Chapter 15

Ardal

I’m still baffled as I stand in the locker room, removing my clothes as I change into my fighting gear. I can’t believe that Kadeem actually made Susan stand down, handed over her responsibilities to me. I would have never expected him to go against her.

It still doesn’t make sense to me, but I’m glad Kadeem finally managed to make a smart decision. If he chose to leave Susan in charge then they’d probably have lawsuits flooding in left and right. Not that I actually care about Kadeem’s well-being or the ridiculous amount of money he possesses - I’m only concerned about their guests.

Finally dressed and making sure my ponytail is secure, I make sure to coat myself in more perfume in order to guarantee my true scent won’t be detected. I then hide the perfume away, leaving me to officially turn and go to the door. I still have a few minutes before Kadeem is expecting me, but I want to make sure I stretch and get my thoughts straight before we train.

I still don’t know why he wants me to be his personal trainer, but if fighting with him means I can keep my high salary then I can’t complain.

Reaching the door, I’m just about to pull it open when it’s suddenly being pushed toward me instead. Trying not to be hit in the face, I jolt backward, blinking as someone suddenly stands in front of me.

“You,” Susan hisses, her stare deadly as she blocks my path. “You went to Kadeem on purpose, didn’t you? You wanted to make me look bad!”

I’m still trying to settle my heart, staring at her as she practically spits venom. However, I finally calm myself and nod.

“I was doing my job,” I state confidently. “Those machines are dangerous, and I won’t let anyone else get hurt.”

“Liar,” Susan fires back. “You wanted to win his favor. You’re trying to force me out of the picture so you can take him!”

I scoff at that. “Oh, please,” I begin. “I have no interest in Kadeem.”

It’s absurd. I could never want Kadeem again after everything that happened. Susan is delusional if she thinks I’m trying to steal him away. I had never expected her to be so insecure.

“Maybe you should stop blaming me and worry about yourself,” I state. “Focus on trying to be a better mate - if you’re even capable of that.”

Susan scowls at me, but I don’t back down. I fold my arms over my chest, glaring at her so she knows she doesn’t scare me. However, as we face one another, I see Susan’s eyes begin to flicker between mine, a swallow moving down her throat.

She looks started, almost wearing the same expression that Kadeem had in his office when he’d drawn in my scent. I don’t like the way she’s looking at me, making me more determined to get out the door. But before I can speak or try to sidestep her, Susan is speaking.

“Ardal,” she breathes.

As I hear my name, it takes everything in me not to twitch. However, I can feel my skin prickle as I wait for her to continue.

“Ardal?” She asks that time, tentatively. “Are you Ardal?”

I’m unnerved, speechless at how she’d suddenly be willing to question my identity. But still, I don’t react as Susan’s gaze strangely softens.

“My dear friend,” she breathes, pressing a hand to her heart. “It’s you, isn’t it? Why are you here? Pretending to be someone else?”

Oh, how ridiculous.

I’m unmoved, growing annoyed as Susan tries another one of her tricks. My scowl deepens as I stare at her. We may have been friends once, but that friendship died years ago.

Susan had stabbed me in the back and I’d never forget it. She may have everyone else wrapped around her little finger, but I won’t allow her to manipulate me like she did before. She’s already proven that she hasn’t changed after all these years - she’s only become worse.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I tell her coldly. “Is this some sort of game? Or are you mentally ill and just spew nonsense?”

I watch as Susan’s features begin to harden again, her breath growing heavier.

“I don’t know who Ardal is,” I state. “But you should probably seek some psychiatric treatment because you're obviously crazy.”

“You bitch!” Susan yells, now beyond angry.

But she doesn’t just try to hurt me with words. Instead, her features tighten before I notice her body tense. Within seconds, she springs, lunging toward me as she aims her sharp nails right at my face.

Part of me wants to take the time to laugh, wondering how she could ever believe she’d be able to fight me. But instead, I merely dodge her efforts, watching as she flies straight to the ground.

She’s a disgraceful and irritated mess as she lays on the floor. However, she’s no longer blocking the door and has given me the opening I needed.

Without another word, I take a few steps as I hear her hiss between her teeth. And before she can manage to get up, I slip out the door and leave.

~

I’m still in disbelief at Susan’s outburst as I move into the private fighting room. I have no idea how she potentially suspected my true identity, but all I can hope is that she bought my lies.

Adjusting my gloves, I blink away the gloss from my eyes as I realize there’s two wolves already occupying the ring. And much to my surprise, Kadeem is one of them.

He’s exchanging words with another stronger wolf in front of him, offering advice as he leads him through an exercise. Realizing he’s training the man, I decide to lean against a wall, my eyes glued to them as I watch them continue.

“Take your time,” Kadeem says then. “Look for your opening.”

As the men continue to circle one another, I stay quiet as Kadeem moves so his body is facing me. Swiftly, I notice his eyes clip toward me, registering that I’m there before he snaps his gaze back to the man.

From there, I watch as Kadeem seems to fix his stance a little, becoming better prepared as he continues to wait for the wolf to strike. Slowly, it no longer looks like a trainer and student occupying the ring, but two men ready to rip each other to pieces.

Determination continues to fall on Kadeem’s face, his focus unbreakable as he watches his opponent. And then as the other man strikes, Kadeem blocks it effortlessly.

It all happens so fast - punches being thrown by the unknown wolf that are useless against Kadeem’s counters. But then Kadeem seems to find his opening the same second I do, causing his fist to go flying.

Within four jabs, the other wolf is on the ground, panting as Kadeem proudly stays on his feet - not even fazed. But then his eyes flick to mine again as he steps over the beaten wolf. I stay in place even as Kadeem leans against the side of the ring, smugly staring at me.

He’s sweating…dripping in hormones as I can make out every curve of his muscles - even the ones covered by his tight shirt. But I swallow, making sure to stop my eyes from exploring his delicious body.

“Alright,” Kadeem says then. “It’s your turn, little wolf.”