Alpha Kieran’s Rouge mate

Chapter 12

The next morning, I was out of bed as soon as the birds chirped. I wore a white shirt Kieran had given me last night and paired it with a black leggings Lena had dropped in the room after dinner. I tied my hair into a tight ponytail, looked at my self through the mirror and exhaled deeply.

It’s okay! You’re fine, Emma. You can do it. I muttered to myself.

I slipped out of the room as quietly as I could, last night during dinner, I’d caught on some of the conversations which lead to my firm decision of learning to fight. And so, I knew they would be out in the training failed as early as six am.

Now, if only I could locate where the training fields were…

I wandered past the hallway, the scent of pine drifting in through the open windows. A few wolves passed me by, giving nods or curious glances. No one really cared about the supposed ‘stray’ like that woman Savannah had said.

The pack house was already bustling with energy even with how early it was. The maids were already working and the guards were busy. It was different than blood moon where at this time of the day, it was only the maids who would be awake and working before the pack alpha and his family would wake up.

After a few wrong turns and a near stumble into what smelled like the laundry room, I finally heard it, the sound of grunting and groans, yells and pained chokes. It had to be here.

I followed the noise quickly, my nerves bubbling inside of me. I turned the corner and burst out into a wide clearing.

The training fields like someone had said last night.

It was huge. Way different than the training field back at Bloodmoon. This was enough to comfortably build three packs without them interfering with the other.

I stood still as I took in the place, The field was alive with warriors, men and women. They moved across the fields, some in pairs and some alone. On the side, some were also sparring in pairs, others lifted weights or ran drills under the command of a heavy muscled man who I assumed would be the trainer.

But it was the man in the center who held my gaze hostage.

Kieran.

He was shirtless, sweat gleamed along the lines of his chest and shoulders, his muscles taut and somehow tight. He looked like he’d been sculpted by the goddess herself. His hair was tied to the back while some strands fell to his forehead. I couldn’t look away, no— I wasn’t sure I wanted to look away.

I watched as he grabbed the first opponent’s arm and threw him like he weighed nothing but a bag of chips.

I couldn’t take my eyes off as he drove a punch into the second opponent’s gut, sending the man flying backward. The force of it stunned me, but what stunned me more was how controlled he looked. Lycan’s in general have more power and strength than the regular Wolf and seeing him punch a Wolf this way without cracking his ribs or even knocking the life out of him made me realize how much control he was holding back.

The two men laid on the floor, grunting from the pain. I watched Kieran motion for them to get back on their feet, I watched how he ran his hand through his hair, his mucked ripped from just stretching his arm. The goddess had clearly taken a day off to sculpt this man to perfection. I couldn’t look away even with his back tuned to me. The damage was already done. My mouth had gone dry.

I was still staring when I heard the familiar voice in my ear.

“He does look good, doesn’t he?”

I jumped so high I nearly tripped only to see the one person who could sneak up behind me.

“Lena!” I spun around to find her grinning at me like a cat who caught something much juicier than a mouse.

“What are you talking about?” I rushed out, way too quickly.

Lena grinned knowingly. “It’s okay to look. He’s your mate after all.” She said, shrugging.

Something about how she said it had me reeling back in shock… ‘he’s your mate after all.’ It still was wild to me… from being paired to an alpha’s son to the Lycan king.

“I wasn’t looking at him..” I mumbled.

“Sure. And I’m the Moon Goddess.” She rolled her eyes,“Come on. Don’t worry, it happens to all of us. He has that whole brooding king thing going on. It’s… a problem.” She sighed.

I glanced at her. “For you too?”

She looked at me, confusion clouding in her eyes for a second and then she gave me the most disgusted look she could ever muster.

“EWWW…Emma!”

My face—No, my entire body burned bright red at how loud she was. “What? You said it’s a problem.” I mumbled, embarrassed at the few looks that were shot our way.

“Yeah, for you! Not me. Ew..he’s like….Kieran. And besides, I have Tobias.” She said, eyes suddenly going gooey with love.

I rolled my eyes seeing the love sick look she wore. I turned only to stiffen, Across the field, I saw Kieran that had noticed us. His stance shifted slightly. His eyes narrowed as he took my outfit in, I could tell when it clicked in his head. His jaw clenched tight at this.

Great.

He was walking over before I could even mentally prepare my speech.

I glance at my side and of course Lena was already out of way, leaving me alone. From the corner, I saw her mouthing ‘good-luck’

“What are you doing here?” His voice was low and clipped like he was already tired of this conversation before it even began.

I straightened, ignoring the flutter in my stomach.

“Your majesty.” I said with an awkward bow, which really wasn’t needed.

“Emma.” He drawled

“I want to learn to fight. I told you last night.”

His eyes darkened. “We already talked about this.”

“No. You talked. I didn’t agree.”

A few heads turned our way now. I could feel the subtle hush ripple through the field as wolves slowed. Was I being loud? No- it had to be the way he was staring at me like I stole something from him.

Kieran’s jaw ticked. “Don’t be stubborn, Emma. Go back inside.”

“No.” My voice didn’t tremble this time. “Just because I’m an omega doesn’t mean I can’t fight. I am not helpless. I’ve defended myself before—”

Have I really? No actually. I didn’t dare even speak out of line in blood moon.

Kieran stared at me, eyes hardening with each passing second but I refused to back down. This was by far the bravest thing I’ve ever done in my life.

“Fine. You want to learn to fight. I’ll give you one chance and if you fail it. That’s all for this conversation.”

Hope filled my heart at his words. He agreed? Just like that? Heck! He agreed.

I opened my mouth to speak but he cut me off sharply. “Get in position.” He ordered.

I blinked, confused. What was happening? How do I get in position?

“Cal!” He called and a lanky thin young man came running to his side instantly. “Spar with her. Let’s see what she can do.” Keiran said.

I swallowed hard…what was he doing? I can’t— I haven’t learned a thing. How can I just—

Cal, the lanky man got in position, already smiling. I could already tell what he was. The rejected one. No one ever wished to train or spar with their types and now he was chosen by the king himself. This was his opportunity to show his worth.

I closed my eyes, ready to gather my thoughts and before I opened my eyes again, a thin hand grabbed my wrist and slammed me against the ground.

Pain exploded on my back as I hit the ground, the air rushing out of my lungs.

My vision blurred for a second. I blinked, staring up at the cloud-dotted sky, my chest rising and falling in shock.

What the hell just happened?

A low murmur of amusement rippled through the field.

No one laughed outright. Not here, not in front of him. But I could feel it. Their judgment. The amusement of the warriors who saw a little omega trying to play soldier.

Kieran didn’t so much as flinch.

His arms were folded, his face was unreadable but there was something in his eyes. Not satisfaction, not amusement.

Just… cold.

“This is what you wanted, wasn’t it?” he said flatly. “To prove yourself?”

I clenched my jaw and pushed up to my feet, ignoring the ache in my shoulder.

Cal looked uncertain now, clearly unsure if he’d done something wrong. But Kieran gave him a small nod, and he relaxed.

“You can leave Cal.” He said, eyes still on me.

“What? No! I just—it’s just one time.” I rushed out, panicking.

“I told you I’ll give you one chance and I did. I’ve seen enough.“

I blinked, throat tightening. “You haven’t seen anything.”

Kieran looked at me coldly, and I felt chills wreck through my body. “My answer is still no.”

“This isn’t fair.” I choked out, suddenly feeling an overwhelming need to cry, my throat clogging up. Ah…embarrassment upon embarrassment.

“I’m not asking to join the frontlines. I just want to learn to protect myself.”

“You don’t need to protect yourself here.”

I laughed bitterly, forcefully wiping the stubborn tear that tricked down my cheek. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re the King. No one dares lay a finger on you. But me? I’ve been pushed around, spat on, ignored, and treated like garbage all my life. Learning to protect myself is all I need and even that you’ll refuse me.”

Kieran stared at me, jaw clenched tight, not a single emotion behind those cold dead eyes of his.

“Nick!” He called and immediately a young sturdy man was at his side. A warrior I could tell. “Yes Alpha.”

“Escort her back to the house.”

“I can walk myself,” I muttered, not waiting