Chapter 25 Chapter 25
Sabrina's POV
The ball came flying. Fast. Faster than any before.
The sound cutting through the air was fierce. Was Kael serious?
I didn't have time to think. Instinct kicked in. Every muscle tensed.
Feet planted. Center of gravity lowered. Glove up. The ball slammed into the glove.
The impact sent my arm jerking back. My shoulder hurt. But I gritted my teeth and held steady. Caught it.
Cheers erupted around me.
"Nice catch!" Marcus yelled.
"Oh my God, Sabrina!" Elena gave me a thumbs up.
Lily clapped. Sarah whistled.
I shook out my numb hand. Looked toward home plate. Kael stood there. Face blank.
Did he... did he know how hard he hit that?
"Next one!" Lucas called out.
The game continued. But for the next few rounds, everyone seemed to have an unspoken agreement. Every time Kael hit the ball, I was the one catching it. Like some kind of... default arrangement.
The kids cheered from the sidelines.
Abigail was the most excited. She cheered for both sides.
"Mommy you're the best!"
"Mr. Parrish is awesome too!"
I smiled. Kids were so sweet. Playing no favorites.
But Kael... he didn't seem to realize how hard this was for me. Or maybe he did, but didn't care?
Each swing, the force kept increasing.
Second ball. I caught it. But took two steps back.
Third ball. I caught it. But my wrist twisted.
Fourth ball. Bang.
The ball flew like a cannonball. I raised my glove. But it was too fast. Too heavy.
The ball hit the glove. The impact pushed me backward. I lost balance. Fell flat on my back. The back of my head hit the ground. Everything went black for a second.
"Sabrina!"
A whistle blew. Game paused.
"Stop! Game over!"
I lay on the ground, seeing stars.
"Sabrina?" Mira knelt beside me. "You okay?"
"I... I'm fine," I said.
"Mommy!"
Abigail ran over. Threw herself on me.
"Mommy! Are you hurt?"
Her eyes were red. About to cry.
"I'm fine, baby." I touched her head. "Just fell."
"But you fell so hard!"
"I'm fine." I sat up. Head a little dizzy. But bearable.
I looked at Kael. He stood a distance away. Hands in pockets. Face still cold.
But... his facial muscles were twitching. Jaw tight. Brows slightly furrowed. Embarrassed?
"Kael." Elena walked over, slapped his shoulder hard. "Kael! You don't know your own strength!"
"Yeah." Marcus added. "She's not Garrick, bro. Go easy."
Kael didn't answer. His face muscles twitched harder.
Then. He turned. Walked away. Just like that. Didn't look back.
"Kael!" Mira called.
He stopped. But didn't turn around.
"How can you just walk away?" Mira said. "Your teammate got hurt!"
"And she didn't even complain. At least... at least take her to the infirmary?"
People around started joining in.
"Yeah!"
"Take her to the infirmary!"
"You should at least do that!"
Kael stood there. Back stiff. His shoulders tense.
Then. He turned around. Walked back.
Each step slow. Stiff. Like a robot.
He walked up to me. Bent down.
"You okay?" he asked. Voice flat. But I could hear the tension.
"Fine," I said.
"Can you walk?"
"Barely."
"Then walk yourself."
I glared at him. This asshole.
I pushed away Mira's hand. Stood up myself. Legs a bit weak. But I could walk.
I picked up Abigail. Step by step toward the infirmary. Didn't even look at Kael.
"Mr. Parrish!" Abigail suddenly turned her head. Looked at Kael. Little face all puffy.
"You're not nice!"
"You knocked down Mommy!"
"Bad! Very bad!"
I almost laughed. But held it in.
Just then. A howl echoed in my mind. Gleeful. Like... laughing?
I froze. That was... Alec? Kael's wolf?
He was laughing at Kael getting scolded? I bit my lip. Don't laugh. Don't laugh.
I slowly walked toward the infirmary. Each step hurt. But I didn't want Kael to see.
I could feel him following behind. Not too close, not too far. About ten steps away.
His footsteps were light. But I could hear them.
I knew he was conflicted. Wanted to help, but too proud. Wanted to apologize, but didn't know how.
Whatever. I didn't mind. At least he followed.
The infirmary door was open. I walked in. But Rosa wasn't there.
I put Abigail on a chair.
"Wait here, baby."
I walked to the medicine cabinet. Found anti-inflammatory cream. Some bandages.
I walked to the mirror. Lifted my tank top. Exposed my stomach.
A large red swelling on the right side. From ribs to waist. Where the ball hit. Would bruise.
I squeezed out some cream. Put it on my fingers. Then pressed it on the swelling.
I looked at my stomach. With each breath, muscles rippled. Abs outlined. Not the kind deliberately sculpted in gyms, but forged through real combat.
My fingers massaged the injury, following the curve of my ribs downward. Skin warm, still heated from exercise.
Wheat-colored skin glowed healthy under the light. Not pale sickly beauty, but wildness kissed by the sun.
I could see the muscle lines on my waist, extending from ribs to hipbones, forming a beautiful V. That was the result of countless pull-ups, countless crunches, countless weight training sessions.
A few shallow scars on the skin. From training injuries. From fights. But they weren't ugly, they were badges.
I kept applying the cream. Fingers massaging the injury. In circles. Slow. Careful.
The cooling sensation of the cream seeped into my skin, easing the deep pain. Sweat dripped from my forehead. Down my cheeks. Onto my collarbone. The bead stayed in the hollow for a second, then flowed down along my chest's curve. Across my stomach. Disappeared at my waist.
My breathing quickened. Not just from pain, but... the room suddenly felt stuffy.
I could smell myself. Salty sweat. Warm skin. Cool minty scent of the cream.
Mixed together. Creating a unique smell.
Like summer soil after rain, mixed with fresh grass. Like deep in a forest, sunlight piercing through leaves, shining on moss, that kind of moist and wild.
My scent.
I looked up at the mirror. Saw my reflection.
Messy hair. Flushed cheeks. Focused eyes.
And... a shadow behind me. Kael.
He stood in the doorway. Motionless.
But his nose... was moving. Twitching slightly. Like... like smelling something.
I turned around. He immediately froze.
"Need something?" I asked.
"No."
"Then why are you standing there?"
"Making sure you're... okay."
"I'm fine," I said. "As you can see."
"Yeah."
He still stood there. Not moving. Like a statue.
I smiled slightly. Turned back to keep applying cream.
But in the mirror. I could see him. His nose still moving. Hands clenched into fists. At his sides. Tight. Knuckles white.
He was... holding back something?
The atmosphere became... strange. Not awkward. Something... else.
I kept applying cream. Movements slow. Careful.
I could feel his "gaze," could see in the mirror's reflection him gently twitching his nose, smelling my scent.
In his way. Hearing. Smell. Sensing.
My heartbeat quickened. Hands started shaking.
The atmosphere thick, I slightly narrowed my eyes, lips unconsciously letting out a soft moan.
Sunlight just right. Everything perfect.
Suddenly. Bang!
Loud crack! Gunshot!
The sound came from the wall direction. Sharp. Piercing.
Shattered all the tension.
Kael and I turned our heads at the same time.
Gunshot?
Attack?!