Too Late Alpha The Mate He Never Wanted (Iris and Eric) novel Chapter 124

Chapter 124

Iris’s POV

“This morning we’ll spar,” Lucas said once we finished stretching.

I blinked at him. “I’m sorry-what?”

He was already rolling his shoulders as he headed toward one of the rings.

“This should’ve happened last week,” he said flatly. “But you were pathetic those past few days.”

I frowned. “And now?”

He gave me a look that made the answer obvious. “You’ve been better since yesterday. Still distracted, but not as pathetic. I’ll take the improvement.”

The tonics Olivia had given me really were working. Since I had started taking them two days ago, after learning I was pregnant, my muscles no longer felt like lead, and for the first time in weeks I wasn’t dizzy.

I was still in shock as dread crept in. I couldn’t spar with Lucas. I had been knocked unconscious sparring with Drew, an omega. I would probably get myself killed trying to land a punch on Lucas.

“Time to spar,” Lucas said, stepping into the ring. “No holding back. Give me everything you’ve got.’

I had seen Lucas spar with Asher before, and it was the most intense fight I had ever watched. They moved fast, neither of them relenting. Lucas landed deadly strikes, and Asher, even with his usual joking attitude, blocked and fought back like a warrior.

For every heavy blow Lucas threw, Asher found a way to dodge or return it. By the time they stopped, both were breathing hard and neither had won.

That was when I realized that Asher’s laid-back nature hid how skilled he really was. Lucas might have been a beast in the ring, but Asher had matched him.

That fight had also made me realize that Lucas was better than I had imagined.

I exhaled, taking deep breaths to calm my nerves. I was at least thankful that there weren’t any spectators to witness it this time like there had been when I had fought Drew.

“Remember,” Lucas added, getting into position, “You’re up against someone

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Chapter 124

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stronger, faster, and far more experienced. Don’t waste energy. Stay sharp.”

I swallowed as I forced my thoughts to stay silent. No distractions. I needed to focus.

The moment I lifted my fists, Lucas moved. But to my surprise, his strikes were lighter than I thought. He was still kicking my ass, yes, but even as he pushed me, he called out small corrections.

“Lift your guard higher,”

“Shift your weight,”

“Stop telegraphing your punch.”

It wasn’t the brutal fight I had expected. Lucas matched my pace. It felt more like a lesson, not sparring. Some hits landed, but they would probably just bruise only.

Several minutes passed and I was sweating profusely. My lungs burned, but I kept moving.

Finally, Lucas stepped back and lowered his hands. “Good,” he said. He hadn’t even broken a sweat. “Better than I expected.”

From him, that was practically a huge compliment.

My chest tightened from the faint, unexpected warmth. I found myself smiling as I nodded.

However, when I remembered the decision I had made last night, my smile faded slightly.

I was leaving.

The thought was heavy in my stomach.

A memory flashed through my mind.

After Rowan brought me back to the pack, after I had passed out when rogues attacked me as I tried to sneak out, I told him I had nothing to live for and didn’t care if I died. He looked at me, firmly but gentle, and told me to find something worth living for.

I released a short, humorless snort at the memory.

“Well, Rowan,” I muttered under my breath “Thanks to you, I’ve found it.”

My hand moved to my stomach. The life growing inside me was my reason now.

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Chapter 124

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And that was exactly why I couldn’t stay.

Watching Eric with Zara back then had nearly destroyed me. Now every time I saw Rowan standing beside Chloe, the same sharp pain tore through my chest. I couldn’t survive that again, especially not while carrying a child.

For a moment, I thought about doing the same thing I did last time. Find a way to sneak out of the pack and look for a human town to settle in.

But I couldn’t do it because I wasn’t alone anymore. It wasn’t just me who would pay for my reckless decision.

I couldn’t take that kind of risk now.

I needed to do this differently.

Shane frowned as I approached him from the training area. “You look… tense. What’s wrong? How did training go? I heard sounds like people were sparring.”

I didn’t want to talk, but a distraction was better than the thoughts racing through my head. “Lucas made me spar with him.”

Shane’s eyes widened. “You sparred with Lucas? And you’re still breathing?”

“It was a surprise to me too,” I muttered.

“No way.” He let out a low whistle. “Have you seen him fight before? It’s like watching a beast. How are you not in pieces?”

I gave a tired shrug. “It wasn’t like that. He held back. It was more like… a lesson. kept calling out tips and corrections. He knocked me around a bit, but nothing serious.”

Shane’s brows shot up. “Really? Just a bit? That’s a first.”

“I know.” I exhaled. “Oh, and Olivia’s tonics have been a huge help. I’ve been eating well, and I don’t feel so tired anymore.”

“That’s good. I noticed.” He tilted his head as we started walking back.

As we walked back in silence, several thoughts raced through my head.

By the time we reached my room, Shane caught my arm and turned me to face him.

“Alright, spill. Something’s on your mind.”

I bit my lip, finding it hard to say the words.

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