Fight with me

The morning came too soon. A soft beam of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. My body felt heavy, as though the exhaustion of the previous day had embedded itself deep into my bones. I blinked groggily, disoriented by the unfamiliar warmth cocooning me.

And then it hit me.

Kade.

My heart lurched, and I instinctively jerked back, only to find that the source of warmth was no longer lying beside me. The bed was empty, the sheets on his side rumpled but cold. I let out a shaky breath, a mixture of relief and confusion washing over me.

Had he left? Why hadn’t I woken up when he did? The thought that I’d slept so soundly in his presence both unnerved and irritated me.

I pushed myself upright, clutching the blanket to my chest as I scanned the room. The bathroom door was closed, but I didn’t hear the sound of running water. My gaze darted to the small desk near the window, where a folded piece of paper caught my eye.

Curiosity tugged at me, and I slid out of bed, careful to keep the blanket wrapped around me. My towel from last night was crumpled on the floor, a grim reminder of just how vulnerable I’d been.

Snatching up the note, I unfolded it quickly. The handwriting was sharp and precise, just like him.

You needed rest. Don’t make a habit of fighting me on that. Training resumes at noon. Be ready.

There was no signature, but it didn’t need one. His presence lingered in the words, commanding and impossible to ignore.

I crumpled the note in my hand, frustration bubbling to the surface. Who did he think he was, dictating my life like this? And yet, a small part of me hated how much his words affected me—how they carried a strange weight, as though defying him was more trouble than it was worth.

“Damn him,” I muttered under my breath.

I dressed quickly, shoving my irritation to the back of my mind. Training at noon meant I had a few hours to myself. I needed to clear my head, to remind myself of why I was here and what I was fighting for. Kade might have the upper hand now, but this wasn’t over.

It would never be over.

I  now wanted breakfast then prepare myself for the training.

Before I could walk out of my room, the maids knocked and brought the food.

The maids entered with trays piled high with food, their movements quiet and efficient as they set everything down in front of me. The aroma of freshly cooked eggs, crispy bacon, and warm toast filled the room, causing my stomach to growl despite my unease.

“Your breakfast, miss,” one of them said softly, bowing slightly before exiting the room, leaving me alone with the meal.

I stood still for a moment, staring at the spread. It was lavish—too lavish for someone in my position, and it was impossible to ignore the implication: Kade was behind this. He’d arranged everything, ensuring that I was well-fed and rested. It irritated me more than I cared to admit.

I forced myself to sit at the small table, the blanket still wrapped around my body as I reached for the cup of coffee that was steaming beside the plates. The bitter warmth spread through me as I took a sip, trying to shake off the lingering feeling of discomfort.

As I ate, my thoughts drifted back to Kade. His presence from last night was still fresh in my mind—how he’d held me, how easily he’d subdued me without even trying. It infuriated me, how effortlessly he controlled everything around him, including me. But deep down, I knew he wasn’t the only one at fault. I had let him, my wolf let him.  And that was something I would have to deal with.

I shoved the guilt aside, reminding myself that I was here for a reason—to prove myself, to rise above my circumstances. The sooner I pushed past this strange bond he was creating between us, the better.

Finishing my breakfast quickly, I stood up and grabbed my training gear. Noon was approaching, and I needed to be ready. Kade had his ways of making sure I stayed on track, but I wouldn’t let him win. Not this time.

The faint sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway as I walked to the door, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that Kade was somewhere nearby, watching, waiting for me to make my next move.

No guards were watching me but my heart still hammered in my chest, a mix of frustration and determination pulsing through me. The familiar weight of Kade’s looming presence made my skin prickle. I didn’t need to see him to know he was there, close by, watching me. The sensation was almost suffocating.

I made my way toward the training area, keeping my posture straight, my face set in a mask of determination. Every step I took was a reminder of why I was here. I couldn’t let myself get distracted by him by them. I had my own fight to win.

When I reached the training grounds, the other pack members were already assembling, a few exchanging sharp glances as they spotted me. Their attitudes hadn’t changed, the disdain still evident in their eyes, but I didn’t care anymore. I would prove them wrong.

The ground beneath my feet felt solid, the cool breeze of the morning brushing against my skin, and I took a deep breath, preparing myself for whatever Kade had planned for today. I couldn’t afford to falter not when everything was on the line.

“Late,” a gruff voice called out, snapping me from my thoughts.

I turned to see Torren, Kade’s second-in-command, leaning against a nearby post with a smirk on his face. We fought last time but right now his piercing brown eyes sparkled with amusement, and his arms were crossed over his broad chest.

“I’m early,” I shot back, narrowing my eyes at him.

“For you, maybe,” he said with a chuckle, pushing off the post. “But Kade expects you to be prepared before you step foot on the grounds. That means stretching, warm-ups, the whole routine. Didn’t he teach you anything last night?”

Heat rose to my cheeks at his implication, but I kept my composure. “I’m here to train, not entertain your assumptions.”

“Touchy,” Torren teased, though there was an edge to his tone. “Well, good luck. You’ll need it today.”

Before I could question him, a sharp whistle pierced the air. All activity ceased as Kade stepped onto the field, his presence commanding immediate attention. His eyes swept over the group, lingering on me for a fraction of a second longer than anyone else.

“Pair up!” he barked, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “Today’s focus is endurance and adaptability. No one leaves this field until I’m satisfied.”

The wolves moved quickly, forming pairs with practiced ease. I hesitated, unsure of who I was meant to spar with, when Kade’s voice rang out again.

“You’re with me.”

My stomach dropped.

The group fell silent, a collective tension settling over them as they watched us. Sparring with the Alpha was rare—and never easy.

I stepped forward, my heart pounding in my chest. Kade stood in the center of the field, his stance relaxed but his gaze sharp. He was dressed in simple training gear, but there was nothing simple about the way he carried himself.

“Show me what you’ve got,” he said, his tone low and challenging.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. This was my chance to prove I wasn’t the weak link they thought I was. I wouldn’t waste it.

The first clash was brutal. Kade moved with a speed and precision that took my breath away, his strikes calculated and relentless. I barely had time to react, dodging and blocking as best as I could. Every impact sent shocks through my body, but I refused to back down.

“Is that all?” he taunted, his voice calm despite the intensity of our sparring.

I gritted my teeth, pushing harder. My movements became sharper, my focus narrowing to the rhythm of the fight. For a brief moment, I managed to land a hit—a solid strike to his side that made him grunt in surprise.

But it wasn’t enough.

Kade retaliated with a swiftness that left me breathless, pinning me to the ground in one fluid motion. His weight pressed down on me, his hands gripping my wrists as he leaned in close.

“Not bad,” he murmured, his voice a dangerous mix of approval and challenge. “But not good enough.”

My chest heaved as I glared up at him, every fiber of my being screaming at me to fight back.

“This isn’t over,” I ground out, my voice trembling with determination.

Kade smirked, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes. “I wouldn’t expect it to be.”

He released me abruptly, standing and offering me a hand. I hesitated for a moment before taking it, allowing him to pull me to my feet.

As the session continued, I felt the eyes of the pack on me, their judgment heavy but no longer dismissive. I had earned their attention, if not their respect.

And as Kade’s gaze lingered on me one last time before turning away, I realized something else.

I wasn’t just fighting to prove myself to the pack, I was fighting to prove myself to him.