Mated To My Mate's Worst Enemy (ARIA) novel Chapter 199

Chapter 199

ARIA

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I was dreaming about the Ghost Hunt. About standing in the arena while the entire pack watched me fail at challenges that Ivory completed effortlessly. About Kael’s disappointed face as he realized his mate was inadequate compared to his former partner. About the elders’ judgment raining down like physical blows.

Then someone was shaking me. Gently at first, then more insistently.

“Aria. Wake up. Come on, we need to go.”

I groaned and tried to burrow deeper into the pillows, away from whatever crisis was demanding my attention at what had to be an ungodly hour. The room was still dark. The sun wasn’t even up. Whatever needed handling could wait until dawn at minimum.

“Aria, seriously, everyone’s already out there. We’re going to be late if you don’t get up right now.”

That was Kael’s voice. Not urgent with alarm or crisis, but excited. Almost gleeful in a way I rarely heard from him. Like a child anticipating something fun rather than an Alpha dealing with pack business.

I forced my eyes open to find him standing beside the bed, already dressed in training clothes, practically bouncing with energy despite the darkness outside.

“What time is it?” I managed to croak.

“Four,” Kael said cheerfully. “Come on, up. Training starts at four-thirty and we need to get there early to warm up properly.”

“Four in the morning,” I repeated, my sleep-fogged brain struggling to process why anyone would voluntarily be awake at this hour. “Training for what?”

“The Ghost Hunt preliminary rounds,” Kael said, as if this should have been obvious. “Everyone who wants to compete has to pass the preliminaries first. Prove they have the basic capabilities necessary for the actual competition. It’s a full day of assessment-stamina, strength, tracking skills, combat proficiency. Come on, we need to move.”

He reached for my arm, trying to pull me from the bed. The movement jolted my body in ways that made me hiss with pain.

I was sore. Deeply, thoroughly sore in places that were uncomfortably specific about why they hurt. Last night had been… enthusiastic. Multiple rounds of enthusiastic. And my body was now making very clear that it needed more recovery time before engaging in strenuous physical activity.

Kael’s excited expression fell immediately, replaced by concern and guilt. “You’re hurting. From last night. I didn’t think I should have considered that you’d be sore this morning. I’m sorry, Aria. You don’t need to come. You can rest. Sleep as long as you need. I’ll explain to the elders that you’re recovering from-”

“No,” I interrupted quickly, forcing myself to sit up despite the protest from various muscles. “No, I’m fine. I’m not that sore. Just stiff from sleeping in one position I’ll be fine once I start moving.”

It was a lie and we both knew it. The pain racking through my body was absolutely from sex rather than sleeping position. But there was no way I was staying behind while the entire pack participated in training. No way I was giving them ammunition to gossip about how the Luna couldn’t handle what their Alpha gave

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Chapter 199

her. No way I was proving inadequate before the competition even started.

“Aria, if you’re in pain-” Kael started.

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“I’m fine,” I insisted more firmly. “Really. I want to participate. I need to participate. If I’m going to possibly compete in this Hunt, I need the training. And if I don’t show up this morning, what message does that send? That I’m weak? That I can’t handle basic physical demands? That I’m not serious about being part of this?”

Kael looked torn between concern for my welfare and understanding the political necessity of my participation. Finally, he nodded reluctantly.

“Alright. But if it becomes too much, you tell me immediately. No pushing through serious pain just to prove a point. Deal?”

“Deal,” I agreed, already regretting this decision but knowing I didn’t have a choice.

Kael helped me out of bed, supporting my weight as I got my feet under me. Every movement sent fresh waves of soreness through muscles I’d forgotten existed. This was going to be a very long day.

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