Chapter 31

Cirilla's Point Of View

It was past noon, and my day so far has been uneventful. I didn't go to the gym today. Like Vince said, I took the day off.

The morning had started with video games at the gaming parlor after breakfast with Lyra and the guys. Asher didn't return until a few hours ago. But he was currently in his office, together with Stefan, Wren, and Dorian. The men in uniform that came with him had left an hour ago.

I was standing with Lyra and the guys and some pack members. I couldn't even hide my excitement seeing them back. I had no idea what mission they had gone for, but from the little conversation I had with Lyra it seemed they didn't find whatever they went in search of. I didn't press further.

Rather, I buried my attention on the screen, just watching them play after I had had my ass handed to me repeatedly by Dorian and Andy during our rounds. I kept getting distracted by my thoughts.

I felt uneasy. It started right from the second I woke up and Asher filled my head with that nonsense. It hadn't left my mind since then. Even though I came up with some other plausible explanation for last night, I couldn't help considering Asher's theory.

It started as a wild, insane theory but now— I sighed, unable to find the right words. It was getting to me. Nothing made sense. And the more I remembered the night I was attacked by those wild wolves in the woods, and saved by the man in flames. I became curious.

I started asking myself questions I had no answers to. And more questions about my life had also sprung up. Questions only mum could answer and as much as it was tempting to burst into her apartment and drill every answer from her, something in my head kept telling me it was a bad idea.

I sighed again. I couldn't believe I was having these thoughts. Just thinking about it made me feel like I was crazy. Mum might be a psychotic slut, and the world's most mysterious woman but I could bet on a dollar she was nothing beyond human.

I curled myself on the sofa next to Dorian, still feeling Julia's eyes on me. She has literally been boring holes into my head from where she was seated with Joshen all morning. But whenever I looked her way, she would just pretend she wasn't staring.

I couldn't even get mad or even wonder what her deal was, I had much bigger life problems, and besides, I was getting used to the stares, especially from the females from the pack.

Stefan and Wren joined us on the couch, but no sight of Asher. We hung out till noon, and we headed to the pack's gym.

I was stunned to find out they had one. I had only been to the training field when I came around for a sleepover. The gym was enormous. Prolly big enough to contain more than a hundred people, and it was equipped with every kind of gym equipment and had a ring too. I had decided to try it out before I moved out.

I was presently at the pack's training field, watching the warriors train under the cool weather. The sun was barely hanging there. This was the most exciting thing I had watched all day.

I glanced towards the narrow path that led into the woods, and back to the mansion as Cory and Andy approached the large training field with some warriors.

My smile widened as Lyra tackled the she-wolf to the ground, and then there was a loud cheering. Never once did I imagine Lyra could be a damn good fighter. At least not with that pretty face and sweetness.

My smile turned massive as she pushed her way through the large crowd of warriors, mostly werewolves and demons.

"That was impressive Lyra. I never knew you could fight so well," I said with a smile, and her cheeks flushed a little as she shrugged.

"That was nothing," She stood beside me, her singlet dampened in sweat while her hair surprisingly, still managed to be in order, even after the fight.

My attention shifted back to the fighting field in the middle of the large field, while the sea of bodies surrounded it, forming something like a square.

I watched a tall bulky guy pull out from the crowd.

"He's a demon fighter, and a pretty good one," She almost whispers in my ear.

My gaze was fixed on him for a while before scanning around, eager to see who would fight against him. To be honest, I loved watching them fight. I had only watched and participated in human fights so far, but watching how they fought was different. It was thrilling, uncultured, and full of violence.

They sure knew well how to take a punch. And I had learned many tricks from watching them. I had to admit, I think Asher probably went too easy on me. If he was thrice as good as these regular wolves, then I'm glad I only managed to get a sprained ankle.

The cheers rose, and to my surprise, Julia stepped into the field. She was only in a black sports bra and shorts. It revealed her curves, and honestly, even though it sent bile to my throat to admit it, she was beautiful. Now I understand how Asher could still fuck her, even after knowing he had a mate.

I dismissed my measly anger before it even grew a spark, focussing on the fight.

It would be interesting. The big demon dude was almost thrice Julia's size. Putting all rage aside, I was silently rooting for her to win. Lyra told me she was a pretty good fighter, and also good at what she does. Her parents were one of the old wolves in the pack with status. Her father was the best tracker, and I heard she was a lot better.

The rules of the fight within the field were simple, no using of powers, and they get to beat the shit out of each other till one is completely out. I loved how the females were allowed to fight even against the males.

I focussed on the fight, it was intense and at this point, I'm not sure who is going to win. I had my hands folded against my chest, ignoring the low whispers that kept filling my ears. I could hear them, and I usually really didn't care when people spoke about me, let alone ill of me. But for some reason, their words keep riling me up. And my eyes involuntarily darted to the far end of my left where three girls stood, staring at me.

Nope, they were glowering hard.

"I bet she's just a phony because the goddess would never pair the Alpha with a useless human,"

"She isn't even worthy of the Alpha,"

"I bet Asher is just looking for a good fuck and nothing more,"

"I totally agree. Otherwise, he would have marked her already, and they would have had sex by now. We all know how Asher can get,"

"Ignore them," I heard Lyra say.

Trust me, I had been doing that for like an hour now since I felt their heavy stares, not just theirs, and I ignored it all. But now, it's beginning to piss me off.

"Who are they?" My eyes were now on Lyra's beautiful face.

She shook her head. "Melinda and her minions, basically speaking the pack's sluts,"

My eyes involuntarily landed on Julia in the field. I thought she was the pack's slut.

As if reading my gaze, Lyra chuckled. "At least Julia had taste, she went after my bro—"

Before she could finish her statement, my heated gaze fell on Lyra.

"—Sorry," She cleared her throat, and I realized I had been glaring at her. I mentally face-palmed myself. "Anyways, those three think way highly of themselves especially, but in truth, they are nothing,"

So basically, they were the typical bitches in high school. "But why the fuck are they glaring at me?"

"Because you are my brother's mate," She said with a full smile, darting her gaze to them and her smile disappeared. "And their fucking Luna,"

I tore my gaze from them.

"You'll get used to it, I promise, These she-wolves are just still in shock, knowing my brother has found his mate, and they got nothing on you. Their rage only shows their crushed ambitions,"

Cheers rose in the air, and our gazes moved back to the field to find Julia standing next to the big guy's body which was in brutal shape on the ground.

Julia left the field, moving past Lyra and me, and I held her gaze as it lingered on me before she walked by.

Next up was a female warrior, and from the crowd, Melinda stepped out. She took off her singlet, leaving her sports bra, she threw it to her minions. Her gaze stuck on me all through, even as she was in the field.

They fought for long minutes before the other female slumped down on the ground, blood all over her face, losing to Melinda. The ever-growing cheers rose, as Melinda left the field. She had a smug smile on her face, moving to where I was standing.

"And that is how to fight," She muttered with pride like she had said the most intelligent thing on earth.

"Walk away Melinda," I heard Lyra's voice. It was the usual soft but it held an underlying threat in it.

My gaze not even for a second shifted from the she-wolf, Melinda. It was obvious she had caked her face with makeup before coming for training, and I couldn't figure out why.

"No. Not until I show everyone here the worthless excuse of a human they have for a Luna. Asher deserves better than this," She was literally screaming and all eyes now zeroed in on her. Us.

My hands curled into a ball, still folded against my chest as I stared at her. There was a growing rage beating in my gut stomach, and I detested the way her lips called Asher's name. Every fiber of my being detested it.

"We should kill her," came the voice in my head.

"We should, I doubt anyone will miss her," For once I agreed with her.

"What?" She released a mocking laughter. "Are you going to kill me with your stares, Is that the best human girl can do,"

"Melinda!" Lyra's voice had abandoned its softness as she growled.

Melinda flinched, but Melinda carried on. Her smug smile turned into a fake frown and her eyes couldn't contain her hatred.

"See, this is the fucking thing the goddess gave our Alpha. And I don't approve. Asher deserves someone like me who is strong and capable, and not someone that would be a drain on resources,"

For a reason, her words hit me hard. The fire in my stomach had burned its way to my throat, and I could feel the wetness in my palms from my nails that had pierced deep into the flesh.

"Don't fucking hold back," Came the voice again in my head.

"I won't,"

"Don't let go of that rage," She warned.

"I won't,"

Melinda laughed. "Asher is mine. If you think you are worthy of Asher, step into the field, and let's fight, just you and I. The winner gets him, and the loser—"

"Gets her throat ripped off," The words came right out of my lips.

I didn't know why I suddenly said that, but I was fucking glad I did, because I swear to all things sacred, I was going to enjoy ripping her throat off.

I ignored the gasps that filled the air for seconds. Melina's face couldn't hide her surprise, but it soon vanished into a wicked smile.

"She said it, not me," She yelled as if wanting everyone to take note again. "The winner gets Asher, and the loser gets her throat ripped out," Her gaze sized me up before releasing a cheap smug.

"Cirilla, please just ignore her. Let's get back to the mansion," Lyra's voice held fear and panic and I just realized everyone's gaze did.

I wondered why exactly they were scared, probably because they still didn't know me too well. I hate losing a fight, especially when the cost of losing is too high to bear.

"Don't worry, Ly, this is going to be fun," I smirked, pushing past Melinda, and walking into the field.

Do I really know what I was getting myself into?

Hell no!

Do I think I stand a chance against her?

Well, fuck me if I lose after the huge scene I had just made.

I couldn't just let her ride over me with everyone's eyes on me. But I meant it though, the loser would get her throat ripped out, I just pray to the heavens it wouldn't be me.

"Trust me, darling, it wouldn't," Came the voice in my head, probably cheering me to my doom. "Don't ever doubt us, you have no idea what we are capable of. Just don't let go of that rage otherwise you wouldn't even get to see that bitch fuck Asher like she was made for it,"

The image forced itself into my mind without permission, and I couldn't help but grit my teeth in a snarl.

"Did you already change your mind, Miranda," I knew her name all right.

I watched her hesitate for a second before stepping into the field.

I was beyond furious to even see anything beyond the bloody she-wolf in front of me seeking death

I heard the faint sound of someone yelling for us to begin. And in a flash, Melinda was coming at me and the next thing I felt was pain.

Bloody hell!