I was awakened by the sound of knocking. Startled out of my sleep, I shot out of bed just in time for my bedroom door to open.
"Damn it, Zara, what are you still doing here?" my dad exclaimed, his eyes darting from my worried look.
"Huh?" That was the first thing out of my mouth. For a minute, I didn't even remember leaving Steel's Academy.
With an annoyed look, my dad responded, "Damn it, you're late for practice!"
"What!" I gasped, "Why didn't Ryan wake me up?"
"He's on patrol early in the morning." My dad groaned, "This is already bad enough."
"Damn it, come on so I can get dressed!" I snorted, running to the washroom.
I was already flying through the front door.
My stomach growled, demanding that I go home and have breakfast. As much as I wanted to please him, I couldn't.
"Goddess, he'll be furious." Nova snorted.
"Well, I didn't see you waking me up on time either!" I grumbled at her.
"I was busy." Nova shrugged, giving a half-forgotten excuse.
"You're a fucking wolf who lives in my head, what were you doing?" I shook my head at her.
Nova's voice faded in my head, and I rolled my eyes. For the first time, I was grateful that our house was close to the pack headquarters.
I arrive late at Sterling Tower, the massive skyscraper that houses the Kane werewolf business empire. The building houses both corporate offices and pack quarters, showing how modern Alpha werewolves combine supernatural leadership with financial power.
By the time my lungs began to burn, I saw that the others were already training. I stopped abruptly in front of everyone. There must have been at least thirty other wolves training.
I immediately noticed Kane's Alpha men lingering nearby. Each of them looked like they were half giant, and many had horrible scars on various parts of their bodies. Each of them was downright hot in some animalistic way.
I was so busy looking at the shirtless men that I didn't hear someone clear their throat behind me.
I spun around and almost walked into someone's chest.
"Fuck," Nova gasped.
I could only assume I was looking into Alpha Kane's eyes. Wolf eyes, and they were currently staring right at me.
He was devastatingly handsome, exuding the confidence of a man who had built a business empire by being one of the strongest Alphas on the continent.
"Didn't I specifically tell you not to be late?" His raspy voice was hard, devoid of any emotion other than impatience.
"Please," Nova rolled her eyes. "Sleep was better than this."
The tone of his voice angered me. He sounded like a typical Alpha with a temper. Without thinking it through, I felt the words escaping my lips.
"I'm not good at following rules," I said bluntly, looking at him. I objected, unable to hold my tongue, even though I knew he could ruin my family financially with one phone call.
I watched silently as his dark brow lifted at my words, his eyes silently seething. I kept looking at him, but I noticed the muscle in his jaw moving. I guess he didn't like being disobeyed.
"Well, we're going to have to change that." His voice was cold as he analyzed me. I couldn't tell if I felt like a piece of meat or an innocent doe lined up for slaughter.
"If he weren't so fucking hot, I'd tell him to fuck off." Nova rolled her eyes.
"Goddess, you're worse than me." I giggled.
"Yeah, that's doubtful," Nova smirked.
"Good luck." Once again, my stupid lips uttered the words before I could think them through. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and I desperately wanted to laugh. I expected so much more from the deadliest of the Alpha.
"Good luck? Good luck? Are you trying to kill us on our first day back?" Nova snapped.
I was surprised when Alpha Kane turned away, looking at the other wolves training.
"Everyone," Alpha Kane growled.
"Zara has decided that sleep is more important than training today. Unfortunately, we don't have anyone else she can partner with." Alpha Kane's deep voice boomed over everyone, capturing our full attention.
I let a small glimmer of hope bloom inside me, maybe I could just sit here today.
"Don't worry. I'll partner with Zara." Alpha Kane's harsh words were like a bucket of cold water.
"Fuck, now you've done it." Nova groaned.
"What the hell do I do?" I asked her.
"Um, try not to die?" Nova shrugged.
"Thank you for your endless wisdom, Nova." I rolled my eyes.
Nova practically purred with anticipation — finally a worthy opponent to test their Academy training.
Before I had a chance, Alpha Kane lunged at me. I growled as his fist connected with my stomach, causing me to stumble back.
I felt myself losing my balance as he came in for another punch. I let gravity push me back and rolled out of his way just in time to dodge another blow.
I got to my feet and shook off the pain. This was like training with Steel. I could do this. I couldn't let his flawless, godlike appearance distract me.
I watched as he lunged forward, his arm outstretched for a punch. I pretended to turn to the left, but then rolled under his feet and threw myself at his back.
I clung to his back for dear life. At one point, I almost started laughing. I was like a little backpack on him. I jumped off his back just in time for him to roll across the ground.
"That would have hurt," Nova muttered, knowing he was going to do it while we were still strapped to his back.
If that bothered Alpha Kane, he didn't show it.
"You're fast," Alpha pointed out, throwing a few more punches to my face and body, which I thankfully managed to dodge.
During our intense battle, I shocked everyone by actually challenging Kane, using advanced fighting techniques that made him work harder than he had in years. My training at the Moonstone Academy allows me to anticipate his movements and deliver precise strikes that surprise even the Billionaire Alpha.
He stood before me, arms crossed over his chest. He had put his shirt back on after training. I tore my gaze away from the bulging veins on his arms and looked into his toffee-colored eyes.
"Did you learn anything today, Zara?" His rough voice was cold and almost condescending.
Again, I seemed to have no self-control around him. My lips formed the words before my brain could process them.
"Yes, your nose twitches before you strike," I deadpanned. I watched the golden sparkles swirl in his eyes and wondered if his wolf was close to surfacing. I could feel my heart pounding, and I didn't think it was because of the hours of training I'd just undergone.
"Are you deliberately disobeying, or do you just enjoy doing it?" His jaw muscles twitched again as he looked at me strangely.
Despite being outclassed, I stood my ground. Kane tested me, asking what I'd learned, and I gave him a cocky answer that showed I wasn't intimidated by his wealth and power.
At home, my family was amazed at my transformation. Ryan asks where I learned to fight like that, and I simply say, "Moonstone Academy," a name that makes both men pale. The academy is legendary among supernatural warriors, known for producing the deadliest fighters in the werewolf world.