The morning sun filters through the dense forest canopy, casting golden streaks across the training grounds. Ella stand anxiously at the edge of the clearing, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She is acutely aware of the dozen or so wolves milling around, all of whom seem to be throwing her curious glances, but none gets to her as she have been through worse than couple of wolves stabbing her weird glances.
Would their training be any differ from the organization?. She question through as John saunter over, wearing his usual training gear and an air of authority that Ella finds equally annoying and intriguing.
"You look nervous," he said, tilting his head.
"I'm not nervous," Ella shoot back, placing her hands on her hips. "I just don't want to end up as a chew toy." Her eyes again takes grasps on the surrounding wolves, most of them already sparring, their movements quick and powerful, while others are casually chatting and laughing.
John smirk, folding his arms. "Don't worry. We only chew on humans after lunch."
"Ha, ha," Ella deadpanned, though a small smile tug at her lips. She exhales and ask. "Alright. What's first on the agenda?"
"Strength and stamina," John replies.
Is he pulling her legs, strength and stamina?. Is she some beginner to him?.Her body have gone through that level and way beyond and he….
He can't be serious?.
Forget it, by the look he's damn serious and he's not be blamed. Not like he knows of her skills or abilities, he's unaware of her being a trained assassin of the organization and for best reasons it should stay that way. Ella mutters as she wears on a flat smile.
"You're going to spar with them." John informs looking at group of wolves with red heads.
"Spar? With wolves? Are you serious?" Her eyes widened as she mask her face in timid, concealing the smirk that's pinching to lay on her lips.
"Dead serious," John said, folding his arms. "They'll go easy on you, but you need to get a feel for how we move and fight. If you're going to survive in this world, you can't afford to hesitate."
Ella glanced at the wolves, who have shifted into their human forms, each of them wearing varying degrees of amusement. One, a young man with wild red hair, stepped forward with a mock bow.
"Don't worry, human," he tease. "I'll be gentle."
Ella rolls her eyes, certain he's the one needing to seek gentleness from her have she not be faking weakness. Yet, she steps into the makeshift ring.
And just as her feet is about to take stand, they are swipe off to the solids ground by the red haired wolf. His movements fluid and fast, again he goes taking her out of breath as his fist lands on her nose.
"Focus!" John barks from the sidelines. "Watch his movements! Anticipate!" He coaches through
The wolf attacks again, and this time Ella duck, narrowly avoiding his swipe. She manages to throw a punch, but it glance off his arm harmlessly.
"Good," John said, his tone slightly approving. "But you're still too slow. Use your instincts. Trust them."
Ella's eyes flick to John, her body itching to punch the hell out of the red headed wolf and detach his arm from his shoulders, but she can't, not if she wants to keep her identity hidden. As an assassin, exposing her true skills would be a death sentence for both her and Mia.
She forces herself to hold back, deliberately faking a clumsy swing. Each hit she takes stings more than the last, but she grits her teeth and keeps her frustration bottled up.
After another solid hit lands on her cheek, she grunts, her knuckles tightening. Her instincts flares sharp, unrelenting and before she can stop herself , her fist connects with the redhead's jaw.
The wolf stumbles, grunting in surprise as his eyes widen slightly. That flicker of shock in his tells Ella she slipped, just for a moment but it was enough to hint at a strength she's hiding.
She immediately takes a step back, schooling her expression into one of the exhaustion and frustration. "Lucky shot" she mutters, wiping sweat from her brow.
John watches her closely, a curious spark in his eyes. "Not bad", he says alimony as if he suspects there's more to her than she's letting on.
"That, was surprise ," the reds head admits, stepping back to let another wolf take his place.
Another red-haired wolf, Finn, approach with a mischievous grin. "Ready for round two, human?"
Ella rolls her eyes. "Why not little wolf?"
Laughter ripples through the group, and even John chuckles. "I like this side of you," he say "A little sass makes training more interesting. Now, let's see if you can back it up."
They starts sparring again, but this time, Ella is more prepared. She dodges Finn's strikes with surprising agility, throwing a playful jab here and there. At one point, Finn trips over his own feet trying to avoid her punch, landing flat on his back.
The pack erupt into laughter, and Ella can't help but grin triumphantly. "Chew on that, wolf boy," she quip.
John claps his hands, shaking his head with a laugh. "Alright, alright, enough showboating. Next up!"
Ella spars with a few more wolves, and although she tries her best to conceal her strength somewhere in between few slacks comes out and lands her wins.
"You call that a punch? I've seen toddlers hit harder," John teases after one attempt.
"Oh, come on!" Ella groan , wiping sweat from her brow. "I've only been doing this for a day. Cut me some slack!" She say with a flat smile
"I am cutting you slack," John retorted with a grin. "If I weren't, you'd already be on the ground."
Right , more like if he weren't there she would have knocked the hell of of them all and get things done with.
The banter continues throughout the session, drawing chuckles from the pack. Ella finds herself loosening up, enjoying the camaraderie despite the physical exhaustion.
As the session wraps up, John hands Ella a water bottle and sits down beside her on a log. "Not bad, human," he said.
"Wow," Ella said, feigning shock. "Was that a compliment? From you?"
"Don't let it go to your head," John replies, smirking. "You've still got a long way to go. But you've got guts, I'll give you that."
Ella laughs.
He's right on her being gutsy, had she not have one she would have long died in the organization.
"Thanks. For, you know, not letting me die today."
"Anytime," John said, leaning back with a grin.
unknowingly, Steffen stands at the edge of the clearing, his sharp gaze fixed on the scene. His mate—his mate—is laughing, her smile bright as sunlight. But it isn't directed at him. It's aimed at John.
A low growl rumbles in his throat as John leans closer, saying something that draws another burst of laughter from Ella. The sound, usually so soothing, now feels like a blade twisting deep in his chest.
Steffen's jaw tightens, his golden eyes narrowing, the muscles in his neck coiled with tension. His hands curl into fists at his sides, the claws of his wolf aching to break free.
The possessive snarl echoes in his mind, raw and primal.
She's ours.
His body stiffens as the wolf presses forward, its fury simmering beneath his skin. Every inch of him screams to close the distance, to pull Ella away, to remind everyone—especially John—that she belongs to him.
But he doesn't move, his restraint razor-thin, as he watches her. Each laugh, each glance, feels like a blow, his patience unraveling by the second.
He takes a step forward, his presence commanding and impossible to ignore. The laughter dies as the pack instinctively turns toward their king, sensing the tension rolling off him.
Ella looks up, her smile faltering as she catch the intense look in Steffen's eyes. "Steffen? What are you doing here?"
"I came to see how your training was going," he said coolly, though his gaze lingered on John for a beat too long.
John raises an eyebrow, smirking slightly as if he knows exactly what's going on. "She's doing great," he says, leaning back casually. "In fact, she might even give you a run for your money one day."
Steffen's eyes darken, and the air seems to thrum with his barely restrained power. "Doubtful," he says, his voice low and laced with an edge.
Ella blinks, looking between the two men. The tension is palpable, and she suddenly has the distinct feeling she's missing something important.
"Uh, okay," she says slowly. "Well, thanks for stopping by, Steffen. We were just wrapping up."
Steffen's gaze softens slightly as it shifts to her, but the jealousy still simmers beneath the surface. "I'll walk you back," he says, leaving no room for argument.
Ella hesitates, glancing at John, who gives her a small shrug as if to say, Good luck.
As she follows Steffen back toward the packhouse, she can't help but wonder why his mood seems so… stormy.
Ella jogs a little to keep up with Steffen's long strides as they move through the woods. The atmosphere between them is charged, and she can feel the tension radiating off him like heat from a fire.
"Okay," she says after a moment, breaking the silence. "What's with the broody king routine?"
Steffen's jaw clenches, but he doesn't answer right away. Instead, he keeps his gaze fixed ahead, his hands shoved into his pockets.
Ella stops in her tracks, planting her hands on her hips. "Seriously? You're not even going to talk to me?"
He halts abruptly, turning to face her. His golden eyes burn with a mix of emotions she can't quite decipher. "You seemed… happy," he says finally, his voice low and measured.
"Uh, yeah," Ella says, crossing her arms. "Is that a problem?"
Steffen's gaze flickers, his frustration evident. "No. It's just—" He exhales sharply, raking a hand through his dark hair. "It was with him."
Ella blinks, taken aback. "Wait. You're upset because I was laughing with John?"
"It's not about him," Steffen growls, though his tone betrays him. "It's about you."
"Me?" she repeats, incredulous. "What about me?"
He steps closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over her. "I don't know , but it felt uncomfortable"
Ella stares at him, her heart a bit confuse . She opens her mouth to respond but closes it again when the intensity of his gaze renders her speechless.
Steffen runs a hand down his face, clearly battling his emotions. "I'm not used to this," he admits, his voice softer now. "I'm not used to feeling… jealous."
"Jealous?" Ella asks, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Of John? Steffen, he's just helping me train. That's it."
"It doesn't matter," he says, shaking his head. "You're mine, Ella. My mate. And every time I see someone else making you laugh or getting close to you, my wolf wants to tear them apart." The words randomly comes out, his mind a bit confuse at what his lips speak of.
He isn't inlove with her, but why was he at fury on sight of John closeness to her?.
"Steffen," she says softly, taking a tentative step closer. "You don't have to worry about me and John. Or anyone else, for that matter. I'm in no place nor have the time to tangle myself in affairs as love or relationship" it would be foolish of her to melt away for a man she has just meant , more say an immortal that pose a threat to her.
The two of them ain't just suited.
"But.." he drags out, a bit hesitant to reveal his heart.
Would she be please with her confession?, what if she rejects him?.
"Steffen, you don't maybe like me, do you?"