Chapter 46 The Chase
[Nyx]
When we reached the training grounds, most warriors had already arrived.
Seeing Lysander and me appear together, Seth's expression darkened. "Well, well," he said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Feeling better today? Headache all cleared up?"
The jab was pointed. He was still bitter about being punished for photographing me at the club—unauthorized surveillance that had earned him extra patrol duty and a formal reprimand.
I stopped, turning to face him directly. "You photographed me at that club, which means you were there too. So you can go but I can't?" I kept my voice level, conversational even. "And correct me if I'm wrong, but Lysander and I weren't even married yet. Last I checked, you don't get to police my free time."
Seth's jaw clenched. "Maybe not, but you had a fiancé. Or does that not matter when you're grinding on some random guy in VIP?"
Before I could respond, Lysander's voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"We've handled it, Seth." His tone was ice-cold, final. "So unless you want another week of overnight patrol, I suggest you shut your mouth and start warming up."
Seth's face flushed red, but he wisely said nothing, just turned and stalked toward the equipment area.
I didn't wait for further commentary. Instead, I scanned the field until I spotted Symone's figure. She was doing stretches, back to me, completely focused.
Perfect.
I crept up quietly and wrapped my arms around her from behind.
"Symone! I missed you so much!"
She jumped, then turned to see me, laughing. "What the hell? You scared me."
"It's been days," I said, releasing her. "Being confined was driving me stir-crazy."
"You're really clingy, you know that?" Symone shook her head, grinning. "It's only been a few days and you're acting like it's been years."
"You don't understand what house arrest feels like," I said. "Staring at four walls all day. I was starting to grow mold."
After warm-ups, Lysander announced the day's schedule. "Fifteen-kilometer run first. Then strength training after the break."
My stomach dropped. Fifteen kilometers? Last time, ten kilometers had me retching against a tree, barely able to stand. And now he was adding strength training on top of that?
We can do this, Sylva said, but even she sounded uncertain.
I glanced around at the other warriors, all looking unfazed by the announcement. No one else seemed worried.
Don't show weakness, I reminded myself, forcing my spine straight. I'd rather collapse than let them see my fear.
The run began.
For the first five kilometers, I kept pace in the middle of the pack. Steady. Controlled. My body was adapting to this intensity.
At the eighth kilometer mark, something shifted.
My breathing found its rhythm. Steps became lighter. Each footfall felt more natural, more effortless than the last.
It wasn't dramatic—just a gradual easing. The burn in my lungs faded to a manageable warmth. My legs, which had felt heavy at the start, now moved with growing confidence.
I picked up speed.
Passed one warrior. Then another.
Seth was just ahead, his photographer's build lean but not built for endurance. I closed the gap steadily, my strides lengthening. As I drew even with him, he shot me a sideways glance—surprised, maybe a little annoyed.
I pulled ahead.
His breathing grew labored behind me as I left him in my wake. Two more warriors ahead. I passed them too.
Up ahead, Lysander was leading the pack, his form perfect, pace relentless.
I took a deep breath and accelerated again.
At the ten-kilometer mark, I caught up with him.
He glanced sideways, surprise flashing in his amber eyes.
I pushed harder, drawing on reserves I didn't know I still had. For a few strides, I actually pulled ahead—
But then my lungs began burning. My legs, strong as they felt, started trembling with the effort of maintaining this pace.
Lysander's breathing remained controlled. Steady. He was a Gamma captain for a reason—thousands of hours of training, countless missions, discipline I'd abandoned.
He didn't accelerate to leave me behind. Instead, he matched my pace, staying exactly beside me.
Eleven kilometers. Twelve kilometers.
I gritted my teeth, refusing to fall back. Every stride was agony now, but I wouldn't quit. Couldn't quit.
Thirteen kilometers. Fourteen kilometers.
My vision started to blur at the edges. The pace was unsustainable. But the finish line was so close—
Fifteen kilometers.
Lysander crossed first, barely a stride ahead of me.
I stumbled across the finish line half a second later, hands on my knees, gasping for air. My legs shook. Sweat poured down my face. But I'd kept pace with him for nearly seven kilometers at full speed.
Lysander wasn't even breathing that hard. He tossed me a water bottle.
"Not bad," he said, a hint of approval in his tone.
I caught it, still gasping. "Not... bad?"
"Seven kilometers at that pace." He shrugged. "You're getting there."
The other warriors started trickling in. A few nodded at me—acknowledgment, not shock. After all, I was the Alpha's daughter. Of course I could run.
Symone jogged up, grinning. "That was impressive, Nyx. Seriously."
"Told you," I managed between gulps of water.
Lysander's hand reached out casually, brushing sweat off my cheek before I could swat him away.
"Welcome back to the field," he said simply.
Around us, warriors were catching their breath, joking, stretching. Normal training day atmosphere.
"Ten-minute break," Lysander called out to the group. "Then strength training."
"Ugh, already?" someone groaned.
Symone dropped down beside me, offering her water bottle. "They added this section while you were gone," she explained. "Pull-ups, planks, basic strength work. Nothing too crazy."
I nodded, taking a sip. "Thanks for the heads up."
"Don't worry, you'll be fine," she said with an encouraging smile before jogging off to join the others.
But inside, anxiety twisted in my gut. How long had it been since I'd done proper strength training? Three years of parties and alcohol had left me with nothing but atrophied muscles. I could still remember the burning in my arms during academy drills, the way my body used to respond to commands I gave it.
Now? I had no idea what I was capable of.