From His Luna to His Rival's Mate

Chapter 14

SELENE

Today was combat class. I felt it in my bones the moment I woke up, the air felt heavier than usual, and my body was already tense from thinking about it all night.

I changed into my training clothes slowly, pulling on the simple black shirt and pants that fit close to my skin. My hands moved with steady purpose even though my stomach felt tight with nerves. I headed to the field with the other students.

The sun was bright overhead, shining down warmly, and the grass felt soft and warm under my sneakers.

I tried to stay focused on my breathing, but my mind kept wandering back to everything that had happened lately.

Coach Theo stood at the front of the field, his broad arms crossed over his chest. He looked strong and serious as he watched us arrive. "Pair up and warm up," he called out in his deep voice. "We are working on real combat today. No holding back, show me what you have learned."

I paired with a girl from my dorm. We moved through basic drills together, blocking hits and practicing strikes. My muscles warmed up quickly and I felt stronger than I had in a long time.

Sweat started to form on my skin as we practiced, making my shirt stick lightly to my back. Each punch and block helped clear my head a little. I pushed harder, enjoying the burn in my arms and legs.

Then the atmosphere changed completely when Calder walked onto the field like he belonged there, his tall, powerful body drew every single eye on the field, students stopped their drills mid-move to stare at him.

Coach Theo noticed him and gave a respectful nod, but Calder did not look at the coach at all, his silver-gray eyes searched the field with sharp focus until they locked directly on me.

My stomach tightened into a hard knot. He looked different today, more intense. His jaw was set hard, and his shoulders were rigid with clear tension. The calm, controlled Alpha I used to know seemed to be slipping away more each day.

"I came to spar with Selene," Calder announced loudly. His deep voice carried across the entire field, strong and clear. "Unless she is too scared to face me."

Whispers spread quickly through the students. I felt my face heat up under all the sudden attention, but I lifted my chin and stepped forward into the open circle. My heart beat fast, but I kept my voice steady. "I am not scared."

Coach Theo looked between us for a long moment, then nodded once. "One round but keep it controlled. Begin."

Calder came at me fast, his first punch sliced through the air with real power. I dodged to the side quickly, feeling the wind from his fist brush past my cheek.

He was strong and fast, but I had been training hard every chance I got. I countered with a quick kick to his side. My foot connected solidly and he grunted from the impact but stayed firmly on his feet.

"Good," he said, his voice low enough for only me to hear. "You have been practicing."

We circled each other slowly on the grass. His eyes never left my face, there was clear hunger in them now.... Obsession. He lunged again, grabbing for my arm. I twisted away smoothly and landed a sharp elbow to his ribs. The hit was clean and strong, he stumbled back one step before catching his balance again.

The other students had completely stopped their own fights to watch us. I could hear their surprised whispers floating through the air.

"She's actually holding up against him..."

Calder attacked again, moving faster this time. We traded blows back and forth. I blocked most of them with my arms, but one punch grazed my shoulder, the pain was sharp, but I used it to push myself harder.

I dropped low and swept his leg with a quick motion. He fell hard onto the grass with a heavy thud and for a second, real surprise flashed across his face.

I stood over him, breathing fast. Sweat ran down my back and made my shirt cling to my skin. My heart pounded loudly in my ears. I felt alive and strong in that moment.

Calder slowly pushed himself back to his feet. His chest rose and fell quickly as he caught his breath. He stared at me with eyes full of something wild and intense. "Again," he said, his voice rough.

Coach Theo stepped forward with a serious expression. "That is enough for today."

Calder ignored him completely, his eyes stayed locked on me, burning with raw emotion. "You have changed. I can see it."

The class ended soon after. Students started walking away in small groups, still talking excitedly about what they had just seen. I grabbed my water bottle from the side of the field and headed toward the edge, my legs feeling a little tired but steady.

I had only taken a few steps when Calder caught up to me from behind. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me gently but firmly behind the equipment building, away from all the curious eyes.

His grip was firm but not painful. Up close, I could see how much he was struggling inside. His jaw was clenched tight. His free hand opened and closed repeatedly at his side, his silver eyes looked darker than usual, almost wild with emotion.

"Why can I not stop thinking about you?" he said, his voice rough and low. "Every night, every single day. Even when I try to focus on pack business, you are there. In my head. What did you do to me, Selene?"

I tried to pull my wrist free, but he held on. My heart beat fast against my ribs. I felt both real fear and a small touch of pity for him.

This was not the cold, controlled Alpha I once knew. This version of him looked like he was slowly breaking apart from the inside.

"Let me go, Calder," I said quietly but clearly.

He stepped closer instead. His body heat wrapped around me like a heavy blanket. "I can not. I try to forget you, but I can not. It is driving me insane. You belong with me. Why can not you see that?"

His voice cracked slightly at the end. The obsession in his eyes was clearer than ever. He looked like a man who was losing control of himself more and more each day.

"I do not belong to anyone," I said firmly, holding his gaze.

Calder’s breathing grew heavier. He leaned in closer, his face only inches from mine. His warm breath brushed against my skin. "You will change your mind. I will make sure of it. I can not let you go, Selene. I will not."

He finally released my wrist and stepped back. His hands shook as he ran one through his dark hair. He looked at me one last time with those intense, troubled eyes, then turned and walked away.

I stayed behind the equipment building for a long moment, rubbing my wrist where he had held it. My heart was still racing fast, fear and pity mixed together inside my chest.