signs of his vampire re-emerging.
His breathing was steady, and his vampire form had retreated, but his internal struggle was written all over his grimaced face.
His nostrils flared, and his narrowed amber eyes aimed at me.
Was he angry with me? I dropped my arms to my sides, clenching my hands into fists. What was his problem?
Torin, flanked by his Councilmen, stood too close for comfort, legs planted wide on the ground. Alexander gave me an encouraging nod, but he didn’t leave Torin’s side.
I exhaled deeply and faced Veronica. I didn’t like the wickedness in her eyes. It was almost as if she’d cut me on purpose to trigger Torin. Veronica put more distance between us as the circle around us widened.
Ignoring the throbbing pain, I marched to the foldable table.
I usually preferred the edges of a ballroom crowded with royal guests, but when faced with danger, I would fight—a trait I’d inherited solely from Dad. Mom couldn’t kill an ant.
“Now it’s my turn,” I said as I picked out the same type of throwing knife.
The dull handle was made from steel, and as it extended, the steel became sharp and deadly.
Without a second thought, I threw the dagger at Veronica in the way I had trained many times. But my stance was off, and my grip was off, and the spin was off.
I still managed to lodge the knife into Veronica’s shoulder, anticipating that she was going to move in that direction. The opposite side of her heart. Just as I’d aimed.
She whimpered and tried to press her lips together, but the painful moan still escaped as she went down on her knees. The knife wound wasn’t even as deep as I’d intended. And she’d aimed at my heart. I only wanted to teach her a lesson.
“Let’s go, Princess,” Torin said, his eyebrows furrowed in a line. As he stepped forward, his Councilmen stepped with him. He sighed. “I’m in control now.”
Alexander frowned but remained quiet.
I darted my gaze between Torin and Veronica as a realization dawned on me. Torin wasn’t bothered by Veronica’s open wound. The sleeve of her black shirt was soaked in her blood, but Torin’s vampire didn’t emerge. His intent gaze aimed at me only.
His vampire was triggered out of control only by his mate’s human blood.
“Where are we going?” I asked as soon as he held my good hand.
He pulled me as he stomped in front of me. Moody Alpha.
The two Councilmen and Alexander walked a few feet behind us.
“To our apartment. I have to see to your wound.”
Outside of the warehouse, we must have walked for no more than five minutes when he abruptly released me and turned to face me. His large hands held the sides of my face, and his intent gaze took my breath away.
“Anna,” he said and closed and reopened his eyes, struggling with some emotion, “you don’t have to prove anything to anyone. You know that, right?”
“I-I can’t help it,” I whispered, fighting back the tears behind my eyelids.
My heart raced as I stood before him, our eyes locked in an intense gaze.
It was as if Torin could see right through me, peering into the depths of my soul.
How had I not noticed in the past Torin paying attention to me all along?
His gaze was so penetrating and understanding that it felt like he knew me better than I knew myself.
We walked the rest of the way in silence, my mind reeling. Once inside the apartment, Torin slammed the front door right before the three men could go in.
“I owe you a punch to your gut, Beta,” Torin said as he marched deeper into his apartment.