475- Of Arrogance
POV Thalyndra Moonclaw:
"I don't believe that."
"Your problem!" I took a step back and prepared myself for the confrontation. "Stop talking—I know you like hearing your own voice—but can we start training? I came here for that, not to inflate your ego even more."
"You're so mean!" He huffed, but also got into position.
We stood facing each other, staring each other down. The air between us was charged with expectation, electricity, and something more that I didn't want to admit. The forest wind whispered around us, but the sound seemed distant. It was only him and me. And a fight from which I would emerge victorious. Anton looked at me with that lazy, provocative smile, as if he knew something I hadn't yet realized. The tension between us was palpable, like a thread about to snap.
I felt the heat radiating from his body, and my primal instinct screamed to attack, to move before he did. His eyes never wavered, as if studying my every movement, anticipating every step. His confidence was as irritating as it was seductive.
"Are you ready, Little Beast?" he asked, his voice low, almost a whisper, but full of arrogance.
I smiled, more to myself than to him, letting my fingers extend, transforming into sharp claws.
"You're about to find out."
He didn't wait. With an agile step, Anton lunged forward—his body large and too fast for someone his size. But I was prepared. I sidestepped, spinning in a fluid motion, and felt the wind from his hand pass inches from me. He turned quickly, but this time, I was a step ahead.
My instincts took over. Before he could react, I advanced swiftly, claws extended, aiming for his arm. I felt the soft, precise contact of my claws tearing through his skin. The metallic scent of blood filled the air, and Anton retreated slightly, surprised, but soon opened a malicious smile.
"I expected nothing less from you," he said, looking at his own blood slowly trickling down his arm. There was a gleam in his eyes, something like... admiration.
I stopped in front of him, maintaining a firm posture and my eyes fixed on his.
"The training rule is clear: if I managed to draw blood, I have the right to a curiosity about you," I stated, gesturing.
"Besides healing saliva, I have a toxic bite."
I gasped, eyes wide.
"What do you mean?"
"I can kill another wolf with just my bite. Few know about this—we use it as an ace up our sleeve."
That was... incredible and very strange. I had never heard anything about it. I looked at his arm, seeing the skin completely healed. The stronger and more powerful the wolf, the faster he healed. Anton wasn't like a common wolf—he didn't even seem like one; even the aura around him exuded power and danger.
I felt my wolf bristle, as if she appreciated that.
Gods, I was losing my mind.
"How old are you?" I inquired.
Anton laughed, a deep, soft sound that resonated through the silent forest.
"One cut, one curiosity."
I narrowed my eyes, irritated by the lack of a direct answer.
"Can I at least ask a question? It has nothing to do with your unusual abilities."
"Feel free!"
"Why do you keep following me? I'm already in Eldoria, safe, and I'm also used to the others—yet you're always nearby. Why?" The question came out firm, but carried something I didn't want to admit. Why was he always there, always close, as if there were no other place in the world to be?
He took a step toward me, his gaze intense and that irritating smile still present.
"I like watching you move. I like challenging you, seeing how far you'll go before you break. And, to be honest..." He tilted his head slightly, his gaze almost predatory. "I like the way you look at me when you're about to attack."
His answer left me speechless for a second. My entire body tensed—not from the fight, but from the way he said it, as if every word were a direct provocation. I should have expected it, after all, it was Anton. But there was something deeper in his voice, something I didn't want to face.
I couldn't let him take control.
"You always think you're in charge, don't you?" I shot back in an acidic tone, trying to mask the heat rising within me. "Maybe it's time to prove otherwise."
And with that, I lunged again, faster this time, wanting to end this quickly. But Anton was ready. He caught me mid-motion, blocking my attack with irritating ease. Our bodies collided, and before I could react, he spun, pulling me along with him.
The forest floor came too fast, the hard impact against my back knocking the air from my lungs. I struggled, trying to break free, but he was already on top of me, pinning my wrists with one firm hand, his knees around my thighs, immobilizing me on the ground. The heat of his body was overwhelming so close to mine, and every breath he took seemed to echo against my skin.
"You should have paid more attention," he murmured, his lips too close to my ear, his voice low and laced with satisfaction. "I warned you it wouldn't be that easy."
The question had been a terrible mistake, one capable of distracting me, of destabilizing me with its answer.
I tried to pull my wrists free, but his grip was firm, though careful, as if he had total control but no intention of hurting me. I looked up, meeting his gaze fixed on mine, and felt my heartbeat quicken—not from the fight, but from the suffocating proximity.
"So, what are you going to do now, Little Beast?" he taunted, his voice soft but charged with electric tension.
"Get off me," I hissed.
"Then... I suppose I win."
"You cheated!" I tried to sound firm, but my voice came out weaker than I'd intended.
He laughed softly, that low, provocative chuckle that made me want to punch him. Or kiss him. I still couldn't decide which.
"Did I cheat, or were you just too distracted?" He leaned in closer, until his mouth was inches from mine, the promise of that kiss hanging in the air between us. "According to the agreement, I think you owe me something now."
My heart pounded erratically, and irritation, mingled with desire, bubbled inside me. I wanted to deny it, to fight harder, but I couldn't ignore what was at stake. The agreement was clear.
He looked at me with intensity, that smug smile still on his lips.
"Are you going to break your word, Thalyndra?"
I was trapped, with no way out. I could feel every muscle of his against me, the heat of his body radiating into every inch of my skin. I tried to contain my anger, but there was something more, something he knew was there, even as I tried to deny it.
"You're an asshole!" I sighed, defeated.
Anton smiled wider, his eyes sparkling with satisfaction.