Chosen By The Cursed Alpha King (Emilia) novel Chapter 138

LUCIEN’S POV

The training grounds were already alive when I stepped outside.

Boots thudded against packed earth. Laughter carried on. the cool morning air. The sun hung low but bright, turning the dust gold and catching on sweat-slick skin and moving bodies. Normally, this was where my head cleared. Where the Beta in me settled into place and everything else went quiet.

Not today.

Because Adele was there.

She stood near the center of the grounds, stretching with the others, and the sight of her hit me like a punch to the gut. The training gear she wore-tight black leggings and a fitted sleeveless top-hugged her body like it had been designed specifically to torment me. Every curve, every line, on full display. The fabric clung to her hips, her thighs, her breasts. When she bent forward to stretch her hamstrings, I had to curl my fingers into fists to keep from snarling.

My wolf stirred, restless and sharp.

Mine.

Her blonde hair was pulled into a high ponytail, strandsslipping loose to frame her face. The sunlight caught in it, making it shine. She laughed at something one of the males said, tipping her head back slightly, and that sound -light, teasing-shot straight through my chest. I saw it then.

The looks.

One male-tall, broad-shouldered, too confident for his own good—let his gaze linger a second too long on her ass as she straightened. His eyes dragged over her in a way that made my vision flash red.

My jaw clenched so hard it hurt.

A low growl threatened to rip out of my chest.

Easy.

I forced my breathing steady, even as my wolf paced violently inside me. Every instinct screamed to step in, to put myself between them, to remind everyone exactly who she belonged to. But I stayed where I was, arms crossed, posture rigid.

Adele turned then, like she could feel me watching.

Our eyes met.

And she smiled.

Not sweet. Not shy.Mischief danced in her eyes-pure, deliberate provocation. She knew exactly what she was doing. She knew I was watching. Knew it was driving me insane.

She laughed again, Louder this time, when the male beside her said something I couldn’t hear. Then-Goddess help me—she reached out and rested her hand on his shoulder.

That was it.

My hands clenched at my sides, nails biting into my palms. My wolf surged forward, furious, possessive.

Mine. Fucking mine.

I took a step toward them before l even realized I was moving.

Stop.

I forced myself to halt, feet digging into the dirt. I couldn’t lose control. Not here. Not in front of everyone. But the effort it took hearly broke me.

Enough.

“Everyone,” I barked.

My voice cracked across the grounds like a whip.

The laughter died instantly. Bodies snapped to attention.

Conversations cut off mid-word. Heads turned toward me, spines straightening as the weight of my authority settled over them.

“Take formation,’I said, sharper than necessary.

They scrambled to obey, lining up quickly. Adele moved with them, taking her place easily, confidence in every step. She didn’t look.at me again, but I could feel her awareness like a live wire between us.

I stepped forward, hands clasped behind my back, pacing™ slowly in front of the line. My eyes scanned the group, but they kept drifting back to her. To the way she stood tall, chin lifted, lips curved like she was enjoying this far too much.

“Today,” I said, voice cold and controlled, “you’re going to learn how to identify your opponent’s weakness.”

I stopped pacing.

Because my gaze had landed on Adele.

And the male beside her.

He leaned slightly toward her, murmuring something under his breath. She tilted her head, listening. Smiling.

Something ugly twisted in my chest.

I took a step closer.

“Is there something,” I said slowly, dangerously, “you’d like to share with the rest of us?”

The words were directed at the male, but my eyes stayed locked on him like a blade.He stiffened.

Color drained from his face as he swallowed hard. “N-no, Beta Lucien,” he said quickly, eyes snapping forward.

Good.

Adele, on the other hand, just smirked

Actually smirked.

Like she was daring me.

My wolf slammed against my control, snarling. I could feel my nails cutting deeper into my skin behind my back, the sting barely registering.

I resumed pacing, forcing myself to look away from her.” Weakness isn’t always physical,” I continued. “It’s distraction. Emotion. Overconfidence. The moment you let any of that cloud your judgment, you lose.”

I stopped agajn, directly in front of Adele this time.

Her eyes flicked up to meet mine, bright and defiant.

“And sometimes,” I added, voice dropping lower, “your opponent will use exactly that against you.”

Her lips twitched, like she was holding back a smile.

She was enjoying this far too much.

“Pick a partner,” I ordered.+30 Bonus

The line broke as they turned to pair off.

My attention snapped back to Adele just in time to see her turn toward the same male again. He looked relieved, even a little smug, stepping closer to her.

My vision tunneled.

No.

My wolf surged forward with a snarl that vibrated in my chest.

“You.”

The word ripped out of me before I could stop it.

Every head turned.

Adele froze mid-step, then looked at me slowly, one brow Lifting.

“You,” I repeated, pointing directly at her.

I went on the offensive, advancing quickly, forcing her back. She blocked, parried, moved with grace and speed, but I could tell she was testing me. Pushing.

She stepped in close, too close, her body brushing mine as she ducked under my arm. Her hand skimmed my side, fingers grazing my ribs, and the contact sent a jolt of heat straight through me.

Focus.

I grabbed her around the waist and spun, trying to throw her off balance. She gasped but recovered fast, planting her foot and twisting, breaking my hold.

We separated, both breathing hard now.

Her cheeks were flushed. Her lips parted slightly.

My wolf snarled, demanding more.

She tilted her head, eyes locked on mine. “Careful, Lucien,” she said softly. “You’re showing your weakness.”

The words hit too close to the truth.

I moved again, faster this time, driving her back. She blocked, but I could feel her tiring. I swept her legs out from under her, and she went down with a surprised yelp.I followed her to the ground, pinning her wrists above her. head before she could recover.

The world narrowed.

Her body was warm beneath mine, chest rising fast, thighs tense around my hips. Her scent exploded around me, thick and intoxicating.

Everyone around us went dead silent.

Adele stared up at me, eyes dark, breath shaky-but she was smiling.

“You’ve got me,” she whispered.

My control frayed.

I leaned closer without meaning to, my voice rough. “You did that on purpose.”

“Did I?” she murmured.

Her knee shifted, pressing just enough to make my breath hitch.

1 froze.

This was a mistake. A dangerous one.

I pushed myself up abruptly, releasing her and stepping back. “Get up,” I snapped.

She did, slow and deliberate, never breaking eye contact.I turned away before she could see how close I was to losing it.

“This session is over,” I said tightly. “Dismissed.”

They all scattered quickty, tension buzzing in their wake.

I stayed where I was, back to Adete, breathing hard, fighting my wolf, fighting myself.

Behind me, I heard her footsteps approach.

Soft. Unhurried.

“You can’t keep this up forever,” she said quietly.

1 didn’t turn around.

I clenched my fists.

“Adele-”

“Lucien…you’re jealous,”