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Ryder hadn’t looked angry with my dagger impaled in his body, though. He looked afraid.

I wasn’t prepared when a fist came straight toward my ribs, making brutal contact with my already-bruised body. I doubled over, staggering to the side.

“What?” he hissed. “You can’t handle a simple fight?” He laughed through gritted teeth. “Maybe Ryder was right about you.”

I raised my fists.

He smirked.

“Go ahead,” he taunted, waving me on. “Try me. Try to hit me, I bet you can’t even land a punch with those—”

I jumped forward and aimed my fist toward his unprotected lower stomach. It landed, but my movements were slow and lazy. He grabbed my arm and twisted, forcing me to the ground with a grunt.

“Give up,” he growled.

I sent my free elbow into his thigh as hard as I could, ignoring the pain that radiated through my arm. He wailed and stepped back, letting go of me.

I stood and instantly attacked, aiming low with a kick to his right leg.

But I wasn’t as strong as I usually was. My kick was fucking pathetic. He caught it and threw me to the ground, landing on top of me mere seconds later.

“Give up,” he said, jamming a fist into my stomach.

“No,” I gasped.

He punched my jaw, split my lip.

Everything blurred.

“Fine. I guess I’ll have to end this fight myself.” He raised his fist again, and I closed my eyes, ready for the impact that would likely take my consciousness.

But it never came.

I opened my eyes again when a shadow covered us, blocking the sunlight that typically shined onto the courtyard.

Wolf stood above us. “I’m next,” he snapped. “Get up.”

I wasn’t sure who he was talking to, but the fae climbed off me with a growl. “She’s a waste of energy,” he mumbled to Wolf, but Wolf didn’t budge.

Didn’t smirk.

“Get up,” Wolf said again, this time directed at me.

I pushed myself to my feet, using all of my energy to remain upright. The world around me swayed, but after blinking a few times, everything seemed solid enough.

“She can’t fight like this,” Lanson argued, stepping into the circle. “She needs a break.” He tried to grab my arm, but I shoved him away.

“No,” I growled. “I’m fine. I can fight.”

Wolf didn’t bother looking at the commander. We both knew he wouldn’t do a damn thing to stop this. This was what training was for: weeding out the weak so the strong prevailed.

Maybe I was much more fucking fragile than I thought. I certainly felt weak.

“What?” I demanded, holding my hands out on either side of my body. Blood filled my mouth, dribbling from my chin. “Afraid to hit a girl?”

Wolf’s eyes moved across my face, no doubt scanning each injury. Each new weakness. His training uniform had barely been touched, and not a single bruise covered his dark, perfect skin.

He was an effortless predator. He won his fights with power and honor.