The Lycan Princess and the Temptation of Sin by Moonlight Muse

competitive that you begin to lose control, correct?”

My eyes flash and I see that sharp look in his eyes again. Why does he look at me like that?

It makes me uneasy.

He’s waiting for an answer, and so I shrug.

“I just get angry.

“Why?”

))

“Are you a councillor?” I shoot back. 2

“No, I’m just trying to figure you out.” He

replies.

“Don’t.” I say quietly, turning away when he takes hold of my elbow, his grip is firm but it’s not a rough

hold.

“Why not?” He asks quietly.

look over my shoulder at him, hating the direction this conversation is going and I hate that I don’t have

an answer.

“Because you won’t be able to figure me out, Royce Arden… Someone like you will never get it.” I say

quietly, looking into his grey

eyes. He’s frowning as he holds my gaze.

“Don’t judge me without even knowing me.” He responds quietly.

Without even knowing me…

I’m used to being judged, but I hated letting anyone close. I’m not going to let anyone in.

I can’t.

“I’m not judging, just saying you’re never going to know-”

“The real Skyla Rossi? Don’t challenge me, Love, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.” He counters

confidently.

My heart skips a beat, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over me, but I push it away.

“Whatever.”

“Well, how about we spar, when you feel like it’s getting too much and your anger starts to get the

better of you, we call time out, alright?”

“Ok.” I agree, shaking my head. Fine, I can try to do this. I glance around. The place is entirely

deserted. Something I did notice

when I came but I expected others to come in. After all, the place is damn huge. “How come it’s

empty?”

“We don’t need spectators. During our sessions, no one will be allowed to enter.”

He says as he falls into his stance.

“Mm, sounds pretty ideal, for a lot of stuff.”

I wink at him, but he simply cocks a brow.”

Do you not know how to take a joke?”

“Inappropriate ones by my student? No.” He

says.

So, with others, you’re ok to joke.

For some reason, that just makes me feel a pang of jealousy.

I decide not to answer and instead I make the first move, aiming a low kick to his shins, but he blocks

smoothly, taking his

7/15

own swipe and I block him.

“You’re fast.” He remarks.

“So are you. Does it hurt, knowing a woman is pretty much as strong as you?” I remark mockingly.

Someone has got to break that icy façade…

“Beat me first, boast later.” He replies, his hand connecting with my stomach, and I gasp at the impact

that knocks me back, but he held back. I felt it. He could have hurt me

a lot harder.

Flipping over, I grab his shoulders, but instead of pulling him down I flip myself up, swinging my legs

onto his shoulders, my legs locked against his chest and try to bring him face down, into the ground.

But to my surprise, it doesn’t work.

“Fuck!” I growl and I think I hear him scoff, his stance is too damn strong and even when I try to snap

his head or try to gain leverage, just wanting to knock his sexy ass onto the

ground.

“Not struggling are you, Love?” He mocks, grabbing me by the elbows and yanking me

off his shoulders. 1

I let out a shriek, cringing that that horrifying sound came from my lips as I’m ready to kiss the damn

ground. But instead,

he simply dumps me gently on my ass. I feel my cheeks burn, feeling so damn useless. He just

handled me like a rag doll! 3

“Get up.” He says, looking down at me. My eyes flash and I jump to my feet.

He’s mocking me, I lunge at him, and I can feel my anger rising, that irritation inside of

me growing.

My heart thunders and I can feel my head squeeze, feeling the anger rising from within me.

He’s mocking me, taunting me.

“Stop.” He says, blocking another kick, but I

can’t.

I attack again, but he grabs my arm and twists me around. My back slams into his front and his strong

arms wrap around my waist. I tense, feeling a wave of coolness wash through me.

I falter, calming as I try to focus.

What was that?

My heart thumps as we both remain like that for a few seconds, and his scent invades my

senses.

So soothing….

He lets go of me sooner than I like, and he steps in front of me, a small frown on his face.

“Humiliation or embarrassment. They

trigger you.’

”

I glare at him. “No, they…” I kind of messed up, it was obvious that they do… “Yeah, I get angry

quickly,” I state defensively.

“And there’s nothing wrong with that.” He says pulling the hair tie from his hair and shaking his curls out

before he re-ties his

hair.

Damn, this guy is sexy… everything he does is fucking fine…

I look away, focusing on his words instead.

Nothing wrong with having a temper… I always saw it as an issue.

“I think that’s enough for today, besides you seem to have someone waiting for you.” He

says.

I look up, glancing at the doors. They don’t have a window…

“Who?” I ask.

He jerks his head towards the windows on the far end and my eyes widen when I see my little minion

meowing silently. The soundproof windows blocking out the sound.

“My baby!” I say, hurrying over and opening the window.

“Meow.” She leaps into my arms.

“Who shouldn’t actually be here? You can get in trouble for that.” He reminds me and I roll my eyes,

scooping her into my arms.

“Did someone hurt you?” I ask, stroking her

as I cuddle her to my chest before I narrow

my eyes at Royce.

“School rules. I didn’t make them.” He says with a shrug.

“Well, just don’t tell anyone you saw her then. I mean, I can’t leave her home alone.” I say stroking her.

The poor thing looks

upset.

“The list of secrets to keep is growing… I’ll consider it depending on if the reason is good enough. Why

can’t she stay at home?” He asks, crossing his arms.

“Well, I have a trauma…” I say, trying to put

on a sad face, but he isn’t buying it.

“And what trauma is that that involves bringing your cat to school?” He asks sceptically.

“Well…” I sigh dramatically, turning away. Time to throw Dad under the bus, and this isn’t actually a lie.

I did hear Dad say this… ” Well, when I was a wee child, barely out of

diapers…” ok I’m exaggerating. I got

Malevolent when I was like six, but hey, he

doesn’t need to know.

“Yeah?” He pushes, as I turn back towards

him.

“Well, I heard my dad talking to my mama… He said, let the kids head out to school and then I’m going

to eat that pussy! He was going to eat my kitty!” I exclaim. 23

A smirk breaks out across his face, one he’s trying to suppress before a throaty chuckle escapes him.

Showing off two perfect

dimples in his cheeks… alongside a sound

that makes my stomach flutter strangely…

“That’s…” He shakes his head. “Ten points for creativity, but you do know that has nothing to do with

your cat, so that’s not

trauma.”

“Buzzkill… well, it traumatised me as a

child, trauma stays!”

He chuckles again and I can’t help but smile. “Fine, this time I won’t mention it, as long as you promise

me Malevolent stays home from now on.”

“Meow?” Malevolent says, but I don’t reply, pressing my lips together, displeased.

“Tomorrow, same place, after school, since you don’t have any period during the day.” He says,

heading to the door. He stops on the side, grabbing his phone before he exits, and I frown.

“Meow?” Malevolent looks up at me, but I’m staring at his back, and I frown as the door swings shut.

Malevolent…

When did I tell Royce her name?