Claimed By The Lycan Lord

My Spirit Cannot Be Crushed

MARCELLA

People darted back and forth as though to make sure everything was in place. I wondered how everyone knew what was going on except me. It wasn’t like I lived in a hole, did I?

It was difficult getting my saddened self together even after Master Talon to have a smile when the guest arrived. I can’t pretend that he did not reject me yesterday, he tried to kill me and asked me to leave his pack. I couldn’t sleep all through the night as I continually thought of it.

“Just like we said yesterday, we will be having an important guest tonight. He will be here for three days and I will appreciate it if you do not misbehave. I must warn you; Thane is not one to be messed with. Do not let your fighting skills get into your head and try to fight him. I assure you that it won’t end well.” He advised before settling his gaze on me as though he was specifically talking to me.

I rolled my eyes as he walked away, leaving us all there.

“I will be back. I need to quench my thirst.” I nudged Romani before taking a step forward.

“Don’t leave now.” She pulled me back. “Master Talon will be offended if you leave now. He specifically asked everyone to stay in line.”

I shot her a frown, my patience thinning. “I cannot die of thirst. My throat feels perched.”

I yanked my hands off hers and walked to the kitchen. Standing there made my feet hurt. I wasn’t bothered about seeing the guest coming. I had my whole life to sort out. How was I going to convince Master Talon that I was worthy of being his companion?

Letting out a sigh, I headed out and pushed through the door leading to the rooftop, the cool air hitting me like a refreshing wave. I wasn’t interested in meeting the guest or pretending to like him or being impressed like everyone when in actual fact, everyone feared him. If they wanted, they could fawn over him. I couldn’t care less. They could go to hell for all I cared.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I suddenly caught a rhythm of movement near the gates. My heart raced as I turned to see a figure slipping through the shadows with calculated steps.

Adrenaline washed over me, and I was glad that I hadn’t gone inside like the rest of them. If not, we would be under siege. We would have been killed. I crept closer, my pulse quickening with every step. The moment, whoever it was realized I was after him, he halted, his back turned to me.

“You bastard,” I spat. “Who do you think you are to come in here and try to cause havoc? Who sent you and what do you want?’

Slowly, he turned to look at me and kept mute, just staring at me with an unsettling calmness that made me even more infuriated. All I could see was his eyes, as his face was masked. How confident!

“Not going to speak, huh?’ I challenged and upended the contents of the almost empty bottle of water on him. He stood still, not flinching or moving, neither was he terrified. How bold!

“Let’s try this again.” I continued. “Who sent you and what are you doing here?” I crossed my hands. He had a smirk on his face instead, still being unbelievably calm. This was my chance. Perhaps this was all I needed to show Master Talon that I was worthy of being his companion and being by his side.

The moment I saw that smirk on his face, something inside me snapped. I lunged forward, my fists clenched, ready to hit him with everything I had, but he was quick, dodging my first swing with an ease that only fueled my anger.

I threw another punch, then another and another and another, but he simply danced around me like I was nothing but a child throwing tantrums. In a sudden move, he caught my wrist mid-swing, twisting it painfully behind my back. He leaned in closer, panic surging through me as his fingers curled around my neck with surprising strength.

I gasped as his grip tightened; his fingers slowly yet painfully boring into my neck. My heart raced and in a split second, everything around me faded away. My life flashed right in front of my eyes.

“That bastard taught you everything about fighting...” He started, his voice cold, deep and icy, sending shivers down my spine. “But definitely didn’t teach you how to pick your battles wisely. It’s almost sad to see how this lack of knowledge would cost you your life.”

The world around me began to blur as he tightened his grip around my neck, lifting me effortlessly off the ground. I clawed at his hand, gasping for breath as my vision started to darken at the edges. Just when I thought I was about to take my last breath, he suddenly released me, throwing me to the floor like I was nothing but a rag doll.

I held my throat, gasping for air as my whole body felt weak and incapable of doing anything. Slowly, he began to head inside. I lay there for a moment, disoriented. The fear that had gripped me moments ago suddenly developed into rage. I was trained for this day.

With the little strength I had garnered, I stood up and strategically approached him to attack him off guard, but he was ready. In an instant, he spun around, grabbing my wrists.

“Ahh.” He let out a sigh and shook his head. “My bad. I should have known you wouldn’t learn your lesson.” He hissed before twisting my wrist with brutal force. I let out a loud scream as I heard my wrists c***k, and the pain palpitated all through my body. The pain was overwhelming.

“Let’s show that dummy what he missed out, shall we?” He sneered before yanking my hair and pulling me with it towards the door with a strong grip. I could not speak as every part of my body was hurting.

Pushing the door open with force, he tossed me to the floor like I was a discarded toy. The impact sent fresh pain radiating through my already bruised body and I felt the blood rush out of my already injured nose.

Gasps of shock hit me like a wave the moment we got into the room, and he took off his mask. Lord Talon and every other person froze in place, their eyes wide with disbelief.

This definitely could not be the end. Even if my bones were crushed, my spirit wouldn’t.

“Is this all you got? How dare you?!” He directed his question to Master Talon, his voice cold and mocking. I had never seen my trainer take a step back before and for the first time since I got to know him, I saw.... fear... embedded in his eyes.