Found by the Lycan King by Natalie Winter

Chapter 73

Cynthia’s mischievous grin was barely detectable as she leaned in close to me, her voice a low murmur that dripped with challenge. “Hey, Zenovia, bet you can’t outlast me on the treadmill.”

I arched an eyebrow, locking my eyes with Cynthia. Seriously this girl was being super weird today.

“Lagree” I replied and hopped on the treadmill. Though in my head I said, ‘Go wag your tail in front of your stupid lycan king instead of talking to me

And, though it hurt to admit it, that was the truth. She had a wolf, I didn’t.

She was supposed to be stronger and tougher than me.

Cynthia might have said something but I did not hear the words as the sound of the music system turning on distracted me. And I was thankful for that.

While I fumbled with the numerous buttons and figured out how to get the treadmill working, she walked around merrily and turned the music system on.

My gaze drifted to Callahan while trying to turn on the stupid machine, I think he noticed I was having troubles but he did. not try to help. In fact, he looked away when our gazes met.

“Oh come on, girl. I will not use my wolf strength, I promise. Just want to give you some motivation”

Cynthia came near me and pushed a few buttons, making the machine come to life. She cocked her head to the side, looking eagerly at me.

We never spoke about the ball and her friends’ ganging up against me because I had faced such bullies all my life. Sid used to be one so I had learned to ignore them.

She lowered her voice and added, “Didn’t you hear him say he doesn’t want weaklings in lus pack? I am trying to help you.”

Though I had no doubt Callahan could hear her despite being a few feet away from us. Had I not been annoyed at him, my gaze would have wanted to admire the grace with which he moved and the way his posture never slumped as he began to

exercise.

He had just called me weak and I wanted to show him I was not. More than to him, I wanted to show it to myself.

I had been called weak all my life so the word hurt even more coming from him. And even if I lost, the worst would happen is they would laugh at me, which I thought they did anyway. I did not mind that.

“You’re on,” I retorted, a fire flickering in my eyes..

“Oh nice, you got back your motivation” Cynthia chirped as she got on the treadmill beside me.

who

pass out” He said, again while looking

gaze but my mind was focused on the words that

a dismissive shrug accompanied by a sly smile. “Just a

endurance. We won’t kill each

walked towards the section where the dumbbells were kept. Sliding two big ones across a rod he got

his muscles first and loosened his body before going

was definitely not something I would be able to pull off but he began to do it quite easily.

on both

heart show because it was so damn hard to

“Focus,” She said a little sternly

opportunity, a risky one, but an opportunity to finally

it was slow and leisurely at first but soon Cynthia subtly pressed a button on

head, trying to focus on the task at hand. My legs felt a little sore after I had run almost two or three laps

work hard if I wanted to awaken my wolf

shift completely fueled me as my

Just a silly challenge. But it’s for standing up for myself… maybe this will

to

due to the running and sweat was trickling down my

I could clearly see the way she gawked

lust.

when he is working out?” She giggled as if sharing her thoughts about her crush with her close

did not answer and neither did look his

and got up from his bench. The moment he did, Cynthia’s wicked whisper cut through my thoughts, aimed like a dagger at

on, Zenovia. Is that the best

and my legs were beginning to give

pass out in the next five minutes”

tried suppressing a

day and night along

not fair.

then life had never been

against the effort, sweat beading at my hairline. With each step, I felt Cynthia’s challenge like a weight on my shoulders, pushing me to prove myself.

little wider, a predator reveling in its prey’s struggle. My legs were turning to lead, but I clenched