Crave-1
345 Words
Victoria's P.O.V.
The woman's mocking challenge struck me like a physical blow, weakening my resolve. To face my own mate meant suppressing not just physical tension, but a maelstrom of emotional turmoil and growing animosity.
Despite the exhaustion that weighed heavily upon me, denying the confrontation was futile; my Alpha pride demanded engagement. Meeting Alexander's momentarily softened gaze, I reluctantly accepted the woman's taunt. His eyes widened imperceptibly before returning to their usual stoic gray, his smirk accompanied by an extended hand for a handshake.
Alexander's P.O.V.
Hurting Victoria yet again left a bitter taste. Though guilt should be a stranger by now, it gnawed at me. Natalie, irritating as she was, possessed an uncanny knack for tormenting my mate.
Her insistence on provoking Victoria into a fight reeked of malice or perhaps a desire to see her humiliated. Despite my reservations, seeing Victoria standing there, alone and drained, struck a chord. She appeared pale, utterly exhausted, and beneath the surface, a hint of sadness flickered in her eyes. My wolf howled in agony, longing to offer solace. I never anticipated her agreeing to spar with me. Half-vampire though she may be, the act of fighting stripped her of her vampiric speed and elemental advantages, leaving her vulnerable in her already drained state.
I didn't relish the prospect of causing her pain, but she had chosen this path. A wry smile crept across my lips at the thought.
Victoria's P.O.V.
We assumed our stances, the woman's cheers for her Alpha echoing distantly. Despite my reluctance to label her as such, her presence foreboded trouble. Observing Alexander's movements, his intense focus on my actions, and the darkened periphery of the pack's edge, I readied myself for the confrontation.
Three... Two... One...
I lunged at him, attacking with every ounce of energy I could muster. Defense seemed futile; it would only prolong the inevitable. For twenty-five grueling minutes, I pressed forward, but Alexander effortlessly countered, leaving me ensnared in my own exhaustion. Fatigue clawed at him too, and after nearly 50 minutes, I saw a fleeting opportunity.
- Writer
