Chapter 3

Twila's POV cont’d

I turned around to look at the person behind me. It was the alpha. I unconsciously rolled my eyes.

“What do you want?” I asked him. He smirked and walked closer, taking the sword from my hands.

“Need I remind you that I am the Alpha of this Kingdom and hence I can be anywhere, anytime.” He bragged.

“Yeah.. sure.” I tried reaching for the sword but he pulled away. I sighed and rubbed my temple. I’m in no mood to play with an alpha. “Give it back. I don't have time for this.” I said and tried to reach for it again. This time, he lifted it up knowing fully well he was way taller than I was.

I folded my arms under my breasts and frowned. “Stop bothering me Alpha..” I said with a sarcastic emphasis on the word ‘Alpha’.

“I told you before, you're doing it all wrongly.” He said and then, he demonstrated some moves to me. As he moved, he moved with grace, poise and an aura that commanded power.

“Now that is what we call swordsmanship.” He finished, his smirk never leaving his face.

“Hmph! Show off!” I muttered under my breath. He threw the sword to the ground in front of me.

“Pick it up!” He ordered. I frowned at him.

“You can't boss me around.” I said. He moved closer.

“Pick up the sword Twila!” His voice was deeper this time and his tone sounded much more serious. I reluctantly picked up the sword.

“Show me your stance.” He said. I stared blankly at him. He slapped his temple in frustration. “I mean show me your position, how you hold your sword and stand in preparation for a fight.”

I took my stance, pointing the sword forward at him.

“That's it??” He seemed very disappointed.

He walked behind me and helped adjust the position of my legs and hands, giving me a firm grip on the sword and a good stance.

As he held me from behind adjusting my position, I felt this heat flow through me. He was so close I could feel his breath on me.

“There. Much better.” He said as he let go of me. “Now, take a swing.” He said. I hesitated, but I did. It was better. The sword was still heavy but I could swing it better than I did before he came.

“Alright.. from the top. Take your stance” He said and I did. “Wrong” He corrected.

I tried over and over again but I couldn't get it on my own.

“Why's it so hard..?” I whined. Orion sighed and walked behind me to help me get it right. He positioned my legs correctly and just as he held my hands in an attempt to get a better grip on the sword, he stopped. Pulled away.

“Work on your stance before trying to get revenge, else you'll die before you can throw the first swing.” He said and turned to leave.

‘What the hell did he mean?’ I wondered.

“Hey wait!” I stopped him. “Does this mean you'll let Thane train me?” I asked and his head made a sharp turn to face me when I mentioned ‘Thane’.

“I'll think about it.” He replied. “Go back in.” He said and turned away.

“Yes!!” I rejoiced. Seems like I'll be able to get my revenge after all. I walked back to the equipment room to return the sword and then, I returned to my room where I fell asleep happily.

Orion's POV

“Really?!!…” I said in anger and disbelief as I pushed open the doors to my chambers. ‘How could she mention Thane when I was the one training her?’ I thought to myself.

“Someone sounds jealous.” My wolf taunted. “Jealous?.. who? Me..? Never!” I defended myself.

“Then why are you mad that she wants Thane to train her?” He asked.

“I'm not mad, I'm just….” I tried to but I couldn't find the right words to describe how I felt. “It's all your fault anyways!” I blamed him.

“My fault?!! What did I do?” He feigned ignorance.

“Ohh you know what you did.” I said”You were all jumpy when I was trying to help her!!”

“Can you blame me? I can't help it when I'm that close to my mate.” He said.

“She is not your mate!!! She doesn't have a wolf!” I yelled.

“That's what you think, I know what I'm saying.” He replied and I sighed.

“You know what, just shut it!” I commanded him and he went quiet. I don't know what kind of wolf he was… always defying me. I have never seen anyone whose inner wolf was so different from them.

I walked into the shower and had a cold bath after which I was able to fall asleep. Tomorrow, I could worry about my problems.

Ryker’s POV

I woke up feeling very tired. Not because I worked throughout the night but because I spent my time thinking about the girl.

Why was she bothering me so much? She was a nobody… not even a decent wolf. Why then was I feeling this way?

I got up and went into the shower. I needed to get ready cause I would be leading a group out tonight in search of the girl. A knot tightened in my stomach at the thought. It was almost like I didn't want her to be found—, like I hoped she was safe.

As I showered, I heard someone walk into my room. I knew who it was. Salsha. She had a thing for me since we were kids and now, she thinks she might be my mate. Actually it's not just her, everyone does.

“What did I say about coming into my chambers as you please?” I scolded, still in the shower. She ignored me as everywhere went quiet. Then, like I expected, she joined me in the shower—, naked.

I walked into the war room to join dad and the elders.

“A plague has befallen the Southern Kingdom.” One of the elders spoke. “I think this is the best time to strike.”

“And have our warriors plagued?” I countered. “I say we don't do anything until we figure out the nature of the plague.”

“But isn't this the best time to war, when they're most vulnerable?” Another elder spoke.

“Easy for you to say, when all you do is sit here and chat.” I replied.

My dad the Alpha stood there, watching us as we bantered words with one another. He said nothing—, just watched.

“Are you saying I do not care about the welfare of the people?” The elder was agitated.

“Your words, not mine.” I replied and just as the elder was about saying something else, the Alpha intervened.

“That's enough!!!” His voice thundered. “Ryker is right—,” He turned to face me. “—send scouts to the South, to find out the severity of the disease.” He ordered.

“Yes, Alpha” I replied.

“We'll pick up from there next time.” He concluded. “Now..” He moved to another topic. “The moonstone—” He stared daringly at me. “—and the girl.” A topic I felt uncomfortable with.

Twila's POV

Throughout the day, I couldn't speak to either Orion or Thane. They spent the entire day in the hall of the elders, discussing matters of the Kingdom.

“What were they discussing that they weren't done by this time of the day?” I asked as I walked towards the huge doors of the Hall of elders.

“You can't be here, miss.” A guard told me. I smiled at him.

“Do you have any idea what they're discussing?” I asked and he ignored me.

‘Uhh!! The nerve of this guy! Did Orion train all his guards to be as obnoxious as he is?’

I decided to leave there, leave the castle and go into the town. ‘Am I allowed to do that?’ I wondered.

“Hey..” A lady walked up to me. She looked familiar..

“Hi..” I replied awkwardly.

“I'm Natalia. I helped you get settled in your room yesterday.” She introduced herself. That was it! I knew she looked familiar. “Ohh hi Natalia.” I smiled genuinely. “Natalia.. do you think I'm allowed to leave the castle?” I asked.

“Did the Alpha say otherwise?” She asked. “I haven't really asked him.” I replied.

“I think it's best if you wait to get his permission.” She replied.

“Ohh..” I mouthed. I was waiting on the Alpha for a lot of things now.

A maid walked up to us and whispered something into Natalia's ear.

“I guess I'll see you around.” She said and left before I could say anything.

I returned back to my chambers until evening when Thane paid me a visit.

I perked up the moment I saw Thane step into my chambers. His dark eyes flickered with something unreadable, but his usual calm demeanor remained intact.

“You’ve been looking for me?” he asked, his voice smooth yet slightly wary.

I nodded, stepping forward. “Yes. Orion said he’d think about letting you train me. Have you spoken to him?”

Thane sighed, running a hand through his hair. “He did mention it. But you know how he is—stubborn as hell. He won’t make a decision overnight.”

I crossed my arms. “So, what? I just wait around doing nothing?”

A small smirk tugged at his lips. “Not exactly.” He pulled out a short dagger from his belt and tossed it to me. “You can start with this. Less weight, better control. If Orion says yes, we’ll move on to something bigger.”

I caught the dagger, surprised at its perfect balance in my hand. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

“Thank you, Thane,” I said sincerely.

He gave me a curt nod before turning toward the door. “Don’t thank me yet, little wolf. You’ll curse me once training starts.”

I grinned. “We’ll see about that.”