CHAPTER EIGHTY THREE
Talia’s POV
The morning sun beat down on the training grounds, warm but not yet oppressive. Della stood beside me with a bow in hand.
“Focus, Talia,” she said, her tone smug as the string creaked. She released, and the arrow thudded just outside the painted ring. “Damn it.”
I chuckled and pulled my own arrow from the quiver. “You’re supposed to be teaching me, not missing on purpose.”
“Shut up. That was wind,” Della argued.
I laughed under my breath. I lifted my bow and tried to copy her stance. My fingers ached from yesterday’s training, but I wanted to keep pushing. I drew back, aimed for the target’s center, and released. The arrow hit outside of the painted ring as well.
“See? You’re no better,” Della teased.
Before I could retort, a voice interrupted us. “At this rate, you’ll never hit prey.”
Della stiffened instantly. We turned, and my stomach clenched when I saw Jason and Nolan approaching us.
Della’s glare could have burned holes in the dirt. “You’re not welcome here.”
Jason raised his hands innocently. “We only came to help.”
“Or are you here to continue begging Talia for forgiveness?” Della taunted. Jason’s smirk dropped, and he glared at Della.
“Alpha Jason is right about one thing, though,” Nolan added.
“And what is that?” Della asked, turning her attention to him.
“Your methods wouldn’t bring down a rabbit. Maybe a frog, but doubtful,” Nolan stated.
Della’s face flushed scarlet. “Excuse me? After the stunt you pulled, you don’t get to talk to me like that. You pompous ass-”
I stepped between them quickly. “Enough. If you want to argue, do it somewhere else.”
“We’re just stating the obvious,” Jason added.
“You know what, since you two know so much, then show us. How about you two duel and let’s see who the better archer is. Whoever it is will train us.”
Jason smirked as he rolled his shoulders. “Sure.”
I rolled my eyes at his cockiness. Nolan took the bow and arrow from Della. He easily hit the center target and then waited for Jason.
“Show off,” Jason muttered. He knocked his arrow and missed the center by an inch.
“Too bad. I guess you need more practice,” Della mocked.
Jason’s face burned red in embarrassment. He muttered something about not really wanting to help. Then, Jason
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CHAPTER FIGHTY THREE
+25 Bonus
stalked off.
Nolan turned to me. “Pick up your bow.”
I obeyed without protest. He stepped behind me, so close that I could feel the heat of his chest at my back. His hand brushed mine as he adjusted my grip. My pulse jumped, and I struggled to focus on the target.
“Draw,” he commanded.”
I pulled the string back. My mind kept replaying the night in the library, how my hands were pulling at his pants.
“Release,” he commanded. The arrow veered wide, landing outside the rings again.
“You’re distracted,” Nolan said flatly. “Focus or stop wasting my time.”
I swallowed hard. I couldn’t believe that he was affecting me like this.
My heart raced faster with every correction he made. Every time his hand steadied my elbow or brushed against my shoulder. What was wrong with me?
Finally, after another failed attempt, he exhaled sharply. “Enough. Della, leave us.”
“Why?” Della asked.
“Because she needs my attention. You have already hit the center mark twice. You know what you’re doing. Now, leave,” Nolan replied, his tone final.
Della looked at me to confirm. I nodded. She huffed but obeyed.
“Now, try again,” Nolan said, taking a step away from me.
Í steadied my breathing, forced my shoulders back the way Nolan had adjusted them, and loosed the arrow. It struck just shy of the center. “Yes!” I cheered.
“Better,” Nolan said without looking impressed. “But you still need to hit the center. Again.”
Nolan and I trained until I could barely lift my arms. I felt a mixture of irritation and gratefulness towards him. Irritation that he refused to praise me for being able to hit the center and gratefulness that he was spending time training me when he could easily be training himself.
“That’s enough for now. You need a break, or you’ll hurt yourself,” Nolan said flatly. He guided my bow down for me. His hands lingered on mine longer than necessary.
“Why do you oppose Della and Marco?” I asked suddenly, trying to distract myself from how Nolan was making me feel.
Nolan’s brow furrowed as he stepped away from me to grab a bottle of water from the table where the arrows were. “They’re not suitable,” he finally said,
“How do you know that? You barely know Della and the Moon Goddess made them fated mates,” I argued.
“How did that work out for you, Princess?” Nolan shot back.
“That… that was different. It is not the same situation,” I countered.
“Yes, that is true. Their situation is worse,” Nolan spat.
“How can you say that?” I asked. “The Moon Goddess makes the best decision for us.”
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