THE LYCAN QUEEN REVENGE-Chapter 13 - THIRTEEN

I placed my shaky hand directly on my b**bs in order to stop my heart from pumping out my chest, No! No! The villagers must not hear this.

Guards! Two hefty men ran towards my direction trying to hold me from falling but I never cared about falling now, I cared about my name falling into the mud.

Run after them and make sure you guide her and her kids out of this pack and make sure she doesn’t speak to anyone in the village.

I stumbled to the balcony feeling dizzy from Cynthia’s truthful but hurtful words that pierced through my soul, reminding me of my past with Lucas.

My soul demanded for some fresh air and privacy after commanding my guards, I sat at my balcony staring at the thick air outside.

Go and wake Brian up so he can leave, and don’t tell him my whereabouts. I commanded my maid Frey a while I put a watermelon she brought into my mouth.

I can’t let my feelings consume me, no matter what I feel for Brian I have to end it right here and now, and pick up my aura and crown as a Queen.

This would be the end for any man that wants to play with my heart. No more feelings, no more letting a man take control over me.

I won’t let history repeat itself twice I said while I used the visitor bathroom downstairs.

When I got into the bathtub, I couldn’t concentrate properly, my brain began to drift away into imaginations as the cold shower touched my head.

It will be hard to find a company that wants to partner with my father’s company. Ever since my father died all his business partner’s pulled away.

His employees quit their jobs now I am left with a dying company that I would have to refurnish from scratch. A wave of cold air hit me as I stepped out of the warm bathroom but it didn’t bring me to reality.

My father’s business was still on my mind as I wrapped a heavy plush towel around my body. The scent of jasmine from my body wash filled the room.

Oh no! My clothes are in my wardrobe upstairs, I hope Brian has gone. I said picking up my phone to call Freya for confirmation.

Hello! I hope Brian has left my room and my house? I asked knowing fully well that I want my reply to be a yes, he left some minutes ago after trying your number severally.

Okay! Clear the hallway from any guard or male chef I would be passing by soon I commanded my senior maid. I lifted my towel to cover some parts of my skin that were still revealing and stepped out of the door.

No sign of humans was found in the hallway, only silence and the sweet scent of bathing wash that was coming out of my body.

How am I going to deal with Brian’s tantrums at the training center today? It’s going to be a long day for you Ava.

A deep sigh escaped my lips as I fastened the last button of my black fitted top, smoothing out the wrinkles on my leather pants.

My reflection in the mirror was sharp and unbothered or maybe that is what I wanted the world to see, but inside me I was a storm barely held together by my willpower.

I walked out of my room majestically, with my heavy boots that echoed through the silent hallways of the palace.

When I reached the dining room, the aroma of freshly cooked foods filled the air. Freya had done it again with a tray of roasted lamb, spicy noodles and a steaming pot of herbal tea sitting on the long mahogany table.

But the moment my eyes fell on the spread, my stomach churned. Your breakfast, my Queen, Freya said softly, while bowing as she presented a tray to me.

I sat down at the head chair, my fingers drumming lightly against the polished wood. My appetite was nowhere to be found and all I could think about was Cynthia’s words and Brian’s presence in my life.

The food felt like poison on my tongue. "I’m not hungry," I said finally, pushing the tray away. Freya’s face fell.

"But, my Queen—"

"Clear it away." My tone was sharp, leaving no room for argument.

Freya bowed again and quickly gathered the dishes while heading into the kitchen. I stood up and brushed invisible dust from my top while heading for the garage.

There it was my father’s old black jeep. The sight of it sent a bittersweet ache through my chest. This was more than just a vehicle.

It was the only gift my father gave to me that Lucas didn’t take from me all in the name of love.

"I’ll fix everything you left behind, Father," I whispered under my breath as I gripped the cool, worn leather of the steering wheel.

I started the car and drove out of the palace. The morning sun shone brightly over the rough landscape of our land.

My journey to the training grounds was quiet, but my thoughts were all over the place.

Brian would always be there to stare at me in the eyes, to read every single action of mine through movements, he would be there for sure to know why I vanished on him.

And as for me I don’t care anymore I would face him not as a woman tangled in her emotions, but as a queen I am determined to rise above her past.

When I arrived, warriors were already lined up on the dusty field, I stepped out of the jeep, my boots sinking slightly into the dirt.

The moment I walked into the training ground, silence filled the atmosphere and warriors straightened their backs, bowing their heads slightly in respect.

"Good morning, my Queen!" they chorused.

I gave a curt nod, my eyes scanning the crowd until I found him, Brian.

He stood apart from the warriors, his arms crossed, his wolf-like eyes locked on me with a heat that made my chest tighten. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

This was it.

The first step in cutting him off... and proving to everyone, including myself, that Ava, daughter of the late Alpha King, was unshakable.

"Let’s begin," I commanded, my voice steady even as my heart thudded against my ribs.

I walked over to the weapon rack and pulled out a finely crafted sword from the perfectly polished steel filled with swords and blades.

The moment I gripped the hilt something inside of me shifted, my breath slowed down down and the noise around me faded until there was only the sounds of my pulse and the promise of battle.

Are you ready my Queen? Master keal, my father’s most trusted warrior and trainer said as he bowed his head.

"Yes," I replied firmly, drawing the sword with a sharp, clean motion. The blade gleamed beneath the morning sun, a reflection of the strength I swore to reclaim.

I adjusted my stance, ready to spar, when a low, mocking voice cut through the air.

"You are not meant to train with someone who won’t fight you at full strength, Ava" You are a queen and you need to train harder or you go back to your hiding spot which you came from this morning.

My grip on the sword tightened a little more, I didn’t need to turn my neck to know who it was.

"Brian," I said coldly, keeping my eyes forward.

He stalked toward me, each step confident, predatory. The warriors instinctively backed away, creating a wide circle around us.

His presence alone was enough to command the space.

"You’ve been avoiding me," Brian said, his tone deceptively casual, but there was an edge beneath it.

His eyes swept over me, lingering on my lips for just a heartbeat before locking with mine. "Is this what you’ve been doing instead of facing me?"

I didn’t flinch, though my heart stuttered. "I don’t have to face you. What happened between us was a mistake. Nothing more."

Something dangerous flickered in his gaze. His jaw tightened, his nostrils flaring. "A mistake?" he repeated, his voice low, almost a growl.

"Yes," I snapped, my anger breaking through. "One night of drunkenness doesn’t mean you have to claim me, Brian. I am your Queen and that’s all I will ever be.’’

For a moment, his expression went cold, his wolf barely contained beneath his skin. Then, slowly, a smirk curved his lips dark, challenging and infuriating.

"Then prove it," he said smoothly, ’’Prove what?’’ I asked him while my brows furrowed.

"Prove that you’re strong enough to lead without me," he said, stepping closer until the heat of his body brushed against mine. "Fight me, Ava. Right here. Right now."

Gasps rippled through the warriors surrounding us. Master Kael immediately moved between us, bowing to me with an alarm etched on his face.

"My Queen, this is unnecessary. Alpha Brian’s strength is unmatched" Brian didn’t even look at him. "Leave us, Kael."

The master hesitated, glancing at me. My grip on the sword trembled, but I steadied it. I could feel every eye on me, waiting, judging.

And backing down now would make me look weak even worse, it would make me look like Brian’s subordinate.

I gave a sharp nod. "Clear the grounds," I ordered.

Kael’s face tightened with worry, but he obeyed, leading the others away. Soon, it was just the two of us in the wide circle of dirt and stone, the morning wind whistling between us like a challenge.

Brian tilted his head, his smirk widening. "You’ve been running from me since that night, Ava. This time, there’s nowhere to hide."

My pulse thundered, but I raised my sword, leveling it at his chest. "Be careful what you wish for, Brian," I said, my voice like steel. "I won’t hold back."

His eyes glimmered with something dark and thrilling. "Good," he growled, his muscles coiling as he dropped into a fighting stance. "Neither will I."

For a single, breathless moment, the world went still. Then Brian lunged and the true battle began. We fought tremendously.

Blades clashed with blades, hearts clashed with hearts but I refused to back down until Brian pinned me to a tight spot.

And in that moment I thought he was going to defeat me but it all melted down, what you said earlier did u mean it? He said and in that moment I no longer saw an angry man but a man who was deeply hurt.

In a haste I broke through from his grip while I pinned him to the ground, I could see his eyes were filled with nothing but pain and hurt.

Not from the battle I won but from the strings attached. From the emotional torture I am putting him into.

You might have won this battle Ava but trust me I would win the future battle, I would win your heart and make you my wife and you won’t have a say about it.

Brian said before storming out of the battle ground angrily.