Reborn To Defy The Alpha-Chapter 80: The Interruption

Ares lunged forward, arm snapping out in a tight, controlled jab aimed straight for the center of Rhea’s guard. She jerked her forearm up just in time. His knuckles cracked against bone with a sharp smack that vibrated through both of them like a struck gong.

He barely registered the sting because something else hit harder, shock. She blocked it. Cleanly.

Rhea’s thoughts were far less impressed. Strong, sure. But predictable. This guy fights like a brick wall with legs.

Ares pivoted sharply, sweeping his leg low in an attempt to take hers out from under her. She hopped back, weight redistributing in a quick, graceful adjustment. Without hesitation, she spun, heel slicing toward his ribs in a clean arc. He caught the strike on his elbow, absorbing the blow with a grunt that rolled from deep in his chest.

His gaze lifted to her with a new awareness. Her form was precise. Too precise for someone who claimed she was inexperienced.

He went for a quick follow up, a cross, then a hook. She blocked the first and slipped under the second by a hair, a small laugh escaping her lips, bright and breathless, as if she was enjoying herself.

She thinks this is fun.

Rhea’s private opinion was... less charitable. Why does he hit like forged steel? He’s built like a fortress and twice as annoying.

Ares intensified, his movements nothing short of controlled aggression. Punch after punch drove her backward, forcing her feet to adjust faster, guard tighter. Her heartbeat drummed steadily, adrenaline rushing through her veins. Every time his fist skimmed too close, she felt a jolt of realization, if he actually tried to hurt her, she wouldn’t stand a chance.

Across the room, Ellie sat on the bench, water bottle forgotten halfway to his mouth, jaw dangling somewhere near his chest.

No freaking way. She is still standing. With him.

Ares had flattened Ellie more times than either of them could count. And yes, Ares was absolutely holding back, but that she was keeping up at all? That defied logic.

Ares finally eased off, a smirk curving the corner of his mouth. His breathing was steady, annoyingly measured.

"So now you are the one defending."

Rhea scoffed, flicking sweat off her brow. "I’m just testing you. Trying to get a feel for how slow you really are."

"Oh really?" His smile widened, genuine this time. Not cold. Not irritated.

Charming. Infuriatingly charming.

Rhea’s stomach dipped like it forgot how gravity works. Oh great. I already knew he has a face. But never expect him to be stupidly gorgeous when he smiles. Shame about the boulder he uses as a brain.

"What?" Ares arched a brow, catching the way she stared a beat too long.

"Nothing," she snapped, lifting her fists again. "Just deciding which part of your body gets bruised first."

His smirk deepened, eyes glinting. "You are welcome to try."

"Gladly."

They clashed again.

Rhea struck first, a lightning-fast kick whipped toward his shoulder. Ares blocked, countering with a punch aimed straight at her ribs. She twisted, letting his knuckles just graze instead of shatter. She retaliated instantly, spinning on her heel, aiming for his jaw...

Ares caught her ankle midair.

She froze, breath lodged in her throat.

He let go just as fast, stepping back with something that looked suspiciously like hesitation. Testing boundaries. Choosing not to break them.

She dropped into her stance again, determination igniting hotter.

"Do not hold back."

"Careful what you wish for."

From the sidelines, Ellie muttered into his bottle, "This is insane," and took another long drink to cope.

Ares surged in again, almost silent. Rhea braced but too late, he was inside her guard. His fist sank into her stomach, precise and controlled... but still strong enough to blow the air clean out of her lungs.

Her breath disappeared. Her knees buckled. A strangled gasp tore free.

Ares’s eyes widened instantly. His hands shot out, gripping her before she could collapse.

"Rhea!" Ellie rushed over, water sloshing everywhere. "Hey...hey, are you okay?"

Rhea wheezed, one arm clutching her stomach, the other gripping Ares’s bicep because it was either that or greet the floor. She blinked up at him, those sharp eyes suddenly soft with panic.

He looks... worried? That startled her more than the punch.

For half a heartbeat, something warm twisted through her chest. Was she actually falling for this stubborn, overbuilt Alpha just because he dared care for three seconds?

Get a grip, woman, she scolded herself. That had to be the original owner of this body reacting. There was no universe where she caught feelings for a walking ego with fists.

"I’m fine," she managed between shallow breaths.

Ares helped her stand straighter. Ellie stepped back with a knowing smirk.

"I... did not see that one coming," Rhea admitted, still shaky.

"I told you. You are no match for me," Ares said, aiming for smug but failing to hide the lingering concern in his voice.

"Yeah, yeah," she grumbled. "Give it time. I’ll outmatch you eventually."

"You’re welcome to try." His lips twitched, tone uncharacteristically soft. "You move well. Unexpectedly well. Honestly... you surprised me."

Rhea lifted her chin proudly, pride glittering in her eyes. "It wasn’t easy learning it."

"The goddess taught you all that?" Ares asked, brow furrowing.

"Huh?" Rhea froze.

Ares mirrored her confusion with his own. "You said the goddess gifted you these abilities. So... did she train you? I mean, guidance from a higher being sounds... intense."

"Oh. Oh yes yes." Rhea slapped a hand to her forehead mentally for forgetting her own lie. "She trained me. Very tough. Very... goddessy." She waved her hand vaguely, as if that should explain everything.

"Right," Ares murmured, clearly unconvinced.

Only then did she realize, he was still holding her. His grip was firm, steady, like he feared she would fall apart if he loosened it.

"You can let go now," she said, quieter than she intended.

Ares blinked, almost startled by the reminder. He released her so quickly his hand hovered awkwardly midair afterward, unsure of what to do next. "Right. Uh... I think we should take a break."

"Yeah," Rhea agreed, wiping sweat from her brow. "I need to refill my energy before round two."

Ares chuckled, a low, warm sound she’d never heard from him. And wow, it did things. Dire, heart-fluttering, life-threatening things.

Her heart gave a humiliating little skip. Great. Now even his laugh is a deadly weapon.

If she leaned in just a little, she could bite that ridiculously kissable mouth of his. And why did he look like he was thinking the exact same thing? His eyes dipped to her lips, slowly, like they were magnetic and he had no control whatsoever.

If he keeps looking at me like that... I swear I might do something I will regret later .

The air between them thickened, heat surging, the entire world narrowing to the inch of space between their mouths...

Alpha! Alpha!"

Eberhard burst through the gym doors like a one-man earthquake, agitation rolling off him.

Ellie groaned, loud enough to echo. "Seriously? Bro, read the room."

Eberhard froze mid-stride, eyes darting from Ares to Rhea. She was breathless, flushed, and wearing far too little for his peace of mind. Meanwhile, Ares stood close enough to her that a stiff breeze wouldn’t fit between them.

Suspicion sharpened his gaze, eyes narrowing directly at Rhea. Rhea scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"What is going on here?" Eberhard asked through gritted teeth, gaze scanning the tension like he’d walked in on a crime scene.

"What do you want, Eberhard?" Ares replied, voice clipped, jaw flexing. Frustration practically radiated off him, and he wasn’t sure whether he was more irritated at the interruption or the fact that the moment he definitely wasn’t thinking about anymore had been ruined.

It was the Interruption, his wolf snickered smugly. Oh, shut up, Ares shot back internally.

Rhea brushed past him toward the bench. Ellie handed her the bottle, and she cracked it open and downed half in one long swallow, eyes locked on Eberhard the whole time.

The glare wasn’t subtle. Why was she mad? Oh, right. Because Eberhard and his perfect timing had stormed in just when she was about to enjoy watching Ares lose his cool. Or... maybe she’d been a little too eager for the show he interrupted. Maybe, nope. Abort that thought. We are NOT going there.

Ares stepped forward, slower this time, his voice edged as he repeated. "What do you want, Eberhard?"

Eberhard’s eyes flicked to Rhea. The quick glance carried more accusation than curiosity. His voice dropped, clipped and cold. "What is she doing here?"

Ares stared at him, hard. "What are gyms for? Obviously that is what she is here for."

Eberhard’s jaw tightened. Something in Ares felt different. He’s less obedient. Slipping under his thumb. This was the same boy who once lived to earn even a crumb of his approval. And now he was answering back. Pushing back. Acting like he owed him nothing. The shift scraped against Eberhard’s pride. I will not let that happen, he thought.