moonlit captive

Episode 13

The following morning dawned bright, the storm clouds of yesterday swept away. Yet the academy grounds carried a storm of its own, every student whispered of the duel between Austin and Casper.

Some whispered that Austin had nearly beaten the heir.

Others whispered that he had been foolish to try.

But all agreed, Casper would not forgive the insult.

…

In the grand hall, before training, Lady Valtira’s presence was a thing of beauty and unease. Draped in flowing silks of black and crimson, she moved like water, her eyes sharper than the blades the students carried.

Austin felt her gaze find him as he stood in line with the beginners. Gina noticed too, her hand tightening on her staff.

Then Valtira spoke, her voice calm yet commanding.

“Discipline,” she said, addressing the gathered students, “is the measure of greatness. Without it, power is nothing more than chaos. Without restraint, bonds become weakness.”

Her eyes flickered toward Austin and Gina. Only for a second. But it was enough to twist Austin’s stomach.

Beside him, Gina kept her face still, but her wolf within snarled.

She knows.

…

Training began in earnest. Today’s drills were not sparring but combat gauntlets, timed runs through obstacle courses of wooden dummies, swinging logs, and sandpits, ending in one-on-one combat.

Casper and David stood at the edge of the field, grinning like wolves waiting to feed.

When Austin’s name was called, Casper’s voice rang out.

“Pair him with David.”

The instructor hesitated, glancing at Lord Kane, who gave the faintest nod.

David stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. “Round two, farm boy.”

Austin braced himself.

The whistle blew.

Austin dashed through the obstacles, leaping logs and ducking strikes from swinging arms. His body remembered the drills, quick feet, balanced stance. He reached the end breathless but unbroken.

Then David was upon him, striking hard and fast. This was no mock sparring. Every blow carried intent.

Austin blocked, parried, struggled to hold his ground. The crowd shouted, some cheering, others laughing.

But as the fight dragged on, David pressed harder, his attacks wild, dangerous. And in the stands, Casper’s smirk widened.

He had ordered David not just to fight, but to hurt.

When David’s staff slammed into Austin’s ribs, already bruised from yesterday, he staggered. Pain blinded him. David raised his weapon for another crushing strike.

But before the blow could fall, another figure surged forward.

Gina.

She didn’t think. She didn’t care. Her staff blocked David’s strike with a crack that rang across the field.

Gasps erupted from the students. Interfering in another’s match was forbidden. But Gina stood firm, her body a shield before Austin, her eyes blazing like fire.

“That’s enough,” she snarled.

The crowd went silent. Even David faltered, taken aback by her fury.

Casper leaned forward in his seat, eyes glittering. “Interesting,” he murmured.

Lord Kane’s voice cut through the tension. “Interference is against the rules.”

Gina lowered her head, chest rising and falling. “Then punish me. But I will not stand by while your son orders his dog to cripple my teammate.”

The field froze. Even the instructors went pale. No one spoke to Lord Kane like that.

But before Lord Kane could respond, Lady Valtira’s voice slipped in, smooth as silk.

“She is correct, husband.”

All eyes turned. Valtira stood, her gaze sharp. “Discipline must be maintained. David’s attack was not discipline, it was cruelty. Cruelty breeds rebellion.”

For a heartbeat, father and mother locked eyes. The air was thick, dangerous. Then Lord Kane’s lips curved in the faintest of smiles.

“Very well. The match is ended.”

David lowered his weapon reluctantly, shooting Austin a glare.

Casper, however, only smiled wider.

…

That night, beneath the oak, Austin and Gina met once more.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Austin whispered. His ribs still ached, but the pain of her risk cut deeper. “If Kane had punished you…”

“I don’t care,” Gina said fiercely. Her hand brushed his chest, her touch lingering. “I won’t let them break you. I won’t let them take you from me.”

Austin caught her hand, holding it tight. “If they find out we’re mates…”

“They won’t.”

Her words were strong, but her voice trembled. They stood in silence, the weight of their bond pressing harder than ever.

From a balcony above, unseen in the shadows, Lady Valtira watched. Her lips curved slightly, not in kindness, not in malice, but in thought.

“Love in chains,” she whispered to herself. “So fragile. So dangerous.”

And elsewhere, in his chamber, Casper sharpened a dagger, his mind already weaving the next challenge.

“Tomorrow,” he murmured, “the farm boy breaks.”