My Fated Alpha's Cruel Game (Elena and Marcus) novel Chapter 157

Chapter 157: Chapter 157 Strange Attractions

Elena’s POV

I had spent the entire day battling that obstacle course, and the record still remained unbroken. By dinner time, my muscles ached and my palms were raw from the ropes. I grabbed a tray and headed to our regular table where the others were already gathering.

Koa whistled when she saw my hands. "Look at those blisters. That course really did a number on you."

"Tell me about it," I replied, wincing as I flexed my fingers. "I’m hoping tomorrow brings something different. Anything different."

Nico leaned forward with curiosity. "How long have you been stationed here?"

"Just got here yesterday. Still figuring out how everything works around this place."

"That’s actually reassuring," Nico said with a grin. "Nice to know we’re not the only ones trying to find our footing."

I nodded, glancing around the dining hall. "I think the four of us are the newest additions they’ve had in quite a while. Everyone keeps watching us like we’re some kind of exhibition."

Asher shrugged casually. "They’ll lose interest soon enough."

"I hope you’re right."

"You don’t enjoy the spotlight?" he asked.

"I prefer focusing on my training without having an audience critiquing every move I make." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Can’t argue with that logic," Asher replied.

Something about him kept drawing my attention, though I couldn’t identify what exactly. The way he carried himself, maybe, or how he seemed completely unfazed by the scrutiny from other trainees. Whatever it was, it was becoming increasingly distracting.

Every time I found myself studying his profile, he would catch me looking and I’d quickly return my focus to my meal, heat creeping up my neck.

"Everything okay over there?" Asher’s voice cut through my thoughts.

"Yeah, just tired," I lied, stabbing at my vegetables with more force than necessary.

I couldn’t understand this strange fascination. Asher was tall, easily six foot six, with striking features that caught attention wherever he went. But I had encountered plenty of attractive men during my training. None of them had ever affected me this way. What made him different?

The answer eluded me, but I wasn’t the only one taking notice. Every female trainee in the dining hall seemed drawn to the three newcomers like moths to a flame. The Hunters in their standard uniforms, the support staff in green, they all found excuses to walk past our table or steal glances in our direction.

Their obvious interest made something twist uncomfortably in my stomach, though I refused to examine that feeling too closely.

When dinner concluded, I was grateful to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the mess hall. The evening air felt cool against my flushed skin as I wandered toward the training grounds, seeking solitude.

Corbin appeared beside me as I stood gazing upward at the star-scattered darkness.