Page 48 of Heart of the Rebel Mate

Karina doesn't hesitate to take advantage of it.

She keeps me on the defensive, her strikes relentless, forcing me to retreat step by step. I barely see the hit coming before her fist slams into my ribs, sending me stumbling back against the ropes.

I curse under my breath.

She raises a brow. "You here to train or mope?"

I glare at her, jaw tight. "Shut up."

She smirks. "Hit me, then."

I push off the ropes, launching forward with a sharp jab. She dodges. Again. Too fast, too smooth. She isn't even breaking a sweat.

The next moment, her leg hooks behind mine, and suddenly I'm on the mat, flat on my back.

Karina stands over me, arms crossed. "Pathetic."

I close my eyes, exhaling sharply through my nose.

"Come on, Adrian. I've seen you fight half-dead and still put up more of a challenge than this." She nudges my side with her foot. "Whatever's in your head, you need to get rid of it. Fast."

I don't answer.

Because she's right.

I should be better than this. Should be faster, sharper. But my mind is somewhere else, tangled in thoughts I can't afford right now.

Elara.

Cassian.

Everything unravels around me, no matter how hard I try to hold it together.

Karina huffs, crouching beside me. "Let me guess—this is about her."

My eyes snap open, sharp and warning.

She just smirks. "Yeah, that's what I thought."

I push myself up, muscles aching from the hits I let her land. "It's none of your business."

Karina shrugs, leaning back on her heels. "Maybe not. But whatever it is, it's messing with your head." She tilts her head slightly, studying me. "You never fight like this. Distracted. Reckless. It's like you want to lose."

I grit my teeth, shoving to my feet. "I don't want to lose."

"Then prove it."

I roll out my shoulders, shaking off the ache. Fine. If that's what she wants, I'll give it to her.

We reset, circling each other again. This time, I don't hesitate.

I move first, closing the distance between us in a sharp burst. Karina reacts fast, but I'm faster, feinting left before striking right. My fist connects with her side, not enough to do real damage, but enough to make her stumble.

She grins. "There he is."

She recovers quickly, but this time, I don't let her take control. I meet every attack head-on, no longer just reacting but anticipating. I let the frustration bleed into my movements, let the anger fuel me. Not just at her, but at myself.

I refuse to keep losing.

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