Chapter#09

Selene's POV

My hands trembled and my stomach dropped. What was happening. Varian was going to unveil me in front of everyone. All those men would know I’ve been lying and they would kick me and my brothers out of the camp. We’ll have no place to stay and my plan of vengeance will be destroyed.

How would I honour my father’s and brother’s sacrifice?

“Don’t trouble him…” Caden’s voice blazed through my thoughts bringing me back to reality, “He has nothing to do with your mate.”

What was Caden thinking? Varian was ten times bigger and stronger than him and he seemed like he ate men like Caden for breakfast.

“It’s alright,” I managed to speak as I stepped forward, “Varian, I…”

Before I could say further, the commander’s voice echoed through the gym, “Did the instructor ask everyone to stop training?” For a moment everyone fell silent.

I couldn’t thank the commander enough. He saved me from getting exposed.

“Continue your training!” he barked.

I instantly grabbed Caden’s hand and took him to the other side of the gym where Varian couldn’t see me.

“Selene, this is too dangerous,” Caden exclaimed, “Rowan needs to know.”

Before I could say anything, Rowan interrupted, “What’s going on between you two? Are you two hiding something?”

“Rowan,” my breath caught in my chest, “We were just talking about…”

“That man, Varian,” Caden said looking at me and then he turned his head to Rowan, “He’s troubling Selene.”

“What?” Rowan exclaimed, “Why didn’t you tell me before.”

“It’s nothing serious,” I managed to say, “I didn’t want to worry you.”

“He was talking about his mate…” Rowan lowered his voice, “Does he know…”

“Of course he doesn't,” Caden handled the situation, “We should continue training.”

Training was hard, but I had to force myself. The chill of last night had settled deep into my bones, making every movement more painful. But I pushed it aside. I had to. I couldn't afford to falter now.

Rowan’s hand lingered on my shoulder as he knelt to inspect the healing bruises across my arms. “You good?” he asked softly.

“I’m fine,” I lied.

And then our eyes locked. His blue eyes could see through my soul. I was sure that he knew who I was. My wolf started to fight within me trying to come out. But I kept it steady. For some reason, his gaze was soft and before another second passed, Liam grabbed my shoulder.

“I saw on the bottom of the ranking list.” he said, “Your brothers have good rankings. Aren’t they helping you?”

“They’re trying to…” I said with a smile, “Congratulations on topping the list by the way.”

“I need to beat Varian and then you can congratulate me,” he smirked and then his tone shifted, “If he troubles you, you can let me know.”

Liam always had my back in this place and I felt relieved whenever I talked to him. But Varian’s cold stare never left me. My eyes drifted back and forth to him. He was a threat looming over my head.

But he was that threat I’d welcome with open arms.

We headed to the training grounds after a quick warm-up. The sandpit stretched out in front of us. A complex obstacle course with towering walls and dangling ropes awaited us.

By the time we reached the midway point, the group had split into clusters, the stronger trainees pulling ahead while the rest of us trailed behind. My breath came in sharp, shallow gasps as I hauled myself over a wall, my hands slick with sweat.

It was then that I heard his voice.

“You lied to me.”

I glanced down and saw Varian darting past me. He didn’t stop, didn’t even look at me. His words hit me like an accusation, but it wasn’t what worried me.

What worried me was if he knew what I was hiding and it was obvious that he knew there was someone else behind Kaelen’s mask.

Before I could process it, Liam appeared at my side. “You’ve got this,” he said. He slowed his pace just enough to match mine, “Keep pushing, Kaelen. You’re the Alpha’s son.”

He was always comforting. He knew I didn't fit in this place. I nodded and forced my legs to move faster.

By the end of the course, my strength was gone. I collapsed at the finish line, my limbs trembling as I struggled to catch my breath. The world tilted for a moment, sand filling my mouth as I spat it out with a groan. My body screamed for rest, but the day wasn’t over.

“Five kilometers,” Rowan said firmly in a tone leaving no room for argument.

“What?” I croaked, staring at him in disbelief.

“You underperformed. We’re not letting you fall behind,” Caden added, crossing his arms like he had every intention of dragging me if I refused.

They didn’t give me a choice. By the time I finished the run, my legs felt like lead. I could barely stand. The male trainees were already filtering out of the showers by the time we made it back to the barracks.

The shower room was a mix of private stalls and open showers. My brothers moved ahead, weaving through the space as though they belonged, while I hesitated at the threshold. I walked behind them covering myself.

And then I saw him.

Liam stood under one of the open showers, water cascading down his broad shoulders, his sculpted chest and abs gleaming under the dim lighting. The droplets followed the lines of his body, trailing down to where his towel should have been—but wasn’t.

My breath caught. I tried to look away, to pull my gaze upward—or away, but my eyes betrayed me. They followed the path of the soap in his hands, sliding lower, tracing every curve and line until—

He turned.

My stomach flipped as his eyes locked onto mine. For a moment, I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. My thoughts scattered, my pulse racing like I’d just sprinted another five kilometers.

“Kaelen?”

I froze, my feet glued to the floor, my cheeks burning hotter than the water cascading down his body. Did he catch me checking him out? It was embarrassing.

“Uh…” My voice was barely a whisper as my mind scrambled for an excuse—anything. But nothing came. I didn’t know how to handle the situation. I couldn’t find the words to tell him I wasn’t staring at his perfectly shaped naked body covered with warm droplets streaming down his lines.

And in a heartbeat Varian appeared out of nowhere.

Broad shoulders, towel wrapped around his bottom, droplets dripping down his body in a perfect melody and his stone cold blue eyes; the perfect picture. Just perfect enough to make my wolf scream to come out.

His icy gaze swept over me, then flicked to Liam. His lips curved into a mocking smile as he leaned against the doorframe.

“Well, isn’t this interesting,” he drawled.

I didn’t dare move. The tension in the room was suffocating. It was like a silent battle of dominance playing out between the two men. Men who were dominating, who would fight to death for their mate, who were commanding and strong—who were wet naked in front of me!

And who were both my mates…

Making matters worse, my wolf stirred within me and it was uncontrollable at this point.

“Careful,” Varian said, his gaze fixed on Liam. “Wouldn’t want you stepping on toes that don’t belong to you.”

Liam bristled, tightening his jaw, “Funny. I don’t remember asking for your opinion.”

Before either could say more, Rowan appeared in the doorway. I could see the confused expression on his face as his eyes darted between the three of us.

“What the hell is going on here?”

I didn’t have an answer.