Chapter 30

  "So, you defended my brother back there," Cynthia's voice sounded, causing me to jump in surprise.

I stopped playing with the flowers and let out a breath, "He may be annoying with his mood swings, but I won't let someone try to paint him as a traitor."

"I get it, thank you...for doing that."

I silently nodded, returning to fixing the garden's roses. I cut off any dead ones, knowing how much they bothered my mother. With everything happening, the servants were beyond exhausted as well, me caring for the garden at least helped them a bit. Cynthia began cutting off dead ones as well, the peaceful silence easing my anxious mind. I was quietly thinking of Obsidian, trying to understand why he would suddenly push me away. While I do have some sort of attraction towards him, it hurt more to know I lost a friend. The only real friend I've ever had was Lin, Cynthia is coming close to also being a true friend, but Obsidian was something else. Despite how much it would bother me if I were to never gain his affection, I'd rather keep him as a friend still.

"My brother loves you."

Her sudden words pulled me from my thoughts as I snapped my attention to her, my eyes wide. She glanced at me and nodded, humming softly, she continued to make the rose bush shine with beauty. Furrowing my eyebrows, I placed my cutters down and sat on the brick wall.

"Explain," I demanded.

She smirked, "My, such a demanding princess."

After seeing my bemused expression, she laughed, "Okay, okay fine. I see the way he looks at you, the way he talks about you.... I've never seen him give that sort of attention to any female before. Hell, I thought he was gay for a while and attempted to hook him up with a friend of mine. But after his little outburst, I figured he was indeed, straight. Anyways, he's falling for you if he hasn't already. Why don't you ask him why he's trying to push you away?"

"Why doesn't he just come up and tell me?" I retorted.

"Because my brother doesn't have that big of balls. He can fight some hybrid rogue with no fear but when it comes to talking to a girl? Forget it. You'll have to wear the pants in this relationship sometimes."

I groaned, "So I have to baby him?"

"No, give him some of that tough love. But you need to try and understand him, it would make it way easier for you both. Communication is key, sometimes it takes the other person to get them to open up."

"Well, I would if he would give me the chance."

She raised an eyebrow, "Have you tried?"

"Well...I... you see..."

"Mhm, thought so. Talk to him or I'll bring Luthias up here to make you two talk."

Folding my arms across my chest, I returned her smirk. "And what will your brother do?"

"Luthias? Lock your asses in a room and throw away the key until you two talk. He did it plenty of times with some of my exes."

"There is no way he'll be able to throw me in a room."

She chuckled, "Shall we prove that?"

"Fuck you."

"No thanks, but I'm sure Obsidian would take you up on that."

I sighed, "I hate you."

"Love you too. Now, when do you guys train?"

"Good stance, however, you're unbalanced."

Cynthia frowned, "Excuse me?"

My dad rolled his eyes before gently shoving her, Cynthia yelped in surprise as she tumbled onto the ground. She blinked in shock before looking up at my dad's smirking face.

"Like I said, unbalanced."

She let out a breath, "You weren't kidding, your dad is rough."

"Wait until you actually fight him," I grinned.

She gave me a look that had me chuckling softly, I knew fighting my father would give her the challenge she was looking for. Cynthia is an amazing fighter from what I saw, but like my father pointed out, she was unbalanced. Even with me being younger than her, I could always see her flaws in her stance and fighting. She was also always on the offensive side, not giving herself much room to practice her defensive fighting. She may believe she doesn't need it, but any skilled warrior sharpens all his skills. Even my father, a highly trained and powerful alpha of alphas, must use his defensive moves sometimes. It can help you block some powerful punches or kicks, saving yourself some damage and giving yourself more time to fight. There's also the small plan of being defensive and allowing your opponent to wear themselves out, something I'm known to do. 

Despite how many times my father tells me to switch up my plans, I would always fall back to that one. He made some valid points about my opponent catching on, but I'm planning while protecting myself. By the time my attacker figures out what I'm doing, I already have a plan created and I'm ready to act on it. It just takes one move and I easily over power them, knowing all their weaknesses by just watching them as they attack me. Part of me believes my father doesn't like me wearing the other out because I use it on him and win, every single time. 

"You got my sister to actually train with someone outside of my pack, impressive."

I spun around to see Obsidian leaning his back against a tree, his eyes fixated on me. Furrowing my eyebrows, I blurted out the first thing that had popped into my mind.

"You're an ass." 

He smirked, "So?"

I sighed, "I don't like you."

"That's not surprising, you told me that before. I guess those feelings from being trapped vanished?"

"Well..." I stumbled for my words, my mind racing as he walked closer to me.

He shoved his hands into his pockets and pulled his gaze to his sister as she fought my father. We stood in silence for a few moments before my mouth got the best of me.

"You suck at talking," I grumbled.

He scoffed, "You're not doing any better, sweetheart." 

"Why are you being such a dick?"

Letting out a sigh, his shoulder sagged a little as I saw his mask slowly break. "I'm exhausted, mentally that is."

"Then rest."

"Easy for a spoiled princess to say. You can rest whenever you want, but I can't. I need to make sure everything in my packs continues running smoothly or risk something happening."

I narrowed my eyes, "Spoiled princess? Excuse me, I work my ass off to help my pack and country!"

"Not as hard as the actual kings and queens do. Along with all the other alphas who answer to them."

"One second you're nice to me and next, you're acting as if I just betrayed you or something!" I snapped. "What the hell is wrong with you?" 

He shrugged, "Like I said, I'm tired. I'm always a little petulant when I'm lacking some decent sleep. You just seem testy most of the time."

"Okay, I didn't ask how I look, I already know I'm quite bitchy. You—hey! Don't you dare walk away from me while I'm talking to you!"

He silently waved, annoying me even further. I knew what he was doing, he was getting under my skin and enjoying it. Without thinking I grabbed a rock and threw it at him, hitting him square in the back. He stopped walking immediately and slowly turned towards me, his eyes darkening. Holding my head up high despite how badly I wanted to run, I stared him straight in the eyes, challenging him. 

He was quick, faster than the first time we fought as I soon found myself flying backwards. I smacked the back of my head on the ground, wincing from the throbbing pain. Before he could land another attack, I swiftly moved out of the way and prepared to protect myself. He growled softly, growing more irritated every second. He grabbed me by the arm and swung me into the tree, taking me completely off guard. 

"Hey! What the fuck is happening?" My father snarled, grabbing Obsidian before he could attack again.

I pulled myself into a sitting position, "I instigated." 

"I know, I saw. But gods, Obsidian, what is the matter with you? You never lose your temper this quick," my dad sighed.

Obsidian took a few calming breaths, "I need to leave." 

"Whoa, no, you need to sleep. You have circles under your eyes," Cynthia cut in, grabbing her brother.

She suddenly slapped him on the back of the head, "That's for being a twat. Alpha, do you mind if my brother has a room for the night?"

"No problem just make sure he stays away from my daughter," my dad warned.

Cynthia nodded before dragging Obsidian away, our eyes briefly connecting for half a second. I let out a breath and tried to stand myself up, but my ribs disagreed. I groaned softly and fell back down, wrapping my arms around my aching ribs. My father gently picked me up and carried me into the house while scolding me for being an idiot.