CHAPTER 33: KAELRIC NORTHSPHERE OR SIR

Andria’s POV

Mates!. My breath caught in my throat.

The room around me faded. All I could hear was the pounding of my heart echoing in my ears like a war drum. He stood tall, commanding attention, eyes like burning coals that seemed to pierce straight into my soul.

The new duel master, and yes, he had the attention from the Trio squad of course.

"He was younger than I had expected him to be, probably the youngest duel instructor", Becca remarked approvingly.

I felt Athena stir wildly within me. "It’s him", she whispered.

This mate bond felt different, like a solidifying glue keeping me in place. He shifted his gaze from me.

No. No way, he was the first mate the moon goddess gave to me that I approved at first bond.

He moved with calculated grace, his aura powerful and impossibly magnetic. His presence made the hairs on my arms rise, and Athena was practically whimpering in recognition and subtle submission.

"Mate!," Athena whispered again.

I looked away, forcing my eyes to the ground, hoping to slow my racing pulse, but it was no use. The bond had already taken hold, and I could feel the ground giving in.

The feeling was overwhelming, and as if that wasn’t enough, Zade walked in, followed by Tristan, Damon, and Aven. This can’t be happening again.

I had already applied the witch’s potion to my tattooed arm, so I’m sure it can be suppressed, this feeling and my overpowering heat.

Becca leaned close and whispered, "Okay, look who is lost in a trance." She said, snapping her fingers at me.

I blinked at her, trying to compose myself. "I don’t even know him," I whispered back hoarsely.

"Well, your body seems to disagree," she grinned, clearly enjoying this way too much.

He stepped to the front of the hall, posture firm, arms crossed behind his back. His voice was smooth, deep, and commanding as he finally spoke.

"I am Kaelric Northsphere. You may refer to me as Duel master Northsphere, or just ’Sir’ will do."

Tracy practically squealed beside Alexa, elbowing her. Tricia twirled a lock of her hair in an exaggerated motion.

All three of them were leaning forward like hungry wolves who’d just scented prey, as he walked on the aisle trying to make sure he got our attention, which was already glued on him.

"So, this is who they sent to replace Alpha Kristan?" Alexa muttered in awe, "That’s impressive, and worth it."

Duel Master Northsphere swept his gaze across the room, pausing briefly when his eyes landed on me again.

His expression didn’t change, but I could tell he felt the bond. I knew it. There was no mistaking that sharp flicker in his gaze—that subtle tension in his shoulders, as his eyes met mine and he averted his gaze immediately.

"I have reviewed all your previous training reports. Some of you are adequate. Most of you are below average," he said, voice like steel. "I’m not here to be your friend. I’m here to make sure you survive."

He looked intently at us, "The wolf kingdom is always usually under attack and you must brace yourself for any inconvenience."

"Moreso," he continued, "For low-ranked wolves, you can level up if you have good profiles and grades here in Ashwood, and of course, this duel class is paramount.

As he spoke, I couldn’t fully concentrate; I stared at his hand movements, his lip movements, his gestures.

I could feel Aven, Tristan and Damon’s eyes burn with jealousy as they watched me stare at him.

"Don’t you think you are staring too much?" Zade voiced out from behind me. I wonder how he got here without raising any attention.

Tracy raised her hand immediately, pushing out her chest unnecessarily. "Sir, will you be offering a one-on-one training session?" she asked in a tone so sweet, and hard to resist, typical Tracy.

I rolled my eyes.

"That depends on performance," Kaelric said without giving her more than a glance. "Though some of you clearly think performance means pouting and batting your lashes."

"Ouu, that cut deep" I whispered to Athena who was already visibly angry and threatening to step out and tear Tracy into several parts.

Several students snickered. Becca nearly choked on her laughter. "Ouch, he’s got a tongue," Becca whispered beside me, smirking.

Kaelric clapped his hands once. "Pair off. We begin with sparring. I want to see what I’m working with."

My heart dropped. He wanted to spar with us separately?

I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t ready for him. The mate bond was messing with my senses. Every time I tried to steady my breath, it hit me again, his scent, that delicious, overpowering blend of rain forest and wine. He wasn’t just dominant. He was looked dangerous.

But I could recall this face, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he looked familiar.

A cold chill crawled up my spine when I recalled my encounter with him.

In the dead of the night, when I had gone to hunt as a vampire for the first time in Ashwood, he was the.....

I moved toward the edge of the group, hoping to avoid being picked for anything too noticeable. But fate, as usual, had other plans.

"You," his voice cut through the chatter like a blade. "Aria, is it?"

I stiffened. "Yes... Sir?" I muffled an answer. "You’ll be sparring with me first." he continued. All eyes turned to me.

"Great!, just the kind of attention I needed," I muttered sarcastically under my breath.

"Against me." Even better. I could hear Tracy and co giggle expecting him to whoop my ass, humiliating me, which of course he will, but I wouldn’t back down without a fight.

Becca gave a low whistle, whispering, "I guess you got your one-on-one, make good use of it." then she winked at me.

I stepped into the center of the mat, trying to steel myself.

Kaelric watched me with unreadable eyes, but I could feel it, the tension, the restraint in him. He didn’t want to fight me either. But the bond would not protect me from his standards.

"You’re holding back," he said softly, just for my ears. "I can feel it."

I didn’t respond. Instead, I lunged, trying to shake off the nerves. He dodged with ease, grabbing my wrist and spinning me until my back was against his chest, his lips near my ear.

"Don’t fight me like a girl with something to prove," he murmured. "Fight me like a wolf."

The sound of his voice, the heat of his body, it made my wolf leap in excitement. Athena howled within me.

I broke free and attacked again. Faster and stronger. He blocked every move, but this time, he smirked.

"There she is," he said.

Gasps filled the hall. I didn’t even realize how intensely we were moving until it ended. I was panting, standing with my hands still half-raised, and he was nodding in approval.

"Better," he said to me.

Then he made his voice louder, to the whole class: You win by being present, prepared, and in control."

Tracy huffed, clearly annoyed at being overlooked.

Kaelric turned to the rest. "Next pair."