Elias guided her through the motion. ‘Good. But remember, timing is crucial. You strike when he’s off balance, caught off guard.’Callie practised the move repeatedly.Elias was relentless. ‘Higher!… No, use the tip of your shoe…Pivot, make use of momentum…Again!...Again, and more force!...’By the time the moon was high in the sky, every one of Callie’s muscles ached and sweat was pouring down her face in tiny rivulets.Elias’s lips curved into a proud smile. ‘Let’s call it a day. You did great, Callie. But you’ll have to keep practising.’Callie nodded and flexed her small biceps. ‘I feel stronger already.’‘I’m not the best instructor to teach you self-defence,’ Elias said, taking her hand as they left the stadium. ‘The techniques I learned are aimed to maim or kill, not just incapacitate, but what you picked up today should suffice. When we have the time later, I’ll teach you how to shoot.’But if he could help it, he hoped she never had to use a gun.***After Elias made sure Cal
The moon hung low in the night sky, casting eerie shadows over the secluded campus.In the distance, the academy’s front gate was illuminated by harsh floodlights.Simon slowed down the truck.His heart pounded in rhythm with the thudding footsteps of the sentries who approached.He clenched his fists, a silent prayer on his lips.The sentries, stern-faced and vigilant, stepped forward, their rifles held steady.One of them, a rugged soldier with a no-nonsense demeanour, gestured for Simon to wind down the window.PFC Silva’s tone was firm as he demanded, ‘Hold up there, buddy. Where do you think you’re going at this hour?’Simon’s pulse raced, his voice laced with urgency as he struggled to put on a facade of innocence.‘There’s an emergency at the health centre,’ he said, trying to keep his voice as steady as possible. ‘We’ve run out of critical medical supplies, and I need to get them from town.’The sentries exchanged a glance, their suspicions evident in their furrowed brows.PFC
PFC Ward’s hand twitched toward his handcuffs.Simon’s eyes darted around, desperately searching for an opening.In a heartbeat, he seized his chance, his limbs propelling him forward in a desperate dash for freedom.‘Hey, hold it right there!’ Ward’s voice cracked like a whip as he lunged after Simon.The gravel crunching under Simon’s hurried footsteps only added to the urgency of the moment.His heart hammered against his ribcage.His body was still hurting from the beatdown received from both Elias and Lemuel, but adrenaline pushed him forward.The front gate was less than ten metres ahead.If he could make it, he could disappear into the dense woods where nobody could find him.He was unfamiliar with the terrain and had zero knowledge about surviving in the wild, but that would be the concern for another day.But the chase was short-lived.Both Ward’s and Silva’s training kicked in as they pumped their legs.In a blur of motion, Ward intercepted Simon, his arms wrapping around Si
Wendy, a mischievous twinkle in her eye, greeted her friend and colleague with a sly grin. ‘Well, well, look who decided to show up after taking a couple of days off. How was your little reunion with your newlywed husband?’Callie’s lips curved into a playful smile as she shot back, ‘Oh, you know, same old same old. Just the usual newlywed bliss.’Wendy’s laughter was infectious, filling the break room with a lightness that Callie cherished.But beneath the banter, there was a sense of gratitude that lingered.Callie was thankful that Elias had not divulged the details of her ordeal two days ago.Some things were too painful to share, too personal to lay bare for others to see.As the conversation flowed, Wendy mentioned Simon’s name in passing.Callie’s heart skipped a beat, her composure momentarily faltering. ‘Wait, Simon? I thought he returned to Steinheim. What happened?’Wendy leaned in and lowered her voice. ‘Yeah, it’s crazy. Lemuel mentioned Simon got arrested just last night
The night was a whirlwind of passion and fire, leaving Callie Hawthorne, doctor by day and desire-driven lover by night, sprawled across the bed like a contented kitten after a feast.Her tousled hair spilt across the pillows, her soft-spoken breaths a testament to the powerful storm Elias had ignited within her.The man himself, a Major General and embodiment of strength, lay beside her, his chest rising and falling in a rhythm that matched the beating of her heart.Callie’s fingers traced the outline of Elias’s broad shoulders, a wistful smile playing on her lips as she admired his masculine features.His chiselled jawline, the rugged edges that spoke of countless battles and victories, his piercing eyes that saw into the depths of her soul.Even after a mission that should’ve left him weary, Elias exuded a weather-worn vibe that only added to his allure.‘Morning, beautiful,’ Elias murmured, his fingers tenderly brushing a strand of hair from Callie’s face. ‘You look like you’ve be
Elias’s gaze never wavered from hers as Callie fumbled with the buttons, her heartbeat quickening with every touch, every shared breath.‘Okay, okay,’ Elias said, his voice a soft rumble that caressed her senses, ‘let me show you the right way to do it.’Their close proximity sent a jolt of electricity through Callie’s veins, her skin tingling with awareness.Elias’s fingers gently covered hers, guiding her in a dance as old as time—buttoning a uniform, yet somehow feeling like so much more.‘See, Bunny,’ Elias murmured, his breath warm against her cheek, ‘it’s all about the finesse. You’ve got to be gentle, but firm. Just like this.’Callie’s heart raced as Elias’s fingers moved with expert precision, the fabric of his uniform coat yielding to his touch.Her breath caught in her throat as their hands lingered, their gazes locked in a silent exchange that spoke volumes of the unstated feelings between them.‘There you go,’ Elias said, his voice a mere whisper that sent a shiver down h
The news of Simon’s arrest spread like wildfire, reaching the halls of Rosedale Hospital in Steinheim.Stuart Colman received a letter from the army, his face growing increasingly dark as he read the contents.He summoned Abby into his office and handed the letter to her. ‘Take a look at this.’Abby’s brows furrowed as she read the letter, her eyes widening in shock. ‘Simon… arrested?’Stuart nodded, his expression mirroring his daughter’s. ‘For espionage and theft and resisting arrest. Apparently, he tried to run when they came for him.’Abby read the letter again, too stunned to fully process its meaning.Despite the impending divorce between her and Simon, a part of her still held feelings for him.She clutched the letter tightly, her mind racing with thoughts. ‘I can’t believe this.’When she manoeuvred to get Simon to go to Valour Ridge Military Academy, she only did it with the hope that Simon would see the true colours of Callie, who’d hooked up with someone more powerful than
Angelia’s frustration was palpable as she muttered, ‘Abusing your power as the principal, aren’t you?’Elias leaned back in his chair. ‘Changing personnel at the health centre is well within my purview.’Angelia took a deep breath, her expression strained. ‘Fine.’She turned abruptly and stormed out of the office, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.Elias watched her leave, his face a mask of resolve.As the door closed behind her, his attention turned to his computer clock.Noticing the time, he quickly logged off and pushed away from his desk.It was time to take Callie to lunch.***After lunch, Elias guided Callie down a series of hallways within the academy.With each step, Callie’s intrigue grew. ‘I’ve never been to this part of campus before. Where are we going?’‘You’ll know soon enough.’ Stopping before a set of grand double doors, Elias turned to Callie with a dramatic flourish. ‘Ready for this?’Callie’s eyes widened as the doors swung open to reveal a sprawling indoor