When I receive the letter Cain sends informing me of the new routine I'm to follow, I'm smitten by how clean his handwriting is.It's beautiful.Of course, his message also makes me feel something fluttering in my stomach. Butterflies maybe, I don't really know but I know the feeling is there. According to the letter, Rhys is going to help me draft a workout schedule and then I'm going to train with him going forward.I've never really worked out before, but I guess it has its benefits. Back in my parent's pack, I was not much better than a slave. There was no time to think of anything else except my chores and I'd probably have been bullied if I ever tried working out.Here in the Lycan king's huge building, I'm something more like property. According to Cain, no one can order me around except they've been given the power to by Lyros, and apart from Lyros no one should have the power to lay a finger on me.Somehow that makes sense, seeing as the Lysandra lady didn't hit me even thoug

"No way."Rhys chuckles and cocks an eyebrow up at me while he slurps the last of his vile-tasting smoothie.I am currently buried in a plate of spaghetti and meatballs, and it's a smaller portion than what I had in mind, but Rhys's words are enough to fill my belly ten times over.I shake my head again and swallow the food that's in my mouth. When I speak I make sure there's enough disbelief in my tone."There's no way Cain and Lyros were ever in that kind of relationship."Rhys just chuckles and shakes his head. I feel very naive when he looks at me but he's smiling so I don't register most of the emotion."Do you think I would lie to you about something like that?"I shake my head reluctantly, but there's also some doubt in my heart."When I asked Leah about this she told me nothing like that was going on between them.""You suspected Lyros was bedding Cain already?"I blush at the accusatory tone in his words but I shake my head all the same."I was foolish to think that. Lyros al

"Is training usually done shirtless?"There's a clack! clack! before Rhys responds to me."Lord Lyros is usually not present during training sessions. I did hear there were sightings of some rogues at the north border so maybe that's why he's here."I don't take my eyes off the two battling forms in the middle of the large room, but I don't have to before I detect the displeased notes in Rhys's voice.He's displeased at this?'My mind straight up blanks out when I see Cain avoid a hit so powerful that I'm sure it would have left an angry red bruise on his skin. My eyes are drawn to the lean and rippling muscles that make up his upper body, and damn!He looks like a perfectly sculpted piece of art. And never has a sculpture looked so good in leather pants. I would drool if I didn't value my life so much.Lyros advances on Cain again and this is the moment my heart stops. If I would drool for Cain, I would faint because of Lyros.His chest is riddled with scars. His skin isn't as pale

"Wakey wakey."Leah's voice is what pulls me out of my half-conscious state. I'm blinded by lights the minute I wake up. I cover my eyes immediately."Do the lights always have to be this intense? shit, It's not like you're performing surgery in here are you?"Leah's chuckle almost makes me forget the pain in my back.And my calves.And the lower part of my waist. Fuck, everywhere hurts!"Hey don't move!"I halt like someone pressed a pause button on me and Leah's hands as she rearranges my limbs are the only thing I can feel for a while. She must have used her gift to make my body numb, or I'm just obedient enough that I can be numb on command.I can tell the minute she's done because my body aches again and I groan. Leah chuckles and shakes her head."What were you thinking engaging in a battle with Lyros? He could have killed you."I grimace and try to move my shoulder. Fuck it hurts."I said he could have killed you, Cain.""We both know he wouldn't have."My answer comes out snap

"Your stance is weak." Cain is still shirtless. His eyes are burning a hole into me right now and I grit my teeth in determination. It's just for a few more hours. "What exactly has Rhys been teaching you anyways?" I don't know if the words are meant to hurt me or if they're just passing commentary from him. I take a look at my new instructor and look away just as fast. It's dangerous to look at Cain while he's shirtless. Not good for the heart and equally harmful to blood pressure. If i could blow up I would have. My body still aches but it's a dull ache now. Leah gave me some pills before I left her wing and ever since then, I've been walking in a slightly buttery haze. My limbs feel strong now, but sometimes they just turn into jelly and I can barely stand. I should have gone back to my room but I came here instead. Another foolish decision, but I know there's something I'm not seeing here. Today is a Friday. In three more days I'll have to accompany the Lycan king to an