Chapter 132

I had been the one eager to participate. I had agreed to be tested. But what I hadn’t expected was to be yanked from sleep before sunrise for a brutal wake-up call. Still, fifteen minutes later, I was dressed in leggings, a spandex top, and sports shoes, trailing behind Kenzo toward the training hall. The sky remained cloaked in darkness, and the compound was nearly deserted, save for the patrolling guards who dipped their heads in deference as we passed.

The moment we stepped inside, Kenzo strode toward a table where an array of swords and knives gleamed under the dim lighting.

“Pick your weapon,” he instructed, gesturing toward the selection of short, lethal-looking blades.

My fingers closed around a ten-inch tanto knife with a polished wooden handle. It was lightweight, easy to maneuver, and sharp enough to slice through the thick flesh of a werewolf. Raising the blade, I turned to Kenzo for approval. He gave a brief nod, his lips curving into a smirk before he sauntered toward the center of the training hall, shrugging off his sweatshirt as he moved.

“Attack me, Thalassa,” he challenged, his arms outstretched in invitation, his grin laced with dare.

I hesitated as I stepped onto the fighting mats. “But… you don’t have a weapon. I won’t attack you when you’re unarmed.”

Laughter erupted from him, deep and unbothered. “If you so much as graze me, I’ll let you join my warriors.”

I folded my arms. “That’s not fair.”

Amusement danced in his gaze. “Thalassa, I’m an Alpha. My entire body is a weapon. I have claws and fangs that could slice through that little blade you’ve chosen.”

“Not while you’re in human form,” I countered.

A soft chuckle rumbled from him as his sharp gaze roamed over me, assessing.

“Then attack me without the blade… if you dare.”

A shiver trailed down my spine, but I refused to let it rattle me. Dropping the knife onto the mat, I sprang forward, fully aware that Kenzo was analyzing my every movement with the sharp instincts of a predator.

He had watched me fight before. But I had barely seen him in action—a disadvantage I needed to overcome. I had to be unpredictable, faster. When I was two meters away, I pushed off the ground and flipped over him, dodging his counterstrike. Landing in a crouch, I immediately swept my leg out in a low, swift arc, knocking him off balance.

Kenzo’s laughter rang out as he sprang back to his feet with alarming speed. He was fast—faster than me. He threw a series of punches, each one missing me by mere inches. I was learning his rhythm, but not quickly enough. His attacks grew sharper, more relentless. My energy drained as I evaded each blow, and finally, one landed—a brutal punch to my chest.

Pain exploded through me. Gasping, I stumbled back, desperate to regain my breath. But Kenzo didn’t give me the chance. He was already charging, his expression dark with merciless intent. For the first time, I regretted discarding the damn knife.

I tried to flip away, to steal a few precious seconds to recover, but Kenzo was faster. His hand closed around my throat, and with effortless strength, he slammed me onto the mat. His grip tightened, his weight pressing down as I struggled beneath him.

“Giving up already?” he taunted, his smirk laced with superiority.

I seethed. He thought he had me figured out. That he knew every trick I had. But even I was still discovering my own capabilities. A slow smile curled my lips as I locked eyes with him, watching his brief flicker of confusion.

Good.

Using his momentary distraction, I drove my foot into his stomach and shoved him off. The second I was back on my feet, I struck again, my kick aimed directly at his chin.

Kenzo staggered back with a growl, the amusement vanishing from his expression. His pupils darkened with something raw, something untamed. Now he was taking me seriously.

His movements became sharper, his swings more precise. But I had already figured out one crucial flaw—his anger made him predictable. And predictable was something I could work with. My strikes landed where I wanted, each one fueling my growing confidence.

I could win this.

Then, just as I let that thought take root, Kenzo took a few steps back.

“Warm-up’s over,” he murmured, his smirk returning—this time edged with something colder, something feral.

Before I could react, his body contorted, muscles shifting, bones cracking. In mere seconds, the man before me was gone, replaced by an enormous, onyx-black wolf.

Kenzo’s wolf was every bit as mesmerizing as he was—only now, there was nothing human left to temper the sheer, unrestrained power that radiated from him. His piercing gaze stayed locked onto mine, burning with an intensity that sent a chill through me. He bared his fangs in a slow, deliberate snarl.

And that was when it hit me.

I had no weapon.

And I was completely unprepared for what came next.

I never wanted to hurt Kenzo. The thought of driving a real blade into him was unbearable. But as I met his eyes, I realized he didn’t share the same hesitation. His wolfish form crouched low, muscles coiling like a spring ready to snap. His claws glinted as he prepared to lunge.

A chill rushed through me. My pulse thundered in my ears as I frantically scanned the mat for the knife I had dropped. Kenzo’s snarl tore through the air, a brutal reminder that hesitation would get me killed. With every ounce of speed I had, I bolted toward my weapon. The moment my fingers wrapped around the hilt, his massive paw slammed into the spot where my hand had been just seconds ago.

He wasn’t holding back.

I twisted and rolled, dodging his relentless swipes, but not without cost. His claws raked my skin more than once, sharp streaks of pain blooming across my arms. Even the sheer force of his growls sent a tremor through my bones, making me want to curl into myself and disappear.

Kenzo’s wolf was a living nightmare—deadly, unstoppable. But I couldn’t let fear win.

Despite my reluctance, I knew I had no choice. I’d been fighting defensively, trying not to harm him, but he was driving me into a corner. Then I met his gaze, and my stomach dropped.

There was no trace of reason in his eyes—only hunger for blood. This wasn’t just a test anymore. The beast before me, the one wearing Kenzo’s eyes, wanted me dead.

A surge of determination overtook my fear. Clenching my teeth, I sprinted to the far end of the hall, forcing distance between us. But I knew it wouldn’t last. Kenzo was already closing in. I pushed harder, faster, until I slammed into the wall, using the impact to propel myself forward. My grip tightened on the blade.

He roared, fangs flashing, and lunged.

Instinct took over. I dropped low, sliding beneath him at the last possible second, my blade cutting through all four of his legs in one swift motion.

A deafening, agonized howl erupted from his throat. My breath hitched as I stared at the blood now staining my weapon, my hands trembling. I wanted to scream that I was sorry—but Kenzo didn’t give me the chance.

In a blur, he shook off the pain and came at me again. I was already at my limit, my body barely holding up, but surrendering now meant death. A primal roar ripped from my chest.

He struck like a shadow, but I ducked in time, narrowly avoiding his snapping jaws. With all the strength I had left, I drove the blunt end of the knife into his lower jaw. He staggered, but only for a breath before slashing at my legs. I barely leapt away in time.

Desperation kicked in. I swung my knife wildly, forcing him back for a fleeting second, then vaulted forward and landed on his back. My heart pounded. All I had to do was drive the blade into his neck…

But I hesitated.

Kenzo took advantage of my weakness. His teeth sank into my thigh, tearing a scream from my lips. Desperation turned to survival instinct—I slashed at the nape of his neck. Blood sprayed as he flung me off his back.

I hit the ground hard. My body refused to move. My vision blurred.

Above me, Kenzo stood panting, his fiery gaze locked onto mine.

Then, drops of blood from the wound on his neck dripped onto my skin. His body trembled, shifting. Within moments, the monstrous beast was gone, replaced by Kenzo’s human form.

His bare body hovered over me, arms trembling from exertion, but his gaze remained sharp, predatory. I held my breath, too stunned to move.

Then he laughed.

A deep, uninhibited laugh that sent a fresh wave of panic through me. I stared at him, heart hammering in my chest, unable to comprehend what had just happened. And before I could react, he collapsed onto me, arms pulling me into a tight embrace.

“You won, beautiful,” he murmured into my ear, his breath warm against my skin. “I’m taking you to war with me.”

I managed a faint, dazed smile, my mind still reeling. Relief and exhaustion crashed over me—I had survived.

But then…

"Um… Kenzo…?" A nervous chuckle escaped me as I remained frozen beneath him. "Could you, uh… put some clothes on now… please?"