Chapter 5 Episode 5

The Training Session

Kirian 's P.O.V.

The incessant banging on my door jolts me awake. "Honey, wake up or you're going to be late for training!" my mom shouts.

I groan, twisting in my sheets. Why is she making so much noise? I grab my phone and bolt upright when I see the time: 11:00 AM. How did I oversleep this much?

"I'm up, Mom!" I yell, sprinting to the bathroom.

By 11:30, I'm throwing on the first clothes I can find. I snatch an apple from the dining table as I rush out. "Love ya, Mom!" I call over my shoulder.

It's 11:55 as I start running. I make it to the school grounds just in time, breathless but relieved. As I catch my breath, I realize how refreshed I feel. It's like my life just restarted, similar to getting a clean slate in a video game after losing all your lives. I slept better than I have in ages.

Surprisingly, my mind is blank despite yesterday's events. The pain that had threatened to overwhelm me is gone. I've always found sleep helpful for healing, but never to this extent. As I ponder this, Mr. Brien arrives. At the same time, a familiar, mesmerizing scent wafts over me. Sebastian .

"All right, gather up everyone," Mr. Brien calls out. His gaze fixes on me. "Oh, you're here, Mr. Westwood. Why were you absent for the first session?"

I fumble for an excuse. "I came, but then I suddenly felt sick, so I left without notifying you. Sorry."

He nods, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Ah. I thought you might have found your mate. I was hoping for good news, but I guess we'll have to wait. Are you feeling alright today?"

I wince internally at the mention of mates. "Yes, I'm feeling perfectly fine," I reply, acutely aware of Sebastian 's scent intensifying as he approaches.

Mr. Brien starts us off with five laps around the grounds. As we run, I realize Sebastian is right behind me. When I slow down, hoping he'll pass, he matches my pace. This continues for all five laps, leaving me unsettled and confused.

After the run, Mr. Brien announces, "We're doing hand-to-hand combat training. Everyone pair up."

I stand awkwardly, watching Sebastian make his way toward me, ignoring Emily's attempts to partner with him. In desperation, I turn to Jude, the nearest person. "Want to partner up?" I ask, knowing he'll likely refuse but hoping for a miracle.

Jude freezes, his eyes fixed on something behind me. I turn to find Sebastian giving him a deadly stare. Jude flees without a word.

"What do you want?" I demand, facing Sebastian .

"You know exactly what I want. I want you to partner with me," he replies, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"And why would I do that?" I challenge, feeling anger bubble up inside me.

"Oh, come on. You know why," Sebastian says, giving me a pointed look.

"Let's just forget everything that happened yesterday," I hiss. "Forget I turned sixteen. Can't we just ignore each other like we have for the past six months? I don't want any involvement with you."

Sebastian leans in, his voice low. "You know we can't do that. We're-"

I clap my hand over his mouth before he can finish. "Are you crazy? Someone will hear you!" I feel a tingling sensation where my skin meets his lips. To my shock, he kisses my palm. I snatch my hand away.

"Why not? It's true. They should know that you're my-" he whispers.

"Shhh!" I cut him off again. "Don't you understand what I'm saying?"

We argue in hushed tones, Sebastian seeming to enjoy my discomfort. Finally, realizing he won't give up, I concede. "Fine. Just stop talking."

As we move to the center of the grounds, I try to steel myself. There's no way this training session is going to go smoothly.