ELISA’S POV
Alec’s sharp gaze cut toward me, narrowing as if he had caught something in my reaction. His voice carried across the courtyard, heavy with authority and layered with suspicion. “What’s the matter, Elisa? Why are you so opposed to sparring?”
The words made my stomach twist, more from confusion than from fear or anger. What was he doing? He knew better than anyone that I wasn’t a warrior. He was the one who reminded me every single day how weak and useless I was to the pack. So why was he acting like it was strange for me to refuse?
I stared at him, my lips parting in disbelief. Was this some kind of game? Some cruel trick to humiliate me in front of everyone?
Before I could form an answer, Darius let out a low chuckle. The sound was sharp, like a knife sliding between ribs.
