Page 32 of Alpha's Revenge Luna
“Sorry,” I mumble, avoiding her gaze.I force myself to concentrate on the task at hand.
But even as I train, I can’t help but notice the two or three guards who follow me everywhere I go.They watch me like a hawk.
“Are they really necessary?”I ask Tara between pants, nodding at the guards who watch us intently.
“Alpha’s orders,” she replies, her tone laced with sympathy.“They’re here for your safety.”
I scoff.“More like to keep me under his thumb,” I mutter, gritting my teeth as I throw a punch toward the training dummy.And must we do this outside in the blistering heat, or is this another punishment?We’ve been out here for hours.Surely, this can’t be normal to train like this?
As the day goes on, my bladder begins to protest; I blame all the Power-Aid I’ve been drinking, but the thought of the guards following me even to the bathroom is too much to bear, and I don’t know if Dion removed the order on Dimitri.They’ve been instructed to make sure I leave the door open, a humiliating invasion of my privacy that leaves me no choice but to hold it all day after I tried to pee after breakfast because I don’t remember seeing Dion change the order.
As we continue our training, I focus not only on my physical strength, but also on building mental barriers against Dion’s influence, although I fear it may be pointless; he seems to have no issue ordering me.
Just when I think training is over, the one-on-one session begins.I find myself paired with one of the more experienced members of Dion’s pack.
We circle each other cautiously, eyes locked, as we search for any signs of weakness, even I know I am severely outmatched.My father had us train, but training with my sister or brother isn’t like training here.
“Stay focused, Emery,” my opponent advises, his voice low and steady.
“You’re letting your mind wander.”
How can I not when all I can think about is how much it will hurt if he manages to punch me in the face?
However, I grit my teeth in frustration, knowing he’s right.Despite my best efforts, thoughts of Dion, thoughts of my brother, and grandmother continue to plague me, leaving me distracted and vulnerable.As my opponent lunges forward, I barely manage to dodge his attack, stumbling to regain my footing.
“Emery!”My opponent, whose name I cannot remember for the life of me, shouts and pulls me from my thoughts just in time to see him deliver a powerful kick to my chest.His kick knocks the air right out of me and sends me flying backward.
Thrown off balance, I hit the ground hard, the wind knocked out of me.Gasping for air, I scramble to my feet, berating myself for my lapse in concentration.
His pack mates look on, concern etched across their faces at their weak Luna.Being here and watching them train, I realize how little training my father gave us.Maybe enough to get us out of trouble, but I am getting my ass handed to me out here.
“Are you alright?”my opponent asks, genuine worry in his eyes.
“Fine,” I snap, wiping a trickle of blood from my lip from where I bit it as I fell.
“Let’s keep going.”
But despite my determination, it becomes increasingly clear I’m no match for this one.Each blow I take only serves to fuel the fire inside me, a relentless storm of conflicting emotions threatening to consume me whole.
The training session draws to a close and all the equipment is hastily loaded onto carts.As they put everything onto the carts bound for the warehouse, I notice my guards are preoccupied with the task at hand.Seizing the opportunity, I slip away from Tara as she carries some training mats for the kids.I need to scope out my surroundings, and I can’t do that with them following me.Nor would they let me deviate from the list of things Dion gave them for me to do.
My heart races as I draw closer to the trees, my steps cautious.Casting another glance over my shoulder, I see Dimitriwatching me, so I pretend to pick up a piece of equipment, the moment his back is turned.
With a burst of energy, I flee the training grounds, using the confusion of loading equipment to blend into the chaos of packing up to disappear.
My heart pounds in my chest as I race through the trees, desperate for a chance to catch my breath, away from Dion’s control.But even as I make progress, his oppressive presence looms heavy in my mind.
The soothing shade of the forest gives me a chance to breathe, and I feel Dion’s tightening grip slowly release its hold on me.A deep breath of air fills my lungs with possibility and hope for the future.As I tread further into the woods, I’m comforted by nature’s embrace.The further I go, the more the weight of Dion’s influence seems to lift from my shoulders.
Maybe this is what I needed, time to think to myself, a glimmer of hope flickering in my heart.A chance to find clarity away from his suffocating presence.
But even alone in the forest, I can’t escape the knowledge that time is running out.Tonight, I could shift into my wolf for the first time.I just pray these pills Grandma gave me actually work because Dion’s threat to mark and mate me looms over me like a dark cloud, casting a shadow on even the most tranquil moments.
However, after about thirty minutes, I still see nothing out here but forest.So, I turn back around.But as I walk, memories of Dion intrude upon my mind.The way his eyes bore into mine when he first captured me, cold and calculating.
The feel of his hands on my body, unexpectedly gentle though still demanding submission when he washed me last night.The memory of our lips meeting, leaving me breathless and wanting despite my hatred for him.
“Damn you, Dion,” I whisper under my breath, my fists clenching at my sides as I try to push away the thoughts of him that threaten to consume me once again.Maybe it’s because I am supposed to shift tonight; the thought sends my blood cold, andI shiver, wondering if the Belladonna has worked.
