ARIA
In a flash, Dominic lunged. Pain shot through my back as I hit the ground hard, his weight pinning me down. His face hovered inches from mine, eyes alight with vengeful satisfaction.
“Now you see the difference between werewolves and humans?” he whispered, his hot breath on my face making my stomach turn.
In that moment, something changed in the atmosphere. A deep grow, like distant thunder, vibrated through the air. The sound raised goosebumps on my skin–an Alpha’s fury.
But I didn’t wait for rescue.
Years of Gabriel’s training kicked in. I slammed my forehead into Dominic’s nose, simultaneously twisting my body to create leverage. My knee found his abdomen with precision. As he gasped, rolled, breaking his hold completely.
In one fluid motion, I stood while he remained on the ground, groaning, I placed my foot lightly but meaningfully against his throat
“Difference?” I kept my voice ice–cold despite the adrenaline surging through me. “The difference is I don’t need to attack from behind to win. Don’t touch me again, understand?”
The shock in his eyes was almost satisfying as he nodded. When I removed my foot, I suddenly realized the training ground had fallen silent. Looking up, I found four sets of eyes fixed on me–Hunter, two warrior instructors, and Alpha Jace standing at the edge of the grounds.
Great start, Aria. First day and already causing trouble.
“Are you alright?”
The deep voice behind me sent a shiver down my spine. I turned to find Jace standing so close I had to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. Up close, he was even more intimidating–towering at least six–foot–four, shoulders broader than seemed possible, his presence overwhelming in its intensity.
“I’m fine,” I managed, suddenly aware of a stinging sensation above my eyebrow.
To my surprise, Jace reached out, his fingers gently touching the spot. His skin was warm and calloused, yet his touch impossibly gentle for someone so powerful. The moment his fingers made contact, an electric current raced through my entire body, My breath caught, my heart stuttering.
“You’re bleeding,” he said, his voice dropping even lower, becoming almost a caress.
I stared at the smear of blood on his fingertips, struggling to focus through the strange fog that had settled over my thoughts. What was happening to me? Why did his simple touch affect me so deeply
“Just a scratch,” I said, hating how breathless I sounded.
His eyes studied me with an intensity that made me feel simultaneously exposed and protected. “Your reactions are impressive. Exceptional even for a werewolf.”
Pride bloomed warm in my chest at his praise. “Gabriel never let me rain less just because I’m human. Surviving in a werewolf world requires adaptation.”
Something flashed in his eyes–appreciation? Interest? For a heartbeat, his gaze dropped to my lips, then quickly back to my eyes.
1/2
Chapter 12
My pulse thundered in response.
I became aware of Dominic beng helped up by other warriors, blood streaming from his nose, humiliation and anger burning in his eyes. Hunter ordered him to the infirmary, disappointment evident his tone.
Jace’s attention returned to me, his gaze traveling down to the wolf w birthmark on my wrist. His expression shifted to something I couldn’t read–recognition? Surprise? For a moment, he seemed about to speak, but then simply nodded and walked away.
JACE
Seeing Dominic attack Aria sparked my fury.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
What the hell? That damn Dominic–who does he think he is, attacking MY person like that? I was seeing red, I swear.
My fists clenched so tight my nails dug into my palms. Every muscle in my body was screaming to rush over there and teach him a lesson he’d never forget. The nerve of that guy! Nobody–and I mean NOBODY–messes with what’s mine and gets away with it!
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