175 Chapter 175 Hours of Punishment
Zane’s POV 41
Asher and I finished getting dressed, but neither of us felt ready to head back to the base just yet. He pulled me against him, and I let my head settle on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
“Do you ever wonder what it would be like to live somewhere other than these army bases?” Asher’s voice was quiet, thoughtful.
“Not really, no.” The answer came easily because it was true.
“There’s an entire world out there beyond these walls. Is there something that’s keeping you tied to the Hunters?”
I considered his question. “I don’t know. I’m still young, and these bases are all I’ve ever known. I guess I always assumed they had some kind of claim on
me.”
“Nobody owns you. You belong to yourself. They can’t own a person.”
“Why are you bringing this up?”
“Because I can actually picture myself building a life away from all this.”
“That sounds appealing. But like I said, I’ve never really considered it.” The words felt strange on my tongue.
We made it back to the bunk house before anyone noticed our absence, but his questions kept circling through my mind like persistent echoes.
Life beyond the Hunters had never crossed my thoughts because this existence had been everything I’d ever known.
What could I possibly do in the outside world? Combat training and fighting were my only skills.
I’d never sat in a classroom or formed lasting friendships. All of those normal experiences had passed me by.
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175 Chapter 175 Hours of Punishment
Lost in these thoughts, I was walking toward the mess hall for breakfast when Asher caught my hand. I jerked it away immediately.
“Not where people can see us. If they catch us, they’ll separate us for good.” My voice carried more urgency than I’d intended.
“Right. I forgot how strict they are about that.” He hadn’t fully grasped how seriously the no–fraternization rule was enforced. While others might occasionally slip by unnoticed, the consequences had been drilled into me repeatedly. Getting caught would mean severe punishment.
“You seem distracted. What’s going through your mind?” he asked.
“I keep thinking about what you asked me yesterday.”
“About leaving this place?”
“Exactly. It’s an interesting idea, but I’ve lived my entire life within this rigid structure. I’ve never attended school. This is literally all I understand.”
“I’m not pushing you to decide anything. I was just curious about your thoughts. Change is always frightening when it’s unfamiliar territory. But don’t you ever think about marriage, raising children someday?” His question caught me off guard, and I studied his face, wondering what had sparked this line of thinking.
These possibilities had never entered my imagination. Motherhood felt like a foreign concept. What was this man doing to my carefully ordered world?
I had a growing suspicion he was going to completely upend my life.
But maybe that wouldn’t be such a terrible thing.
“I think your admirer is getting territorial.”
Asher’s observation made me look up. Corbin stood in the distance, leaning against a building with his arms folded, staring directly at us.
“What’s that about?” I asked, genuinely puzzled.
“I told you before. His feelings for you go beyond friendship.”
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175 Chapter 175 Hours of Punishment
“He’s not supposed to have those kinds of feelings.”
“I think he believes his position as a trainer gives him certain privileges.”
“That’s never going to happen. I’ve never seen him that way.” The thought
made me uncomfortable.
“Good to hear. At least I’m the only one who gets that kind of reaction from you.” Asher raised his eyebrows playfully.
“Stop it.” I shoved him away, and his laughter followed us into the mess hall.
We’d barely entered when Corbin appeared, ordering me outside with sharp authority.
I followed him silently until we reached the obstacle course.
“I already completed this and broke the previous record by several seconds.” I pointed out.
“Now you’re going to beat your own record. And you won’t stop until you do.”
His tone was ice–cold.
“Did I do something to upset you? You seem angry.”
“Just follow orders. Move.” He barked the command.
I approached the obstacle course and launched into the run, completing the entire circuit, but my time fell short. He forced me to repeat it. Then again. And again.
Lunch came and went while he kept me running.
Another Hunter eventually brought my water bottle, but I was barely allowed enough time to take a few sips before the next round began.
Hours passed. I’d been on this course since early that morning, and it was now late in the evening.
Corbin stood at the sideline, unmoved, while my completion times doubled
due to exhaustion.
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175 Chapter 175 Hours of Punishment
Something had definitely set him off, and I could see Asher emerge after dinner, positioning himself where he could observe Corbin’s behavior.
He looked ready to step in, but I caught his eye and shook my head firmly.
I couldn’t let him get involved. That would only make things worse for both of us. This was something I had to handle alone.
If Corbin felt I deserved punishment for whatever transgression he’d perceived, then I would endure it without complaint.
After another grueling hour, I could barely remain upright. When I finally stumbled back to Corbin, he simply stared at me without a word before walking away.
Asher rushed to my side, helping me to my feet and gathering my scattered belongings before supporting me back to the bunk house.
I desperately needed a shower, but first I collapsed onto my bed while Asher retrieved the first aid kit. Koa joined him in trying to clean up my hands, which weren’t just blistered but cut and bleeding.
My legs and feet had suffered similar damage.
The blisters covering my feet were severe, but my hands were completely unrecognizable beneath the layers of blisters and cuts that had formed.
“What the hell is wrong with that guy?” Asher’s anger was barely contained.
“I don’t know. Just don’t confront him about it. That would only make him
worse.”
Asher helped me settle into bed once they’d finished treating my wounds, then lay down on his own bed beside mine, his concerned gaze never leaving
- me.
Exhaustion claimed me almost immediately.
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