"I'm not yours," I say, not liking the way he uses words.
"Clearly," he smirks. "I can hear my King's moans of pleasures. You've been doing such a great job in that regard."
I glower at him. Tasteless. Is there nothing good that comes out of his mouth? But what should I expect? He even said something so vulgar to his own leader!
"Why are you calling Brandon Stine a Leader? Shouldn't it be General?" I ask.
"He's my leader during my mercenary days."
"And you're not a General?"
"I'm not the type to lead."
"Clearly," I mimic.
He leers. "A cheeky she-wolf. I like that."
He approaches me, and I look up at him. He really is tall and huge. I am already five-seven, taller than Nowra, but this guy still towers over me. I take a step back, intimidated at his frame. He clicks his tongue.
"Wrong move. You should not show your fear in front of your enemy."
"Are you an enemy?"
He grins. "Right now, I am."
Suddenly, he unsheathes a knife and slashes it across my chest. I step back but realize that he's able to slash the first layer of my dress. I groan. I should have worn something more comfortable to fight in. Should I transform into a wolf?
"No shifting please," Klevon warns, as if reading my thoughts.
"Why?"
"You need to defend yourself in your human form."
I frown.
"Ha!" Klevon laughs. "You can't expect Theo's subjects to accept a werewolf as their King's lover, right?"
When I didn't respond, he continues, "He hasn't told you? My little werewolf. Your werewolf origins will be hidden from the masses until we are certain that they can accept you. Give it a year or two. That's why Theo wants you to learn combat in your human form. If there are attempts in your life, at least you can survive without showing your true self."
"So possible assassination and being discovered a werewolf are the reasons why I will be taught human combat?" I ask.
"The stamina you will gain will also make you last longer during your lovemaking with my King. You need to please him if you are going to continue enjoying your freedom."
I clench my jaws. He really has a talent for being on another's bad side. "How should we start? I don't have any other weapons."
He throws a knife to me and says, "Try to defend against me."
Klevon takes a step forward, and that single step seems like he rushed a few steps towards me.
Startled, I stumbled and my butt hits the hard floor. I look up at Klevon. He looks disappointed.
"Tomorrow, wear something easier to move in," he says. "And refrain from too much sex. That can be physically taxing."

************************************
I lie on my chest while Theo thrusts from behind. He's tightly holding my wrist, and I feel smaller than I actually am. It's early morning and the instant I wake up, Theo is already waiting to make love.
I hear Theo's groans as warm liquid drips on my inner thighs. I love hearing his moans of pleasure and I enjoy the sense of being engulfed by his smell. So when he places his entire frame on top of me, I didn't care. Rather, I want him as close as this.
With the amount of our lovemaking, I wonder if this is normal with mates? Is multiple rounds every night count as normal? By questioning this, am I being affected by Klevon's incessant taunts?
All I have, as a benchmark, is Nowra and her mate. However, they are both werewolves. Theo is human and I know that humans don't feel it as strongly as we do. But with this intimacy, his need to be near me as much as I do, only means that he's affected by the bond too.
Besides, he's a King, if he's not affected by the mate bond, shouldn't he choose someone more suitable to lead with him? I'm certain there is a long queue of women who want him. Women of high birth and thus, well-educated. Unlike someone like me who only knows how to survive in a werewolf hunting park. Heck, I even need to be taught a lot just so I can be recognized as his lover.
Theo forces a sloppy kiss on my mouth, interrupting my thoughts in the process. I get off from him, but he continues to trap me beneath him.
"Theo, I need to rest before the training with Klevon," I protest yet, still breathless at his kisses. I don't have anyone to compare him with, but I have an inkling that he's too forceful for a lover.
"You sleep on me last night," he says. "I missed you."
My heart warms, and I just want to smother him with kisses. So I say, "Once more and then, you'll let me go," I say. "I need to train with Klevon."
"Somehow, it's getting me annoyed that you want this moment to end just so you can go to another man."
Without a warning, he pushes his entire shaft on my entrance again. We are in the same position, with him on top of me, trapping me, while I lie on my chest on the soft bed. He continues pounding into my entrance, but faster this time, as if he's trying to make a point.
I bury my face on the thin pillow, to muffle my cries of pleasure. I always get embarrassed with my moans. It is uncontrolled, as if I am abandoning my body for Theo.
"Don't always do that," Theo says. "I want to hear your moans. I want to be aware of how much you enjoy this too."
Suddenly, Theo snatches the pillow from my face. "Hey-" Then force a kiss on my mouth, cutting my objections. He pulls out and buries himself deep into me again. I blurt out a moan and he smiles, satisfaction is on his lips.
With nothing to stifle my voice, he continues to thrust into me, more rapid than before. My knees bend as the sensations become too much. My voice sounds unfamiliar as my moans mixed with his, creating a harmony in the otherwise quiet room.
Then we both reach the peak of our pleasure as if our bodies are getting more and more in sync with each other. Is this the cause of the mate bond too?
Theo pants on the back of my neck. His hold on my wrist is loosening. I get off the bed, hearing a soft plop as he exits me. I take a robe and cover myself in it. I still have two hours before my training with Klevon. Is it enough to rest and catch my breath?
I open the door and ring the bell outside. One ring for food. Two rings for a bath. I return inside the room to find Theo observing my every move. He's still naked and I look away at his beautiful image. To occupy my thoughts, I take the knife that Klevon had given me. I play with it, making myself familiar with using it.
There's a knock and I look at Theo, to check if he's properly covered. When he is, I open the door. The servants come in, lay food on the small table, and prepare the bath behind it.
At the same time that the servants left, I finish my breakfast. I place my robe on a hook beside the tub and submerge myself into the warm water. I shift my attention to Theo. He's still not getting up and instead, lies there as if he doesn't have any duty to perform for the day.
"Shouldn't you be preparing for the day as well?" I ask.
"I should, but right now, I am wondering if it's the correct decision to let Klevon train you," he ponders.
"Why won't it be? He's an Owusu. He was trained at a young age. Surely, he'll know a thing or two on how to train other people."
He takes a deep breath and sits up from the bed. "That's not the reason I chose him to train you."
"Then what?"
He tips his head to the side and regards me. "It's better if you don't know," he answers and gets up to start his day.