Chapter 10
“Are you afraid of me?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. “Or are you just incapable of asking for my name yourself?”
Matthew looked stunned by my directness. Clearly, his former tutors had coddled him, and he wasn’t used to someone who spoke plainly. His cheeks flushed pink as he glanced at the ground. Adam, on the other hand, just looked amused.
“I’m Matt. What’s your name?”
I smiled and crouched to his level.
“You may call me Judy,” I told him.
He lifted his head and squared his shoulders like he was preparing for a fight.
“You’re really good at shooting,” he admitted, his tone turning sharp. “But that doesn’t mean you’re good at everything. My tutors are weak—I bet you’re the same. You don’t look strong or smart. I need someone capable.”
He placed his hands on his hips, challenging me.
“You’re certainly bold for a seven-year-old,” I praised. “And how do you expect me to prove myself, Master Matt?”
He smirked and walked over to a bucket I hadn’t noticed before. My frown deepened when I saw its contents—daggers. I followed his gaze to the dummies set up in the distance. Dagger-throwing was common training for warriors, so I wasn’t surprised to see them.
I was, however, surprised when Matt picked up a pair of daggers and gripped them like he was about to attack me.
I glanced at Adam, whose face had paled drastically. He looked ready to intervene, but before he could, Matt hurled a dagger straight at me.
I barely had time to process his impressive throw before I flipped out of the way, dodging it with ease. Just as I landed, another dagger came flying toward my head. I dropped onto my back, cushioning my fall with one hand as the blade missed my nose by a mere centimeter.
A third dagger came next. I twisted, dropping even lower, letting it sail past me.
Then another.
This time, I sprang back to my feet, using my arms and legs to push off the ground, flipping over the incoming blade.
The final dagger spun toward me, but this throw was sloppy—he was losing focus. I tracked its movement, timed my response, and with a swift spin, I kicked the handle.
The dagger changed direction.
My breath hitched as I realized where it was headed.
“Matt—!” I started to yell, but before I could finish, he dropped to the ground just in time. The dagger flew past him, landing harmlessly in the dirt.
Relief flooded through me. I let out the breath I’d been holding.
“How did you do that?!” Matt asked, scrambling to his feet and brushing the dirt off his clothes.
I dusted myself off as well and shrugged.
“I’ve been training for this kind of thing for a long time,” I told him. “If I want to be a Gamma warrior, I need to be prepared for every attack.”
Matt blinked at me in shock.
“You didn’t know I was training to be a warrior?” I arched a brow. “Do you normally throw daggers at people who aren’t?”
His cheeks flushed again—answer enough.
I turned to Adam, who suddenly found the ground very interesting. His sheepish expression told me everything I needed to know.
So, Matt was a menace.
A loud bark snapped me out of my thoughts.
I turned just in time to see a massive black dog racing toward us, its tongue hanging out and bushy tail wagging excitedly.
“Shadow!” Matt grinned, wrapping his arms around the dog’s thick neck. The beast was bigger than he was.
“Shadow, what are you doing out here, boy? I thought you were inside,” Matt laughed as the dog licked his face.
I smiled and lowered myself to the ground so I was at eye level with the animal. Shadow hadn’t noticed me yet, but as soon as I moved, he whipped around, his eyes narrowing.
“Shadow doesn’t like anyone except Master Matthew,” Adam warned. “He bit the last tutor. She needed stitches.”
I raised a brow.
“Her wolf didn’t heal her?” I asked.
“She was an Omega without a wolf,” Adam explained.
I nodded, turning my attention back to Matt and Shadow.
The dog was glaring at me, his canines bared as he let out a low growl.
I didn’t move. I didn’t show fear. Instead, I calmly extended my hand, keeping my gaze steady.
Shadow took a step closer, his dark eyes locked onto mine.
Behind me, I could feel Adam’s tension.
But I remained still, waiting.
