Unspoken Tension
926 Words
Leah’s muscles ached as she dragged herself out of bed. Every inch of her body throbbed from the brutal training session the night before, and she knew today wouldn’t be any easier. Logan had made it clear—this was only the beginning.
She let out a groan as she stretched, her limbs protesting the movement. The packhouse was eerily quiet in the early morning, the only sound coming from the occasional distant howl echoing through the territory. She hadn’t been here long, but she was already growing used to the rigid structure of Logan’s pack. Unlike her former pack, where Omegas were practically invisible, here, there was an unspoken law: survival was earned.
Leah wasn’t sure where she fit into that equation.
She pulled on a simple shirt and training pants before stepping outside, bracing herself for another grueling day.
The crisp morning air bit at her skin as she made her way toward the training grounds. The sky was a muted shade of blue, streaked with wisps of dawn’s light. Warriors were already gathered, their voices low as they prepared for the day’s drills.
Leah exhaled, rolling her shoulders. Time to get through another day without dying.
She spotted Logan almost instantly. He stood at the edge of the field, his arms crossed over his broad chest, his sharp silver eyes scanning the fighters.
She hated how effortlessly intimidating he was.
The second his gaze landed on her, something unreadable flickered in his expression. She braced herself.
“You’re late.”
Leah fought the urge to roll her eyes. “I’m early.”
Logan arched a brow. “Not early enough.”
She huffed but said nothing. It wasn’t like arguing with him would change anything.
“Ryker,” Logan called over his Beta. “Pair her with someone different today.”
Leah frowned. Yesterday’s fight with Dante had left her bruised, but she had somewhat adjusted to his fighting style. A new opponent meant she’d be back at square one.
Ryker smirked, as if reading her mind. “Got just the person.”
Leah turned to see a familiar figure stepping forward.
She stiffened.
Damon.
Her first mate. The Alpha who had rejected her. The reason she had spent years thinking she was nothing.
He smirked at her, crossing his arms over his chest. “Didn’t think I’d get to fight my past today.”
Leah’s jaw clenched. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
She felt Logan’s presence shift beside her, but he said nothing. Still, she could feel the weight of his attention.
Damon’s smirk widened. “Let’s see if you fight as pathetically as I remember.”
Leah’s blood boiled.
Fine. Let’s play.
She stepped into the sparring ring without hesitation. Damon followed, rolling his shoulders like this was just another training session. To him, it probably was.
To Leah, it was everything.
The second the fight started, she moved first.
Damon barely had time to react as she lunged, aiming straight for his ribs. He dodged at the last second, but the shift in his stance told her one thing—he hadn’t expected her to attack first.
Good.
He swung at her, but she ducked under his arm, slipping behind him before twisting sharply, slamming her elbow into his back.
A grunt escaped him as he staggered forward.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Damon recovered quickly, his expression hardening. “You’ve improved,” he admitted.
Leah didn’t respond. She couldn’t. She was too focused on every movement, every shift in his muscles, every flicker of his eyes.
He came at her faster this time.
Leah barely dodged the first blow. The second hit grazed her side, knocking the wind out of her.
She stumbled but didn’t fall.
Damon pressed forward, going for her legs. She saw it coming—this time, she was ready. She twisted mid-fall, using the momentum to slam her knee into his chest.
The force of it sent him staggering back.
A sharp silence fell over the training ground.
Leah wiped the sweat from her brow, breathing heavily.
Damon coughed, shaking his head. “Guess you’re not so weak anymore.”
She scoffed. “And you’re not as strong as I remember.”
A chuckle rippled through the onlookers.
Damon’s eyes darkened for a moment, but he said nothing.
Before either of them could speak again, Logan’s voice cut through the tension.
“That’s enough.”
Leah turned, surprised by the sharpness in his tone. His silver eyes burned with something she couldn’t place.
She knew that look.
Possession.
Damon smirked, wiping his mouth. “Jealous, Alpha?”
Leah’s stomach twisted.
Logan didn’t answer. He didn’t need to.
Instead, he stepped into the ring, standing in front of Leah like a silent warning.
Damon’s smirk widened. “Guess I struck a nerve.”
Logan’s jaw tightened. “You’ll spar with someone else next time.”
Damon laughed but didn’t argue. He simply gave Leah one last look before walking away.
The moment he was gone, Leah turned to Logan. “I could’ve handled that.”
Logan’s gaze locked onto hers, sharp and unreadable. “I know.”
Then why—
Before she could finish the thought, he leaned in slightly, his voice low. “But I don’t like seeing what’s mine in the hands of another.”
Leah’s breath caught.
Her heart pounded.
Logan’s gaze held hers for a moment longer before he turned, walking away as if he hadn’t just shattered her composure.
Leah stood there, frozen, as the words echoed in her mind.
Mine.
- Writer
