Chapter 39
The Werewolf Realm
Mars' POV
The training field was buzzing with the usual chaos—warriors sparring, steel clashing, dust rising into the sky—yet all I could focus on was Theodore in front of me. Fighting with him wasn't just training; it was a challenge. A fun one.
Every punch I threw was like a tap to him, and every punch he threw at me felt like a boulder.
"You've gotten stronger," I said as I dodged another of his heavy swings.
Theo blinked. "I've gotten stronger? You knew my strength before?"
I froze for half a second.
Right. To him, I was Mars, not Nickolas, the lunatic who almost destroyed the realms once upon a time. Great.
I cleared my throat awkwardly.
"I mean—you're stronger than you were decades ago. There was a… battle. I saw you fighting. You were… strong-ish. But you've grown stronger now."
Theo frowned. "What battle are you talking about?"
"I don't remember exactly," I lied. "I just know you were weak."
Theo gasped dramatically. "Hey! I was not weak. I was strong. Just—maybe not extremely strong."
"And now you're extremely strong… right?" I teased.
He lifted his chin smugly. "Yes. Yes, I am strong. Even you are struggling to land a strike on me."
"That's because I'm not being serious," I deadpanned.
"Oh please," Theo scoffed. "That's such a cheap excuse. How serious can you even be?"
"How serious?" I echoed. "I'm powerful. I'm just not using my vampire side."
He snorted. "Even if you used every drop of vampire power, I'd beat you into the dirt."
I narrowed my eyes.
So he was daring me.
Fine.
"Then let's fight," I said.
"Yes," Theo replied confidently. "I'll defeat you easily."
"Let's see."
We lunged at each other. This time, I went serious—just a little. My speed surged, fast enough to make the dust scatter as I moved. Theo matched me blow for blow, blocking, dodging, striking back with that annoying smirk on his face.
He landed the first few hits cleanly.
I smacked him across the jaw.
He retaliated.
I vanished and reappeared behind him.
My vampire speed gave me the advantage—but Theo was strong. Stronger than any elf I had watched grow up.
I should know. I had seen him from the very moment Erin created him.
Erin.
My mind drifted to her at the worst possible time. She had been so focused lately, so sharp, so calm. But the way she kept glancing at that certain person…
Yeah. I didn't like it.
The moment we'd arrived here, I saw it. The way that imbecile looked at her—the way Daniel once did. Another idiot daring to think he had a chance with her.
No way.
Not happening.
Erin was mine.
She wouldn't be taken from me again. Not by another Daniel-wannabe. Not by an alpha named—
"What was his name again?" I muttered aloud.
Theo blinked. "What?"
"Levi," I hissed as the realization snapped into place. "That Levi guy. I saw how he was staring at her. He thinks he has a chance? No. Absolutely not. Not while I'm here."
I was so lost in my thoughts, I didn't even notice when Theo's fist slammed into my ribs.
"Boom!" Theo shouted cheerfully. "You lost!"
I blinked.
Then blinked again.
And realized—I was on the ground.
"What?" I scrambled to my feet. "How?!"
Theo shrugged far too smugly. "Maybe because you were distracted. Never—and I mean NEVER—think about anything while fighting, Mars."
Before I could reply, someone burst into laughter.
Loud laughter.
Annoyingly loud laughter.
I stiffened. Ignoring it, I turned away—until Theo greeted the person politely.
"Greetings, Alpha Levi."
Alpha… Levi?
My eye twitched.
I slowly turned my head and saw him—standing there, laughing harder. Daniel's copy. Daniel's reincarnation. Daniel's twin. Why did he have to look like my personal nemesis?
The longer I stayed silent, the harder he laughed.
My blood boiled.
"What's so funny?" I snapped. "Haven't you seen someone lose before?"
Levi wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.
"It's not funny that you lost. What's funny is that you're acting all cool even after losing."
"So what? I am naturally cool," I replied with a cocky smirk.
Levi nodded seriously.
"I see. Arrogant."
My eyebrow twitched so hard it hurt.
I was ready to explode, but Theo—traitor that he was—stepped in.
"Oh don't mind him, Alpha Levi. He's always like this. Arrogant and cold. That's just Mars."
"Mars?" Levi repeated, like my name was some disgusting disease.
"Yes, Mars," I snapped. "Do you have a problem with that?"
"No," Levi said. "I don't have a problem with your name."
He paused.
"What I have a problem with is you."
I narrowed my eyes. "And why exactly would you have a problem with me?"
Levi didn't hesitate.
"Why did you let Erin touch you?"
The question hit me so hard, even Theo went wide-eyed.
"That's normal between us," I replied calmly. "We do it almost every day."
The shock on Levi's face made my annoyance melt into satisfaction.
"You two are in that kind of relationship?" Levi's voice trembled.
"Yes," I said, dead serious. "That kind of relationship. We're very serious when we do it."
Of course, I meant training—archery, combat, magic casting. The first time she tried archery, I stood behind her, guiding her arms, helping her draw the bow. We trained like that all the time.
But Levi didn't need to know that.
If he misunderstood?
Good.
Let him stay heartbroken.
"Ah," Levi muttered, looking crushed. "I understand now."
He walked away slowly, shoulders drooping like a kicked puppy.
I smiled.
Childish? Maybe.
But I won.
Theo stared at me, horrified.
"What was that? Are you trying to start a war between the races?!"
"Why would I do that?" I scoffed. "Erin wouldn't like it."
"So you're only avoiding war because Queen Erin wouldn't like it?" Theo asked.
"Yes," I replied without hesitation. "I've caused her enough pa—"
I stopped myself and walked away.
Theo called after me, "About the touching… what did you mean?"
"Training, dumbo."
Theo blinked.
"Oh! When you said you do that a lot, I was surprised."
I narrowed my eyes. "Why? Are you saying Erin wouldn't like me?"
"Yes," he answered honestly. "I think Queen Erin likes leaders. You know—heads of races, kings, strong figures. Someone like Alpha Levi."
I stopped walking and glared at him.
"Stop pissing me off, Theo."
"I'm just saying!" he protested. "It's my opinion!"
"Then keep your useless opinion to yourself. You don't even know Erin."
I stormed off toward my room.
Behind me, Theo called out with his teasing voice:
"It's true though! She likes leaders!"
"Shut up already!" I yelled back.