Chapter 13

Axel POV

The rhythmic thud of my fists against the padded training dummy echoed in the open air.

I focused on my movements, each thought sending a ripple of tension down my spine. I had been at it for hours; the rhythmic sounds of my fists were the only thing keeping me grounded these days. Martial arts was a human art, but I loved it. It had always been my escape, the one place where I could channel my frustrations, and lately those frustrations were all about Lunnette.

The scent of pine and earth grounded me, but it did little to ease the storm brewing inside.

Lunnette.

Just the thought of her made my chest tighten, sweat dripped down my forehead, and the burning ache in my muscles was the only relief I had.

She was mine—and Zarek's—but things weren’t that simple anymore, not with my father now involved.

I threw another punch, harder this time, trying to shove away the confusion and the jealousy, because that did me no good at this point.

I threw a kick, the bag swaying violentl