Chapter 4: Bold Choice
1478 Words
Chapter 4: Bold Choice
(Charlotte's POV)
The moment Alexander's voice echoed across the arena, the world seemed to stop.
My chest tightened as hundreds of wolves turned their attention toward me, their gazes heavy with curiosity, judgment, and envy. Whispers rippled through the crowd like restless leaves in the wind, each murmur a dagger of doubt in my mind.
Beside me, Mia’s voice was sharp but reassuring. “Stick to the plan. Don’t freeze now.”
I swallowed hard, forcing my legs to move. My thighs burned with tension, each step feeling like I was walking into a storm. My pulse thrummed loudly in my ears, drowning out every sound but the pounding of my heart.
Alexander stood tall at the center of the mat, his electric blue eyes pinned on me like a predator fixated on his prey. The strength and control in his piercing gaze made my knees wobble.
When I reached him, his eyes didn’t leave mine, his voice smooth and commanding. “Care to demonstrate some techniques with me, little wolf?”
My fingers trembled at the quiet dominance in his tone. This wasn’t a suggestion. It was a challenge.
I hesitated, glancing briefly at Mia. Her raised fists and subtle nod urged me on. My wolf, Cora, stirred eagerly beneath my skin, her approval rushing through me like a wave of energy.
I placed my hand in Alexander’s. His firm grip sent a jolt up my arm, causing my breath to hitch. His hand was calloused, his warmth a direct contrast to the cool scrutiny radiating from his eyes.
He led me to the center of the mat like it was the most natural thing in the world. Around us, the whispers grew louder. I could pick up fragments.
“Since when does he let an outsider train with him?”
“An unmated she-wolf? Bold choice.”
My cheeks burned, but Alexander remained unmoved, as if the entire arena didn’t exist.
He stopped, releasing my hand but keeping his focus locked on me. “We’ll start simple,” he said calmly. “Show me how you would block an attacker from the side.”
I bit my lip, nerves jittering through me. My stance felt weak, my poise shaky. I raised my arms defensively, praying I wouldn’t embarrass myself further.
Alexander moved with breathtaking speed, his arm swinging toward me in a calculated arc. I blocked just in time, though it felt more like luck than skill.
He adjusted his stance, smirking faintly. “Not bad,” he murmured. Then, without warning, his other hand darted forward, tapping my shoulder lightly.
“Too slow,” he said, his voice smooth and teasing.
A soft chuckle rolled through the crowd, heightening the heat in my cheeks. My hands clenched, frustration sparking despite myself.
Alexander tilted his head, studying me like a puzzle he intended to solve. “Relax your shoulders,” he said softly. Then, before I could process his words, he moved behind me.
The air thickened as his chest brushed against my back. His hands touched my arms, gentle yet firm, adjusting my stance with practiced ease.
“Keep loose,” he murmured, the low timbre of his voice curling heat through my spine. “If your muscles are stiff, you won’t react fast enough.”
My heart raced at the closeness. His scent surrounded me—pine and frost, sharp and intoxicating. My wolf purred deeply, almost smugly, at the attention from such a dominant male.
“Try again,” he said, stepping back just enough to let me breathe.
On instinct, I blocked his next strike. This time, I moved faster, my muscles responding more fluidly than before.
He nodded once, satisfaction flickering behind his eyes. “Better.”
The faint praise filled me with ridiculous pride. For a moment, I felt something break open inside me—a long-lost confidence I didn’t realize I missed.
“Now for something more advanced,” he said, gesturing for space.
What followed were intricate demonstrations of close-quarters techniques. His movements were fluid and precise, his every step a testament to the power he commanded.
I lost count of how many times I lunged forward, only for him to counter me effortlessly. He guided me back each time, his voice steady, his hands firm as he corrected my form.
By the time I executed a proper takedown, the faintest of smiles graced his lips. He didn’t say anything, but the approval in his eyes was reward enough.
“You learn quickly,” he said after a beat, his usual teasing edge softening slightly.
Around us, every whisper ceased. The weight of Alexander’s rare compliment didn’t go unnoticed.
My stomach flipped. The significance of his words hit me harder than I wanted to admit.
---
During the break, I perched nervously beside Alexander. The atmosphere in the arena remained thick with scrutiny, but I dared not move.
He sipped from the water bottle I handed him, his fingers brushing mine ever so briefly each time. The casualness of the action shouldn’t have felt so deliberate, yet it left me jittery, my wolf overly pleased at his attention.
I sat silently, only half-listening to his conversation with his warriors. Terms like “territory disputes” and “allied packs” flowed effortlessly from his mouth. He spoke with authority, each word sharp and thought-out, as if commanding a battlefield instead of discussing logistics.
When he wasn’t looking, I stole glances at him—the sharp cut of his jaw, the way his dark hair fell slightly out of place when the sunlight caught it. Everything about him seemed so effortlessly perfect, it irritated me just a little.
“Charlotte.”
Mia’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. She motioned me aside toward the territory markers where we could speak privately. Her face was set, her sharp blue eyes scanning me critically as I joined her.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, though I had a sinking feeling she had plenty to say.
“What are you doing?” she hissed, her voice low but firm.
I blinked. “You told me to push forward with him.”
“Not like this.” She gestured toward the arena, where Alexander still lingered, an unmistakable dominance rolling off him even while at ease.
Her next words came quieter, more cautious. “Men like Alexander don’t just ‘train’ someone for fun. He never interacts this way with unmated females. Never.”
I stayed silent, unable to meet her accusing stare.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Charlotte,” she added. “Whatever you think you’re doing, you need to stop before you develop the real feelings.”
Anger flared in me, though I wasn’t sure if it was directed at Mia, myself, or just the impossible situation I was trapped in. “I’m doing this for my father, Mia.”
Mia didn’t look convinced. Her lips pressed into a thin line. “And what about you? What happens to you if—?”
But her words were cut off instantly.
The air between us shifted, suddenly thick and choking. A dark presence loomed over us like a storm waiting to burst.
Gabriel.
I stiffened as his golden eyes locked on mine. The bond between us may have been fading, but the anger pouring from him was undeniable. His usual aristocratic coolness was nowhere to be seen.
“Charlotte,” he growled, his voice dangerously low, crackling with restrained dominance.
“Gabriel, stop—” I started.
But his hand shot out, clamping around my wrist in a grip that was too tight to ignore.
“We need to talk,” he said, his words leaving no room for argument.
Mia stepped forward, her body tensing protectively. “Let her go.”
Gabriel barely glanced at her, his focus fixed squarely on me. “This isn’t your concern.”
I looked at Mia, silently pleading.
But Gabriel leaned closer, his voice dipping into a chilling murmur. “If you care about your father’s life, you’ll come with me. Now.”
The weight of his words settled over me like a crushing boulder. Panic clawed at my throat. Every instinct screamed at me to refuse, to fight him. But the thought of my father, shackled and helpless, held me back.
Mia’s fists balled tightly at her sides. She looked torn between stepping in or respecting my decision.
“Charlotte,” she said softly, her tone laced with concern.
Tears pricked my eyes as I stared at her. “I don’t have a choice,” I whispered.
Mia’s mouth opened to argue, but by then Gabriel was already pulling me toward the dressing rooms, his grip unyielding.
I didn’t look back.
But the weight of both Mia’s helpless expression and Alexander’s unreadable smirk haunted every step I took.
- Writer
