Chapter 53: The Test IV

Sophia stood in the center of the training grounds, her small frame trembling under the weight of the massive sword she’d just unsheathed, its rune-etched blade catching the morning light like a beacon.

Her arms shook, her eyes blazing with triumph as she held the steel aloft, its tip wobbling but defiant. The grounds fell silent, the warriors’ sparring stilled, their jaws slack with shock.

Eldric, the historian, clutched his betting pouch, his glasses slipping down his nose as he stared. Rita, hovering near Orion’s abandoned chair, clapped a hand over her mouth. Even Gregory let out a low whistle, his dark eyes wide.

Orion’s laugh broke the silence, a deep, booming sound that rolled across the grounds like thunder. He rose from his chair, his broad frame moving with a confidence that belied his pale face and fading venom scars. His eyes glinted with something between amusement and pride as he strode toward Sophia, his boots kicking up dirt.

Sophia’s eyes narrowed, her chest heaving as she pointed the sword shakily at him. "Don’t come any closer, you smug ogre, or I’ll stab you!" Her voice was hoarse, strained from hours of struggle, but it carried a fire that made the warriors murmur.

Orion’s laugh deepened, unfazed. He stepped closer, his smirk infuriatingly intact, and flicked the sword with a single finger. The blade, too heavy for Sophia’s exhausted arms, slipped from her grasp, clattering to the ground with a dull thud.

The warriors gasped, a few chuckling, while Eldric scribbled on his parchment, muttering about Orion’s winning bet. His mate would whine about betting wrongly but Eldric wouldn’t care. It wasn’t like he was even interested in the first place...okay, that was a lie, he was mildly interested.

Sophia cursed, her face flushing as she dropped to her knees, reaching for the sword. "Told you, I’d show you." she told him, "and that you’d be the first I stab with it." her fingers scrabbling at the hilt.

But Orion was faster, swooping down with a fluid grace that belied his recovery. He scooped up the sword, its weight nothing in his massive hands, and sheathed it with a practiced flick.

Rita groaned, stepping forward, her face set with worry. "Orion, you promised Lysander you wouldn’t strain yourself! That was more than just sitting!"

Orion waved her off, his smirk softening. "Relax, Rita. I’m not fighting, just picking up a sword. And besides, what Lysander doesn’t know won’t kill him." He winked, but his wince as he straightened betrayed the lingering pain in his side.

Rita crossed her arms,"You’re impossible," she muttered, but she stepped back, knowing better than to argue with the alpha.

Orion turned to Sophia, who was still on her knees, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Her tailored cloak was dusted with dirt, her black hair sticking to her sweaty forehead, but her eyes burned with a mix of defiance and exhaustion. He crouched slightly, meeting her gaze.

"Congratulations, shorty," he said, his voice low but warm. "You did it."

Sophia scowled, pushing herself to her feet, her legs wobbling. "Don’t sound so surprised," she huffed, brushing dirt from her trousers.

But deep down, a spark of joy flared in her chest, warm and bright. She’d done it. At some point she doubted she would be able to but she did it. She unsheathed a sword meant for warriors twice her size.

She crossed her arms, her voice sharp but curious. "So, do I pass your ridiculous test or what?"

Orion’s lips twitched, a rare smile breaking through his usual smirk. "Yeah, you pass. Barely." He straightened, the sheathed sword resting casually against his shoulder. "And since you did, I’ll train you. But don’t get cocky."

Sophia raised an eyebrow, catching her breath. "More theory, then? Going to make me read a book on sword grips next?" Her tone was teasing, but her eyes held a determined glint, ready for whatever he threw at her.

Orion laughed, a short, rough sound that made the warriors glance over again. "No theory. That was your test, understanding the blade’s weight, its will. Now we get practical." He paused, his gaze assessing her slight frame, her flushed face. "But the first thing you need is stamina. You’re puffing like a bellows after one sword. And if you’re going to learn to fight you’d need to build on that. Warriors, hunters, even trainees run every morning to build endurance. You’re joining them, starting tomorrow."

Sophia opened her mouth, ready to argue, but stopped herself when she remembered the main reason why she had tried to learn before. She needed to be ready, not just for the pack but for whatever darkness was coming.

She nodded, her jaw set, the glint in her blue eyes unwavering. "Fine. I’ll run."

Orion’s eyebrows shot up, surprised by her lack of protest. "No argument? That’s a first." He grinned, a flash of genuine warmth, and pulled the half-eaten chicken drumstick from his pocket, where he’d tucked it earlier.

Before Sophia could react, he shoved it into her mouth, the greasy meat brushing her lips. "Regain your energy, shorty," he said, stepping back with a smirk, walking backward to keep her in his sights. "You’ll need it."

Sophia froze, the drumstick lodged in her mouth, her scowl deepening as the warriors erupted in laughter.

Gregory’s booming chuckle shook his beard, and even Rita stifled a giggle. Sophia yanked the drumstick out, glaring at Orion, but curiosity got the better of her. She took a tentative bite, the flavors, savory, smoky, with a hint of herbs, bursting on her tongue. Her scowl softened, just for a moment, as she chewed, the warmth of the food grounding her.

Orion’s smirk widened as he turned to leave the training grounds, his steps slow but steady, he passed the sword to Gregory who seemed to have enjoyed every bit of what happened. The warriors parted for him, their respect palpable, though their eyes lingered on Sophia, reassessing her.

Eldric, counting his coins, muttered about Orion’s "damn luck" in winning the bet, while Rita gathered her satchel, shaking her head at the alpha’s antics.

Holly, who’d been watching the entire scene with a tight jaw and narrowed eyes, broke from her position. Her leather tunic creaked as she hurried after Orion,

"Orion, wait!" she called, her voice sharp with urgency. "I need to talk to you."