Bound by Lies

chapter 7

Isla

The sun was high in the sky as I stood on the training field, the dry heat causing a fine sheen of sweat to gather on my skin. The field buzzed with activity—warriors sparring, their grunts and growls mixing with the sharp clang of weapons. I tightened my gloves, determination pulsing through me. Today, I will push myself harder.

“Riley! I called out, waving at Kael’s Beta as he oversaw the training.

Riley turned his amused grin already in place. “What now, Isla? Are you planning to challenge me again?”

“Yes,” I said, crossing my arms. This time I want you to stop playing it safe. Hit me harder. I need to get stronger.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Kael would have my head if I so much as left a bruise on you. Do you know how protective he is?”

Frustration bubbled inside me. “I’m serious, Riley! I'm not going to get any better if I'm flogged like a piece of chinaware.

I lunged in and surprised him with a swift jab at his side. Riley stumbled back, startled, and then laughed heartily. “Alright, alright! You’ve got a punch, I’ll give you that.”

He felt his ribs with his hands as he looked up at the field. “If you’re that eager, let’s find someone who isn’t afraid of Kael’s wrath to spar with you.

Amongst the group of warriors standing around, a woman moved out of the crowd. Emily.

My stomach sank at the sight of her. Tall, lean, and exuding confidence, Emily was one of the best female warriors in Kael’s pack. She was also relentless in her competitive drive and had not let it be known that the opposite was also true of me.

“I’ll take her on, " Emily said, her tone light but her smirk sharp.

Riley hesitated, his eyes narrowing. “Emily”

“She wants a challenge, doesn’t she? Emily cut him off, stepping into the ring. “I’m just giving her what she asked for.”

The rest of the warriors glanced at each other, several amused, some worried. I swallowed my nerves and squared my shoulders. If I take a step back right now, I'd just confirm her.

“Fine,” I said, stepping into the ring. “Let’s do this.”

The sparring started with Emily circling, her attack fluid and precise. I tried to concentrate, watching her every move, but the second I made a first move, she jumped away very easily and came back with a deflecting blow delivered to my shoulder.

“Too slow,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery.

Constricting my jaw, I lunged a second time, striking the body in the middle. However, she evaded coming at me, extending her leg and causing me to trip. I hit the ground with a grunt, the impact jarring but not enough to keep me down.

My hand scraped the hard ground, but I felt the pain in the eyes of the warriors looking at me with pride. I jumped up abruptly and, in doing so, reached out with my left for her to go behind, but it seemed she was too strong and slammed into my rib cage. I fell hard, holding my rib cage.

The other warriors murmured to one another, their moods varying from sorrow to soft amusement.

I pushed myself up, determination flaring. “Again.”

Emily raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Suit yourself.”

We clashed again and again; she outmaneuvered me. Each time I tried to strike, I was answered with a sharp counter, and her strikes hit with accuracy. Each hit hurt not only my body but my honor as well.

I didn't want to give up. There's a spirit in me urging me to take one step forward, to win. I offered her, as a reward for her past victories, the most successful strikes, so I bounced left three times, right 2, and struck a quick jab beside the upper face. Since I learned that move, it's never let me down, and most people don't even realize it. I only know it's done that judiciously because I see it at the end of the series; it is a proper victory for me. Emily was quicker and faster than I was, and she landed a counter blow beside my chin, which left a dark pink dart on it and blood oozing out from it.

“You call that fighting? Emily taunted, landing a solid punch to my side. If you want to be Luna, then you'll have to do better than that.

“I don’t want the Luna crown! I snapped, my voice rising.

Emily laughed, shoving me back. “Then what are you doing here? Playing dress-up in the training ring?”

Anger surged through me, and I charged at her, ignoring the pain in my ribs. But Emily was ready. In a lightning strike, she grabbed my arm, spun around, and flung me out of the ring.

I hit the floor hard outside the ring, my wind taken out of me. Pain radiates through my shoulder, and for a moment, I couldn’t move.

“Isla!”

Larkin, who had been watching from the sidelines, rushed to my side. His expression was one of anxiety and fury as he assisted me to get up.

“What the hell, Emily? Riley stormed into the ring, his voice booming. “Why did you hit her so hard? She’s still recovering from her last training session!”

Emily crossed her arms, her expression unrepentant. “If we keep pampering her, she’ll never get stronger. A Luna can’t be weak, Riley. You know that as well as I do.”

“She’s not weak!” Riley snapped. “And it’s not your place to push her like that.

I got up on my feet once, wincing as Larkin stabilized me. “It’s fine, Riley, I said, my voice shaky but firm. “She’s right. I need to be stronger.”

Emily’s smirk returned. “At least she’s not delusional. In order to survive here, Isla, you have to harden up. And maybe you should also make Kael stop spoiling you.

“That’s enough!” Riley barked, pointing toward the consultation room. “Out of the ring, Emily. Now.”

Emily shrugged, her smirk never fading. “Whatever you say, Beta.”

Walking away, Riley turned back on sight and, anger replaced by empathy, his concern filled the room. “Are you okay, Isla? I’m sorry. She crossed a line.”

I nodded, brushing dirt off my clothes. “I’m fine. And I don’t mind what she said. She’s just being honest.”

Riley sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. You’re already strong, Isla.”

I shook my head. “Not strong enough. The more I train like this each day, the better I get. Kael would like that.”

He frowned but didn’t argue. “At least let me take you to your room. You need to rest.”

“I’ll be fine,” I said, forcing a smile. “Larkin can help me.”

Riley hesitated but finally nodded. “Alright. Take care, Isla. And don’t let Emily’s words get to you. She’s... complicated.”

When Riley started to walk down the street, Larkin reached out with an arm around my shoulders, holding me up as we walked toward my quarters.

“Don’t listen to her,” Larkin said quietly. “You’re doing great.”

I smiled weakly. “Thanks, Larkin. But she’s right about one thing—I need to be stronger.

As we walked through the village, the ache in my body was a reminder of how far I still had to go. But I wasn’t going to give up. I’d prove to myself, to Emily, to the pack that I am capable of standing by Kael’s side, not as a fragile Luna, but as someone worthy of their respect.