?Chapter 68:

“Try making a fist,” he instructed, stretching out his hands and curling his fingers into a tight fist.

That was easy, I huffed.

I rolled my fingers and stretched my right hand for him to see. Ryder shook his head. “No, no, no. Your fist is too loose. Like this.”

What? Were my nails supposed to cut into my flesh before they could match his unrealistic standard?

“You’ve got to be kidding,” I groaned. My hands were already weak, my muscles felt strained and wobbly. Ignoring me, he held my shoulders and straightened my hands before molding my fingers into a tight,pact fist.

“Now, throw a punch,” hemanded. I swung my arm, feeling awkward.

“I can’t go on!” I shrieked, my lips forming into an angry pout. I didn’t care if he saw me as a weak, stupid werewolf again—that was his problem. My muscles were already sore and throbbing. Dried beads of sweat formed smears all over my body, and I desperately wanted a shower.

Ryder corrected my stance, adjusting my feet and shoulders. “Use your core, Jasmine. Generate power from within.”

With a sigh, I followed his lead and prayed to the Moon Goddess that the training would end soon. The universe must have been against me. Hours passed in a blur of sweat and sore muscles. Ryder pushed me relentlessly, driving me to my limits. Each time I thought I’d gotten better, he found something new to show me.

Finally, he called out, “That’s enough.”

My limbs rxed, and I copsed onto the mat. As if I’d been underwater, I gulped for air greedily. Damn! This was the hardest I’d ever trained.

Ryder tossed a towel my way, and I caught it, wiping the sweat from my face. “You’ve got quite the strength,” Ryder said between mouthfuls of water, his eyes gleaming with approval. “With time, you’ll be a pro.” He poured another bottle of water over his head and shook it off.

I raised an eyebrow, catching my breath. “Yeah, I hope it’s at fighting and not in your bed.”

He chuckled, those devastating smile lines creasing his cheeks. My stomach flipped, traitor that it was.

G a lno v els  is packed with thrilling adventures

I forced a straight face, challenging him. “You think you’re funny, don’t you?” Ryder’s grin widened, his eyes sparkling.

Just then, Isabelle appeared out of the blue. Thankfully, she wasn’t wearing anything hideous. She was dressed in sport shorts and a spandex tank top, both in ck, her hair braided into pigtails, and a pair of grey sneakers on her feet.

“Thought you might need some refreshment,” she batted hershes yfully, offering a bottle of water to Ryder.

Ryder took the bottle from her but made no move to drink it. Was she always this flirty? Isabelle’s eyes fluttered, her hands sliding over Ryder’s arms as she bit her lips. I rolled my eyes. Gross.

“You must be exhausted from the long hours of fighting,” Isabelle cooed. I knew what she meant—her voice was suggestive. A wave of nausea formed in my stomach. I wasn’t ready to watch their crap. Besides, I needed to rest.

Something in me snapped. That was it.

“Kiss your fiancée’s ass, Ryder,” I spat. “Because I’m done being a side piece.” Without sparing him a nce, I threw the towel at him, the fabric pping against his chest before it slid to the floor. I heard her snicker in the distance, and I quickened my pace. I wanted to be anywhere but here.

Why did I care if she touched his shoulder? Ryder was engaged to Isabelle. Off-limits. And yet… my heart still ached.

Damn him. Damn myself for letting my stupid feelings get in the way. No more Ryder.

But the memory of his smile lingered, haunting me.

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