Chapter 5 Sleepless Nights

Chapter 5

Cael’s POV

Sleepless Nights

“Exactly three nights in a row, and no matter what you did, you still can’t sleep?”

I stood up from the bed, walked to the mirror to see my reflection in the mirror, the one balanced at the chamber's room. My wolf's voice wasn't loud, very low and restless. Growling uncontrollably beneath my skin.

Even with all the precautions that I took, sleep for reasons unknown to me, refused to claim me. When it eventually did, it only succeeds in dragging me into deep and mysterious visions. It wasn't any kind, it was the type with paws pounding dirt, then again, snarl tearing which was from an unrecognized throat. But it turned out to be her face, as has always been ever since her arrival. The new mysterious omega. Lira.

I gritted my teeth, as I tried to understand what it meant, pacing restlessly, but my nerves refused to be calmed down. “Why her?”

My wolf kept quiet, refusing to answer me. All I got was a heavy weight, pressed down my chest like a storm.

Every night I succeed in closing my eyes, she was there. Not like prey, not even like an enemy. It was more like something else I refused to name.

By dawn, I did my best to not think hard on the occurrence of the night before. I ensured to get myself buried in heavy duties. Ranging from pack politics, to trainings. Not long, the Council letter also reopened on my desk, and as expected, stamped with crimson wax. Their demands wasn't anything out of the usual. It was simple: loyalty, to be in control, and most importantly, perfection. Without even mentioning perfection, I already knew it, as they never felt to demand that. They don't want less, just the best all the time.

When I finally stepped into the strategy hall, there were whispers everywhere, most murmurs that I have been trying to erase from my memory.

“Did you also see her fight?”

“I heard that her moves were very smooth, like she wasn't even putting in any effort to do that."

“Cael at a point, had to push her...”

“Be very careful. He’ll definitely hear you.”

I quickly slammed a notebook onto the podium, and that moment, silence returned, as no one wanted to be punished. My eyes quickly scanned the room, and of course, I was searching for her. Students saw my eyes movement, and dodged, paling like I would snap their heads out. But, only her didn't flinch.

Lira sat straight, like she owned the room, paying no attention to the rumors flying above her. Her gaze remained focused, and unreadable.

“She’s not ignoring them,” my wolf muttered. “She’s studying you.”

“Turn to page seventy three,” I ordered, my voice carrying no warmth, only coldness. “Counter siege tactics. If in your mind, you think you already know them, I bet, you don’t. Read again.”

Chairs scraped, students continued to turn the pages. My wolf for no reason, prowled restlessly within me.

She’s way too calm.

I quickly dismissed everyone, just half an hour into the class later, but before she even made it to quietly slip away, I was forced to call her loudly, “Lira, stay.”

The moment she heard her name, she slowed her step, then, it eventually stopped. She turned to face me, and I could tell she wished she was a little bit faster, just to avoid meeting me. "Yes, Alpha heir?"

The title itself was very polite, but I can't say the same for her tone.

I strode calmly, until I got closer, the courtyard sunlight by now, slanting across her pretty face. “You fought excellently in drills.”

She arched a brow, but simply responded. “Thank you.”

“This wasn't meant to be a compliment. I actually said that because it was the fact,” My eyes narrowed to see her reaction. “You actually fought too well for an omega.”

I watched her keenly, but as expected of Lira, she held my stare in a competition. I couldn't tell if it was brave of her, or just foolishness.

“You appear to have trained well before,” I said flatly.

She shrugged, as if trying to be humble, but I can recognize pride if I see one. The type that insults you indirectly, and still claiming to be innocent. “I haven't trained enough.”

“But it will be enough to challenge me?”

Her lips parted like she wanted to respond, her breath catching in the process. Maybe her mind raced back to our first challenge together, when I paired her to myself. Few of the students still around, stopped at a distance, pretending not to watch us, but all their attension was on us. But in all of that, I didn't care, and won't bother myself. They can go ahead and watch.

“You are eager for me to fight you?” she asked.

“I just want to test you,” I corrected as I was already stepping into her space. I didn't want her to have the idea that we are enemies, as that would prevent me from keeping her close, to uncover her mission in this Academy. "Unless, you are too scared to take up the challenge."

Her eyes sparkled, and I saw it again. That same brightness I had seen the first time. There was no submission, just fire.

“Fine then,” she replied. “It would be a fight for honor.”

I raised a brow in confusion. “Honor? You even think you have any to actually defend?”

“Don’t we all have one?”

The air between us thickened, it was more of an electric force. My wolf pressed even harder in approval.

Every instinct in me told me to break her, but another voice had another suggestion, whispering to m: claim her.

I calmly motioned her to the dueling ring. “You can take your stance.”

I watched her pose, like it was a daily routine for me. Then, with a word, she stepped in.

“You did hesitated,” I told her softly, circling her the moment she stepped in.

“But I'm here now,” she shot back aggressively.

I smirked knowingly. “Then go.”

Of course, steel hissed. Our blades clashed in an unexplainable ways. The sound being heard from a far distance of the courtyard.

And unexpectedly, in the very first strike, she swiftly blocked me.

This wasn't any kind of blocking, she actually absorbed the force, and magically redirected it. A movement that is too precise for someone that labeled herself an ‘untrained’ omega.

I froze, lacking words to describe her speed, as I stared deep into her eyes.

Her secret was no news anymore, it bled effortlessly through her stance, down to her grip, and the fire in her eyes.

This is just a confirmation that she is a secret on a mission. She's more than who she claimed to be, and I would make sure to uncover the truth soon.

But as her blade aggressively pressed against mine, my wolf within roared one word I swore I would never hear again...mate.