Avyaane's POV
I felt the walls of the east wing closing in on me.
I ought to have felt relieved that Chad hadn't kept me back in the dungeon when I'd tried to escape. But I wasn't.
Because this wasn't mercy.
It was a game.
And I was stuck in the middle of that.
I sat on the side of my bed as my mind raced. I had to try again. The front gates were heavily fortified, the halls of the castle patrolled, but that didn't mean there was no exit.
I just had to find it.
But before I had any thoughts of my next move, the door to my room opened suddenly.
Chad.
Of course.
He stood leaning against the doorway, arms crossed over his muscular chest, his piercing blue gaze running over me.
"I figured you would be tired after all that running," he mused. "And still you're plotting."
I narrowed my eyes. "Don't flatter yourself. I was just thinking how much I love you."
He smirked. "You're angry with me, but you still respond to me."
I was not going to let my body betray me again.
I rose slowly, maintaining my expressionless face. "What do you want?"
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he came inside, closing the door behind him.
A wave of jangling anxiety passed through me.
It was the first time he had shut the door.
"Dinner," he said finally. "You're coming with me."
I frowned. "What?"
"You heard me."
"I ate last night."
"And now you'll eat again. With us."
I hated how he said it.
Not as a request. Not as an invitation.
As an order.
I folded my arms. "And if I refuse?"
Chad stepped forward slowly. "Then I carry you."
My stomach tightened.
I knew him well enough to know he wasn't kidding.
So I turned away, walking toward the door as well. "Fine."
I'd go.
Because the more I saw them, the more I knew them.
And the more I understood them, the more quickly I could destroy them.
The Dining Hall
It was a tense atmosphere at the dinner table.
Chad was at the head, with Logan and Killian on the right and Blair to the left.
And me?
I was seated directly across from Chad.
I wasn't sorry when Blair grinned at me when I sat down, or that Logan leaned back in his chair and stared at me with that unreadable expression.
Killian, ever the predator, broke the silence first.
"So little wolf," he murmured. "How was your evening?"
I picked up my fork, my face a blank. "It was perfect. Sweet of you to throw me to the ground and drag me back here."
Blair chuckled. "You do tend to make things hard on yourself."
"Well, if you didn't kidnap me, maybe I wouldn't have to."
Blair smirked. "Where's the fun in that?"
I ignored him. They wanted a reaction. I wouldn't give them one.
I nibbled at my food, not really chewing it. Too aware of the eyes on me.
Chad leaned forward slightly. "And how long were you planning your little escape?"
I shrugged. "Does it matter?"
He tilted his head. "It does if you try again."
I met his gaze head-on. "And if I do?"
His blue eyes darkened a little. "But be careful of the fallout."
My stomach tightened.
Blair clicked his tongue. "This is so sad we can't punish you the way we punish our warriors."
Killian smirked. "Not yet, anyway."
I managed to keep my expression neutral.
They wanted me rattled.
I was not going to give them that gratification.
Instead, I smirked. "You can try."
Logan finally spoke. "You're playing with fire, Avyaane.
I met his gaze. "Good. I hope it burns you."
A silence stretched across the table.
Then Chad sighed. "Eat your food."
It made me hesitate for half a second, then I went back to my fork. I needed strength.
Because as soon as I spotted another exit I was out.
The Training Grounds ~ After Dinner
I didn't foresee Chad getting me to drag outside after dinner.
The air of the night was cold, the moon in the sky. Torches burned along the castle's training grounds, the flickering light thrown on long shadows cast on the dirt arena.
"What is this?" I asked warily.
Chad smirked. "A lesson."
I frowned. "A lesson in what?"
"Survival."
Before I had a chance to react, Killian surged.
I had only a moment to twist away before his fist whacked into my ribs, staggering me back.
A stab of pain shot through my side.
I stifled a gasp, clutching my belly. "What the hell?! "
Killian smirked. "Want to run, little wolf? Then you better know how to fight."
My blood boiled.
I turned to Chad. "You're having fun with this, right?"
His face was inscrutable. "If you want to get out, you have to be stronger."
I clenched my teeth. Bastard.
I hardly had the time to recuperate before Killian came again for me.
But this time?
I fought back.
I ducked as he swung at me, and I kicked hard at his shin.
He grunted, stepping back. "Not bad."
I didn't stop.
I jared my elbow into his side, causing him to hiss.
But then—pain.
He seized my wrist, bent it behind my back and brought me down to my knees.
I fought, but his hold was iron.
I was trapped.
"Still too weak," he whispered against my ear.
Rage burned through me.
I hated this.
I hated being at their mercy.
I hated
"Enough."
Chad's voice was steady, but strong.
Immediately, Killian let go of me.
I took the plunge, gasping for air.
Chad towered over me as he took a step closer. "Again."
I clenched my fists.
He wanted me to fight.
Fine.
I'd fight.
And one day?
I'd win.
Chad's POV
She wasn't weak.
Not like I thought.
She was fierce. Fast. Even injured, she fought back, going all out.
I'd wanted to teach her a lesson.
But instead?
She was the one teaching me.
She wouldn't break easily.
And I…
I didn't know if I wanted her to.