now.
“It’s clear you flourished under Adolf’s tutelage. I am surprised you were able to convince him to train you. He is rather adamant on traditional female roles.” Nicolas paused. “But you can use work on your combatting and your form. You can spar with me.”
Gloomily, Hayden glanced over at her elusive companion. Nicolas was in the middle of some sort of conditioning drill. Usually fully and properly attired, the man had elected to remove his jacket. His exposed arm muscles were completely defined as he leaned the majority of his body weight on his hands.
Just looking at the sheer size of his biceps and clenched forearms made her scoff. It was laughable imagining a sparring lesson with the Alpha male.
“I’d rather keep my pride, thanks.” Though she was no longer looking at him, Hayden could sense his surprised glance.
“That doesn’t sound like you.” Nicolas exhaled as he gracefully got to his feet. His stare was searching. “I saw you behead one of Tracer’s puppets. You possess the fire, my dear, you just need to learn how to harness it.”
She remained silent, staring out at the trees. The further they traveled, away from Celeste’s hideout and the snow, the more things appeared like spring again. It would be difficult to hide her knives under a coat when the weather did not call for the extra layer.
Perhaps she could fit them under her blouse. Of course, that didn’t help matters when it came to hiding her newly acquired sword.
“I thought melancholic brooding was my brother’s trait, not yours.”
“I’m not brooding,” Hayden rebutted. “I just don’t want to spar with you.”
That wasn’t entirely true. Though she wouldn’t label it as brooding, she was still concerned over what transpired with Cole. She wondered if he was back to his usual self now, or if Celeste’s serum was still a prevailing factor in his bloodstream. He’d been so angry, so quick to harness his temper.
Slyly, Nicolas laid the bait. “You may run into Sophia again.”
Hayden fiercely rose up to the challenge, her melancholy instantly vanishing. “I can handle her. Just like I handled her back at the cabin.”
No matter how much Hayden analyzed the situation, Sophia remained a mystery. The beta appeared possessive over Celeste’s attention, going so far as to act hostile towards Hayden. On the other hand, Sophia warned her not to get in the way and that she was going to handle Celeste herself.
What did that even mean? Was she gaining Celeste’s trust in order to execute her?
“Do you think she is going to sit on her hands until you meet again?” Nicolas scoffed. “The competition within Celeste’s pack is ruthless. Not only does she need to keep her rank as beta, but she now has a driving reason to beat you. ”
He did have a point, Hayden mused despondently. She knew Sophia had worked her way to the top. She would only continue doing so with a renewed sense of determination.
“You may have some of Celeste’s venom inside you,” he continued, “but you don’t take advantage of it. Sophia is older and she is more experienced. She will not go down without a fight.”
Hayden growled low in her throat and stood up.
Moving closer, she marveled at Nicolas’ sheer invincibility. From afar, she acknowledged his strength, but it was different standing so close. He seemed to draw in strength—absorb it—and cloak himself with it. He was untouchable, and a palpable air of tension immediately crackled between them.
Taking advantage of Hayden’s distraction, Nicolas lashed out. He feigned a punch, which Hayden fell for, and then he completely swept her off her feet.
She fell on her backside, but scrambled back up, her cheeks warming. It wasn’t that she was that bad, it was just that Nicolas was that good.
The eldest Slayter prowled around her, a smirk firmly in place. His gaze was sharp—knowing—as he observed her flushed cheeks. “It’s good to know I can still fluster you,
“It’s clear you flourished under Adolf’s tutelage. I am surprised you were able to convince him to train you. He is rather adamant on traditional female roles.” Nicolas paused. “But you can use work on your combatting and your form. You can spar with me.”
Gloomily, Hayden glanced over at her elusive companion. Nicolas was in the middle of some sort of conditioning drill. Usually fully and properly attired, the man had elected to remove his jacket. His exposed arm muscles were completely defined as he leaned the majority of his body weight on his hands.
Just looking at the sheer size of his biceps and clenched forearms made her scoff. It was laughable imagining a sparring lesson with the Alpha male.
“I’d rather keep my pride, thanks.” Though she was no longer looking at him, Hayden could sense his surprised glance.
“That doesn’t sound like you.” Nicolas exhaled as he gracefully got to his feet. His stare was searching. “I saw you behead one of Tracer’s puppets. You possess the fire, my dear, you just need to learn how to harness it.”
She remained silent, staring out at the trees. The further they traveled, away from Celeste’s hideout and the snow, the more things appeared like spring again. It would be difficult to hide her knives under a coat when the weather did not call for the extra layer.
Perhaps she could fit them under her blouse. Of course, that didn’t help matters when it came to hiding her newly acquired sword.
“I thought melancholic brooding was my brother’s trait, not yours.”
“I’m not brooding,” Hayden rebutted. “I just don’t want to spar with you.”
That wasn’t entirely true. Though she wouldn’t label it as brooding, she was still concerned over what transpired with Cole. She wondered if he was back to his usual self now, or if Celeste’s serum was still a prevailing factor in his bloodstream. He’d been so angry, so quick to harness his temper.
Slyly, Nicolas laid the bait. “You may run into Sophia again.”
Hayden fiercely rose up to the challenge, her melancholy instantly vanishing. “I can handle her. Just like I handled her back at the cabin.”
No matter how much Hayden analyzed the situation, Sophia remained a mystery. The beta appeared possessive over Celeste’s attention, going so far as to act hostile towards Hayden. On the other hand, Sophia warned her not to get in the way and that she was going to handle Celeste herself.
What did that even mean? Was she gaining Celeste’s trust in order to execute her?
“Do you think she is going to sit on her hands until you meet again?” Nicolas scoffed. “The competition within Celeste’s pack is ruthless. Not only does she need to keep her rank as beta, but she now has a driving reason to beat you. ”
He did have a point, Hayden mused despondently. She knew Sophia had worked her way to the top. She would only continue doing so with a renewed sense of determination.
“You may have some of Celeste’s venom inside you,” he continued, “but you don’t take advantage of it. Sophia is older and she is more experienced. She will not go down without a fight.”
Hayden growled low in her throat and stood up.
Moving closer, she marveled at Nicolas’ sheer invincibility. From afar, she acknowledged his strength, but it was different standing so close. He seemed to draw in strength—absorb it—and cloak himself with it. He was untouchable, and a palpable air of tension immediately crackled between them.
Taking advantage of Hayden’s distraction, Nicolas lashed out. He feigned a punch, which Hayden fell for, and then he completely swept her off her feet.
She fell on her backside, but scrambled back up, her cheeks warming. It wasn’t that she was that bad, it was just that Nicolas was that good.
The eldest Slayter prowled around her, a smirk firmly in place. His gaze was sharp—knowing—as he observed her flushed cheeks. “It’s good to know I can still fluster you,
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