Filed To Story: Claimed by the Alpha I Hate Book Read Free
They’ll win you any fight , no matter how big the H meathead you’re up against is . ” One by one I ran through them all , using each fundamental to pick apart the weaknesses of the students who decided t o stand against me and Nolan . As I recited each one by memory , courtesy of Chris who pummeled me into the dirt until they were etched into the back of my skull , Emilia’s smile seemed to widen . “
Wonderful .
” She exhaled , speaking only after I’d finished shaming half the class . I f she noticed their embarrassment and anger she didn’t let on . Her eyes darted from face to face , ” … now that is a warrior . Someone who not only memorizes every single aspect of a fighting form , but also uses those moves in a way that turns them into art into a dance where one lives and the other dies . ” Once she finished making the rounds , her attention returned to me . ” Luna , would you mind sparring with me ?
I’d like to give the class a demonstration of a few of those fundamentals . ” ” Of course . ” I replied instantly and without a hint of hesitation . … good luck , she punches hard . ‘ Cassidy’s voice trickled into my head , and I glanced back to see her eyebrows furrowed and lips pursed in the direction of our trainer .
I made sure to take my time approaching , using those valuable seconds to scan Emilia from head to toe . Her widening grin told me she knew what I was doing and was thrilled to see me respond accordingly . As I watched her walk a few feet to her left , I noted no imperfections i n her long stride nor in the way she bounced on the balls of her feet .
” This might actually be challenging …. Maya murmured , impressed even though we’d yet to begin . “
Can anyone here tell me what our Luna just did ? ” Emilia asked the class once I stood at her side .
When no one raised their hands she continued , ” She sized me up and took in my movements , posture , and the way I distribute my weight .
This i s what a warrior does . They see the fight i n their head before it even begins , and that way they’ll always be prepared . ” ” The man who trained me always said preparing is half the victory . ” I said both t o Emilia and the class , thinking back to simple days in Grandma’s cottage , where training with Chris was the most strenuous thing I had to deal with .
Emilia’s eyes twinkled pleasantly.when she asked , ” And what is the other half , Luna ? ” ” The other half is earned . ” I told her , this time turning away from the class to stare into the eyes of the she wolf
Cassidy claimed long ago tried to win Nolan over .
There was no malice I could detect whether it be with my eyes or what strange sense unlocking my magic had given me . Either way , right now she was a n opponent . With that reminder swirling i n my head , I squared my shoulders and sank into my fighting stance . ” Through blood and sweat , it is earned . “
The moment her fist connected with my shoulder
; I knew Cassidy hadn’t been exaggerating . Emilia punched hard , like MMA level hard . Not only was she strong , but she was fast too . She came at me without warning , without shifting into a stance that let me know the battle had begun . She had hoped to catch me off guard , but Chris had skinned my hide too many times for me to make that mistake again . His method of keeping me on my toes came in the form of sneaking through my window in the dead of night .
If I weren’t o n my feet the second the window cracked open , I’d quickly find myself groaning on the floor with the taste of blood in my mouth . His methods weren’t humane by any means , but they worked . Boy , did they work . I used my small stature to weave in and out of her blows , a partner in a painful dance that would surely leave me black and blue . If I weren’t a Luna or a Vampire , I might’ve lost this fight . That being said , m y positions gave me power and speed , both of which I used in abundance just to remain on my feet .
” You see how she’s not letting me knock her off balance … ” Emilia shouted to the class who watched with overflowing interest despite the thick silence that enveloped the room . ” If you fall in battle , you have seconds seconds to act before your mistake becomes fatal . ” To prove her point , Emilia let me knock her to the ground .
In a move that I would’ve done if the roles had been reversed , she kicked out with her long legs and managed to clip my ankle in the process . My legs buckled from the sharp pain that danced up my tendons and bone , but a quick roll to the side followed by a few sharp jabs kept me advancing forwards . What ended our match was a sharp whistle that exploded from the back of the room .
I barely noticed it . The shrill sound couldn’t reach me , not while this sea of adrenaline churned in my head , its frigid waters bursting with every technique , move , and tip I’d learned from Chris . When
Emilia faltered mid punch and I managed to land a crushing kick to the side of her ribcage , I knew the whistle hadn’t been intended for me .
The warrior , whose prowess I actually found myself admiring fell to the ground . She recovered quickly
, with speed I found impressive despite the fact that I was faster . Before she could make it to her feet , my foot was at her throat . I kept it there , hovering above her pulse point , feeling the faint thud hit the millimeter of air between us .
I could’ve used this moment to assert myself , to land a final blow that would prove to these wolves that
I wasn’t one to be messed with , but it was Emilia’s eyes that halted the idea in its tracks . They at me with pride , but also just a stared up hint of fear . It was that fear that made me lower my foot and extend a hand .
here , he’s got it . ” Emilia said through heavy breaths , smiling as she wiped the sweat from her forehead The expression soured as she turned to glare daggers at the class . Even I had to repress the urge to finch at the ferocity in her voice . ” Who did that ? ” For far too long the class stood in silence , most of them cowering under her heavy stare .
I noticed quickly that Cassidy wasn’t one of them , and Emilia seemed to notice as well because her eyes darkened t o a muddy brown when they registered her face and tense posture . Cassidy took a step forward and Emilia’s mouth opened , but the high pitched bleating of a cellphone rang out instead of her voice . ” Apologies , I’m afraid I have to take this . ” Emilia murmured to the glass , though her eyes remained on my tanned , narrow eyed friend She slipped from the room without another word , her shrill ringtone fading a s she walked down the hall.
” Way to kick some ass , Luna ! ” Cassidy cheered when I ventured back to her side . A snicker escaped her lips as she toyed with the end of her ponytail . ” Goddess , what a cathartic experience .
I’ve been waiting to see her get her ass kicked for years now . H ” You really don’t like her , huh ? ” I kept m y laugh light but couldn’t help the way my head tilted with curiosity . Knowing she’d chew me out if I said this aloud , I slid into her thoughts and asked the question circling my brain . ‘
Were you the one that whistled at her ? ” Cassidy’s eyes twinkled mischievously , and within their depths I swore I saw something that reminded me of Chelsea . ‘ It was a bit harsh ; I know … but you have n o clue how much she has coming to her . ‘ Her thoughts had a sour undertone that alerted me to how much she disliked Emilia . With a quiet grunt she lowered herself to the floor and placed her back against the wall . ‘ She seems friendly and approachable … can’t help but wonder what she did to make you hate her so much . ” I said truthfully , sitting down beside her as we waited for Emilia to return . ‘ Look … if I show you this , you can’t tell anyone , got it ? I mean , obviously people already know , but they don’t speak about i t because they’re all weaklings who fear m e … and rightfully so . ‘ Cassidy huffed , gnawing on her lower lip until the pale pink of her skin turned red .
As she tucked the golden strands of her bangs behind her ear , a fuzzy image began to form in my head , one that was pulled from the depths of someone else’s memory . ” Ugh , Cass wait up ! “
Brandon shouted , his voice a few octaves higher and his appearance almost ten years younger . His feet seemed to land in every single puddle , sending droplets of muddy water scattering into the air .
They seeped into the white t shirt he wore , but only made the grin on his face widen . It was one of playful joy and not the callous scowl I was used to seeing him wearing . ” Not a chance in hell ! Last time I was it for two weeks . You’re not catching me anytime soon ! ” I heard Cassidy say , her laugh exuberant as it rang in the ait like a symphony of delicate bells . I saw flashes o f golden curls through the tall grass feet away . It swayed in the breeze , jostled by the light rain that continued to fall .
” Only Nolan can catch me ! He’s never it ! ” ” Nolan’s in Alpha training , Cass . You know he doesn’t have time to play anymore . ” Brandon’s little frown and furrowed brows squeezed at my heart hard enough for me to memorize the forlorn look that lasted on his face for only a few precious seconds .
” Well I’m not coming out until he catches me . He promised he would this time ! ” She shouted from deeper within the grass , her voice facing with each word tossed into the air . Brandon groaned loudly and threw his hands in the air , ” Fine ! I’ll get Nolan , but you have to promise you won’t sneak out while I’m gone . That’s cheating , and cheating means you’re automatically it . ” H ” What ?! ” Cassidy squealed in horror , You just made that rule up ! “
” Can’t hear you anymore walking away now , going to get Nolan . ” Brandon shouted , cupping his hands around his lips as he backed away . When his small form vanished behind a hill , I saw a pale face with bright blue eyes pop out of the grass . The cheeky grin belonged to Cassidy , though it was laced with the fading innocence of a child hitting their teenage years . As she tip toed out of the grass and headed in the direction opposite to where Brandon went ,
I realized she couldn’t have been older than thirteen . The scenery changed as she walked , her blue jeans darkening with each water droplet that landed on them . Even her paisley top , which looked adorable when paired with the dainty charm bracelet around her wrist , was changing colors from the rain . Before long we stood in a small neighborhood , similar to the one Nolan’s parents lived in . Even in the rain , children crowded the sidewalks .
Bikes and scooters , sticks of melting chalk clutched in the hands of kids too young to partake in many other activities . They were everywhere , laughing and playing like there tomorrow would never come .
It breathed life into Cassidy’s cheerful walk , which soon fizzled out when I heard Emilia’s voice . ” You should’ve known better than to come back around here .
” Emilia said , appearing from the side of a pale yellow house whose front porch was in the beginning stages of construction . Even as a child her champagne eyes were bright and her voice a high soprano that reminded me of a robin’s song . Those eyes of hers narrowed into little slits and her hands became fists that trembled at her sides .
” You don’t own the neighborhood , dummy . ” Cassidy sneered , wiping away some of the ash blonde curls that clung to the sides of her wet face . ” This is Nolan’s pack , and Nolan is my friend ! ” I hadn’t a clue what happened before this , what events formed the snowball that grew and grew until it was an avalanche cresting down the side of a great mountain , ready to crush them all . They were children , but the way they glared at one another reminded me of adults . Emilia stomped over to Cassidy and grabbed a handful of her hair without warning , breaking out into a run that forced a scream from
Cassidy’s mouth .
She had no choice but to follow and bled onto the sidewalk after Emilia . The other children looked at the fight happening just feet away on the sidewalk where so many of them played . Some pointed , others laughed and taunted Cassidy , who quickly found herself on the pavement . Emilia leaned down to whisper something in Cassidy’s ear when the memory came t o an end . Even though I was floating back to the present , I could still taste the rain on my tongue and could see the murder that mixed with the embarrassment on young Cassidy’s face . I blinked a few times , pawing at my eyes when they began to water from the artificial light .
Cassidy’s face came into focus , slender and much more angular than it had been all those years ago , though her expression was exactly the same . Rage and embarrassment . ‘ Looks like Nolan wasn’t kidding when he said she doesn’t handle embarrassment well . ‘ Maya murmured , flattening her ears against her skull . ‘ What is it she whispered in your ear ? ‘ I couldn’t help but ask , feeling my curiosity expand in my chest like a bubble ready to pop .
The door opened with a slight creak and Emilia stepped back inside . In that same moment , Cassidy gave her a feverish glare and sent her answer rushing down the mind link , so fast that the words rattled around in my head before rearranging themselves . ‘
She told me he wouldn’t be my friend for long , not once she got her hands on him … she promised she’d make sure he knew just how ugly and disgusting I actually was . The way she said it struck me as odd . There was no emotion in her voice , no burst of rage turning her iris’s a deep shade of blue . It wasn’t the words Emilia said that stuck with her , that turned her anger into something more potent . It had been the embarrassment , the shame she felt when she was vulnerable and broken , teased by the cruel children who did nothing to help . We didn’t speak of the past for the rest of the lesson , and instead put every ounce of our focus into sparring .
Once class was finished and every ounce of pent up rage flowed from Cassidy’s body and into the mats , we emerged out the set of double doors leading into the parking lot . ” Hey , I’ve got to get going
. I’m getting all dolled up tonight to go out with Kendrick . ” Her lips tilted up in a silky smile that contained a double meaning I didn’t miss . After saying our goodbyes I readied myself to merge into the sea of students flooding the parking lot .
It was Emilia’s voice , oddly unchanged from her childhood , which gave me pause . ” Luna ! Mind if I get a word ? ” She shouted above the chaos of the crowd , all of which were eager to get home and shower before continuing with the rest of their day . For a moment I contemplated ignoring her , feigning ignorance as I vanished within the throng of people . It was a tugging in my gut , a feeling of concreteness that made me turn around and wait for her to catch up . ” You were beyond impressive back there , really . If you weren’t Luna I’d offer you a position , effective tomorrow .
” Emilia put every ounce of emotion into her laugh , which was warm and effortless despite the cruelty I saw on her child like face . She pulled a small pin from her hair and sent the tiny ringlets spiraling down her shoulders . ” I was serious about hiring that trainer of yours , though . You think he might be interested ? ” ” Mmm , he’s a bit of a … recluse . ” I cringed at the word I used , knowing Chris would kick me into next week if he heard me saying such a thing . He didn’t like it when I brought up his general hatred of other people , even less so when I attached words like recluse , hermit , or loner .
Seeing the disappointment form on her face and the light leave her eyes made me stumble for a solution .
I can’t promise anything … but I can try to get a hold of him , at least to relay the offer . ” ” Yes ! Oh , I can’t thank you enough . Tell him benefits are included along with pension and retirement . We can work out his salary if he agrees . ” She nodded eagerly , but her excitement was short lived . A student with bleach blonde hair passed by , and the cheerfulness on Emilia’s face dropped . Even though the girl’s roots were a deep shade of brown ,
I knew it was Cassidy she reminded her of . ” During class did you see who whistled ? ” Emilia asked quietly , her eyes scanning the parking lot as the grim expression on her face darkened . It didn’t appear from out of nowhere , but instead seemed to resurface from somewhere deep within . With lips pressed into a thin line and reluctance hardening the softness of her face she asked , ” was it Cassidy who did i t ? ” I opened my mouth , but nothing came out .
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?