Warrior 163

Chapter 163

RYN

I remained stunned as I sat on the floor of the living room, back at the Watcher’s mansion.

Looking through the documents, I realized my parents had major stakes in real estate, technology, and so on, most of which were based in the east.

I wonder why that was.

No one talks about the East. No one even knows whether it’s a kingdom or just a place.

It just is.

But my parents had most of their businesses and assets there.

Is that why I remember nothing of my past? Is that why no one here in the West recognizes my status?

I sighed, rubbing my temple, and just then, El came downstairs with a pair of boxing gloves.

“Get up. It’s time to train.”

I let out a groan. Is she being serious right now? Can’t she see that I am currently, emotionally down and I need a moment?!

I’m sure you’re not deaf.” El added her tone, hard, as she reached the door and found me still sitting.

“I don’t want to train today. I mumbled and El frowned like she was confused.

“You don’t get to decide when you train, Ryn. I decide that, so for the last time, get up and let’s train.” She said, and then she left the house.

Knowing after this comes punishment, I threw a childish tantrum before reluctantly getting up and storming out of the house.

The morning was too beautiful for the

way

I felt.

Birds chirped somewhere high above, their songs which were light and carefree contrasted greatly with the storm brewing inside me. My boots crunched against the autumn leaves as I trudged through the woods, fists shoved deep in the pockets of my hoodie.

El was waiting for me up ahead–I could see her silhouette in the clearing, standing calm and patient like always. Her arms were crossed loosely, her stance relaxed, as though my delay hadn’t bothered her at all. It made me want to scream.

“You’re late,” El said, her tone maintaining its hardness as I entered the clearing.

I didn’t respond. I didn’t have the energy for it. I just stood there for a moment, trying to calm the ache in my chest.

“Gloves on,” she ordered, pointing to the pair of boxing gloves lying on the grass near her feet.

I bent down, yanking them on roughly, the leather creaking as I tightened the straps.

My movements were jerky, fueled by anger I didn’t have a name for. Everything was too much. My body was here, but my mind was elsewhere, churning over the inheritance, over what had been stolen from me, over the years of pain that had piled up like a wall I couldn’t climb

“We’ll start slow,” El said.

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Chapter 163

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Slow? I didn’t want slow. I wanted something to burn. I stepped into the circle she’d drawn in the dirt days ago, my heart. pounding like it was ready to explode.

“Ready?” she asked, holding up her pads.

“Yeah.”

The first punch was sloppy, and I expected a jab of insult but El didn’t comment. She simply adjusted, stepping back and letting me come at her again. Left jab, right cross. My fists thudded against the pads, the sound dull but satisfying.

“Focus, Ryn. Breathe.”

Her voice was surprisingly calm, steady–a sharp contrast to the chaos bubbling inside me. I gritted my teeth as I punched again, harder this time. I imagined every strike landing somewhere else–on the face of every lie I’d been told, on every cruel hand that had pushed me down.

“That’s it.” El murmured. “Keep going.”

The pressure in my chest grew tighter with every blow, like a dam about to break. My eyes stung, my vision blurred, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop.

“It’s not fair.” I blurted, my voice cracking mid–punch.

El said nothing, letting me speak.

“They took it from me!” I yelled, slamming my fist into the pad. “Everything!” Another hit. “They lied to me! I hate them!”

The tears spilled freely now, hot and angry as they streaked down my face. My punches became wild, fueled by everything I couldn’t say–years of betrayal, years of silence. El absorbed every hit, never flinching, never interrupting.

“They took my parents from me. AH!” I screamed, throwing my weight into the last punch. My fist connected harder than I’d meant to, and the impact sent El flying backward.

To my horror, she hit the ground with a sharp thud, sliding several feet away before coming to

.

stop.

I froze, my ragged breathing filling the silence. El didn’t move, and for a moment, my whole body trembled, and I thought the worst of myself, then to my relief, she stirred and the relief that coursed through me made my knees buckle.

“El!” I gasped, running toward her.

She sat up, wiping dirt off her sleeve.

“You’ve been holding back,” she said.

I blinked at her, confused.

“That punch…” She looked up at me, her eyes filled with fire. “It had something real behind it, Ryn. Next time, aim it where it matters.”

I sank to my knees beside her, the tears still falling. She didn’t push just sat there, steady as ever, and then I cried like a child.

me to stop. She didn’t lecture me for losing control. She

Hours later and my parents stood before me, their faces warm and soft, surrounded by the golden light I always associated with them.

My father smiled as he wore my pendant around my neck, its silver chain catching the light, gem in the center glowing faintly. My mother’s strong hand covered his as they watched me

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“This is yours. Ryn,” my father said, his voice like a lullaby. “Always have it with you wherever you go. Your Mom and I love you very much, iny beautiful Kathryn. We will never abandon you and we will never let anything bad happen to you.”

As I touched my pendant, their faces began to blur, fading into the shadows of my subconscious. I tried to call out, to hold onto them, but their warmth slipped through my fingers. The dream shattered, and I woke up to the dim light of early afternoon spilling through my window.

The pendant.

My heart lurched as I sat up, the memory crashing over ine like wave. I never got it back. Theon still has it. That thought gnawed at me, a mix of frustration and urgency bubbling in my chest. I needed it back. Not just because it was theirs, but

because it was mine.

Throwing on a hoodie, I padded downstairs, the cool wooden floor grounding me as I made my way toward the kitchen. El was there, leaning casually against the counter with a steaming mug in her hand. She looked up as I entered, her sharp gaze softening ever so slightly.

“Sleep well?” she asked, much to my surprise.

“Not really,” I muttered, grabbing a glass of water. My fingers tightened around the glass as I considered asking her for permission to see Theon, but before I could, she spoke again.

“The Watcher wants to talk to you,” El said, her tone turning serious. “Conference call. Now.”

I blinked, caught off guard. “What? Why?”

She didn’t answer, just tilted her head toward the small room at the back of the house where we kept the secure connection setup. My stomach tightened as I set the glass down and followed her. The Watcher didn’t call unless it was important. That fact alone made my pulse quicken.

A lone telephone sat in the middle of the table and after El dialled his number, his voice, calm but commanding, filled the small room.

“Ryn,” he began. “I have reviewed the incidents that have happened recently especially in connection with the documents. Things have now changed.”

I frowned, unsure where this was going. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m afraid I have to let you return to your mates,” he said bluntly. “And you must complete the mating bond.”

The words hit me like a lightning strike. “What?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

“You heard me,” he said. “Everything else depends on this.”

I leaned back in the chair, my mind spinning. Of all the things I expected to hear today, this wasn’t even on the list. But beneath the surprise, a spark of something unexpected flickered to life inside me. Hope. Excitement. Maybe even relief.

I was going back!

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