Chapter 53 053
LYKA
I heard Derrick’s thunderous voice erupt from behind me, sharp and commanding enough to silence the entire training ground in an instant. For a split second, I wondered what could have possibly triggered that tone, but the moment I turned and met his expression, I understood.
His jaw was clenched, his eyes dark and stormy, his entire posture rigid with restrained fury. He was jealous. The realization slid into my mind almost mockingly.
‘Mate is jealous? Isn’t that supposed to be a good thing?’ Elysia whispered with a hint of amusement, clearly entertained by the development. I rolled my eyes inwardly, refusing to let her romanticize what was clearly unnecessary drama. Whatever was brewing inside him was not my problem. Not today.
“Good morning, Alpha,” I greeted politely, dipping into a respectful bow before straightening up and turning back to the man I had been sparring with. I had come to train for a reason.
The attack the other night had exposed weaknesses in my movements, slight hesitations that could cost me dearly in a real fight. My reflexes had felt rusty, my strikes slightly delayed. I refused to be caught unprepared again. That was why I was here before the sun had fully risen, determined to sharpen myself back into a weapon.
“Can we continue?” I asked the man who had volunteered to help me train after Amanda informed the pack of my intention. He hesitated, glancing over my shoulder with visible discomfort.
“I don’t think we can,” he replied carefully. I sighed, fully aware of what... or rather who... he was referring to. I could feel Derrick’s gaze drilling into my back like a heated blade. It was intense enough to make my skin prickle. I hissed softly under my breath, irritated by his childishness.
“Would you care to explain the reason?” I pressed, though I already knew. Around us, several pack members avoided looking at me directly. Their expressions were strange, as though they had been fed information I had not been privileged to hear.
He mind-linked them… that demon.
“Is he the reason?” I asked pointedly, gesturing toward Derrick as he strode closer, each step deliberate and heavy with dominance. I shook my head at the sheer pettiness of it.
“What are you doing out here?” he demanded, his voice low but vibrating with authority. I chose not to answer him. Instead, I walked straight toward Aiden, who was observing from the sidelines. If Derrick wanted a reaction, I would give him one... but on my terms.
“Aiden, can you help me practice?” I asked smoothly. “My skills are rusty.” He raised an eyebrow at me, amused.
“Rusty? Your moves last night didn’t look rusty to me,” he teased lightly, reaching for my hands to guide me into stance. Before he could say another word, Derrick’s voice boomed again.
“Get your hands off her right now!”
The command cracked through the air like thunder. I flinched instinctively at the raw power behind it, though I masked it quickly by tightening my grip on Aiden’s hands as I turned slowly to face Derrick.
Oh, he was definitely jealous. Good. Let him feel it. If he thought he could bark orders at me like one of his soldiers, he had another thing coming. Perhaps provoking him a little would remind him that I was not someone he could simply control.
“What are you saying, Alpha?” I asked innocently, tilting my head.
“Why should he get his hands off me? We’re practicing.” Derrick’s eyes darkened further, a dangerous gleam flickering within them. His aura shifted, becoming heavier, oppressive.
“Are you sure that’s all you’re doing?” he shot back, suspicion lacing his tone. I felt the air grow thick between us.
For a fleeting moment, I sensed something… off. A subtle distortion in his presence that made my chest tighten. My fear from before threatened to resurface.
I exhaled slowly, deciding it was better to remove ourselves from the spectacle. I stepped away from Aiden and began walking toward the exit of the training grounds. I knew Derrick would follow. He was too possessive not to.
“Where are you going, Lyka?” Aiden called after me. “Don’t tell me you’re going to let him boss us around?” I could hear the faint growl in his voice, and I sensed the other pack members shifting uneasily. Some of them looked ready to intervene if things escalated. Tension crackled in the air like a brewing storm.
“Let it go, Aiden,” I said firmly without turning back. “You don’t want to start something unnecessary.” Then I cast Derrick a sharp glare. “And you... follow me.” I walked away from the field, my shoulders stiff.
For a moment, I wasn’t sure he would comply. I glanced back and saw him still glaring at Aiden, his eyes blazing with territorial fury.
“What are you doing?” I snapped sharply. His gaze alone was enough to make Aiden stagger backward, intimidated by the Alpha’s dominance.
But when Derrick turned to look at me, the intensity flickered, replaced by something calmer... almost blank. It was as if the storm had vanished in an instant.
What is wrong with this?
My palms grew clammy as I resumed walking down the hallway, anxiety coiling tightly in my stomach. This wasn’t just jealousy. Something deeper was wrong.
Derrick followed this time, his footsteps echoing behind me until we reached a secluded part of the corridor where no one else lingered. Once I was certain we were alone, I spun around to face him, anger blazing in my eyes.
“What was that earlier?” I demanded, my voice sharp as a blade. He looked at me, genuinely confused.
“What are you talking about?” he asked. I felt my temper spike.
“Don’t pretend!” I snapped. “You know exactly what I mean.”
He blinked, clearly trying to piece together my accusation. “Oh, you mean me stopping you from training with someone incompetent?” he said lightly, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
“I thought I’d train you myself since you seem so eager. Aren’t I just the cutest mate?” He beamed at me as though this were some harmless joke.
I stared at him, unamused. I knew that smile. I knew the darkness that could lurk behind it. That grin had the potential to vanish and reveal something merciless beneath. I refused to be fooled by charm.
“You know that’s not what I’m talking about,” I shot back.
“I’m asking what you did earlier.” His brows furrowed, confusion deepening.
“What did I do? The mind-link?” he offered casually.
“Relax. I didn’t tell them to attack your pack or anything dramatic.”
My heart skipped at his words.
“You really don’t know what I’m talking about?” I asked slowly, dread creeping into my tone. He tilted his head slightly.
“Is there something I should know? Did I do something wrong?” His voice was no longer teasing. It carried an undercurrent of unease.
A cold realization washed over me. He truly didn’t know.
I shook my head, stepping back slightly as the pieces began to align in my mind.
“This isn’t right,” I murmured. “You don’t even realize it.” He stiffened.
“Realize what?” His voice grew hoarse, like he was forcing down something lodged in his throat.
“Earlier… back on the field,” I struggled to explain, aware that my words sounded disjointed.
“For a moment, you weren’t you. It was like… someone else was there. Someone controlling you.”
His expression drained of color.
“He possessed you,” I finished quietly, my pulse racing. “And the craziest part is… I don’t think you even know it happened.” I watched as his eyes widened, realization dawning slowly but unmistakably.
The air between us shifted again, heavier now with something far more dangerous than jealousy. This wasn’t just about possessiveness or pride. This was about control. About something lurking beneath his skin, waiting for the perfect moment to take over.
And judging by the look on his face, I had just confirmed his worst fear.