CHAPTER 7 THE TRAINING GROUNDS
1071 Words
The Lycan Kingdom was nothing like the wolf packs.
That was the first thing Aria realized as the days passed.
There were no warriors barking insults in the halls. No omegas lowering their heads in fear. No constant struggle to prove dominance through cruelty.
Power existed here too.
But it was quieter.
Controlled.
More dangerous.
And somehow, that frightened her more.
Aria stood on the balcony outside her chamber, staring at the enormous kingdom carved into the mountainside below. Stone bridges connected towering structures etched with glowing silver runes. Waterfalls crashed down black cliffs, reflecting moonlight like liquid crystal.
Everything looked ancient.
Untouchable.
A place built long before she was born.
A place that somehow expected her to become its Queen.
The thought still felt unreal.
“You’re avoiding breakfast.”
Aria jumped slightly and turned.
Kael leaned against the doorway behind her, arms crossed over his broad chest. He wore dark training clothes today instead of royal robes, making him look less like a king and more like the deadly creature she first saw in the forest.
Which was somehow worse.
“I wasn’t hungry,” she replied quietly.
Kael’s silver eyes studied her carefully. “You’ve barely eaten in two days.”
“I’m trying.”
“You are thinking too much.”
Aria let out a soft breath. “My entire life changed overnight. I think I’ve earned the right to think too much.”
To her surprise, the corner of Kael’s mouth lifted slightly.
A small smile.
Brief.
Dangerously distracting.
“You are stronger than you believe,” he said.
Her gaze dropped quickly before he noticed the warmth rising to her cheeks.
Strength.
Everyone kept talking about her strength now.
But she still remembered the girl kneeling on the ceremony floor while everyone laughed.
Kael stepped beside her at the balcony edge.
“The council expects your training to begin today.”
Her stomach tightened immediately. “Training?”
“You are awakening quickly. Your instincts, senses, and abilities must be controlled before they control you.”
Aria frowned. “And if I can’t?”
Kael looked at her calmly.
“You will.”
The certainty in his voice should have comforted her.
Instead, it terrified her.
The training grounds were built deep within the mountain.
Massive stone pillars surrounded a circular arena marked with glowing symbols across the floor. Torches burned blue along the walls, casting flickering shadows over gathered Lycans.
The moment Aria entered beside Kael, conversations stopped.
Every eye turned toward her.
Some curious.
Some respectful.
Some cautious.
She hated how nervous it made her feel.
A tall Lycan male stepped forward from the crowd. His dark hair was tied back, scars lining one side of his face.
“This is General Ronan,” Kael explained. “He trains our warriors.”
Ronan bowed his head slightly toward Aria. “My Queen.”
Aria immediately shook her head. “Please don’t call me that.”
Ronan exchanged a glance with Kael but didn’t argue.
“Today is simple,” the general said. “We test your instincts.”
Aria swallowed. “What kind of test?”
Without warning—
Ronan attacked.
Aria gasped as he lunged toward her with impossible speed.
Instinct exploded through her body.
She moved before she could think.
Her hand shot out, catching Ronan’s wrist inches from her throat.
The entire arena fell silent.
Aria froze.
She… she had blocked him.
Effortlessly.
Ronan stared at her hand gripping his wrist.
Then slowly smiled.
“Well,” he said carefully, “that answers one question.”
Aria released him immediately, breathing hard.
“How did I do that?”
Kael’s eyes glowed faintly silver as he watched her.
“Your body reacted before your mind.”
“I’ve never moved that fast before.”
“You have,” Kael corrected quietly. “Your body simply hid it from you.”
Ronan circled her slowly now, studying her like a puzzle.
“Again,” he said.
This time Aria was ready.
Or she thought she was.
Ronan attacked from the side.
Aria turned sharply—
Too slow.
He swept her legs from beneath her.
She hit the stone floor hard.
Pain shot through her shoulder.
Several Lycans winced.
Aria gritted her teeth and pushed herself up quickly, embarrassed.
Ronan offered her a hand.
She ignored it and stood on her own.
Something flickered in Kael’s eyes.
Approval.
“Good,” Ronan said.
Aria blinked. “Good? I lost.”
“You got back up immediately,” he replied. “That matters more.”
Kael stepped forward.
“She has spent her entire life surviving,” he said quietly. “Do not mistake inexperience for weakness.”
The room went silent again.
Aria looked away, uncomfortable under their attention.
Ronan nodded once. “Then we continue.”
Hours passed.
Again and again, Aria was forced to react.
Attack.
Block.
Fall.
Rise.
By sunset, her muscles burned and her breathing came in ragged gasps.
But something inside her had changed.
Every movement felt more natural now.
Sharper.
Faster.
Like her body remembered things her mind never learned.
Ronan finally stepped back. “Enough for today.”
Aria bent forward slightly, exhausted.
Then suddenly—
A sharp scent hit her senses.
Blood.
Her head snapped toward one of the younger warriors standing near the wall. A small cut marked his hand.
But the smell…
It hit her like lightning.
Her heartbeat quickened violently.
Something dangerous stirred inside her chest.
Hungry.
Aria stepped back instinctively.
Kael noticed instantly.
His expression hardened.
“Everyone out,” he ordered.
The arena emptied immediately.
Aria’s breathing grew uneven.
“What’s happening to me?” she whispered.
Kael approached slowly.
“You are experiencing your instincts.”
“No,” she said, panic rising. “This feels wrong.”
The scent of blood flooded her senses again.
Her silver eyes flashed brighter.
Kael stopped directly in front of her.
“Focus on me.”
Aria tried.
But the hunger inside her was growing.
Wild.
Unfamiliar.
Terrifying.
Kael gently lifted her chin.
“Listen to my voice,” he said softly. “You are stronger than your instincts.”
Her breathing shook.
“What if I’m not?”
Kael’s gaze never left hers.
“Then I will control them with you.”
And somehow…
For the first time since the hunger started—
The fear inside her began to calm.
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