TWENTY EIGHT

Zeke's POV

Every muscle in my body was wound tight, my wolf pacing just beneath my skin as I watched Sky stand across from Kade, her fists clenched, her breathing uneven.

She shouldn't be here.

She knew it. I knew it.

And Neo?

He was going to fucking love making an example of her.

Kade shifted on his feet, rolling his shoulders like he was waiting for permission to strike. The cocky smirk tugging at his lips sent irritation crawling up my spine. Of course, he was enjoying this.

Kade was a bully. He always had been.

He was the type of fighter who liked to push others past their limits just to watch them break. He enjoyed winding men up, digging at their weaknesses until they snapped. He made warriors stronger, sure—but not without casualties.

I had hoped, just for a second, that he'd be a little more respectful of Sky.

She was Neo's sister, after all.

But now? Watching the way he sized her up, the way his hands flexed like he was eager to tear into her? I wasn't sure who I was more worried about—Neo or Kade- hyped up on power and bloodlust.

I forced my voice to remain calm, level. "Carry on," I told him. "But I won't warn you again. Go fucking gentle."

Kade scoffed, his cocky grin widening, muscles flexing beneath his tight black shirt.

His dark eyes flicked to Sky, then back to me, and something smug pulled at his lips. He was testing me. Watching to see just how far I'd let him go.

I caught Sky's expression, the way her lips pressed into a firm line, the slight narrowing of her gaze.

Yeah, I was going to be paying for this later.

She could slam her fists against me, throw her tantrum, freeze me out again—but I'd keep her safe where I could.

"You have a weak spot for her?" Kade taunted, his voice laced with amusement.

I didn't react.

He smirked wider.

"Makes sense. She's got that look, right? That 'I'll ruin your fucking life, but you'll thank me for it' vibe. Dangerous type." His tone was mocking, but there was something curious beneath it. Testing.

I clenched my fists at my sides. "Watch your mouth."

But Kade just laughed, loud and obnoxious, clearly enjoying himself.

Neo's irritation spiked beside me. I didn't have to look to know his jaw was tight, his hands curling at his sides.

Kade's amusement faltered. He may have been bold, but he wasn't stupid. He had played the game for too long to mistake the warning signs of a brewing storm.

Still, he pushed.

"Come on, Beta." His voice turned playful, smug. "You don't want me to actually hurt her, do you?"

Before I could reply, Sky snorted.

"Fuck off," she spat, before launching herself at him.

Her movement was fluid, aggressive, all fire and instinct. I saw it before it happened—the way her weight shifted, the way her muscles coiled, the sheer determination in her gaze. She didn't hesitate. Didn't overthink.

Her kick landed hard between Kade's legs.

He dropped, groaning in agony as he clutched himself, stumbling back.

I winced on instinct, but my focus was on her.

That kick.

That move.

That rage.

I had a strong suspicion it had been meant for me.

I clenched my jaw, my stomach tightening as she stood there, chest heaving, looking at me with fire in her eyes.

She looked fucking incredible.

The raw emotion, the unfiltered fight that lived in her—it was intoxicating.

And fuck, she looked too damn good doing it.

Those shorts, the way they clung to her hips, the curve of her ass barely covered. The way her sports bra revealed every toned inch of her stomach, the slight sheen of sweat making her skin look even more enticing.

Not here.

Not where other men could see her like this.

I didn't get it. I thought we were getting somewhere.

And yet, here she was again, slamming her walls up, locking me out, punishing me.

"It'll take more than a note and some grub to win her back," Payne sighed in my head, exasperated but patient.

I hated that he was right.

But I hated even more that she was still fighting me, still refusing to believe that I wasn't here to hurt her.

I wasn't the only one watching her, either.

The other warriors were lingering nearby, pretending to train, pretending to focus on their own drills—but I saw the way their eyes kept flicking to Sky. The way they whispered to each other. Some admiring, some mocking.

A few of them looked at her with hunger.

And that infuriated me.

A shift in the air sent a chill down my spine.

The sound of measured footsteps on the dirt.

Neo.

He strolled in like he fucking owned the place—because he did. Impeccable as always, dressed in dark slacks and a crisp button-up, sleeves rolled to his elbows like he was here to observe, not participate.

His presence grew stronger as he approached, his disgust for Sky oozing from him like poison. His gaze raked over her, and then—

"What the fuck is she wearing?" Neo ground out while I barely held back a growl, my teeth grinding together.

"Whatever it is, it's working. Best ass I've seen in a while."

The wrong kind of chuckle came from someone beside him. One of the younger warriors, barely out of his teens, a cocky and fucking stupid pup who didn't know when to shut his mouth.

Silence.

And then—

Neo tensed.

Didn't even look at the idiot who had spoken.

But the air around him went cold.

I was already turning, about to snap, about to tear into him myself when Neo moved first.

His voice was soft. Deadly.

"If I catch you looking at my sister again, I will personally feed you your fucking eyes."

The male went pale, taking an immediate step back, his mouth opening, then slamming shut as he swallowed his words.

Neo turned back to Sky, his disgust clear.

And the moment passed.

But the damage was done.

And now?

He was angry.

And Neo was a man who needed somewhere to direct his anger.

"Go harder, Kade," Neo ordered, his voice sharp, cruel.

My stomach dropped.

Kade, who had just started to shake off Sky's kick, looked up in shock. Even he wasn't expecting that.

"No," I said quickly, stepping in before Kade could react. I grabbed Neo's arm, pulling him aside.

He tensed under my grip, his eyes snapping to mine, warning me.

I lowered my voice, keeping my tone calm, careful. "Neo, listen to me. She's not used to training anymore. Especially not with men."

Neo scoffed, yanking his arm from my grip. "You think I care what they think of me?"

"No. But you should care how this looks."

For a moment, he just stared at me.

Then he turned, walking back toward the sparring circle where Kade had frozen. Sky bent over, hands braced on her knees as she fought to catch her breath.

I exhaled, hopeful.

But then—

Neo turned his head slightly, just enough to glance back at me.

And the look in his eyes—

Pure.

Fucking.

Hate.

And worse? A decision.

My blood ran cold.

I had made a mistake.