Chapter 9

I barely slept.

Even after I returned to my chamber, the lingering heat of Lucian's touch burned against my skin, a phantom sensation I couldn't shake. His words haunted me.

"Tell me, little Beta—if freedom is what you want, why do I see fire in your eyes every time I touch you?"

I hated him for it.

Hated how easily he got under my skin, how effortlessly he twisted my emotions until I didn't know if I wanted to run from him… or straight into his arms.

By dawn, I forced myself out of bed, determined to push him out of my thoughts.

But fate had other plans.

---

The Training Grounds

The Midnight Fang warriors trained at sunrise, their movements precise, deadly.

I stood at the edge of the grounds, watching as they sparred, their growls filling the crisp morning air. It had been years since I'd trained with a proper pack—years since I had been anything more than a lone Beta fighting to survive.

But I wasn't weak.

And if I was going to be trapped here, I refused to be defenseless.

"You shouldn't be here," a familiar voice drawled.

I turned.

Talon, Lucian's Beta, leaned against a wooden post, arms crossed over his broad chest. He had the same golden eyes as his Alpha, but where Lucian was all dark temptation, Talon was steady, grounded.

"I can handle myself," I said coolly.

Talon smirked. "I don't doubt that. But Lucian—"

"Lucian doesn't own me," I cut him off.

Talon's smirk widened. "You keep saying that, but I don't think he got the message."

I rolled my eyes and turned back toward the training field.

"You want to fight?" Talon mused. "Prove you can hold your own?"

I nodded. "I don't need permission."

Talon chuckled. "No, but you'll need a partner."

I crossed my arms. "You volunteering?"

Before he could answer, another voice cut through the air.

"She's mine."

A shiver ran down my spine.

Lucian.

I turned just as he strode onto the field, his golden eyes locked onto mine with dangerous intensity. He was shirtless again, his muscles flexing with every step, the raw power of an Alpha rolling off him in waves.

The warriors around us stilled.

I met his gaze, refusing to back down. "I don't belong to you."

Lucian smirked, but there was no humor in it. "Then prove it."

My stomach twisted. "What?"

He nodded toward the training weapons. "If you want to fight, you fight me."

Talon exhaled sharply. "Lucian—"

Lucian didn't even look at him. "Stay out of this."

My pulse pounded. "You want me to fight you?"

He took another step closer, his voice low, dangerous. "Unless you're afraid."

A challenge.

I clenched my fists, heat flaring in my veins.

He thought I would break. Thought I would submit to his dominance like every other wolf in this damn pack.

He was wrong.

I grabbed a wooden training sword and stepped onto the field. "Let's see if you can handle me, Alpha."

A slow, wicked grin spread across Lucian's face. "Oh, little Beta… I've been waiting for this."

---

The Fight

The second the match started, I attacked.

I wasn't stupid enough to go easy.

Lucian was bigger, stronger, faster—but I was quick, ruthless, and I had spent years surviving without the luxury of an Alpha's protection.

Our weapons clashed, the sharp crack of wood against wood echoing through the training field. The warriors watched in stunned silence as I ducked under Lucian's swing, twisting away before he could land a hit.

He smirked. "You're quick."

I didn't respond. I struck again, aiming low, but he blocked effortlessly.

He was playing with me.

My frustration flared. I moved faster, attacking from every angle, pushing him back. But no matter how hard I tried, he was always a step ahead.

Then, in a blur of movement, he disarmed me.

The wooden sword clattered to the ground.

Before I could react, he had me pinned, my back against the hard-packed dirt, his body caging mine in.

My breath came in ragged gasps.

Lucian's golden eyes burned into mine, his grip firm but not painful. "Yield."

I glared up at him, my heart hammering. "No."

A slow, dark chuckle rumbled through his chest. "Stubborn little thing."

His weight shifted just enough to make me aware of every inch of him pressed against me.

Heat coiled low in my stomach.

Damn it.

Lucian's fingers brushed against my jaw, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "You fight me like you hate me."

"I do."

His smirk deepened. "Then why do your eyes say otherwise?"

I clenched my jaw, refusing to answer.

His grip tightened slightly, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip. "One day, little Beta, you'll stop fighting me."

I swallowed hard. "Don't hold your breath."

Lucian chuckled again, then, to my shock—he let me go.

I scrambled to my feet, ignoring the heat that still lingered between us.

"This isn't over," I muttered.

Lucian smirked, his golden eyes flashing. "Oh, I'm counting on it."

As I turned and walked away, I felt his gaze burning into my back.

And I hated that a part of me wanted to turn around.