Chapter 311
Meredith.
I pushed myself up from the ground, brushing dirt from my palms, breathing harder than I wanted him to notice.
Draven’s sharp gaze followed me, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips, as if he already knew I would come at him again.
“Ready to fail again?” he asked calmly, stepping back into a stance.
My jaw tightened. “Not this time.”
He moved first–always faster than I expected. His arm cut toward me, but instead of dodging the way he predicted, I dropped low,
letting his strike cut through the air.
My fingers brushed the ground as a split–second decision was sparked.
‘Fine. If I couldn’t beat him with strength, I would beat him with something else. 1
I snatched a handful of sand from the training ground and hurled it straight at his face.
His eyes narrowed in surprise, but he reacted fast–too fast. He turned his head sharply to avoid the worst of it, his body twisting with
the motion.
And in that single instant, his back was to me.
I surged forward and kicked hard, landing my foot against his back. The impact sent him a step forward—nothing that would topple a
man like Draven, but enough to prove my point.
I straightened, breathless but grinning. “Looks like I won.”
Draven turned slowly, brushing the dust from his shoulder. His expression was unreadable at first, his eyes dark and steady.
My smile wavered slightly until the corner of his mouth turned upward.
“You cheated,” he uttered softly, almost amused.
“Or,” I shot back, lifting my chin, “I adapted.”
For a heartbeat, silence stretched between us, tension thick. Then Draven chuckled–a deep, genuine sound that made my chest flutter.
He dusted off his sleeve lightly. His eyes gleamed, sharp and knowing, as they settled back on me.
“That little stunt…” he drawled, circling me slowly, “smells a lot like Dennis’s influence. I wonder what he’s been teaching you behind my
back.”
I smirked, lifting my chin. “You’re just about to find out.”
His smile deepened, dangerous and amused at once. “Then come.”
I lunged, faster this time, aiming low for his legs, but he moved like water, sliding out of reach.
311 My Tricks Failed Mo
I spun, using the momentum to throw a kick, but he caught my ankle midair with maddening ease and shoved me back before I could
blink.
I landed on my feet, breath coming sharper, but my pride wouldn’t let me stop.
I feinted left, then ducked right, my fingers darting for another handful of sand–but his boot nudged it away before I could grab it.
“No more of that,” he murmured, eyes dancing.
Clenching my teeth, I tried again–an elbow strike, a spin, even pretending to stumble just to bait him, but nothing worked.
He countered every move as if he had seen it all before I even made it.
And worst of it all, he was smiling.
Finally, when I paused, chest heaving, he tilted his head, his voice calm and amused.
“The first time, I underestimated you. I didn’t expect you to use cheap tricks.” His lips curved as he stepped closer, towering over me
with that infuriating calm. “But now, you have broadened my horizon.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Meaning?”
“Meaning you won’t be getting me again,” he said softly, his smile sharp as a blade.
My pulse spiked, frustration mixing with reluctant admiration.
He looked at me as if I were both his greatest challenge and his greatest amusement–and I hated how much that smirk of his drew me
- in.
Draven’s smirk lingered, but his tone softened as he studied me. “Don’t frown. Your cleverness… that is what I want to see. Tricks,
surprises–anything that keeps me guessing. That’s how you will grow.”
My chest rose and fell as I glared at him, still panting from the effort. “But you blocked everything.”
His smile widened. “Because I’ve learned not to underestimate you again. And until you learn to match me in strength, you will keep
losing.”
Heat crept up my neck, irritation curling in my chest. I hated how smug he sounded, even if he was right.
Draven tilted his head, clearly amused by my scowl. “Don’t pout. Losing to me is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s expected.”
That only made my glare sharper, but he chuckled again, the sound deep and unbothered.
Before I could snap back, steady footsteps approached us.
Jeffery emerged from the edge of the training ground, bowing his head respectfully. “Alpha. My lady.”
I adjusted instinctively, brushing stray strands of silver hair from my face.
Draven didn’t move from where he stood, but his gaze sharpened.
“I just received an intelligence report. I was hoping to speak with you in private,” Jeffery revealed.
18:16
311 My Tricks Failed Me
My curiosity stirred immediately, but Draven’s eyes flicked to mine.
Then, without warning, he leaned forward and pressed a quick, gentle kiss to my lips. My breath caught.
“I will meet you inside,” he murmured.
I nodded faintly, recognizing his cue. “Alright”
Turning, I waved once toward him before making my way back toward the mansion, the back of my neck prickling with curiosity over
what Jeffery had brought.
By the time I reached my bedroom, my maidservants were already lined up as if they had been waiting all morning for me to return.
Azul and Kira stepped forward first, their hands folded neatly in front of them.
“I will need a bath,” I told them, brushing a few strands of hair off my damp forehead. “And then a quick massage before breakfast.”
Azul’s lips curved into a smile, her usual calm composure never faltering. “Of course, my lady. Everything is ready.”
I exhaled gently, releasing the tension of training from my shoulders as I followed them into the bathroom. The subtle scent of lavender greeted me first, curling in the steam rising from the water.
Azul moved to adjust the towels at the side while Kira checked the bath with her hand, then nodded approvingly.
“The temperature is perfect, my lady,” she said. “You can come in.”
“Thank you,” I murmured, as I began to undo the ties of my training clothes.
Comment 13
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Dearestsss, I think my eye is okay. But I will be using an eye drop tonight. Thank you to those who ckecked in regarding it.
XOXO.
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