"I love you."

A strangled breath left my lips. My eyes glistened with the power of those words. Words that were so foreign to me.

When was the last time someone told me that they loved me?

"I love you so much," Ezra continued. "Don't feel the need to say it back. Not until you're sure-"

My lips silenced him. I kissed him and pulled back, smiling. "I love you too," I whispered. "I love you, Ezra."

He froze, then gave me one of his rare, big grins. He hugged me tightly, my face buried in the crook of his neck. I took greedy gulps of his scent and listened to the wild rhythm of his pulse for a few minutes. It felt like home.

His eyes were the happiest I'd ever seen, and I wished they would never know sadness again. "I love you," he said, "Even though you're difficult to wake up in the morning."

"Am not!" I protested half-heartedly. "You're just so warm and comfortable..."

"Mhm. You can cuddle this warm and comfortable wolf all you want. He's all yours."

"Course, he is." I couldn't keep the smile off my face. I felt all giddy and fuzzy inside.

He loved me.

He loved me!

I giggled. Ezra's grin reappeared. "What's funny?"

"Nothing. I'm just happy."

His face softened and he kissed my temple. "So am I, sweetheart. So am I."

His fingers rubbed my scalp. After a few minutes, an obnoxious yawn split my face. "Will you wake me up in the morning? I want to go see training, if that's okay?"

"Are you sure? It's pretty early."

"Sure," I murmured as my eyes drifted shut.

"Okay," he whispered. "Good night."

I might have answered him, but I wasn't sure. I slept without dreams that night, a peaceful oblivion, and woke up with a smile on my face.

I love you.

My smile widened.

"Well, that was quick," Ezra mumbled. "I only called your name once."

I groaned. "I told you I'm not difficult to wake up."

"Right."

I scowled. He chuckled, and the husky sound of his laughter so early in the morning made butterflies wreck havoc in my stomach.

Outside, the sun still hadn't risen, and the bluish light of dawn flooded my room and neutralized all colors into shades of gray.

"Do you still want to go?" he asked. I nodded and sat up. "Okay, just stay close to one of us. Ashley and Zach will be there. Sam, too."

"Sam? I thought it was only a werewolf thing."

"It is," he said, swinging his legs to the ground. "But sometimes we have vampires or witches spar with us. It's good training, especially with Sam."

We both stood up. I headed to my bathroom and paused when Ezra was by the door. "You know, you could just keep your stuff in my room. I mean, if you want to. You don't have to keep going back and forth between the two cabins."

His hand froze on the door knob. "Is it alright with you?"

I shrugged. "Sure. There's plenty of room in my closet and in the bathroom for your stuff."

He smiled and we went our separate ways to get ready. Thirty minutes later, Ezra and I strolled through the woods. We went deeper than usual, his arm slung over my shoulder, mine around his waist. This time of the day was so peaceful, with the sun right below the horizon and the world just waking up.

The soft breeze carried voices and sounds. Growls. People talking and laughing. I could see them through the trees, and a couple of minutes later, we broke through the last line of trees and into the training ground.

The massive clearing was the size of a football stadium, if not more. There were dirt rings in the grass where people sparred. Others hung around, watching the fights and speaking among themselves.

I took everything in with wide eyes. It was difficult to imagine this had been going on since the start of school while I was blissfully asleep. The place buzzed with a sort of active energy that made even me want to take a run.

Everyone was fit. Really fit. Males only wore shorts or pants and females had sports bras and leggings or shorts. Their muscles were toned. The sight of their bare skin made me shiver in my sweater and leggings.

Suddenly, it was like someone pressed mute. All sounds ceased and everyone whipped around, facing us. They all bowed their heads. "Your highness."

I jumped at the echoing sound. Oh, wow.

Then all eyes settled on me. Scrutinizing. Curious. Despite my racing heart, I raised my head and smiled, looking around.

"As you were," Ezra said. And they were back as they had been a few seconds before.

"That was," I breathed out, looking at Ezra with saucer eyes, trying to find a word that would describe that, "cool."

Not a fancy word, but it made Ezra smile in amusement. "Sam's here."

I looked around. "Where?"

"Here, Little Red," his voice called from my right. I almost screamed. My heart jumped and I stepped close to Ezra.

"How did you get here?" I asked.

"Like this," he said. I blinked and he was gone. There he was, a dozen feet away from me. All in the blink of an eye. It was like he teleported there.

He grinned and zipped towards us again. A blur, barely recognizable, before he stopped in front of us with his hands low on his hips.

He was even faster than Ezra, which I hadn't thought was possible. "Nice of you to join us today, my fair lady," Sam said.

"Zach and Ashley here?" Ezra asked.

"Yep," Sam said, stabbing a thumb over his shoulder. "Ashley is sparring."

Oooh. I looked at Ezra. "Can we go see?"

"Let's go," Ezra said, then scooped me up. I bit back a squeal. Squealing in the middle of a werewolf training ground would not be cool.

"What are you doing?" I whisper-yelled at him.

He winked. "Getting us there faster."

Wind blew past us as Ezra ran forward. I closed my eyes against the dizzying blur of our surroundings. Three seconds later, Ezra stopped. I opened my eyes, a winded smile on my face. We were on the other side of the training ground.

"That was so fast," I said as Ezra put me down to my feet. Sam was already standing next to us.

Ezra kissed my hair and curled his arm around my waist. The people nearby were focused on the ring, in the middle of which a familiar head of silky black hair moved like a dancer.

Ashley's ponytail swung behind her as she stalked around a girl with blue-tipped brown hair in a ponytail. I'd seen her around campus and always thought her hair looked amazing. So she was a werewolf.

They circled each other, their movements as natural and steady as a predator's. Ashley closely followed Blue with a calculating gaze.

Tension crackled in the air. Everyone held their breath.

Then Blue attacked first.

In a blink, she was in front of Ashley, swinging her fist. Ashley leaned out of the way, pulled Blue's outstretched wrist and twisted it behind the girl's back. Ow. It looked like her arm would break.

Blue merely grunted through the pain. She threw her head back, in an attempt to headbutt Ashley. But my friend was one step ahead. She dodged and grabbed Blue's ponytail. Blue sent her foot backward. It connected with Ashley's kneecap in a sickening crunch. I winced.

Ashley didn't care. She jumped back, looking like she was calmly plotting the girl's demise.

They circled each other again and fought, exchanging fists and kicks, until their fists were claws that tore into each other, drawing blood.

I stared, wide-eyed, as Blue swiped her clawed hand through Ashley's cheek, leaving three long gashes seeping blood.

With a growl, Ashley flung herself on Blue and they rolled on the ground in a mix of growls and grunts, moving too fast for my human eyes to discern.

A couple of seconds later, Ashley pinned down Blue under her. Ashley's knee on Blue's back, keeping her facing the dirt, and one of her hands holding both of Blue's wrists behind her back. Ashley's other hand was clawed around Blue's neck.

Blue squirmed. Ashley growled and tightened her hold. Finally, Blue huffed and lay motionless under Ashley.

I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding. Smiling, Ashley jumped to her feet and helped Blue up. They hugged it out, laughing lightly, as if they hadn't been at each other's throats only seconds before.

Ashley saw us and waved. She jogged towards us, limping slightly.

"Hey," she said. Blood smeared on her cheek, down her neck, and on the span of belly bared by her sports bra. Dirt smudged on the blood and on her clothes. "I would hug you, but as you can see..."

She waved a hand down her body. My brain became functional again. I gasped, my hands hovering over her body. "Oh my God! Shouldn't we call a doctor or something? Are you okay?"

Ashley and Sam grinned. And a few chuckles and murmurs echoed from the spectators nearby, who were now watching us and trying to be discreet about it.

"What?" I asked Ezra. His eyes looked amused.

"Orla, I'm fine. Don't worry." Ashley wiped some blood off her cheek using her forearm. The skin beneath it was smooth. Frowning, I took a step closer and blinked hard. But no, my eyes weren't playing tricks on me. The skin was, indeed, smooth. There wasn't even a scar.

"How?" I breathed out.

"We heal faster than humans. And in training, we don't have our claws fully out so the injuries aren't deep, that's why they heal faster."

"So, the skin heals? Just like that?"

Ashley shrugged. "Pretty much."

"Watch," Sam said, holding out his right arm. The nail of his left pointer finger extended into a razor-sharp claw. Whoah.

He poked the skin of his forearm and dragged his claw down. I winced as blood poured out, dark and glistening. He quickly wiped the blood with his hand. I leaned closer. The edges of the gash slowly came together, closing the wound and leaving behind even skin again. 

Magic.

"Et voilà," Sam said. I touched a finger to his forearm. The skin felt as smooth as it looked.

"Wow, that was...." I grinned at him. "That was pretty neat. So all supernaturals heal at the same rate?"

"We heal faster than humans," Sam said. "But the stronger the supernatural, the faster they heal."

"So many things to learn," I mumbled to myself.

Ezra kissed my forehead. "You're getting there."

I gave him a smile. We watched a few more fights after that. Everyone fought like they were born doing it. They were so graceful and fluid, so natural.

Watching them stirred a sense of insecurity. I wasn't good enough to be their queen. I tried to push it back and reason with myself, but watching girls fight in a ferocious way and see how strong they were made it difficult.

"What's wrong?" Ezra asked as we walked away from yet another fight. He looked concerned. How could he tell that something was off with me?

Fortunately, someone called him right then. It was Jason. He strode toward us, his blond hair messy. Ezra sighed and kissed my temple. "I'll be right back."

After exchanging a look with Sam, he left us.

"Little Red, looks like it's just you and me," Sam said, putting his arm around my shoulder, his cheeky grin in place. We strolled to the empty edges of the ground.

"So, what's bothering you?" Sam asked as we turned to face the training supernaturals.

I groaned. Was I really that easy to read? I glanced at Sam's knowing eyes. "It's just- everyone is so strong..."

"And you're worried because you're not as strong."

"Yeah. I mean, I know I shouldn't compare myself to you guys. You're like supernatural beings with supernatural strength and magical healing abilities! And I'm just...well, me. A human."

I didn't feel inferior for being a human, but I certainly felt weaker, physically speaking. That was an undeniable fact. Sam sat under a tree and patted the spot next to him. I sat down as well, stretching my legs out. The sky had risen while we watched the fights. Birds twittered above us, and laughter and voices got louder as more people stopped fighting and just hung around.

"I would be lying if I said that physical strength isn't important in our world," Sam said. "But it's not the thing that makes a difference."

"What do you mean?"

"Everyone is physically strong, as you saw, but the true difference is here." He tapped his temple with his pointer finger twice. "And here." He pointed to his heart.

"You can train anyone to be strong," he continued. "Some could go farther than others, but there are always limits. For example, no matter how much a warrior wolf trains, he can never reach a royal alpha's strength. The same with vampires, older ones are generally stronger than younglings, physically speaking. It's a given. But what really makes a difference, what really sets you apart, is mental and emotional. And those aren't things you can train in someone unless they really want to themselves."

Hmm. I guess he made sense. His words put my mind at ease, although I was still slightly anxious about it.

But I could work with that, for now.

"Still," Sam said, his smirk erasing his earlier air of seriousness. "I do think you should start training."

"Training?" I scoffed. "I don't think me being tossed around would be considered training, because let me tell you, that's exactly what's going to happen to me. Do you not see those guys?!"

Sam chuckled. "Not that sort of training. I was going to suggest you take some self defense classes. To be honest, I was going to suggest it just to piss Ezra off, but when I actually think about it, it seems like a good idea. In case something happens and you're all alone, you could at least hold out for a while until help arrives."

"You think there could be a situation like that?" I asked, knowing all too well that it was a possibility. After all, I did get in trouble on several occasions over the span of a few weeks.

"Everything is possible." He hopped to his feet and held out a hand. "I'll run it by Ezra. Can't wait to see his reaction."

I shook my head. Typical Sam.

*** **** ***

"What was bothering you earlier?" Ezra asked. We headed to class through the woods.

"I was just thinking," I said, swinging our linked hands, "about how everyone seems so strong, you know. I just felt somewhat... inadequate, again."

"Orla," Ezra glanced at me with apologetic eyes. "That wasn't my intention in bringing you there. Besides, I think you're one of the strongest people I've ever met. Physical strength isn't everything."

"I know. That's what Sam said. It still bothers me a little, but I understand better now. I feel better about it."

"Good," he said. "You can talk to me if you want, about anything. You know that, right?"

I nodded, leaning into his side. "Mhm."

Zach, Ashley and Haley were already in class. I sat next to Haley, Ezra on my other side.

"So? Everything ok?" Haley whispered in my ear.

I smiled and whispered, "Yes. Thank you."

She winked, and wiggled her fingers Ezra's way.

Ezra arched a brow at me. I shrugged. Students were still trickling in, casting us inquisitive glances. I was getting used to it by now. Ezra seemed oblivious to it all, or maybe he was used to it, as well. Being the heir to the throne, he must have been on the receiving end of such looks since childhood.

He held my hand over the table, playing with my fingers as I flipped through my notebook. Suddenly, his movements stopped. A shadow fell over us.

"Hey, Haley," a feminine voice said. I glanced up. It was the blonde girl who had bumped into me when I was with Blake. I remembered Blake calling her Joanna.

Her smile was too bright as she twirled one of her silvery blond locks. Her skin looked smooth against the bright red of her lipstick, and her blue eyes popped out through the black liner. She looked absolutely stunning.

But her tight vest made me uncomfortable. Her breast looked about ready to spill out of it. Paired with jean shorts, I wondered how she could dress like that in this weather. But she was a werewolf, and they didn't seem to feel the cold as I did. So she was probably fine.

"Joanna," Haley replied. her voice dull as she rolled her eyes. "What brings you here this fine morning?"

"Oh, nothing," she said, casting Ezra a glance. He'd resumed playing with my fingers. "Just wanted to say hi. I'm in this class, too. You didn't know?"

"Oh, unfortunately I knew. I just thought that maybe you finally pulled your head out of your ass and left us alone. I guess we're not that lucky," Haley said in a flat tone. I heard Ashley chuckle before she covered it with an obnoxious cough. I stared at Haley, wide eyed. I had never seen her be so rude to someone.

Joanna scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder and crossing her arms over her chest. Blood rushed to my face and I looked away. Ok, I didn't want to judge anyone for what they wore. But that was definitely too much cleavage for class.

"No need to be defensive first thing in the morning, Haley." Joanna pursed her lips to the side and looked at Ezra again, her eyes scanning him over. She licked her lips. I stiffened. I didn't like it. I didn't like it at all.

After an awkward minute of silence, in which Ezra didn't acknowledge her, she cast me a chilling look and left in a blur of silver blond hair and smooth tan skin.

My chest tightened. Not figuratively. It literally felt like it was too tight, as if something inside my chest was expanding, trying to break out. I rubbed my sternum. The feeling was gone in a second.

"Bitch," Haley murmured.

"Haley!" I whispered.

"Sorry Orla, but she is."

Ashley leaned over to look at me from Haley's other side. "I second that"

My brows shot up. "Wow. I guess you guys aren't her biggest fans."

Ashley scoffed, her dark eyes swirling with a calculative glint. "Not since she tried to make a move on my mate."

Zach grinned, looking too pleased with himself, and threw his arm around Ashley's shoulders.

"God, I wish you were there, Orla. Ashley almost ripped her head out." Haley chuckled. "But seriously, I have no business what she does with her personal life. Even if it was sleeping with half the damn campus. But making a move on people's mates is a red line. So yes, I'm definitely not sorry for calling her a bitch."

"Well, that was very insulting," I said seriously before adding, "to female dogs."

Haley, Ashley and Zach laughed. Ezra smiled, his lips fighting to stay in a straight line.

It wasn't my business what she did in her own life. But if there was one thing I knew about supernaturals, it was that the notion of mates was very sacred for them.

Why would she even want to make a move on someone who didn't belong to her? That was just absurd.

The way she looked at Ezra made my blood boil. The sheer anger took me by surprise. My chest tightened again. Something in it swirling violently. It felt like some sort of... energy?

I frowned to myself. It was like a soda bottle that was shaken one too many times and was about to explode from the inside pressure.

"Are you okay?" Ezra's voice brought me out of my thoughts. I blinked at him, only now realizing that I was almost panting. My heart thumped wildly.

I looked into his worried eyes, and the energy in my chest settle down a little.

"Orla? Say something?" he said, his tone urgent. He brushed some hair out of my face, and I leaned into his touch. It calmed me. My heart slowly returned to normal.

"I'm fine," I whispered. The professor came in, and the students quieted down.

"Are you sure? We can get out," Ezra said.

I gave him a smile. "No. I'm fine."

It wasn't a lie. I really felt fine when his arm and his scent surrounded me. My heart beat and my breathing were back to normal. The pressure in my chest dwindled into an unnoticeable hum.

"Okay," Ezra nodded reluctantly, pressing his lips to my hairline. I sighed in content just as the professor pulled out a stack of papers that made Haley groan.

That was odd... I rubbed my sternum, the energy still humming in me.

--- ---- ---

Hey guys. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Vote and comment if you did!

Also, sorry I'm a little bit late. But if you follow me on Instagram, a massive earthquake hit yesterday, and I didn't get much sleep. Things are a mess in my country right now; over two thousand people have died and more injured. Please keep us in your prayers.

I hope you're safe and healthy wherever you are.

Much love <3 <3 <3

M.B.