I placed my shaky hand directly on my b**bs in order to stop my heart from pumping out my chest, No! No! The villagers must not hear this.
Guards! Two hefty n ran towards my direction trying to hold from falling but I never cared about falling now, I cared about my na falling into the mud.
Run after them and make sure you guide her and her kids out of this pack and make sure she doesn’t speak to anyone in the village.
I stumbled to the balcony feeling dizzy from Cynthia’s truthful but hurtful words that pierced through my soul, reminding of my past with Lucas.
My soul demanded for so fresh air and privacy after commanding my guards, I sat at my balcony staring at the thick air outside.
Go and wake Brian up so he can leave, and don’t tell him my whereabouts. I commanded my maid Frey a while I put a waterlon she brought into my mouth.
I can’t let my feelings consu , no matter what I feel for Brian I have to end it right here and now, and pick up my aura and crown as a Queen.
This would be the end for any man that wants to play with my heart. No more feelings, no more letting a man take control over .
I won’t let history repeat itself twice I said while I used the visitor bathroom downstairs.
When I got into the bathtub, I couldn’t concentrate properly, my brain began to drift away into imaginations as the cold shower touched my head.
It will be hard to find a company that wants to partner with my father’s company. Ever since my father died all his business partner’s pulled away.
His employees quit their jobs now I am left with a dying company that I would have to refurnish from scratch. A wave of cold air hit as I stepped out of the warm bathroom but it didn’t bring to reality.
My father’s business was still on my mind as I wrapped a heavy plush towel around my body. The scent of jasmine from my body wash filled the room.
Oh no! My clothes are in my wardrobe upstairs, I hope Brian has gone. I said picking up my phone to call Freya for confirmation.
Hello! I hope Brian has left my room and my house? I asked knowing fully well that I want my reply to be a yes, he left so minutes ago after trying your number severally.
Okay! Clear the hallway from any guard or male chef I would be passing by soon I commanded my senior maid. I lifted my towel to cover so parts of my skin that were still revealing and stepped out of the door.
No sign of humans was found in the hallway, only silence and the sweet scent of bathing wash that was coming out of my body.
How am I going to deal with Brian’s tantrums at the training center today? It’s going to be a long day for you Ava.
A deep sigh escaped my lips as I fastened the last button of my black fitted top, smoothing out the wrinkles on my leather pants.
My reflection in the mirror was sharp and unbothered or maybe that is what I wanted the world to see, but inside I was a storm barely held together by my willpower.
I walked out of my room majestically, with my heavy boots that echoed through the silent hallways of the palace.
When I reached the dining room, the aroma of freshly cooked foods filled the air. Freya had done it again with a tray of roasted lamb, spicy noodles and a steaming pot of herbal tea sitting on the long mahogany table.
But the mont my eyes fell on the spread, my stomach churned. Your breakfast, my Queen, Freya said softly, while bowing as she presented a tray to .
I sat down at the head chair, my fingers drumming lightly against the polished wood. My appetite was nowhere to be found and all I could think about was Cynthia’s words and Brian’s presence in my life.
The food felt like poison on my tongue. "I’m not hungry," I said finally, pushing the tray away. Freya’s face fell.
"But, my Queen—"
"Clear it away." My tone was sharp, leaving no room for argunt.
Freya bowed again and quickly gathered the dishes while heading into the kitchen. I stood up and brushed invisible dust from my top while heading for the garage.
There it was my father’s old black jeep. The sight of it sent a bittersweet ache through my chest. This was more than just a vehicle.
It was the only gift my father gave to that Lucas didn’t take from all in the na of love.
"I’ll fix everything you left behind, Father," I whispered under my breath as I gripped the cool, worn leather of the steering wheel.
I started the car and drove out of the palace. The morning sun shone brightly over the rough landscape of our land.
My journey to the training grounds was quiet, but my thoughts were all over the place.
Brian would always be there to stare at in the eyes, to read every single action of mine through movents, he would be there for sure to know why I vanished on him.
And as for I don’t care anymore I would face him not as a woman tangled in her emotions, but as a queen I am determined to rise above her past.
When I arrived, warriors were already lined up on the dusty field, I stepped out of the jeep, my boots sinking slightly into the dirt.
The mont I walked into the training ground, silence filled the atmosphere and warriors straightened their backs, bowing their heads slightly in respect.
"Good morning, my Queen!" they chorused.
I gave a curt nod, my eyes scanning the crowd until I found him, Brian.
He stood apart from the warriors, his arms crossed, his wolf-like eyes locked on with a heat that made my chest tighten.
This was it.
The first step in cutting him off... and proving to everyone, including myself, that Ava, daughter of the late Alpha King, was unshakable.
"Let’s begin," I commanded, my voice steady even as my heart thudded against my ribs.
I walked over to the weapon rack and pulled out a finely crafted sword from the perfectly polished steel filled with swords and blades.
The mont I gripped the hilt sothing inside of shifted, my breath slowed down down and the noise around faded until there was only the sounds of my pulse and the promise of battle.
Are you ready my Queen? Master keal, my father’s most trusted warrior and trainer said as he bowed his head.
"Yes," I replied firmly, drawing the sword with a sharp, clean motion. The blade glead beneath the morning sun, a reflection of the strength I swore to reclaim.
I adjusted my stance, ready to spar, when a low, mocking voice cut through the air.
"You are not ant to train with soone who won’t fight you at full strength, Ava" You are a queen and you need to train harder or you go back to your hiding spot which you ca from this morning.
My grip on the sword tightened a little more, I didn’t need to turn my neck to know who it was.
"Brian," I said coldly, keeping my eyes forward.
He stalked toward , each step confident, predatory. The warriors instinctively backed away, creating a wide circle around us.
His presence alone was enough to command the space.
"You’ve been avoiding ," Brian said, his tone deceptively casual, but there was an edge beneath it.
His eyes swept over , lingering on my lips for just a heartbeat before locking with mine. "Is this what you’ve been doing instead of facing ?"
I didn’t flinch, though my heart stuttered. "I don’t have to face you. What happened between us was a mistake. Nothing more."
Sothing dangerous flickered in his gaze. His jaw tightened, his nostrils flaring. "A mistake?" he repeated, his voice low, almost a growl.
"Yes," I snapped, my anger breaking through. "One night of drunkenness doesn’t an you have to claim , Brian. I am your Queen and that’s all I will ever be.’’
For a mont, his expression went cold, his wolf barely contained beneath his skin. Then, slowly, a smirk curved his lips dark, challenging and infuriating.
"Then prove it," he said smoothly, ’’Prove what?’’ I asked him while my brows furrowed.
"Prove that you’re strong enough to lead without ," he said, stepping closer until the heat of his body brushed against mine. "Fight , Ava. Right here. Right now."
Gasps rippled through the warriors surrounding us. Master Kael imdiately moved between us, bowing to with an alarm etched on his face.
"My Queen, this is unnecessary. Alpha Brian’s strength is unmatched" Brian didn’t even look at him. "Leave us, Kael."
The master hesitated, glancing at . My grip on the sword trembled, but I steadied it. I could feel every eye on , waiting, judging.
And backing down now would make look weak even worse, it would make look like Brian’s subordinate.
I gave a sharp nod. "Clear the grounds," I ordered.
Kael’s face tightened with worry, but he obeyed, leading the others away. Soon, it was just the two of us in the wide circle of dirt and stone, the morning wind whistling between us like a challenge.
Brian tilted his head, his smirk widening. "You’ve been running from since that night, Ava. This ti, there’s nowhere to hide."
My pulse thundered, but I raised my sword, leveling it at his chest. "Be careful what you wish for, Brian," I said, my voice like steel. "I won’t hold back."
His eyes glimred with sothing dark and thrilling. "Good," he growled, his muscles coiling as he dropped into a fighting stance. "Neither will I."
For a single, breathless mont, the world went still. Then Brian lunged and the true battle began. We fought trendously.
Blades clashed with blades, hearts clashed with hearts but I refused to back down until Brian pinned to a tight spot.
And in that mont I thought he was going to defeat but it all lted down, what you said earlier did u an it? He said and in that mont I no longer saw an angry man but a man who was deeply hurt.
In a haste I broke through from his grip while I pinned him to the ground, I could see his eyes were filled with nothing but pain and hurt.
Not from the battle I won but from the strings attached. From the emotional torture I am putting him into.
You might have won this battle Ava but trust I would win the future battle, I would win your heart and make you my wife and you won’t have a say about it.
Brian said before storming out of the battle ground angrily.
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