A mate for the beast

Chapter 12: Training grounds.

/-Sabrina-/

I only came to my senses when the door clicked shut behind him, leaving behind a heavy silence that lingered long after his presence had vanished. I exhaled quietly, a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

It's surprising that I was still alive, but what was more strange was the thin fabric wrapped around my wound and how his touch lingered longer than it should have.

I could still feel the chill to his fingers, and it only made everything more confusing.

Why hadn't he punished me like the maid had said? Why hadn't he forbidden me from entering his study? Was it because of this mate bond of a thing or something else?

I do not know, but I didn't dare dwell on the matter either.

All that mattered was that I was no longer going back to the Valeria kingdom or the village where I was being passed like a possession from cruel hands. Even though my life here was also not in my control, it no longer belonged to those who sought to break me apart for sport.

My gaze wandered around the study, but I dared not touch anything and could only stare at the books with a longing expression.

The air still carried his peculiar scent, and it clung to the room.

Just as I turned, ready to leave, I heard the faint sound of a creak, and my eyes darted to the doorway just in time to see a shadow flick past the entrance.

I stilled, my heart skipping a bit.

Slowly, I walked towards the threshold of the room with a hint of hesitation in my steps. “H…Hello?” I called quietly, breath held.

I glanced towards the left and right, scanning the corridor for any signs of someone, but was unable to see anything.

However, I was certain that I saw someone watching me.

The fear of the unknown made my face pale gradually, and I swallowed the lump forming in my throat.

No, I was wrong.

Staying here might not be any better, but what choice do I have?

A chill brushed the back of my neck as I quickly walked out of the study room, but I couldn't ignore the feeling that I was being watched, and it was definitely not a good feeling.

The longer I stayed in the place, the more it felt like walking in a house haunted by ghosts. Although I didn't believe in supernatural forces, I couldn't help but think that everything was possible here.

I couldn't understand why, but it felt as though the corridor was quieter and colder without Alpha Raizan around, and the silence was stifling.

As I turned a corner, I almost collided right into someone.

“Nerida,” I breathed, steadying myself.

“There you are.” I heard her say, and I gave a small nod.

“I was just... taking a walk.” After saying that, I turned to glance over my shoulders but found nothing.

Was I just being paranoid?

Nerida tilted her head, and with tone as neutral as always, she said, “You said earlier you needed air. But, I heard you went into the study.”

The words were not accusatory, but there was an obvious edge to them.

“I didn't plan to. I just ended up there.” Came my reply, and she fell silent.

I watched as her eyes drifted to the white cloth wrapped around my palm, then back to my face, “The Alpha let you leave on your own?”

I nodded briefly, and a faint gleam flickered in her eyes.

“It seems that the Alpha handles his mate differently than we expected.” Then she pressed her lips together and added, “Come, I will take you to your quarters.”

Afraid of staying in that massive room alone, I spoke up, “Can we take a stroll around?” Seeing her hesitation, I quickly added, “You haven't shown me around yet.” I said, keeping my tone as even as possible.

Nerida gave me a brief glance but nodded, “Very well.”

Nerida didn't say anything as she walked behind me. The silence between us wasn't uncomfortable, and it wasn't warm either.

She seemed to be someone who carried herself with discipline, and though she never glanced my way with the same judgmental look as the others, I could detect the subtle caution in her tone and demeanor.

We passed long corridors with winding windows and soon arrived at a fairly open space. Nerida said nothing as we approached the area, but I had already seen them.

Young men and women likewise, probably warriors, sparring.

It wasn't like the delicate, ritualized sparing I had once witnessed in Valeria. Here, both men and women sparred, and it was claw against claw.

I watched as a man let out an animalistic growl and as his fingernails morphed into claws and furs spurted out of his skin. Another woman, with half human features and half Virekan features, slammed into him.

Despite his buff physique, she still managed to throw him off her shoulders.

I froze, surprised by everything I was seeing.

I had once looked like that, like a monster with furs and fingers like claws.

Just a fleeting moment, but I had been trying to bury the memory. I fisted my palm into fists by the sides, fingers brushing the cloth still wrapped around my palm.

No. I couldn't let that happen again. It had only happened because…

“You are pale; is something wrong?” Nerida's voice pulled me out of my reverie, and I blinked before realizing that I had stopped.

"Sorry, I was just... surprised.” I said, forcing myself to look away.

Nerida did not press further. She only gave a nod, “I understand.”

Just as she finished speaking, something else quickly caught my attention.

I watched as several warriors began to exit the training grounds, eyes gleaming with something I could refer to as excitement. Some were practically jogging off with their weapons strapped across their backs with the same eager expression.

I couldn't help but to ask Nerida, “Where are they all going?”

Nerida glanced in the direction the men were gradually disappearing into and said simply, “The red arena.”

Red arena? What was that?