Chapter 279
K Chapter 279
Chapter 279
FAYE
+25 Points
I barely had time to pivot before his fist connected–not a tap, not a test, but a real, precise strike aimed just right. The impact slammed into my side, and before I could brace fully, the world tilted. My boots slid against the dirt, and I hit the ground hard, a sharp gasp escaping
The field went silent for a heartbeat. Not one wolf dared breathe too loudly. My body
throbbed where his strike landed.
Alexander didn’t advance. Instead, he stepped back just enough to let me recover, giving me the space to rise without pressing the advantage further. His eyes, intense and unwavering, followed me as I pushed myself up onto my knees.
“You okay?” His voice was low, careful, and it carried an undertone–concern.
I forced a breath, straightening, keeping my hands ready but relaxed because I noticed the slight tension in his jaw. He hated hurting me in the name of training–at least more than I’d realized. “I’m fine,” I said firmly, wanting to reassure both him and myself. Then, seeing the flicker of unease in his expression, I added quickly, “I can take a hit p>
His gaze softened for a second, and I knew he believed me, even as the faintest edge of discomfort lingered behind his calm exterior. I flexed my fingers, feeling the familiar strength beneath my skin, letting that little spark of mischievous pride settle in my chest.
“All right,” I said, raising my voice so the recruits could hear, “two more rounds left. And I’m not holding back p>
He lifted an eyebrow. “Oh! Really p>
The cheers faded into the background as we reset. My muscles protested when I rolled my shoulders, a dull ache settling where I’d hit the ground, but it only sharpened my focus. Pain had always been a language I understood.
Alexander shifted his stance, slower this time. More deliberate. His eyes stayed on me, but there was a carefulness there now–like he was measuring how much force was too much,
how far was too far.
That hesitation was going to be my opening. I was willing to do anything to win the bet.
Kyle raised his hand, then dropped it. “Round two p>
Alexander advanced first, but not with the same certainty as before. His movements were
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controlled, restrained. I saw it clearly now–he was holding back, recalculating every strike before committing.
I let him.
I mirrored his pace, circling, keeping my breathing steady, my expression calm. I needed him to think I was still recovering, still cautious after the fall. He feinted left, testing me. I reacted just a second slower than usual, letting him believe it worked.
Then he hesitated.
Just a fraction. Just long enough.
I moved.
I surged forward, faster than he expected, ducking under his arm as he adjusted too late. My shoulder slammed into his midsection, knocking his balance off. Before he could recover, I twisted, hooking my leg behind his and using his own momentum against him.
He hit the ground with a solid thud.
The field exploded.
Shouts, cheers, stunned gasps. I barely heard them. I was already stepping back, hands up, heart pounding in excitement.
Alexander stared up at the sky for a moment, clearly not expecting that outcome. Then he sat up slowly, dust clinging to his forearms, eyes lifting to meet mine. There was surprise there. And something else–approval.
“Well,” he said, pushing himself to his feet, brushing dirt from his hands. “Impressive p>
I couldn’t help the grin that broke across my face. “You hesitated p>
He exhaled, shaking his head once. “I won’t make that mistake again p>
I straightened, rolling my neck, feeling the adrenaline hum through me. “Good,” I said lightly p>
Because that makes us even p>
Kyle stepped forward, laughing as he glanced between us. “One round each,” he announced. “
Final round decides it p>
The recruits leaned in, practically vibrating with excitement.
ALEXANDER
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The third round began, and from the first step, I knew she was doing something different. Her rhythm wasn’t just measured–it was deliberate, coaxing me into a pattern I could feel but couldn’t quite read. I pressed forward, letting my movements test her, nudge her back just enough.
She stumbled slightly, just a subtle shift–and I eased up instinctively, a fraction, giving her the space to recover. And that’s when I noticed it: she flicked her hair across her face, not carelessly, but with perfect timing, and just for a heartbeat, her eyes locked on mine.
I blinked, distracted–just for the moment it took me to process the gesture. That tiny motion, the tilt of her head, the way her gaze lingered, made my next step hesitate. I didn’t miss a beat, but I reacted differently. And she saw it. She moved then, stepping into the fraction of space I’d just opened. Her hands shifted my momentum subtly, and before I could fully recalibrate, she had me on the ground.
The field erupted with cheers, dust kicking up around us. I lay there for a second longer than necessary, catching my breath, stunned–not by the fall itself, but by what I’d just seen. It wasn’t skill alone. It was cunning. Precision, timing.
She held my gaze, calm, knowing, amused in a quiet way. My chest tightened with that sharp, unexpected thrill you get when someone hits you in a way you didn’t anticipate. She knew exactly what she was doing, and I had walked right into it.
I got to my feet slowly, shaking my head, a laugh escaping me despite myself. She had executed it flawlessly, and the subtlety of her trick made it all the more impressive. That was her newly awakened edge, that quiet, dangerous intelligence that had always fascinated me, and now, seeing it in action like this… it was intoxicating.
Kyle dismissed the recruits, their chatter fading into the background, leaving the field quiet except for us. I extended my hand, letting the handshake acknowledge her victory. She grasped it firmly, holding my gaze for just a moment longer.
“You cheated,” I said softly.
Her shoulders rose in a casual shrug. “Does it matter?” she replied. “I won. In a real fight, no one cares how you win. You just have to win p>
Her tone was light, teasing, but her eyes…those sharp, calculating eyes…told me she enjoyed the subtle advantage she’d taken. A quiet laugh escaped me again, raising a hand in mock surrender.
She leaned slightly closer, voice soft but confident. “We had a deal, sir,” she reminded me.
I straightened and let the words linger between us. “A win is a win,” I said, letting the acknowledgment settle. Then, carefully, I asked, “So… what do you want p>
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