The Lovely Paradox

CHAPTER FOURTEEN | Fight Class

Hi everyone! 

So close to 8K!! Ty for the comments & for adding this book to your libraries. :) 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN | JACE

I run my shaking hands through the cool ravine. I watch as the water becomes stained with red. I want to tear my eyes away the sight.

Amara.

Her violet eyes- finally a crack in the case. I almost want to laugh.

Just when I wanted to give up. 

I suck in a ragged breath, before coughing out the metallic taste from my mouth.

Now if I could do something about those fucking wendigos. Always getting in the way. 

Now that I've found her, I have to protect her. 

It would be incredibly hard after the harm I inflicted-

 I just needed to lead the Wendigo away. 

I slowly attempt to push myself off of the forest floor. The moist dirt is gripped by my claws, I attempt to retract them and hold back the roar of pain.

If I were still human, I'd be dead by now. Without a doubt.

With life as it is now, the pain will pass- the lesions will heal. The problem is-

how slowly it does.

"The Half-Breed"

His voice echoes in my head. I fight back the canines attempting to push through again and close my eyes tightly with fists full of dirt to refrain myself from losing control again.

I need to find her.

That's the only way, my only way out.

AMARA 

"Again, Human."

I let out a sigh in frustration. Although my back is turned to her, I can feel her smug demeanor behind me.

I turn to face her as she tucks her jet black bob behind her ears. 

"You being the Beta's mate does not separate you from the pack. Like all of us- you will learn to fight." 

Giada's words itself held punches, She has a personal vendetta with me that I'd rather not add onto my plate to try and understand it.

I assume the stance once again, to which she cocks an eyebrow up in observation. With my fist tightly curled, I reel back and launch the punch towards her again to which she seamlessly dodges. 

"Predictable- and even if it landed it would barely have made an impact." 

I grit my teeth at this, we've been at it for hours. Her taunts, the feeling of being stagnant in my progress, landing a punch would feel entirely satisfying right now.

"You're right, Giada. But maybe you're just the wrong teacher for this."

Her gaze flicks to the source behind me with annoyance laced in her expression. 

"Or maybe she's exactly what I said she was- a fragile human." She roughly, pushes past Ezra nearly slamming the door upon her leave.

He pays no mind to her, and instead makes his way towards me. 

"That was a torturous eternity that you've made me undergo." I mutter under my breath. I began readjusting my hand wraps when he takes my hand in his and begins to adjust it.

"Torturous but necessary. I wouldn't make you undergo this without reason." He finishes the wrap and motions for me to give him my other hand. "Like I've told you- trust me. Overall, I want to give you all the tools necessary." 

Once he finishes the wraps, he takes a step away from me. 

"Show me what Giada had taught you." His arms cross over his chest, an observant expression laced on. 

I assume the stance, one foot stepped forward, with my fists clenched I brought them up in a staggered position. 

He perks an eyebrow at this but nods, "Now land it on me." 

I'm taken aback by this and he senses my hesitation. 

"I'm sure it's something that you've been wanting to do." He muses, with a light laugh. Then he raises a beckoning hand, motioning for me to begin. 

I adjust my stance, before launching myself forward aiming for a swift punch at him. Ezra expertly dodged the blow, seamlessly weaving his body to the side. It was done with a quickness that startles me. Suddenly, he's behind me and an arm wraps around my shoulders, pulling me tightly against his chest. So close, I feel his breath fan the back of my ear. 

"Why do you want so badly, to be alone?"

Her hand gripped my face tightly, fingers pressing deeply into my cheeks. "Why would you ever want to leave, Amara?" My mother cries hysterically, her eyes welled with tears.  

"When will you understand that only I know what's best?"

"Is that what you were running from?" 

Ezra's voice pulls me out of the memory, I quickly broke out of his grasp. "Get out of my head!" I exclaim. I almost forgot about the connection... I thought he could only hear my words- not see my thoughts. 

"You've asked me to trust you- but you are treading on thin ice right now." I clench my jaw, fists balled tightly at my sides. I'm furious, rage pumping through my veins, I don't want to talk- I just want to fight. 

"You're angry," He says lowly, "Show me how angry." 

I raise my arm up, positioned as Giada taught and lurch toward him attempting to strike. 

He smoothly moves out of the attack point again, as I turn around he watches me with an analytical expression. 

"You have to be faster, somebody wants my mate dead." 

He grabs my shoulders and lifts me up, I cry out as he slips a bare foot behind one of my legs and slowly tips me off balance. I grab his bicep tightly, feeling lightheaded from the sudden movements. 

I catch my breath, tired, furious and frustrated. He's leaning over me, inches from my face in this position. My heartbeat becomes apparent, a pounding in my ears with the notice of his gaze lingering on my lips. 

"And we can't let that happen." 

Then he gently pulls me back up to my feet and steps back. "Use my weight against me, and tip me off balance like what I did earlier." 

I blow a strand out of my face, with a curt nod. Once again, I straighten my position before running at him again- this time he doesn't dodge away. I grab his arms as he did with me, then quickly hook my foot around his leg and pull with a push at his torso. 

He tumbles backwards flat onto the mat, taking me with him. We fall with a thump, and I'm haphazardly sprawled onto him.

A smirk spreads across his features, "That's my girl."

END OF CHAPTER

This is a more of a light-hearted chapter. 

What are you thoughts on Jace? What are his intentions?