Barely Breathing

The sun started to set behind an array of mountains, giving way to darkness creeping in the forest. The wind whizzed making my hair fly backward and I regretted not tying it up in a ponytail.

I made my way over the center of the training field, very aware of my opponent's deathly glare who currently was warming up already. And here I thought I was the early bird.

The crowd's not-so-quiet conversation filled the air. Like most of the time, I did my best to ignore them and proceeded to warm up. Someone cleared their throat and I snapped out of my inner thoughts.

Xyrus stood far between Ehren and me but his stare was focused solely on me. I guess, the 'ignore Willow as much as you can' thing ended just now.

He looked me up and down and his eyes narrowed. What was his problem? It was then I felt a pain in my head like someone was trying to put down the barrier but I fought against it. There will be no talking to him.

We had a staring match and I held his gaze, daring to show him how stubborn I can be. Realizing I'm not backing down, he made his way towards me with slow steps still not breaking eye contact.

He stopped a foot away from me, the closest distance we had been since almost two weeks. I shivered involuntarily, not comfortable with him near me. The few times he had me at arms-length, he has the habit of pulling me into a hug and that's not happening again.

"Change."

Xyrus whispered enough for me to hear. Like I would do that, there's definitely no wrong with what I'm wearing. He's just overreacting.

sports bra and jogging pants are normal for girls to wear if you don't know that yet." I

comeback. His eyes shifting into

rubbed his hand on his face and sighed. His eyes changed to their original color. He suddenly took off his shirt and handed it to me. "Wear this, or we can do it the

thought. I felt my cheeks heated up at what he wants me to do. This was so embarrassing! He' was just overreacting. I took a step backward unsure of what to do. I shifted

I can put in it and snatched the shirt. I quickly pulled it

and smiled an actual smile. He cleared his throat once more and cited the rules of a challenge which I didn't hear properly as I was busy squirming. His shirt smells

notice Gabbiel, the beta, had come to us and was now beside Xyrus. He bowed with a 'luna' and I nodded my head at

more instructions uttered, silence enveloped the field as the fight commenced, the pack members

silence however was broken by Gabbiel's words directed to his little sister before he and

of

by his brother's demeanor. I scanned the crowd trying to find Carter and saw him at a corner, appearing unease. He caught me staring and

an attack mode ready to lunge at me any moment. I lowered my body and stretched my arms defensively. She eyed me up and down, her anger

am wearing his shirt might as well use it to my advantage. And so, I smirked at her, a sweet-sided smile to fuel her anger more. It worked almost an instant as Ehren threw her first punch aiming at my face followed

glanced at my left. Bad move Ehren. I side-swerved

was glad about all the sparring matches I've done with Xyrus, it comes