CHAPTER 277: WHERE HE DIDN’T EXPECT ME

Meredith.

About what seemed like an hour later, Deidra walked over and bowed politely.

"My lady," she said with a smile, "The Alpha asked me to remind you about your training. He wants you to change and meet him at the training grounds."

First, I was surprised that the time for the training had reached, but the next thing I felt was a little ripple of nerves that flowed through me like currents.

Releasing a deep sigh, I took Xamira’s hand. "It’s time to go inside," I announced.

She nodded and got off the bench. We walked towards the house with Deidra following behind us.

"Do you feel sleepy?" I asked the little girl, my eyes fixed straight on our path.

"No, my lady," she answered softly.

As soon as we got to the second floor, I gave her hand a gentle squeeze and smiled at her. "Go back to your room with Deidra, alright? I will see you later."

She nodded, though I could see the disappointment in her eyes.

Once she was safely led off, I made my way up to my chambers and helped myself into my training outfit folded neatly at the foot of my bed.

Next, I pulled my hair up in a messy bun since I couldn’t get it perfectly like Deidra and Azul does. Then, I caught my reflection in the mirror.

My eyes were a little wide and my lips pressed were tightly like I had sworn never to speak again. In summary, I looked nervous.

I swallowed hard and gave myself a few pep-talks to increase my boldness. It was a surprise that Valmora wasn’t even saying a word to me right now.

Maybe she was tired of babying me and didn’t feel the need to take on the role at this moment.

Regardless, I whispered to myself. "You can do this." But this wasn’t Dennis waiting for me, this was Draven.

My pulse quickened with each step I took down the training grounds. And when I arrived, Draven was already there, standing in the middle of the wide, open space, his arms folded across his chest.

The late sun cast a bronze glow along the edges of his hair, making him look even more imposing.

He turned his head as I approached, his gaze sweeping over me. "I see you are ready."

"Mhmm." I nodded, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in my chest.

"Don’t worry, we won’t spend a lot of time here today," he said calmly.

My throat tightened, and I shifted my stance, unsure if I should look determined or simply admit I was nervous. "Okay."

But then, his eyes softened just slightly as if he could sense my emotions. Then he stepped closer and lowered his voice.

"Don’t be afraid of me, Meredith. I’m not here to break you—I’m simply here to see how strong you’ve become. Trust yourself."

Something in his tone steadied me. I let out the breath I had been holding and gave a small nod. "Alright. I will try."

"No," he corrected gently but firmly, "you will do it."

Then out of the blue, he moved fast. I gasped and barely managed to dodge the first strike.

My heart leapt into my throat, but my feet found their rhythm quickly, my instincts carrying me into a pivot.

Draven’s movements were a reminder that he was sharper and faster than Dennis, but I wasn’t completely overwhelmed.

Draven pressed me again and again, not giving me space to think. My nerves flared, threatening to undo me, until his words for me to trust myself, echoed again in my head.

I steadied, focusing less on my fear and more on his rhythm—the way his shoulders shifted a split-second before he struck, the faint narrowing of his eyes when he intended to feint.

Though I wasn’t landing hits, I wasn’t being knocked flat either.

Draven caught my wrist once and spun me around so my back was now pressing briefly against his chest.

Then his breath brushed my ear. "Stop hesitating," he murmured. "Feel me. Anticipate me."

Immediately, heat rushed through me—part nerves and part something else. But instead of waiting around to find out what the other feeling was, I broke free and stepped forward with renewed determination.

This time when Draven lunged, I didn’t retreat. Instead I leaned into the movement, using my smaller frame to slip under his guard. And for a fleeting heartbeat, I almost caught him off balance.

But he twisted, his grip iron around my arm. When I looked up at him, there was something new in his eyes that seemed like approval.

My chest heaved, but instead of shame, a fragile thread of confidence wound itself through me.

"I can do this," I whispered more to myself than to him.

Draven’s lips curved, just slightly. "Of course, you can."

Then he stepped back and gave me room again.

Draven’s movements slowed just a fraction this time, testing me more deliberately now instead of overwhelming me with speed. Each strike came with purpose with a lesson hidden inside it.

"Your footing," he murmured when I stumbled on a backward step. "Strong roots, Meredith. Think of yourself as a firm and an unshakable tree."

I adjusted quickly, planting my feet, pushing my weight down into the earth beneath me.

This time when he advanced, I didn’t falter. I turned my hips, redirected my balance, and blocked his arm. And immediately, the shock of contact vibrated through me.

Draven’s eyes flickered, dark with focus. "Good," he said simply. And just when I was expecting more praises, he pushed harder without warning.

The next exchange was faster, and his strikes sharper and closer. My chest heaved as sweat beaded at my temple, but instead of panicking, I let myself sink into his rhythm.

And that was when I began to feel the faint shifts in his stance, the way tension gathered in his body a heartbeat before he moved.

Now when he aimed for my shoulder, I ducked under his arm and pivoted to his side. For the first time, and to his surprise, I was where he didn’t expect me to be.