Chapter 164: Chapter 174

Chapter 0174 “I’m going to let both of you train me,” I replied coldly, turning on my heel to make my way back to the training center.

“Separately, because you’re clearly both too childish to work together.” With that, I brushed past them and stormed off.

As we stepped back into the training center, Noah grumbled, “What changed your mind?”

I paused in the midst of gathering my things and stuffing them into my bag. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure-that little display was both sickening and infuriating. But it also spoke to their fighting abilities and their passion.

“Just... accept it and shut up,” I finally growled, zipping my bag forcefully and throwing it over my shoulder. “And if either of you f*** up again, I’m calling a real trainer.”

Noah and Drake exchanged glances and paused a moment before they both nodded. But I wasn’t satisfied.

“I expect you two to apologize to one another before I do anything, though.”

There was a weighty silence after that. Both Noah and Drake stiffened, the hairs on the backs of their necks raising. I could see Noah’s nostrils flare, hear Drake intake a sharp breath through his teeth.

“I mean it,” I growled, letting my fangs show just ever so slightly one last time.

Drake was the first to move. He turned toward Noah and thrust his hand out, dropping his ice pack to his side to reveal his full, bruised face. “I’m sorry, man,” he said quietly. That was too far.”

Noah remained stiff, his eyes bouncing back and forth between Drake’s hand and face. For a moment, I thought he might turn and storm off; but he didn’t.

To my surprise, he shook Drake’s hand. “I’m sorry, too. And...” He paused, clenching his jaw and looking away. “You’re a good fighter. I’ll give you that.”

Drake chuckled. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

“Good,” I huffed, brushing past them again. “Now put it behind you or next time, I’ll be the one to pummel both of you.”

Without another word or even a look back, I stormed off toward the door-although, I was glad to hide the tiny smile that was tugging at my lips. Maybe that apology, especially from Noah, was some kind of progress. I couldn’t be sure.

Before I could reach the door, though, I heard the sound of footsteps pounding after me. Drake skidded to a stop in front of me, dipping his head.

“I have to ask you something,” he said quietly, his voice hardly more than a whisper. “About compensation I frowned, taken aback, and adjusted my bag on my shoulder. “You want me to pay you?” I asked Incredulously. “What, are you strapped for cash or something?”

Drake shook his head quickly and lowered his voice even further, glancing up at Noah-who was busy rinsing his face at the sink-

as he did. “No, nothing like that. It’s just... I was wondering, if I train you, if you could help me with Zoe again?”

Chapter 0174:

+25 BONUS My lips pursed of their own accord. Zoe.”

“All I ask is for one last date,” he said. “If you can help me set up a date with her, I’ll train you. And I won’t do anything like this again.” He gestured to the blood on his shirt.

I paused for a little while, unsure of how to respond, Zoe didn’t seem interested in him, and frankly, I wasn’t interested in anything to do with her anymore. But despite how I felt, Drake had become a friend to me–and he looked too desperate for me to say no, And then my gaze fell on Noah in the background, where he was splashing water over his face, and I felt myself soften even further for reasons I didn’t want to admit, and I thought that maybe, just maybe, if I could get Zoe away from him, then.....

I shouldn’t have considered it, but I did. Because I saw a part of Noah that day, a part of him that would fight for me. A part of him that might actually care Shoving past Drake, I bit out, “Fine But this is the last time.”