Chapter 180: Untamed Force
Vivian’s POV
Zaliver’s tone turned completely serious. "Besides myself, Venom’s the only one I trust completely with your safety when you’re not on this island."
I didn’t argue with him. Not right away. Instead, I went quiet for a second, my brain tugging gently on a different thread.
"What about you?" I asked carefully.
He looked confused. "What do you mean?"
"You’ll have me and Venom watching my back, but who’s watching yours? I mean, you’re strong, sure, but what if some pissed-off alpha decides to throw a massive boulder at your face?"
His jaw clenched tight, and I saw the exact second his heavy ego took a hit. Without saying another word, he grabbed my hand and pulled me straight out of the office.
"Hey! Where are we going?" I asked as he snatched up the car keys and headed toward the front door like a dark storm cloud in motion.
"To remind you exactly what your mate is capable of," he muttered, glaring at the empty air itself, but he still opened the car door for me. I kissed his cheek as I slid in, and his scowl faltered just enough to make me grin.
Honestly? It was cute how flustered he got whenever I doubted him.
Zaliver drove us straight to the training field, muttering under his breath now and then while also reaching across to casually play with my hair, lace his fingers with mine, or rest his warm palm on my thigh. The little touches calmed me far more than I wanted to admit.
It had been two days since I’d been excused from the field ever since the Venom situation. I hadn’t shifted since gaining my wolf that night, but Zaliver assured me I now had far more control. Still, I knew I’d need to shift soon, just to test that theory out for myself.
When we arrived, he leapt out of the car, opened my door, and helped me out like a true gentleman on a mission. The sun was blazing hot, and the warriors were already out, sparring like they were auditioning for a calendar shoot. Sweat glistened on flexing muscles, and I had to squint at the sight.
Do these people ever take a break?
"Everyone," Zaliver called out, his deep voice booming right across the field. Every head turned instantly.
He glanced down at me before continuing. "Our Luna’s feeling a bit concerned about our upcoming trip. I thought I’d give her a little reassurance. I need volunteers."
Several hands shot up immediately mostly the biggest, bulkiest wolves in the entire field. Male and female alike. Of course.
Zaliver nodded, and the group stepped forward. The other wolves formed a wide circle around the makeshift arena.
Then he turned to me with that familiar look. I narrowed my eyes up at him.
"You’re not seriously..." I trailed off in total disbelief.
He smirked, reached back, and tugged his shirt over his head in one smooth, fluid motion.
Immediately, a possessive snarl tried to escape my throat.
I snatched the dark shirt from him and clenched it tight in my fists, resisting the strong urge to glare at every single wolf staring at him like he was a snack.
"Hold that for me?" he asked, grinning, very aware of what he was doing to me.
He stretched his broad arms out slowly, his back rippling with every movement. I wasn’t the only one watching him closely. My inner wolf growled softly in approval.
Zaliver stepped into the center of the ring of warriors. At a glance, there were at least fifteen of them. Fifteen.
Worried, I mind-linked him quickly. You can’t be serious. Fifteen? You’re going to wear yourself out. You could get hurt.
He turned to look back at me, his eyes locking onto mine across the space.
Calm down, Vivian. I’ve got this completely. Trust me.
And the thing was... I did.
I know. I do. I just... ugh. Fine. At least push your hair back so you can see properly.
He smirked and raked his fingers through his hair, brushing it back smoothly.
Yes, dear.
Don’t sass me when I’m worried about you, I shot back. Who are you fighting first?
I squeezed his shirt tighter, the soft fabric grounding me.
The group completely surrounded him a mix of sizes and terrifying strengths. Zaliver bent his knees slightly, raising his arms in a loose, ready position. The others mirrored him instantly, all eyes locked on their target.
He glanced back at me once more... and winked.
Then, with a subtle tilt of his chin, the signal was given.
The warriors lunged.
And my mate the Lupus Deus stepped into the sheer chaos like he welcomed it with open arms.
There’s a moment in life undeniable and completely unforgettable when the truth smacks you so hard that it roots itself directly into your bones. For me, it was this: my mate wasn’t just powerful. He was a god. And not the distant, serene kind. No Zaliver was a relentless, untamed force of nature. Dangerous. Lethal. Unstoppable.
They came at him all at once. From every single direction front, back, and both sides like they were desperately trying to overwhelm him through sheer numbers. Three of the biggest ones lunged straight at him, thinking they could drag him to the ground.
I held my breath tight in my chest.
But Zaliver didn’t flinch.
My eyes were locked on him, tracking his every movement, my heart pounding wildly against my ribs. Maybe it was my lycan blood that allowed me to follow his insane pace, or maybe it was the mate bond sharpening my focus. Either way, I couldn’t look away for a second.
He thrust his palm forward and slammed it hard into the chest of the man in front of him. The guy flew backward like he’d been shot out of a cannon, while Zaliver’s legs never budged an inch. His body didn’t yield. That same hand whipped to the side and snagged another attacker’s arm, yanking the man across his body and using the momentum to smash him hard into a third guy who’d gotten too close.
Zaliver wasn’t defending.
He was destroying.
"Body slam, bitch! You can’t see me!" my wolf howled with gleeful pride, practically vibrating in my mind.
"Mmm, yes," my beast hummed in deep approval, leaning forward like she was watching a performance she’d been craving for a long time.
And honestly? So was I.