Chapter 25
Damon
Asher’s hand lingered on Elena’s shoulder, casual but firm. Irritation curled hot and sharp in my
I had no reason to care. No reason to feel this slow–burning irritation coil inside me.
West
+15 Bonus
Yet, before I could think better of it, my feet were already moving.
My long strides carried me across the training grounds with silent purpose. The murmurs of the other candidates barely
registered as I neared, my entire focus homing in on Elena and Asher. She wasn’t leaning into his touch, but she wasn’t pulling
away either.
My lips pressed into a thin line, and then I acted.
My palm met the curve of Elena’s backside in a firm slap. The sound cracked through the air like a whip, silencing the
surrounding chatter.
Elena jolted forward with a sharp intake of breath, her entire body stiffening. Asher raised an eyebrow, his mouth twitching with
amusement.
Lignored him.
Elena spun on her heel, her expression shifting from stunned disbelief to pure, fiery rage. “What the hell was that?” she snapped,
eyes blazing as she whirled to face me.
I smirked down at her. “You’re too distracted,” I said smoothly. “Focus on training.”
The look she gave me could have melted stone.
Asher let out a low chuckde, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned back slightly. “Didn’t realize you two were this close.”
His tone was teasing, but I caught the underlying curiosity in my cousin’s gaze. Asher wasn’t just watching, he was assessing,
I didn’t dignify that with a response. Instead, I kept my attention locked on Elena, who was visibly fuming. Her breaths came
sharp and uneven, her jaw clenched so tightly it looked like she might crack a tooth
She stepped closer to me, her anger radiating in waves “That was completely uncalled for.”
Iarched a brow. “Did I hut a nerve?
“You“, Elena took a deep breath, visibly trying to compose herself, but the fire in her eyes didn’t dim.
Asher, still grinning, muttered, “You sure know how to keep things entertaining ”
It was Elena’s turn to ignore him and I hated how much that pleased me straightened her spine. “If you have a problem with me, Your Highness, say it. Otherwise, don’t do that again”
1/2
+15 Bonus
I met her challenge with an unwavering gaze, taking in the stubborn tilt of her chin and the defiance in her stance. Instead of telling her to watch her mouth, my own said, “I’ll be your training partner.”
The murmurs around us sharpened into outright speculation.
Elena’s brows shot up. “Excuse me?”
Asher’s smirk widened. “Now this is getting interesting.”
I didn’t react. “You wanted an answer,” I said coolly. “There it is. If you have the energy to argue, then you have the energy to train.”
Elena’s eyes narrowed. For a moment, she looked like she was going to refuse.
Lila
Heat flooded my face, not just from the slap but from the sheer audacity of it.
The training grounds weren’t silent, but it felt like they were. I could feel the stares, the whispers crawling over my skin like a
second layer of sweat.
“Did you see that?”
“Did the Lycan King just spank her?”
“Vanessa was right…”
My stomach twisted. I should have been used to it by now, but I wasn’t me in this place, I was Elena. Elena should have demanded
respect for just existing, so how did I end up with the same status as back home?
Asher let out an amused hum. “Well, that was dramatic.”
I shot him a glare, but he only smirked wider.
Damon stood in front of me, arms crossed, utterly unfazed. His dark eyes locked onto mine with that same infuriating,
unreadable intensity
“You can’t just “I waved a hand, unable to even articulate the level of his ridiculousness.
“As I said, you’re too distracted.”
My nails dug into my palms. Distracted? That was his excuse?
