CHAPTER 16

Isla's POV

I opened my eyes, barely processing what had just happened. Theo stood between us now like a welcoming shield, his eyes dancing between both of us. I knew, like everyone, he knew the bad blood between us. But I was glad he wasn't siding with them. Not yet.

“Is this how you instruct, Adrian?” His focus was now on Adrian, making me gasp. I couldn't believe he was fair.

Adrian clenched his jaw, his fists still tight at his sides. He gave me a furious glare before settling his eyes toward Theo. “She was late. On her first day,” he muttered.

Theo raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “And is this how we punish those who are late?" He scoffed as if he was disappointed in Adrian, making him give me another angry glare.

"She has to learn discipline if she wants to continue training here." Adrian finally replied, his stance clear.

"Adrian," Theo continued his tone stern, "as the future Alpha, you shouldn’t treat a beginner like this. You know better than to let your personal feelings cloud your judgment in combat. She is not your personal punching bag!"

Adrian didn’t respond. His fists stayed balled, and his eyes stayed locked on mine. After another angry glare from Theo, he dispersed and joined his friends, leaving me breathless as I caught up with my breath.

I flinched, knowing it was a silent cry for what was going to come next. A steel warning, crushing me with its weight. My body trembled, the adrenaline refusing to leave my system. I couldn’t stop thinking about how close I had come to being struck.

When I thought it was enough drama for the day, Theo turned to address all of us. "I would like to introduce someone new to your class."

From behind him stepped a boy I hadn’t seen before, with an exquisite face and striking golden eyes. I could hear the faint murmurs of the girls whispering about how good-looking he was. He was buff and tall. His long legs strode towards me, towards Theo, with a quiet confidence that was almost unsettling, making it difficult for me not to look at him.

Theo nodded towards him. "This is Lucas. He is new to our Pack and will be joining your classes." He then turns, his focus fixed on Lucas. “Do you have anyone in mind to be your sparring partner? You can take your time to choose.”

Before I could process anymore, Lucas’s eyes met mine. I felt a strange chill, goosebumps spreading across my body. He had this kind, warm, yet strong aura around me that was clouding my mind. Then he smiled, his perfect lips stretched to a curve. My heart skipped a beat when I realized it was directed at me.

"I saw the sparring match earlier. Wasn't he the future alpha? You were impressed on your first day. May I be your partner?" He said in a deep baritone voice, full of warmth and admiration.

Wait. What?

Me? Impressive? Was he seeing the same match? Adrian was clearly going to break some bones here.

I flinched, stunned and shocked with surprise. I wasn't used to this kind of praise or kindness. I kept staring at him, trying to figure out if this was another cruel joke or if he was really serious about his offer.

"May she be my partner?" Lucas didn't waste time when he turned to request this to Theo.

But before I could really gauge the situation or decide for myself, Theo nodded at Lucas, confirming him.

"Isla, you have great potential. Lucas will be your new combat partner." Theo said nonchalantly, like it was already decided, like my opinion didn’t really matter.

I swallowed hard, trying to find Stefan to assess the situation, when my eyes landed on Adrian. Adrian’s eyes still hadn’t left me. And for a second, I thought he was jealous, or maybe I was wrong. Because all I could see in his dark eyes was rage as his fists clenched at his sides.

I couldn't help but look at Lucas. He was still looking at me with those kind eyes and a warm smile.

My heart pounded as I glanced between Lucas and Adrian, the two opposing forces.

Why did this feel like trouble?

Adrian’s POV:

Isla was impressive!

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Isla, the girl whom I had only known as weak and useless, was moving with a speed and grace I hadn’t anticipated. She almost landed a hit. Twice. I was barely able to dodge her despite years of my training. My wolf snarled in confusion, and for the first time, I felt a flicker of doubt. How the hell had she gotten so fast? So... strong? She felt different. Why?

I just wanted to test her, and with that, I was done with defending myself. My fist hovered in the air for just a second, as if I was going to punch her midriff section. When I saw her close her eyes and submit, bracing for my punch, I pulled back instinctively, my momentum dying immediately.

I was about to check on her. But before I could do anything, or she could react, Theo’s voice thundered through the training ground asking us to stop the match.

I ground my teeth together, feeling the heat of frustration burn under my skin. I could have hit her. Isla. But something inside me stirred, and I failed. It wasn't Theo. It was me who had retreated from the attack. He reprimanded me for my carelessness, cutting through the haze of my thoughts.

"As the future Alpha, you shouldn’t treat a beginner like this," Theo said, his voice dripping with disappointment.

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay quiet, but the anger in me hadn’t disappeared. I felt like when Isla was involved, suddenly everything was spiraling out of control. Was it really just about revenge? She wasn’t supposed to be this… distracting. She wasn’t supposed to matter.

But there she was, becoming my center of attention. I couldn’t look away. Couldn’t stop thinking about her.

And then, out of nowhere, Theo introduces this guy. Lucas. I wanted to question Theo and understand why I wasn't aware that someone new was joining the Pack. I wanted to object to this. My father should have told me, at least gave me a heads-up. If he trusted this newcomer enough to let him into our ranks, I should have known. And with everything going on after Elara’s death, the timing felt off.

Lucas stood beside Isla with his perfect face and golden eyes, acting like he belonged. Where the hell had he come from? It pissed me off when he asked Isla to be his sparring partner. Who does he think he was? And much to my horror, Theo didn't even take a second before confirming the same.

The way Lucas was looking at Isla made my chest tighten like a knot was twisting inside me. Like she was… worth something. The easy smile he gave her when he asked to be her partner made my blood boil. He was behaving as if he knew her better than I did. Who the hell did he think he was?

"She is my prey," I thought darkly, my wolf agreeing with me as we watched Isla's stunned expression. "I won’t let anyone else have her."

Lucas might think he could be her perfect partner for the sparring match, but I wouldn’t let him. Isla wasn’t for him to take. She was mine to deal with, mine to control.

I clenched my fists to control myself, using all my strength as I watched the two. I couldn't act at will, not in front of everyone, especially not with Theo around.