2. A Sparring Match

“I wouldn’t mind sparring with you, Alpha, but I fear I may not make it out alive,” I replied with a small smile.

It felt good to know he was still talking to me, even if it was just the adrenaline of beating us to a pulp that put him in a good mood.

“I hear you have been training a lot more… let’s see.”

That was a command.

One I couldn’t disobey.

“Don’t die,” Theon remarked mockingly, crossing his arms, and placing one hand under his chin as if he was about to enjoy the show.

I stepped out and looked up at my Alpha, amusement clear in his eyes. He knew I wouldn’t even last a few minutes… The two men who had been thrown to the ground got up as the king jerked his head in dismissal.

“I’m not sure if you are reckless or brave.” The king stated, grabbing a towel and wiping his face, which was coated with a layer of sweat.

“A little of both?” I suggested when he turned back to me.

A predatory grin crossed his face, and he raised his fist, lunging at me without warning. My eyes flew open, and I ducked to the left, just as his fist hit the ground, creating a crack. He turned and threw another punch, using all his brute strength. Of course, I wouldn’t last in a battle of strength.

Was it disrespectful to defend or attack the king?

I kept dodging when the king growled.

“Do not run! Attack! You are already a handicap to the Pack by being wolfless. But that is no excuse! I’m sure Will showed you something!” The sudden anger and irritation in his voice at the loss of his closest confidant was raw and clear, sending a stab of pain through me. “Don’t disgrace their names. Show me what you got, or am I risking my daughter with you as her guard?!” he yells.

Of course, he had… I would never let my father’s name be tarnished…

I knew he blamed me, too. Everyone blamed me for my parent’s death. Sometimes I swear they forget they lost their respected Beta. But I lost my mother and father!

I could see it in his eyes, even if he never voiced it… Don’t you get it Alpha, I’m hurting too… I’m breaking inside yet you are all so caught up in your own loss that you forget that they were my parents. Mine. Instead, I put up with snide comments and judging stares.

Since my parent’s death, I had focused on working harder, and pushing myself to my limits. I was seventeen, but I still hadn’t gotten my wolf. Werewolves usually shifted at any age from thirteen. The latest recorded shift was at nineteen. But the average age was fourteen to sixteen for most wolves. Charlene had shifted at fifteen, and I was now seventeen, nearly eighteen, with no sign of a shift happening.

I knew the expectation of shifting and proving my worth to take the Beta position had only grown since my parents had passed away, but there was nothing I could do to force it to happen. I just had to bide my time and wait for the shift.

A flash of anger and sadness overcame me, but I didn’t let it show. The urge to release this pent-up irritation and anguish was rising within me. If the king had strength, then I had speed.

This time when he lunged at me, fist raised, I didn’t duck, blocking it with my arms and gritting my teeth as I felt something break. I twisted, grabbing the king’s thick forearms, and with all the force I could muster, I kicked him straight in the stomach. I hope he realised I could have kneed him where the sun didn’t shine, but I don’t think it would have been very respectful.

He staggered slightly, and I glanced at Theon, a flash of surprise crossing his usually arrogant, emotionless face.

“Hmph… Talent, but no strength.” The king grunted, turning away, a clear signal we were done.

My arms screamed in agony, but they would heal. I looked down, noticing my right one was at a slight angle, but I would not snap it into place in front of the king.

I didn’t reply, bowing my head in submission. I knew what he meant… the fact that I hadn’t shifted or come into full strength…

He picked up a bottle of water, downing it in a few gulps, leaning against the pillar as he looked at both Theon and me. I could feel Theon’s gaze burning into me, but I refused to look at him.

“Do you know why we are constantly attacked?” He asked.

“Everyone wants a slice of the power that the Alpha king holds, and possibly the legend that the one who conquers Astalion ultimately has within their hold the power to rule the thirteen kingdoms and the seven seas.” Theon replied.

That old folk’s tale? I know people believed it, but I didn’t think Theon was one for old wives’ tales.

The king nodded with a smirk.

“Well, that’s a total load of bullshit, but every myth and legend comes from somewhere.” His smirk vanished, and he looked up at the sky. “I trust you both. Theon, we may have only had you here for two years, but you have proven yourself as a loyal warrior, and an honoured member of this pack. I have placed my greatest treasure in your care, and I know you will protect her with everything. You will honour the oath you took when you joined us.”

I glanced at Theon, who was simply watching the king indifferently. Both men were regal and powerful. I felt like an unnecessary extra here. Why did he want to speak to me?

“She saved my life. That isn’t a debt that I’ll ever forget.” He replied.

The king nodded.

“Yileyna, you are the… daughter of my closest friend and confidant, and you are also Charlene’s best friend. I know you mean the world to her and despite everything, you do protect her. There is something I need to share with you both…” His gaze scanned the area, making sure we were alone.

Why did it feel like whatever he wanted to tell us was very important?

“The myth you speak of Theon, the so-called treasure given to the middle kingdom; the heart of Kaeladia, of our world… It’s not a tome or a magical crystal, it’s something entirely different… and the reason no one has ever found it. It’s said to be revealed every few centuries...”

I frowned as I began to piece the puzzle together. He mentioned Charlene... Was she somehow connected?

“You mean…” Theon murmured, but I could tell from his tone that understanding had dawned on him.

“Yes. My daughter is the heart, the treasure that every kingdom seeks.”

Theon’s eyes flashed a brilliant gold, but it was only for a split second as he frowned.

“That makes sense… A treasure to reveal itself every fifth century… because it’s reborn.” Theon mused, realisation flooding his face.

The king nodded.

“Yes, in an Alpha female. However, the thing is, Charlene has shown no signs of unlocking this power. Trouble is rising from all sides. We cannot delay.”

Well, I knew how that felt, having something expected of you and yet… unable to do anything about it.

“What if she isn’t the one to have this ability? You said yourself, once every few centuries, maybe it’s not Charlene.” I reasoned, trying not to clutch my broken arm.

“She is the heart of Kaeladia. Before her birth, a prophecy was revealed. My daughter is the one holding the heart of our world, the powers that everyone on the planet seeks and I want you, Theon, to train her, to push her to her limits until she unlocks those powers by luck or by force.”

His cold grey eyes met Theon’s amber ones. An agreement was made without even a word spoken.

The king dismissed us soon after, and as we walked down the hallway in silence, I didn’t know what to make of it. Something big was worrying the king for him to actually think of pushing Charlene to her limits. I knew he chose Theon because everyone knew he followed rules without thinking of the consequences.

“Do you think you can do that to her?” I asked, knowing exactly what pushing her to her limits meant.

I was doing the same to myself. Sometimes I wasn’t even able to move after training and even fell unconscious at times.

“Why not?”

“She saved your life, and you want to break her?” I asked. Only that was a lie. She never saved him, I did. Not that he would ever find out. Stopping at my bedroom door, I wait for his answer.

His smouldering eyes met mine, and he turned, making my heart thunder under the intensity.

“If it’s for her benefit, then yes, I’ll break her willingly.” A small smirk crossed his lips as he tilted his head. “What’s wrong, Little Storm, jealous?”

“Oh please, jealous of what? Being beaten to a pulp by you?” I growled, when suddenly he grabbed my arm and snapped it back into place, making me whimper at the jarring pain that shot through my arm and neck, making my eyes water.

“No.” He stepped closer, and I took a step back, his threatening gaze making me swallow. My back hits my door, his hands hitting it on either side of my head when he leaned closer. The heat of his body invading my personal space, his chest grazing against mine. I felt his warm breath on my ear as he whispered the words that sent a rush of pleasure through me. “To be broken by me.”

He pulls away, and my face heated only for my stomach to sink at his following words. “I’d offer to break you too, but I don't do charity cases. And now your father isn’t here. That is all you are. You haven’t got daddy to hide behind anymore.” His words stung more than anyone else’s. He was the last person I expected to hear those words and hatred from. He was there. Theon saw what happened, and stopped me from trying to help them.

“Now get to bed and try to stay out of trouble,” he growled, storming off down the hall without so much as a second glance back.