Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Keith didn’t see the point in competing against Dayson when there is no way to win, but Talia’s serious expression motivated him to do his best, and with Dayson leaving to change clothes, Keith’s courage swelled.
If he needs to go down, he will do it with his head held high.
“Come here…”, Keith beckoned Talia. “I will show you a kick that can take even the biggest guy down if done right.”
Talia was not sure if she can bring anyone down, but she still obeyed without voicing her doubts.
Keith faced Talia with one step of space between them.
He extended his leg and touched the outer side of her left knee.
“The move is to kick here but instead of pulling your leg away, hook your foot behind your opponent’s knee and jerk him toward you as you pull your leg back. That will make him lose balance, and once you achieve that, it’s up to you if you will continue to fight or flee…”
Talia nodded earnestly while thinking that this is a good strategy. If she can make an attacker lose balance for a moment, that moment can be enough for her to escape.
But kicking in a knee meant that she would need to face her attacker and be really close. Can she hit a moving target? Can she keep her cool if a baddie gets that close?
An image from the amusement park flashed in Talia’s mind. What if there is more than one baddie? What will kicking one achieve?
Looking at Keith who was ready to accept her beating, Talia hesitated.
This will be a problem.
She didn’t think about kicking her trainer when she imagined how she will learn to fight.
Whenever someone attacked her before, Talia would curl into a ball while trying to minimize damage received from the hits. She never thought of fighting back or fleeing.
Talia told herself that she needs to cross this hurdle. Somehow.
She pressed her lips into a line and gave Keith a small kick.
Keith paused for a moment and then chuckled. She was so gentle. He barely felt it. Adorable.
“Give it your all, Talia. Start with a kick, and we will add the hook-and-pull later.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Even if you hurt me, I will heal in a day or two. As a trainer, it’s an honor to have a bruise from my student. Think of it as a sign that I taught you a good move so it will be worth it. Now come on, show me what you’ve got…”, Keith encouraged her.
…
…
Dayson changed his clothes with haste and he got out of the dressing room to a scene of Talia focusing on Keith and kicking him in the knee.
He cocked an eyebrow. How was that kicking? There was no strength behind the hit. But that feeble attack paired up with Talia’s serious expression made her super-cute.
Dayson really wanted to tackle her on the exercising mat and kiss her all over.
Alpha Maddox and Axel were sitting on a nearby bench and observing Talia’s training.
Dayson joined them.
“The two of you are not even pretending to train anymore.”, Dayson grumbled, and Maddox chuckled while Axel didn’t show any visible reaction.
“Talia is an interesting one.”, Maddox said with amusement in his voice. “I can see why she got your attention.”
“Don’t even think about it.”, Dayson spat at Maddox.
Maddox’s eyebrows shoot up. “Oh? And what am I thinking about?”
“Nothing good.” Dayson knew that Maddox was persistent in taking Talia with him to the Blue River pack. It didn’t matter why because that was not happening.
“How protective.”, Maddox retorted. “You should probably worry more about this guy who is silent.”
Dayson knew that Maddox was talking about Axel. Axel was suspicious and for some unknown reason, Axel also offered Talia to go to the Midnight Guardians pack. But Dayson was aware that all members of the Midnight Guardians pack are waiting for their mates, and since Talia can’t have two mates, Dayson didn’t see Axel as his rival while Maddox was a potential scoundrel who would want to get into Talia’s panties.
“I’m not worried about either of you.”, Dayson said coolly. “Actually, continue talking like that. Talia is a gentle soul, and your coarse jokes will make Talia keep her distance from you.”
Maddox was offended. “What’s wrong with my jokes?”
Dayson waved casually, indicating that the conversation was over.
Maddox was saying something, but Dayson got lost in the image of Talia assuming an offensive stance and kicking Keith. She was beautiful.
“Good. Good.”, Keith praised Talia. “Feel free to kick harder…”
‘Yes, harder’, Dayson thought. Maybe she could break Keith’s leg. Open fracture.
“OK. Ten minutes are up.”, Maddox said.
“Did we set a time limit?”, Keith asked Maddox and Dayson perked up with curiosity.
Maddox shrugged. “Do you need more time?”
“Not really.”, Keith admitted. But he hated to part from Talia. He didn’t know what Dayson prepared for this pointless competition, but Keith knew that he will lose.
With that, it was Dayson’s turn.
He stood in front of the little woman who looked at him apprehensively, and he thought about what to show her.
It took him a minute to decide.
“Punch me in the throat.”
Talia’s eyes widened. “What?”
Dayson gave her an encouraging nod and repeated while pointing at his Adam’s apple. “Punch me in the throat.”
“That’s a killing move.”, Keith said from the side with a frown.
Dayson didn’t deny it. “If Talia is in danger and needs to physically defend herself, she shouldn’t hesitate in taking down her opponent.” He really meant it. Anyone who attacks Talia deserves to die.
Dayson saw Talia’s shocked face and backtracked. “With your strength, you probably can’t kill a guy, but he will have trouble breathing. Come on. Right now, I’m the enemy and I will attack you. Defend yourself.”
Without any warning, Dayson moved toward Talia and yanked her arm, pulling her toward him.
Before Talia realized what’s going on, Dayson hugged her from behind and her back pressed against his chest as he arched slightly above her.