CHAPTER EIGHTY THREE


    Talia’s POV


    The morning sun beat down on the training grounds, warm but not yet oppressive. De stood beside me with a bow in hand.


    “Focus, Talia,” she said, her tone smug as the string creaked. She released, and the arrow thudded just outside the painted ring. “Damn it.”


    I chuckled and pulled my own arrow from the quiver. “You’re supposed to be teaching me, not missing on purpose.”


    “Shut up. That was wind,” De argued.


    Iughed under my breath. I lifted my bow and tried to copy her stance. My fingers ached from yesterday’s training, but I wanted to keep pushing. I drew back, aimed for the target’s center, and released. The arrow hit outside of the painted ring as well.


    “See? You’re no better,” De teased.


    Before I could retort, a voice interrupted us. “At this rate, you’ll never hit prey.”


    De stiffened instantly. We turned, and my stomach clenched when I saw Jason and Nn approaching us.


    De’s re could have burned holes in the dirt. “You’re not wee here.”


    Jason raised his hands innocently. “We only came to help.”


    “Or are you here to continue begging Talia for forgiveness?” De taunted. Jason’s smirk dropped, and he red at De.


    “Alpha Jason is right about one thing, though,” Nn added.


    “And what is that?” De asked, turning her attention to him.


    “Your methods wouldn’t bring down a rabbit. Maybe a frog, but doubtful,” Nn stated.


    De’s face flushed scarlet. “Excuse me? After the stunt you pulled, you don’t get to talk to me like that. You pompous ass-”


    I stepped between them quickly. “Enough. If you want to argue, do it somewhere else.”


    “We’re just stating the obvious,” Jason added.


    “You know what, since you two know so much, then show us. How about you two duel and let’s see who the better archer is. Whoever it is will train us.”


    Jason smirked as he rolled his shoulders. “Sure.”


    I rolled my eyes at his cockiness. Nn took the bow and arrow from De. He easily hit the center target and then waited for Jason.


    “Show off,” Jason muttered. He knocked his arrow and missed the center by an inch.


    “Too bad. I guess you need more practice,” De mocked.


    Jason’s face burned red in embarrassment. He muttered something about not really wanting to help. Then, Jason


    CHAPTER FIGHTY THREE


    +25 Bonus


    stalked off.


    Nn turned to me. “Pick up your bow.”


    I obeyed without protest. He stepped behind me, so close that I could feel the heat of his chest at my back. His hand brushed mine as he adjusted my grip. My pulse jumped, and I struggled to focus on the target.


    “Draw,” hemanded.”


    I pulled the string back. My mind kept reying the night in the library, how my hands were pulling at his pants.


    “Release,” hemanded. The arrow veered wide,nding outside the rings again.


    “You’re distracted,” Nn said tly. “Focus or stop wasting my time.”


    I swallowed hard. I couldn’t believe that he was affecting me like this.


    My heart raced faster with every correction he made. Every time his hand steadied my elbow or brushed against my shoulder. What was wrong with me?


    Finally, after another failed attempt, he exhaled sharply. “Enough. De, leave us.”


    “Why?” De asked.


    “Because she needs my attention. You have already hit the center mark twice. You know what you’re doing. Now, leave,” Nn replied, his tone final.


    De looked at me to confirm. I nodded. She huffed but obeyed.


    “Now, try again,” Nn said, taking a step away from me.


    í steadied my breathing, forced my shoulders back the way Nn had adjusted them, and loosed the arrow. It struck just shy of the center. “Yes!” I cheered.


    “Better,” Nn said without looking impressed. “But you still need to hit the center. Again.”


    Nn and I trained until I could barely lift my arms. I felt a mixture of irritation and gratefulness towards him. Irritation that he refused to praise me for being able to hit the center and gratefulness that he was spending time training me when he could easily be training himself.


    “That’s enough for now. You need a break, or you’ll hurt yourself,” Nn said tly. He guided my bow down for me. His hands lingered on mine longer than necessary.


    “Why do you oppose De and Marco?” I asked suddenly, trying to distract myself from how Nn was making me feel.


    Nn’s brow furrowed as he stepped away from me to grab a bottle of water from the table where the arrows were. “They’re not suitable,” he finally said,


    “How do you know that? You barely know De and the Moon Goddess made them fated mates,” I argued.


    “How did that work out for you, Princess?” Nn shot back.


    “That… that was different. It is not the same situation,” I countered.


    “Yes, that is true. Their situation is worse,” Nn spat.


    “How can you say that?” I asked. “The Moon Goddess makes the best decision for us.”