“It is, you can help me. I know it,” I said.
Valentin’s lip twitched. I knew I got him. I kept going, taking a step towards him in the process. “Teach me, Valentin. Show me how to be a good wolf. Show me how to be strong.”
Valentin’s lip twitched again. My heartbeat was back in my ears, same with the humming. It increased again before Valentin licked his bottom lip and stepped away. He faced the way, away from me and ran a hand through his hair. The stray strands not in his bun flew off his face.
“Fine,” he bit out. “But you must practice without me! Every day.”
“I will,” I replied. “I – “
“And know this, Princess,” he threatened. “The moment you lose, your identity and your safety are mine to decide. I will tell everyone who you truly are. Whether your mother agrees or not.”
I nodded, afraid of how stern he was being. He truly meant it. “I was here last night,” I said. “I tried the run again. Did some shadow boing and core work.”
Valentin nodded. “Good,” he said. He turned back to face me. “You must know your strength will not be your advantage.”
I rolled my eyes. “Duh,” I looked back up at Valentin. His pupils had blown out, dark and wide. They neared made the white-yellow of his eyes disappear. His jaw ticked once. I slunk back on myself. Clearly, I hit a nerve.
“You’re flexible and fast,” Valentin said, he started to circle me. “But you’re all that for a human. You need to train yourself to be fast for a wolf. Better reaction times and higher precision.”
“And how do I do that?” I said. I crossed my arms over my chest. My eyes were following Valentin around as he circled me.
“There’s some drills I have in mind,” he said. “On top of that, we need to fix your posture. It’s atrocious.”
I snorted unattractively and rolled my eyes. Valentin disappeared behind me. Then I felt his hand, snake around my waist. My breath caught in my throat. The fire within me starting burning again, right where he held me. I felt his breath ghost over the shell of my ear. My entire spine started to burn as I shivered. I bit down hard on my lip to escape the moan that was working it’s way up my throat. Valentin let out a sigh that shook me again.
“You roll your eyes one more time, Princess,” he whispered. “And we’re going to have bigger problems than this posture.”
My lips parted immediately. Something about the threat seemed so seductive, so tempting. My head fell back slightly. I felt Valentin’s nose trail down the line of my throat.
My heart was in my ears again. Along with that humming. The same “lub dub” I heared last time we trained. I ached in all parts of my body, burned in the ones not aching. I needed something. I needed him.
I slow clap broke me from my thoughts. I gasped as Valentin pulled himself away from me. Once again, the electricity was gone. The noises stopped and I was left cold and alone.
I looked up to see none other than Maximus walking across the gym, still clapping. He had a sick smirk on his face.
“Professor Lunerly,” he greeted. “I do have to say, it’s shocking to see you with the wolfless human. But I suppose the rumors are true. You do have a favorite student.”
“Wolfham,” Valentin said sternly. “This is a closed session. I’d like you to leave.”
“Closed session?” Maximus said, eyebrow arched. “I thought you only reserved those for the future High Alpha Princess.” He turned to look at me.
“Unless you’re trying to tell that little Miss Zora Smith is the Alpha Princess?”
I let me jaw fall slack. How did he figured it out? Instead of allowing me to say anything, Valentin stepped in front of me. He narrowed his eyes at Maximus.
“Don’t be absurd, Wolfham,” he said, sternly. “Miss Smith is without a wolf. I am only assisting her in attempting to coax it out.”
He looked over his shoulder at me and widened his eyes. Play along, he was saying. Though I doubt Maximus would believe anything I had to say. “Right,” Maximus snorted. “Good luck with that.”
“Watch your tone, Wolfham,” Valentin snarled. “May I remind you that you’re barging into a private session? Shall I punish you with a detention?”
“Professor,” Maximus apologized. I could sense no remorse in his tone. “It’s half past eight. Basics is to begin in an hour. I reserve the hour before Basics each day.”
Valentin and I jerked out heads towards the large clock at the back of the room. Sure enough, we’d been training for almost two hours. The time had gone by so fast that neither of us had noticed. Valentin nodded to himself once. “Very well,” he said. “Miss Smith, you are dismissed.” He started off towards the exit at a quicker pace than normal. I followed quickly after him. I needed to know what the hell happened before Maximus walked in. He darted out of the door just as I was passing Maximus. I felt a tug on my hand and was jolted backwards. I turned towards my assailant but I already knew it was Maximus. I felt the slow electricity warm it’s way into my arm from his fingers. His beady gold eyes were boring into mine.
“You’d do best to stay away from Professor Lunerly,” he snapped.
I yanked my hand but his grip was firm. Damn his strength. I narrowed my eyes at him. “Why? Jealous?”
“No, but I fear you will be,” Maximus said.
“What are you talking about?” I hissed. Then I remembered the last time we trained together. “Oh Bella? I don’t know seems like they were on the fritz – “
“What?” Maximus cut me off, face twisted in confusion. “No, Professor Lunerly is a High Alpha. He’s one of the High Alpha Princess’s marriage candidates.”
I stared at him in shock. I was supposed to wed a professor? Let alone by mother’s best friend? My mouth opened and closed like a fish. Maximus sensed my shock and worked his mouth into a sneer.
“Surprised?” he snapped. “Whatever he’s told you is a lie. He’s not interesting in anything about you. He’s could be King. Getting involved with him will lead you nowhere.”
I finally had enough of Maximus’s bullshit. I ripped my arm from his grasp. My skin burned from the contact. I glared at him before I started to walk away. “I hope he’s the King,” I snapped. “He sure as hell would be a better king than you.”
Maximus said nothing as I left the gym. I saw Valentin’s outline walking across the campus, towards the admissions building. I broke into a sprint to catch up to him. I was surprised at how much energy I had left after a whole training session.
I skidded to a stop in front of him, cutting him off and making him jump in surprise. He stood blankly in front of me, eyebrows knitted together. Anger coursed through me.
“What the fuck?” I snapped.
Valentin blinked. “Pardon?”
“Why didn’t you tell me you my fourth marriage candidate?” Valentin sighed and pushed his hair off his head. “I assume Mr. Wolfham told you,”
“Maximus told me the princess is supposed to marry you,” I said sharply. Then I dropped my voice to a whisper yell. “Unbeknownst to him, I am that fucking princess!”
“I should’ve known none of those idiots would keep their mouths shut,” Valentin said. He sounded exhausted. “Look, Zora, I have no intentions of making you my bride.”
I bristled. Firstly, that he said my name again. It sounded so elegant on his lips. Secondly, that he said it so casually.
“Why not?” I snapped. I didn’t know if I should’ve been offended. Valentin’s lips set in a thin line. He looked off behind me then sighed before bringing his white-gold eyes back to mine.
“Your mother chose me as a potential candidate before you were even born,” he said softly. “She did it as a favor to me. She said I’d been instrumental in over throwing the vampires. She wanted me to reap the benefits. As the rest of the High Alpha packs would be doing. However, I was the last of my pack. The only one able to ascend the throne. I agreed out of respect for your mother. But I never tended to accept.”
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