Chapter#28

Selene’s POV

“Come on, Selene,” Rowan said as he tugged me toward the training yard, “We’ve got a surprise for you…something to take your mind off… well, everything.”

“Yeah, you’ll love this,” Caden added, “It’s been a rough week. We figured you could use a distraction.”

I followed as my feet dragged with exhaustion. “A surprise?” I asked, “What kind of surprise? I’m not sure I can handle any more shocks today.”

Rowan chuckled as he glanced back at me, “It’s a good one, Selene. Trust us.”

“Yeah, you’ve been through hell,” Caden’s voice was gentle as we stepped into the training yard, “We just want to help you…keep you sharp, you know?”

I managed a small smile, “You two are too good to me,” I said, “But I swear, if this surprise involves running laps, I’m out.”

They laughed. As we rounded the corner, my heart sank. My eyes locked on the cold metal pull-up bar glinting in the sunlight. “Oh, no,” I groaned, stopping dead in my tracks, “This is the surprise? Pull-ups? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Rowan grinned as he crossed his arms, “Not just pull-ups…extra training. You’ve been struggling with them since day one, Selene. We figured we’d help you get better. You know, since we skipped our own rest and showers to be here.”

“Yeah,” Caden added as he stepped closer to the bar, wiping sweat from his brow, “We’re sweaty, tired, and probably smell like a barn, but we’re here for you. That’s got to count for something, right?”

I stared at the bar, frozen for a moment. They were here, skipping rest, just to help me. “You’re both insane,” a small smile tugged at my lips despite myself. “But… thank you. I don’t deserve you both.”

“You do,” Rowan smiled as he stepped closer, his hand resting on my shoulder, “We’re family, Selene. And we can’t let your rank stay in the bottom.”

I sighed as my eyes flickered to the bar. “Fine,” I said, stepping forward to grasp the bar, “But if I can’t do this, I’m blaming you both.”

“Fair,” Rowan teased as he stepped back, crossing his arms to watch. “Now lift, Selene.”

I gripped the bar tighter. My arms trembled instantly as I tried to pull myself up. The strain bit through my muscles like fire. A sharp ache made me grit my teeth. “This is torture,” I muttered, barely budging an inch, “Why can’t I be good at this?”

“You’re getting there,” Caden raised his voice as he stepped closer, his hands hovering beneath me, ready to catch me if I fell. “Keep going...”

I tried again, my muscles screaming, the ache radiating down my arms as I pushed through the pain, frustration welling up inside me. “I’m not moving,” I groaned. My eyes narrowed as I glared at the bar, “This is hopeless.”

“Don’t say that,” Rowan muttered, “You’re doing better than last week. You’ve got the heart for it…just need the strength. Try again.”

I sighed. The muffled laughter behind me caught my attention. “You’re laughing at me,” I scuffed, glancing back at them.

“Only a little,” Caden admitted, “You should see your face. It’s adorable.”

“Adorable?” I shot back, as I tried again. The bar creaked under my grip. My arms trembled as I managed to lift myself a fraction higher, “I’ll show you adorable when I finally do this and shove you off the bar.”

I gritted my teeth. My muscles screamed as I tried again. The ache was a constant burn, but as I struggled to rise, my mind began to drift. I hadn’t meant to think of him, not here, not now, but I couldn’t help it.

Liam. The image came unbidden: the curve of his muscles beneath damp skin, the way steam clung to his shoulders in the dim light of the communal showers, a glimpse I’d caught by accident one night after training.

“Focus, Kaelen,” Caden’s voice broke through, “You okay? You look… distracted.”

“I’m fine,” I lied, “Just… tired.”

But the memory was still in my mind. Liam’s back flexing, the careless elegance in how he peeled his shirt from his body, the water cascading over his sculpted form, his russet hair damp and tousled. I could imagine him now, somewhere nearby, peeling off his clothes, stepping beneath the shower, the heat washing over him, steam rising around him like a veil. My breath hitched despite mysel.

“Kaelen, you’re slipping,” Rowan eyes narrowed. His hand brushed my arm, pulling me back to the moment. “What’s going on? You’re not here.”

“I’m here,” I said quickly. The flush crept up my neck as I tried to focus, “I just… I thought of Liam for a second.”

“Liam?” Caden repeated, “What about him? You’re blushing, Selene.”

“I’m not blushing,” I snapped as I dropped from the bar. My feet hit the ground with a thud. My arms ached as I turned to face them, “I just… remembered something.”

Rowan leaned against the bar, “What, did you catch him naked or something?”

“No!” My eyes opened wide with embarrassment as my hands flew to my face to hide the flush, “I was just thinking about how good he’s been. You know?”

Caden chuckled knowing the pull I felt towards him, “Liam’s a walking distraction. Don’t feel bad, Selene.”

“I do feel bad,” I muttered.

“You’re allowed to feel things,” Rowan said as he stepped closer, his hand resting on my arm, “Liam’s a good guy. It’s okay to notice him. Doesn’t mean you’re not focused. And besides, he’s a really good friend of yours. He’ helped you since the first day you arrived here.”

“Yeah,” Caden agreed, “You’re doing great, Selene. You managed a pull-up…barely, but it counts. Liam or no Liam, you’re giving your best.”

I managed a small smile, “Thanks…”

I gripped the bar again. My palms were slick with sweat and my arms trembled as I pulled with every ounce of strength I could muster. The ache in my muscles flared like wildfire, but as I lifted myself higher, my eyes inadvertently caught Liam’s face across the training yard

He stood near the water barrels, his tunic discarded, revealing his steady, bare chest, broad and sculpted, the muscles rippling with a quiet power that seemed to pulse under his sun-kissed skin.

The faint sheen of sweat glistened along the hard lines of his pecs, tracing a tantalizing path down the defined ridges of his abdomen. His russet hair clung damply to his neck, framing his strong jaw. The way he tilted his head, unaware of my gaze, sent a shiver of heat curling through me.

“Selene!” Caden’s voice snapped me back, “Your scent…it’s spreading. You’re giving off something strong. Are you… okay?”

I dropped from the bar, “What?” I stammered, “I…I didn’t mean to. It’s just… the training.”

Rowan’s eyes narrowed. His head tilted with curiosity as he stepped closer, “Wait a minute, Selene. Your scent’s all over the place. Is there something going on between you and Liam?”