Chapter 3 TRAINING

"I am Darius Blackthorn, Alpha of the BloodVeld Pack, and you are my chosen mate."

I glare at him like he has two heads.

The audacity.

I almost scoffed. "You think just because you're the big, bad wolf, you can command anyone?

Just demand whatever you want and get it?" My voice quivered-not with fright, but with rage.

"You think the world bends for you just because you have an army?"

He blinked slowly, then his lips twitched. A moment later, Darius began laughing.

Laughing.

He threw his head back, the deep sound rumbling from his chest. Then he collapsed onto the

nearby sofa, one hand clutching his abdomen, the other gripping the armrest as if he couldn't

contain himself.

I stood there, fists clenched, heat burning beneath my skin.

He was laughing at me.

At my pain. My life was torn apart and he was laughing.

"Are you mad?" I splintered, my voice cracking like a birch across the room. "Is there something

wrong with you?"

But it only made him laugh harder.

My blood boiled. I could feel my wolf stir beneath my skin, restless, humiliated.

Eventually, his laughter died down, but the smirk remained-a crooked, infuriating twist of

amusement that made me want to rip it off his smug face.

"Big bad wolf," he repeated, chuckling under his breath.

"What are you, five? Did you get that

from Dora the Explorer?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't. I was too stunned by his arrogance.

But then-his smile dropped.

The shift in his expression was instant. One second, he was all amusement and mockery; the

next, he was expressionless.

His eyes darkened, his shoulders squared, and something savage flickered across his face.

"And yes," he said, voice dangerously low, "I can take what I want. When I want it. However, I want it."

He took a step forward, his presence filling the room like a predator closing in on cornered prey.

"Do you know the most interesting part?" he continued, each word deliberate, sharp as blades.

"There's nothing you-or anyone else-can do to stop me. The quicker you accept that truth,

the easier this will be."

He crossed the room, slow and controlled until he stood at the edge of the bed. My fingers

clutched the sheet like it was a lifeline.

"You belong to me now." His voice was low, almost tender-mockingly so. "And starting

tomorrow, you'll begin your training to earn your place by my side. You'll be shaped into

someone worthy of me."

I wanted to scream at him. Fight. Bite. Run.

But I couldn't move. I was frozen beneath the weight of his gaze.

"Kellan will come for you in the morning," he continued, "He'll give you a tour of the territory,

introduce you to your trainer, and make sure you don't disgrace me. He'll be your guide."

He leaned in, his face mere inches from mine. His breath brushed my skin, smelling faintly of

spice and something darker.

"If I find you slacking," he whispered, "you'll receive a little package. Wrapped with care. Inside, you'll find your father's head."

My breath caught in my throat.

Cold. Ruthless. Unapologetic.

He meant it. Every word.

"Is that understood?"

His voice was ice.

I nodded, not trusting my voice. The room was too quiet.

"Good."

He stood, adjusting the cuffs of his dark shirt like this was just another business transaction.

He walked to the door and paused, glanced over his shoulder. "Kellan will come get you at 7:30 a.m. sharp. Before that, I expect a cup of black coffee on my desk. And God help

you if it's not burning hot."

The door slammed behind him with a finality that made the walls tremble.

I didn't move. Couldn't.

The silence that followed was discomforting.

I remained there for hours, still clutching the bedsheet, staring blankly at the wall.

Sleep didn't come easy that night.

And even when it did, it brought no peace.

*******

The first light of dawn came through the open curtains.

I had managed to fall asleep at the end but it wasn't a pleasing sleep.

My body was sore. My mind is heavier.

I looked at the time beside my bed. 7:00 a.m.

"Glad to see you're an early riser." My heart literally skipped multiple beats as I jumped from the

bed. The blanket didn't let go of my legs, though, so I crashed to the floor.

"I apologize for startling you, I should have let my presence known earlier." The face of the man

that carried me on his shoulders popped in my line of view, a smile on his lips.

"Are you mad? You almost killed me!" I yelled as I released my legs from the blanket's hold and

Standing to my feet. My breaths were coming out sharp.

"I'm sorry." He said, scratching the back of his head with an embarrassed smile on his face. "But

we need to be on our way, your alpha will be in his office soon and his tea has to be there before

him."

I looked at the man who stood before me from head to toe. "You're Kellan?"

He nodded, his hand outstretched.

"Kellan Thorn, Beta for the BloodVeld Pack, at your service." I looked at his outstretched hand

not sure of what to do.

A Beta that didn't act like one. Wasn't he supposed to be more serious?

He just gave me a smile and tucked his hand in his pocket.

"I'll be waiting for you outside, get dressed. The quicker we get things done, the better.

I stop him before he touched the door knob. "I don't even have anything to wear. You abducted

me from my family. Remember?"

He throws me a grin over his shoulder. "There's a training outfit at the edge of your bed. You'll

get more clothes in your wardrobe before the end of the day." He said as he walked out of the

room.

I turned to the edge of my bed to find my outfit there.

"Asshole." I hissed under my breath.