Wrapped in My Enemy’s Arms

Chapter Seventeen

Ayla’s POV

I dragged myself out of bed at five. The air was freezing, but the hot shower helped. I pulled on my black tank top and leather pants, my usual wear and slid my mom’s ring onto my finger. It was a small weight, but it grounded me. I grabbed my gear and headed for the training room, praying I’d be the first one there.

I got my wish. For all of five minutes before the door hissed open and Cian stepped in, looking as smug as ever.

“Well, well, well. Someone is quick to take my place,” he mocked.

I didn't even stop my reps. “It’s too early, Cian. Just leave me alone.”

“I’m not here to fight you, Ayla. I’m giving you a heads-up. Thought you might actually need it.”

I stopped, getting to my feet and wiping the sweat from my forehead. I stood there, hands on my hips, waiting. “Get on with it.”

He wore a smirk that didn't reach his eyes. It was cold. “When you enter the forest for your trials, watch your back because I’ll be the first one to hunt you down.”

A chill that had nothing to do with the AC ran down my spine. I wasn’t scared of him, but the thought of being hunted. My chest started thumping that frantic annoying beat— but I wasn't going to let him see it. Instead, I forced a laugh.

“Whatever, Cian. Is that all?” I stepped forward and threw a light punch at his shoulder.

“Thanks for the heads up, I’ll make sure I sharpen my knives more”. He just stood there, staring at me like I’d lost my mind.

The second we heard footsteps in the hall, he vanished. Typical.

The room filled up fast. I saw Sebastian and the others, including the one other girl who’d made the cut. The whispers started almost immediately.

“Look— it’s the cursed wolf.”

“Why is she even showing her face here?”

“Cut it out, losers,” a loud, tiny voice snapped. “I bet she’d beat your ass in a heartbeat.”

A girl walked up to me and held out an arm to help me up from the bench. I hesitated, then took it. She was slender but had a grip like iron.

“Wanna spar?”

“Sure,” I said.

“I’m Lydia. You might not remember, but I said hi a few times at Night Whisper.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t.”

“Trust me, it’s cool.” She rolled her eyes and laughed.

We went at it for a while. She was fast, way faster than she looked. In the last round, she caught me off guard and took me down.

“Why didn't you use that move from the start?” I asked after tapping out.

She shrugged, a playful grin on her face. “Wanted to ruin your streak.”

I actually felt a smile tugging at my lips. A real one.

“Want to get breakfast?” she asked, grabbing a towel.

“Sure.”

Over eggs and toast, Lydia didn't waste any time. “So, rumor is the Alpha has a new mate,” she said, her mouth half-full. “Any idea who?”

“No,” I said, focusing very hard on my water.

“The whole pack is obsessed. I mean, he’s hot, right? Who wouldn't want that?”

“Well...”

“O.M.G. Ayla, do you have a crush on him?” She was glaring at me now.

“Me? The alpha? Hell no.” I took a nervous sip of water, my skin feeling way too hot.

“You do,” she winked.

I tried to change the subject. “Training is going to be brutal today, you know—”

I didn't finish. Someone crashed into my back, and suddenly I was covered in pasta and a ridiculous amount of tomato sauce.

“I’m really sorry,” the girl said, but she started rubbing the sauce into my clothes instead of cleaning it.

My blood started to boil. I could feel the heat rising in my veins, the liquid stinging my skin. Everyone was watching, some whispering, some laughing.

Hell no. She wasn’t getting away with this.

I reached down, scooped up a handful of the hot, messy sauce with my bare hands, and shoved it right into her face. I made sure to paint her red.

“How dare you!” she screamed, stumbling back.

“Let’s leave,” I told Lydia. Lydia’s mouth was wide open, but she followed.

“You make so much trouble,” the girl yelled after us, “for someone the alpha f***s whenever he wants.”

My fist coiled. The air in the room felt heavy. Just walk away, I told myself, but my wolf was snarling, begging for a fight.

Before I could turn around, Lydia rushed past me. “Well, guess what?” she yelled at the girl. “You’re still not getting banged by the alpha— she is!” She stuck her tongue out and dragged me out the door.

“Did you know?” I asked once we were outside.

“Maybe?” She winked.

“I’m not a—”

“A witch. I know,” Lydia finished for me. “Look, don't worry about them. Mate with him, f**k him, whatever. Do you, girl.” She giggled. “You’ve got a beautiful smile. No wonder he’s obsessed.”

I looked away, my face burning. “Let’s just get back. If we’re late, the guys will take all the good spots.”

Lydia stopped, her expression turning serious for the first time. “Wait. Can you shift yet?”

The one question I’d been dodging. The one thing that made me feel like a fraud.

“I can’t.”