No Ads Chapter 27 Chapter 27 TARYN Its been two days since the patrol , and Enoch has somehow become the unofficial centerpiece of the training grounds . 11 Every morning , I catch glimpses of him in the traing ground the sweaty chaos of sparring warriors and barked commands . Hes a sight , not that Im staring or anything . His movements are precise , almost mechanical , as if hes simply going through the motions . But the whispers those are definitely not new . Do you think hes a rogue ? Everyone says he is . He doesnt act like one . Stronger than Kallias , even . Hearing that last one gives me an unhealthy amount of satisfaction . Im grinning like an idiot by the time I grab the water jugs and head toward the door . It feels good seeing Enoch out there , proving his worth . Maybe the others will finally stop treating him like a stray dog I dragged in off the streets . I barely make it two steps out the back door when a wall of Omegas blocks my path . Just what I needed to spice up my morning a confrontation with the peanut gallery . Seraphina stands in the middle , her perfectly manicured nails tapping against her crossed arms . The way shes glaring at me , youd think I personally set her favorite dress on fire . Taryn , she purrs , but its the kind of purr that makes your skin crawl . We need to talk . I sigh , already over whatever this is . Can we not ? Im kind of busy keeping people hydrated so they dont keel over and die . Her smile tightens , and I know Ive hit a nerve . I know what you and your little pet did to the head maid , she says , her voice dripping with venom . I freeze for a split second before plastering on a fake smile . Come again ? What i the world is she talking about ? The group shifts , and I spot someone hiding behind Seraphina a familiar face I wish I didnt recognize . Its Kara , the same Omega who used to stand by me during those dreadful punishments from the head maid . Her eyes wont meet mine , guilt written all over her face . You told her ? My voice is calm , too calm , but inside , I feel like Ive been sucker punched . This is a different kind of Betrayal … Kara doesnt answer . She looks down at the ground as if its suddenly the most fascinating thing in the world . Oh , dont be dramatic , Seraphina cuts in , rolling her eyes . She didnt have to tell me much . Its obvious you had every reason to hate the head maid with al that scars on your leg . And your little boyfriend ? Please . Hes practically a wild animal . Whos to say you didnt sic him on her ? I laugh . Its sharp , humorless , and probably not the reaction Seraphina was expecting because she looks thrown off for a second . e dead , I wouldnt You think I had her killed because of a few whips ? I say , tilting my head . Dont flatter yourself . Sure she was a miserable excuse for a human being , but Im not exactly out here plotting murders over bruises . If I wanted so need help . 1/4 Thu , 20 Mar A Chapter 27 Seraphinas face twists into something ugly . You- I hold up a hand , cutting her off . But , I add , smiling sweetly , I could see myself snapping if a certain someone kept blocking my way and wasting my time . Her eyes narrow , and I use the opening to brush past her , balancing the water jugs in my arms . I dont get far . Do it , Seraphina hisses , her voice low but audible enough to make me pause . What ? I turn just in time to see Kara hesitating by one of the assembly racks . The moment our eyes meet , I know . Kara , dont . My voice is steady , but inside , Im screaming . Oh , its gonna fall . She hesitates for a fraction of a second before shoving the rack with all her might . Time slows . 90 % +63 ) I see the rack tilting , the weights and equipment it holds shifting dangerously . My instincts scream at me to move , but my body doesnt listen . All I can do is stare at Kara , as her betrayal is twisting in my gut like a knife . The rack crashes toward me . Ah ! And then , nothing . When I finally open my eyes , Im wrapped in muscular arms familiar arms . His body is shielding me from the wreckage . The assembly rack lies on the ground behind him , its contents scattered everywhere . The training grounds go silent , every pair of eyes glued to us . Enoch straightens , his arms still around me , and I hear the heavy thud of his breathing . He doesnt seem bothered by the fact that he just took the full brunt of a falling rack on his fucking back . Okay ? His voice is low , almost a growl , but theres an edge of worry on it thats making my chest ache . God , this man is so … I nod , unable to speak for a moment as I stare at those magnificent pair of emeralds . Then , as if my brain finally catches up to reality , I smack his arm . Am I okay ? Are you kidding me ? Look at you ! His gaze doesnt waver . Taryn … okay . A single tear slips down my cheek , and I quickly wipe it away , laughing shakily . Not everyone does this for me everyday . Yeah , Im fine , I say again , forcing a laugh , though my voice shakes slightly . My hand instinctively goes to brush off some of the dust on his shoulder . Youre the one who just took a freaking metal rack to the back , you lunatic . I barely finish the sentence before Enochs sharp gaze shifts past me , locking on Kara . His entire demeanor changes in a blink his expression darkens , his jaw tightens , and his arms fall from around me . He must have seen her push it . I spin on my heels just as Enoch bolts forward like a predator chasing prey . 2/4 Chapter 27 90 11 Enoch , wait ! I yell , but he doesnt Kara barely has time to gasp before Enoch grabs her by the throat and lifts her off the ground like she weighs nothing . Her feet dangle as her hands claw at his wrist , her face nurning pale . Enoch Put her down ! I shout , panic rising as the training grounds fall silent . Every single warrior and Omega is staring at us , frozen in stunned disbelief . Enochs eyes are a dangerous shade of red . Not the soft , mossy green I know theyre glowing , blood red and filled with a primal rage that makes my stomach twist . If people see he has the eyes with similar color to that beast who killed the headmaid I run to him , placing my hands on his arm . Enoch , look at me ! I plead , trying to force him to meet my gaze . You have to let her go ! He doesnt even flinch . His grip tightens , and Karas struggles weaken . Enoch , stop ! Please ! My voice cracks , and I do the only thing I know works I reach up and press my lips to his forehead . His body stiffens , and for a moment , I think Ive made a mistake . But then , ever so slightly , his grip on Kara loosens . Youre okay , I whisper against his skin , my voice soft but urgent . I move to kiss the tip of his nose , my hands cupping his face as I force him to focus on me . Everythings okay . This has been our usual routine whenever hes out of control . I would be lying if I say I hate it . Finally , I lean in and kiss his lips , gently but firmly . Its not like the other kisses weve shared this one is deliberate , meant to pull him out of whatever dark place hes spiraling into . His grip on Kara releases completely , and she collapses to the ground , gasping for air and scrambling away like a scared rabbit . Run , girl . Before he catches up to you . I start to pull back , but Enoch grabs me , his hands gripping my waist as he lifts me off the ground . His lips crash against mine , and this time , the kiss isnt soft or gentle its fierce , desperate , and consuming . Like a hungry child deprived of its food . I gasp , my fingers tangling in his hair as he deepens the kiss , his hands pulling me closer as if hes afraid Ill disappear . Heat floods my face , and my heart pounds so loudly Im sure everyone can hear it . Enoch , I manage to gasp , pushing against his chest . He finally pulls back , his breathing heavy as he stares at me with those green eyes I recognize again . Im too breathless to say anything too stunned to even think . A throat clears behind us , snapping me back to reality . I turn , my face flaming as I see Gamma Abel standing there , his arms crossed and a very pointed expression on his face . Behind him , the entire training ground is watching , their jaws practically on the floor . I completely forgot about all of them . Kallias , predictably , looks like hes about to explode . Are we just going to ignore the fact that this … this rogue just 3/4 hu , 20 Chapter 27 strangled an Omega ? he snaps , his voice dripping with outrage . +63 Gamma Abel raises an eyebrow . What I saw was a wolf protecting his mate , he says evenly , his tone brooking no argument . The word mate hits me . Maybe he is my mate , tjhe one gifted to me after Kallias rejection . No , thats not possible . I glance at Enoch , but hes as calm and collected as ever , his expression is unreadable . Kallias isnt satisfied . Hes dangerous ! He couldve- And yet , he didnt , Gamma Abel interrupts , his voice firm . Hes proven himself more than capable of protecting this pack -and Taryn , for that matter . Something you might want to take notes on , Kallias . The dig is subtle but devastating , and Kallias jaw tightens as his hands curl into fists . I glance at Seraphina , whose face is a mask of pure terror . Her wide eyes dart between Enoch and the fallen rack , and I can practically see the gears , turning in her head . She knows if it had been her pushing that rack instead of Kara , shed be the one who almost got strangled . She grabs Karas arm and hisses something under her breath before stomping off , her posse of Omegas trailing after her . Good riddance . I turn back to Enoch , my heart still pounding . His gaze is locked on me , soft but intense , like Im the only thing in the world that matters . Youre off to see Dr. Lisa again , I say , trying to lighten the mood as I gesture to the rack behind him . Shes probably got a bed reserved just for you at this point . Enochs lips twitch into the faintest hint of a smile , and I cant help but laugh , even as my cheeks burn from everyones stares . I really need to stop getting lost in his kisses , Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!