Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 18

Isolde's POV

 

The silence stretched between us as Orion processed what I'd just said. I could see something dark flickering across his features, and when he finally spoke, his voice was carefully controlled.

 

"So tell me, do you know when my number gets called? When I get to start my new... career?"

 

The question was meant to be sarcastic, but even as I said it, I realized I actually wanted to know. The uncertainty was almost worse than whatever was coming.

 

Orion's expression darkened considerably, his jaw clenching. "Soon," he said, his voice rough and clearly unhappy about it.

 

I studied his face, noting the way his eyes had gone cold and distant. There was definitely something bothering him about this topic, and I found myself curious despite everything.

 

"You look like someone just told you your dog died," I observed. "Why? This is what I'm here for, isn't it?"

 

"It's nothing," he said curtly, but his body language told a different story. His shoulders were tense, his hands clenched at his sides.

 

"Doesn't look like nothing." I tilted my head, watching him carefully. "I mean, this is literally what the Alliance Program is for, right? Why do you look so pissed off about it?"

 

"I said it's nothing," he repeated, but there was an edge to his voice now.

 

I felt a strange flutter in my stomach as I noticed how intently he was looking at me, how his gaze kept drifting over my face like he was memorizing it.

 

*Is he actually bothered by the idea of me with other men?*

 

The thought should have been alarming, but instead, it sent an unexpected warmth through my chest. After feeling like nothing for so long, having someone care about what happened to me—even in this small way—was almost overwhelming.

 

"Come on, let's get back to training." his voice back to its professional tone.

 

But there was something in the way he said it that made me study his face more carefully. He looked angry—not at me, but at the situation itself. And the way he kept glancing at me when he thought I wasn't looking...

 

*He's interested in me,* I realized with a start. *That's what this is about.*

 

I wanted to push further, to understand what this meant, but Nyssa's voice interrupted before I could.

 

"Isolde! You're up for sparring with me again. Let's see if you can duplicate yesterday's performance."

 

I left Orion to his brooding thoughts and joined Nyssa on the center mat. Around us, the other women had stopped their own training to watch, and I could feel their collective skepticism like a weight on my shoulders.

 

*Fine,* I thought. *If they want a show, I'll give them one.*

 

"Same rules as yesterday?" I asked Nyssa.

 

"Same rules. But don't expect me to go easy on you just because you had a good day yesterday."

 

She came at me fast, faster than she had before, but I was ready for it. My body moved instinctively, muscle memory and training taking over as I blocked her initial assault and countered with a combination of my own.

 

The fight was more intense than our previous session, both of us pushing harder, moving faster. I could hear murmurs from the watching crowd as I not only held my own but actually began to gain the upper hand.

 

I caught Nyssa off guard with a feint to the left followed by a sweep that sent her stumbling backward.

 

"Damn," someone whispered. "She's actually not bad."

 

The comment sent a little thrill of pride through me.

 

But I got cocky during the next exchange. Nyssa saw the opening and took it, forcing me to dodge backward more quickly than I'd anticipated.

 

My foot caught on the edge of the mat, and suddenly I was falling, arms windmilling as I tried to catch my balance. The hard floor rushed up to meet me—

 

Strong hands caught me around the waist, pulling me upright before I could crash to the ground.

 

I found myself pressed against Orion's chest, his arms steady around me as I regained my footing. For a moment, neither of us moved. I could smell his scent—something clean and masculine that was distinctly his—and feel the solid warmth of his body against mine.

 

"Careful," he said quietly, his breath warm against my ear. "You okay?"

 

"Yeah," I managed, stepping back reluctantly. "Thanks."

 

The rest of the training session passed without incident, though I noticed several of the fighters looking at me with new respect.

 

By the time we finished, I was exhausted but satisfied. My body ached in all the right ways, and for the first time since arriving at Silver Moon, I felt like I'd accomplished something positive.

 

"Good session today," Orion said as we gathered our gear. "You're getting stronger."

 

"Thanks. And thanks for the save earlier."

 

He nodded.

 

I made my way back to the Alliance residence, looking forward to a hot shower and dinner with Thalia. Despite everything that was wrong with this situation, having a friend here made it bearable.

 

I'd just reached my floor when I heard familiar footsteps behind me.

 

"Miss Blackwood."

 

I turned to find Greta approaching, her expression as stern and unreadable as always. The woman seemed to have a supernatural ability to appear whenever I was starting to feel remotely comfortable.

 

"Yes?"

 

"You're needed immediately," she said without preamble. "There's been a change in your schedule."

 

My stomach dropped. "What kind of change?"

 

"Your orientation period has been accelerated. You're to report for preparation immediately."

 

*Preparation.* The word sent a chill down my spine, though I tried to keep my expression neutral.

 

"Preparation for what, exactly?"

 

Greta's eyes narrowed slightly. "I think you know exactly what, Miss Blackwood. Your services are required this evening."

 

The world seemed to tilt around me. This was it—what I'd been dreading since the moment I'd arrived here. Whatever preparation meant, whatever services entailed, it was happening now.

 

"Tonight?" I asked, my voice coming out smaller than I'd intended.

 

"Yes. Someone will collect you from your room at seven o'clock sharp."

 

She turned to leave, then paused. "I suggest you use the time wisely. This is an important night for you, Miss Blackwood. Don't waste the opportunity."

 

With that ominous advice, she walked away, leaving me standing alone in the corridor as the reality of my situation crashed over me like a wave.

 

*So this is it,* I thought numbly. *This is when everything changes.*

 

And I got forty-five minutes left.