Heirs, 22

(POV: Renata)

I think I used more force than I should have; he shouldn't have let himself get distracted. In a fight, we need to be attentive to every move of our opponent. I glance at that Edgar guy, mocking me from the sidelines, and anger boils in my blood. He's about to see how much of a pushover I am!

"If you real think I'm a pushover, then come here and face me. Are you confident in those pants you're wearing?" I taunt him loud, challenging him. I want to see this spoiled brat try to defeat me.

"Lena," Lucca calls to me, concern in his eyes. "No," he pleads.

"I don't want to hurt you, sweetheart," he winks at me.

"Are you scared?" I jab, watching his expression change.

"If you're not afraid to get hurt," he says with a voice heavy with anger, "then I, Edgar. The Alpha's son, accept your challenge, you worthless piece of trash."

"I don't care whose son you are," I say, looking into his eyes, "I only want to teach you a lesson."

He smirks and walks to the center of the court, but before that, he passes by Lucca, who is on the ground, and kicks him in the leg.

"You're a coward idiot!" I accuse him. "Hitting someone on the ground makes you feel stronger, you piece of crap?"

"Stop talking and come fight," he says. "Or have you already regretted challenging me?"

"What's going on here?" the instructor interrupts. "I can't step away for a moment without you causing trouble. Is Lucca okay?" he asks, approaching my partner. "I received an urgent call from the director when you and Lena were about to start the demonstration, and I missed it. I'm sorry."

"I'm fine, no problem," Lucca responds.

"Edgar is my partner now," I say, glaring at the bully.

"Very well, then," the teacher shrugs. "Begin."

"I'll feel amazing when I'm done with your audacity," Edgar says as the teacher moves away. Without any strategy, he charges at me.

It's hard to believe that this jerk is the most feared bully in this academy. He moves like a sloth, with no coordination whatsoever. He doesn't think before attacking; he only aimless tries to land a punch or kick on me. He tries many times to bring me down, but I skillful evade all his attempts and let him tire himself out.

Fed up with the boring, effortless encounter, I decide to show him how to fight for real. I watch him approach, determined to land a punch, and I give him a smirk, which infuriates him even more. When his fist gets close to my face, I block with my arm and hit his stomach with a strong punch that destabilizes him. He backs off, and I, determined not to let him escape, charge at him, delivering a series of punches to his face and ribs. He futile tries to defend himself, and I notice his face starting to swell from the blows. I remember the grueling training I had with my mother and feel relieved. I won't be humiliated by this arrogant guy.

"Uu!" everyone around us shouts, witnessing the brawl. Some encourage Edgar to fight back, while others laugh at him for getting a beating from a new, human girl.

Suddenly, I sense the air around his body grow warm, and Edgar's body starts to change. The sound of his clothes tearing confirming that he's transforming. I step back, shocked by his desperation.

"Stop immediately, Edgar!" the coach orders in an unfriend tone as he approaches us.

"Jerk!" I shout, revolted. "You make me feel sorry for you and have an uncontrollable urge to laugh at how pathetic you are," I say, aiming to make him even more furious. And my provocations work.

The idiot didn't even wait to ful transform; he charged at me blind in a fit of rage. I bend my knees and jump, landing a punch on his chin. He goes down, and I place my foot on his neck.

"Now, tell me who's the pushover," I demand.

"You'll pay for this," he mumbles, his voice muffled as I'm pressing on his throat with my foot.

"You can release him, Lena," the coach requests, and before removing my foot from his neck. I spit on the ground right next to his face.

Before walking out of the court, I look at Lucca, who's aiding the idiotic Edgar, and I sense vindicated. He'll think twice before messing with me again. The coach gives me a proud but restrained smile, and I realize that Edgar isn't very well-liked here.

"Where did you learn to fight like that?" Rapha asks, his face showing the most amusing astonishment I've ever seen.

"My mom taught me," I say, amidst all the lies I've told. I don't like deceiving the guys; I sense a strong connection to them, despite knowing them for a short time.

"Wow!" Lucia chimes in. "You were amazing!" She smiles broad, and I think she also wanted to teach him a lesson.

"Will you train with me later?" Rapha asks, his eagerness evident in his eyes. Great, one more for me to put on the mat.

"Sure, let's go," I say, smiling at him. "Lucca, you could join too," I suggest, hopeful.

"Doubt it," Rapha replies.

"I'm in," Jonathan offers, and I nod in agreement.

I leave the court with everyone looking at me; I don't think anyone will mess with me after this. After all, I defeated the future Alpha during his transformation. I celebrate internal.

I walk with Lucia to where Lucca is sitting, smiling with an ice pack on his chin. Isabella is next to him, and she smiles when she looks at her friend.

"Congratulations, girl," Isabella says, smiling at me. "You rocked!" I offer a reserved smile.

"Sorry," I say, addressing Lucca. "I should have gone easier on you." I sit beside them.

"It's okay," he shrugs. "I should be stronger. I'm only bringing shame to my family," he says, frustrated, looking down.

"Don't say that, Lucca. You know it's not true," Lucia tries to cheer him up.

My mother used to motivate me different. She made a point of pointing out my mistakes and told me to find a way to fix them.

"Don't sugarcoat it, Lucia," I interrupt. I know I'm being rude, but it's necessary. "Coddling him won't make him fight better."

"She's right, Lucia," Lucca finally speaks up. "You don't need to defend me. Thanks for everything. But it's time I assume my position as the future Beta and earn some respect," he says, smiling at the change in his mindset. "I'm sorry to ask this, but I saw how easy it was for you to defeat him on the court. Could you help me with my training?" he asks, now looking into my eyes.

Crap! It's only now that it hits me. I, a human who ran away to avoid becoming a prostitute, defeated the future Alpha! How am I going to explain this when I said I trained secret with a friend?

I'm in trouble...