Chapter 17: Teaching a Lesson

MORANA

My heart raced as he entered the circle. What was he intending to do?

Olcan's gaze shifted between me and Volk. Then, without a word, he began to back away, stepping out of the area marked by the stones.

Volk didn’t bother to take off his boots; shedding his black coat, he approached me with his muscular and imposing body, stopping in the center of the circle.

I tried to ignore how the gray shirt outlined his broad chest and muscular arms.

I stared at him, trying to decipher his true intentions. Perhaps rejecting me wasn’t enough for him, and he wanted to make me look weak and humiliate me in front of the others, not just with his words.

Remembering how he had scorned me the night before made anger swell within me.

I still didn’t know his true intentions and didn’t understand why they trusted him. But I didn’t like having him around.

"What are you trying to do?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Show what happens in a real fight," he said arrogantly.

"I know what a real fight is," I retorted through clenched teeth.

"Then you know you wouldn’t last a second in one. Come on, attack," he urged.

Arrogant idiot. Alright, maybe I could use this moment; I would love to punch his damn perfect face.

I took a deep breath, feeling a new wave of adrenaline spread through my body, mingling with anger. Assuming my combat stance again, I felt the tension charge the air.

Volk remained still, with his eyes focused on me and arms resting at his sides. Being under his gaze was enough to amplify the strange sense of restlessness within me.

I waited a few moments, but he didn’t assume a fighting stance, clearly underestimating me.

This made the anger grow even more within me. But I knew I couldn’t let anger control me and make me act impulsively.

I focused on my breathing, trying to keep the rhythm. A strange excitement began to grow inside me, joining the anger, and making my skin tingle.

As much as I was trying to pretend it had never happened and that I hated myself for it now, I still remembered everything he made me feel the night he saved me.

I hated all the sensations he caused me and the way my heart raced just by being in his presence. He shouldn't have any effect on me; he was just a stranger.

A stranger who could have avoided everything that happened if he weren’t a coward and a puppet of his uncle.

Suddenly, he began to advance toward me, as if he were tired of waiting. I instinctively stepped back, only to move forward again, launching a quick and precise punch toward his chin.

But in the blink of an eye, he dodged to the left, evading my punch with agile movement, making my hand cut through the air.

A second later, I felt an impact hit one of my legs, enough to make me lose balance, and before I could regain it, a muscular arm grabbed my neck.

Before I knew it, we were on the ground. His huge body underneath me had cushioned the impact of the fall, but his arm was still around my neck, preventing me from breathing.

Dazed, I tried to process the confusion in my mind. I knew I needed to focus on freeing myself from his grip, but there was a part of me that could only think about the sensation of his warm and firm body under mine, making my skin heat up. Damn.

I closed my eyes, pushing away any thoughts, before focusing all my strength on getting out of his grip.

I struggled on top of him, using my hands to try to remove his arm, but he was stronger and remained immovable.

"This is what happens when the opponent isn’t holding back," he whispered in my ear, easing the pressure of his grip and allowing me to breathe.

Damn him. I tried to ignore how his deep voice made my body shiver. I took a deep breath, panting, feeling my heart pounding and realizing the growing excitement in my body, caused by the way I had rubbed against him.

I couldn’t let desire distract me. And although he was trying to control his breathing, I could feel his heart beating uncontrollably.

Someone cleared their throat, bringing me back to reality and making me turn my face toward the sound.

Lyall was standing next to Olcan and Lowell.

"It's good to see you found some amusement while making me wait. I hope it was worth every second, after all, time is a valuable resource for all of us, isn't it?" He said coldly.

Freeing myself from Volk’s arm, I rolled to the side and got up quickly. Volk also stood up, but slowly, with his eyes fixed on me and a confident, subtle smile on his lips. He seemed satisfied.

"Actually, since you seem to have decided to accept her, I thought I'd save you all some time by showing her why her place isn't here," he explained, addressing Lyall.

I stared at him with hatred, feeling anger take over. How dare he?

"You really are a..."

"I thought you had more important concerns than this," Lyall retorted, cutting me off.

"Yes, you’re right," Volk agreed, after seeming to reflect, surprising me. "Let’s go," he said, walking away, only stopping to pick up his coat.

"Wait, I want to talk to you," I said, approaching Lyall.

I had many questions about everything and wanted to be in on what they were planning.

"We have a lot to talk about, but not now, later," he said.

"Alright, then I’ll go to town."

"Lowell and Olcan will go with you."

"That’s not necessary."

"Yes, it is. Don’t forget that you are one of us now."

Of course. I had forgotten that. Now, I was part of the rebels and needed to start thinking about all the risks that involved.

"Alright," I nodded, giving in.

"Well, this might be fun after all; we haven’t properly celebrated your passing the test yet," Lowell said with a smile, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"It’s better if we go at night. I know a place," Olcan suggested, as Lyall and Volk started walking towards the house.

"Actually, I was just planning to get my things."

"It looks like we’ll have to teach her the true meaning of fun," Lowell said, smiling mischievously at Olcan, making it clear he had a plan in mind.