Chapter 34 Fight for survival
Sebastian POV
For a moment, I didn’t move. I just watched her.
Her chest heaved. Her hands curled into fists at her sides.
The bond between us was buzzing, nearly like electricity at this moment. But I pushed the feeling aside.
“Again,” I ordered, voice low.
She didn’t hesitate. Good.
Amara came at me faster this time—no warning, no hesitation. She ducked low, aiming for my midsection, but I read her move and braced for impact.
Except she was ready for that.
At the last second, she shifted left, spun on her heel, and slammed her elbow into my ribs causing immediate pain to radiate from the impact. I grunted, stumbling back a half step—more from surprise than actual force.
But that split second was all she needed.
She twisted, grabbing my arm as she moved behind me. Before I could wrench free, her foot hooked around my ankle, and with a vicious pull of her bodyweight.. I hit the ground hard, dust exploding around me.
A stunned silence fell over the training yard.
Amara didn’t waste it. She moved like a wolf born for battle, straddling my waist, and pinning my wrists to the dirt with a strength fueled by sheer willpower.
I jerked against her hold, but she leaned down, using her body to leverage mine to the ground. She shouldn’t be this strong yet.. the bond hasn’t been completely sealed.
Her hair fell around her face like a dark, silken curtain, and her eyes—gods, her eyes—burned with triumph.
She had me.
She actually had me.
For a heartbeat, neither of us breathed.
I could feel her pulse racing against mine. Feel the heat of her skin through the thin layers separating us. Feel the mate bond screaming at me to close the distance between us completely.
“Yield,” she whispered, voice rough from effort.
My mouth twisted.
Every part of me wanted to shove her off, reassert dominance—and remind her who the king was. But another part—the part that was hers alone—roared in pride.
Slowly, deliberately, I bared my throat to her in submission.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Shock. Disbelief.
And then.. a slow, breathtaking smile curved her mouth. The crowd erupted in stunned cheers and murmurs, but I didn’t hear them.
All I saw was her.
My Queen.
Maybe I wasn’t here to teach her after all.
Maybe she was here to teach me.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••
The dining hall buzzed with noise, clinking goblets, and the low hum of conversation. Long tables were lined with pack Alphas, higher ranking pack members, lycan nobles, and guests already arriving for the upcoming wedding festivities. The smell of roasted meats and spiced wine filled the air, it was quite pleasant if I may say.
I sat at the head table, my throne-like chair slightly elevated above the rest.
To my right sat Braden and Lady Lola — Braden wearing his tight, polite smile he usually wore like armor. Lady Lola giggled and chirped obnoxiously with the other higher-ranking females.
And to my left.. Amara. Radiant, even though I knew she had to be sore beneath the gown she now wore — a deep green silk that hugged her curves and shimmered when she moved.
It didn’t matter. Everyone in this hall had heard what she could do. It didn’t take long before word spread that the Queen fights like a warrior. And judging by the admiring glances being cast her way, they hadn’t forgotten it.
“She fights like a true Alpha female,” one of the older pack leaders boomed from the lower table, raising his goblet toward her.
A ripple of agreement followed.
“I’d wager she could beat half the males in this room,” another laughed, clearly meaning it as a compliment.
More chuckles, more nods. Amara seemed slightly uncomfortable by the sudden attention. My hand instinctively grabbed hers and held it on the table.
Beside me, Braden’s jaw tightened and Lola’s smile thinned into something brittle. She took a delicate sip of her wine but said nothing.
Amara lowered her gaze demurely — but I caught the way her lips twitched, the faintest hint of a smirk she tried to hide.
“She was impressive, I was lucky enough to catch the end of it.” Elder Elke said from further down the table, her voice carrying clearly. “It’s rare to see such spirit in a Queen. Rarer still to see skill match it.”
A few others murmured their agreement.
I felt a swell of pride I didn’t bother to hide. It’s not every day the king gets bested. In fact, it never happens.
Lola set down her goblet with a soft, deliberate clink.
Her smile was dazzling — too dazzling. Almost.. uncanny.
“Such a spirited display,” she said, her voice honey-sweet, loud enough to carry.
“Though I suppose.. not every Queen needs to master the more delicate graces of court to be considered worthy.”
The air tightened.
Forks paused midair.
Eyes shifted carefully between Amara and Lola.
I didn’t move despite the anger I felt building up inside me at such a disrespectful gesture.
I barely breathed.
But.. I wanted to see what my little wolf would do.
Amara turned her head slowly toward Lola.
There was no forced smile, no pretense.
Only a glint of something sharp and dangerous in her eyes. Whatever it is.. it makes my cck twitch in excitement.
Amara picked up her goblet, fingers graceful around the stem, and said lightly,
“True. Some of us are taught how to fight for survival..while others,” she tilted her head slightly, “only learn how to pose for it.”
I choked out a cough trying to stifle my chuckle. It would seem I’m not the only one who found that amusing, seeing as a few others are trying their best to hide their laughter.
Lola’s face stiffened, her smile cracking at the edges.
Braden leaned forward slightly, as if to intervene, but hesitated before sitting back in his chair with his glass of wine in hand.
I sat back in my chair, savoring it.
The way Amara’s words cut without raising her voice.
The way she owned the hall without lifting a blade.
That was a Queen.
Mine.
I shifted my gaze sideways, speaking to her through mind link..
“Well struck, little wolf,” I murmured, lips barely moving.
Amara didn’t look at me.
She only lifted her goblet in a silent, mocking toast and took a slow, deliberate sip — as if she had won a battle far more important than the one on the training grounds.
And she had.