Page 72 of Vicious Kings
But there are too many witnesses. Too many variables that could go wrong.
So instead, I go limp.
Complete surrender, every muscle relaxing.
He blinks, surprised. "Giving up already?"
"Just remembering what I am now." I let my voice go soft, defeated. "An omega. Not a hunter. I don't get to fight back anymore."
The change in him is immediate. His grip loosens, concern flickering across those perfect features. "I didn't mean?—"
I strike.
My head snaps forward, forehead connecting with his nose with a satisfying crunch. He rears back, blood already streaming, and I use the momentum to twist free. I'm on my feet in seconds, putting distance between us while he clutches his face.
The room erupts.
Half the alphas are on their feet, snarling. The other half are laughing. Drakiss looks like he can't decide whether to be impressed or amused, but he's definitely trying to mask both.
And Corvinus is smiling.
Blood dripping between his fingers, his perfectly refined nose clearly broken, and the bastard issmiling.
"Well played," he says, and his voice is muffled but genuinely amused. "I should have expected that."
"You wanted a demonstration." I'm breathing hard, adrenaline singing through my veins. "There's your demonstration."
He tilts his head back, and I watch as he snaps his nose back into place. The blood stops flowing, the broken bone mending with Fae magic. Within seconds, he's perfect again. Like I never touched him.
"Impressive," he says, wiping the remaining blood from his face with a handkerchief that appears out of nowhere. "Tell me, Miss Moreau, do you always play possum before striking?"
"Only when my opponent underestimates me."
"I'll remember that." He returns to his seat, still smiling. "Thank you for the lesson."
Drakiss clears his throat. "Yes. Well. That was veryeducational." He fixes me with a look that could freeze hell. "Perhaps next time, Miss Moreau, you could demonstrate without quite so much enthusiasm."
"I'll try to remember that, Professor."
I return to my seat on shaking legs, very aware of every eye still on me. The whispers start immediately.
"She actually fought back."
"I can't believe he let an omega break his nose."
Tallon catches my eye, and he's grinning like I've just made his entire year. Even Corvinus looks pleased, which is more disturbing than if he'd been angry.
Yeah, this was definitely a test. But if I'd held back completely, he wouldn't have bought it. Not after my refusal at that party.
Besides, it's better to let him think I'm not completely tamed. He clearly has a thing for challenges. Maybe this mission's not totally fucked yet.
The rest of the class passes in a blur of tactical theory and combat applications that I actually understand. Drakiss calls on me twice, testing my knowledge, and I answer correctly both times. The surprise on his face is almost worth the humiliation of being pinned to the floor.
When he finally dismisses us, I gather my things quickly, ready to make a strategic retreat before?—
"Miss Moreau." Corvinus's voice stops me. "A word?"
It's never a request with these fuckers.
