46, 47, 48

  I felt the rush as I pumped as much weight as I could. My adrenaline was on high and I felt like I could run a marathon.

  53, 54, 55

  I looked over to watch Andrea running on the treadmill; admiring the fine little piece of ass that she was. I grunted in satisfaction as I finished my rep at 60. I set my 300 pound bar back on the rack.

  I toweled off my face and then the bench, flexing my burning muscles. I could see Andrea rolling her eyes at me but I knew she loved it.

  "Why don't you come over here and let me throw you around a little?" I teased.

  She glared at me and increased the speed of her running. Her legs flicked up behind her in fractions of seconds, like a majestic gazelle. I was feeling particularly lion-like.

  "Come on hunny, we could go back and have some fun in the pool or steam up the sauna? I'm sure no one will bug us." I said, stepping up beside her treadmill.

  "Magnus, I don't know what kind of woman would fall for your macho bullshit, but I am certainly not amused, nevermind aroused." Her voice was husky and labored from the running. Sweat glistened on her olive skin and I licked my lips instinctually.

  "Aww, Andrea, you're breaking my heart. I promise I'll make it worth your while." I growled, flexing my pecs.

  "I think she said no Magnus. Leave her alone." The voice grated on my nerves and I could feel my lip twitch.

  "If it isn't our tiniest companion. Or should I say mascot. What brings you to the gym Griffin? You get lost on your way to the library?" I snarled.

  "None of your business Magnus." Griffin sounded like a snivelling child. I noticed Andrea slowed down her machine as I approached him. She was suddenly fully aware, because of him. My nostrils flared.

  "I don't think you could lift the lightest weight in here. Why don't you run along, and let the adults talk." I said, walking over and shoving his shoulder. Griffin doubled back, almost dramatically. What a feeble creature.

  "Magnus, leave him alone." Andrea's voice drowned out as the blood rushed to my head and my heart pounded in my ears. Griffin was like a hyena, coming to pick at the scraps.

  But I was a lion.

  Griffin didn't bother to come back at me as I shoved him again. He just turned and headed back for the door.

  "Coward. This is no place for you." I chuckled and turned back to face Andrea. She didn't seem impressed, but she was always playing hard to get.

  Suddenly, I'm jarred forward and pain throbbed in the back of my head. A metal folding chair clattered to the floor after connecting with my head. I saw red.

  "I'm not a coward." Griffin's voice was a whisper, but he looked up from under his brow with hatred in his ice colored eyes, almost completely white. They creeped me out.

  I bellowed and charged at him.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  "Guys, stop!" Andrea shouted, but I didn't hear her. I swung left and right, but the lanky kid just shifted out of the way. I bullrushed him into a corner and grabbed his scrawny neck with my massive hand.

  "You little shit! I should crush you right here. You have no business in the Order!" I shouted in his face.

  His expression was vacant, except for the hatred in his eyes. He was obnoxiously tall and thin, like a weasel. His blonde hair was long and greasy, like an old mop. Such a disgusting excuse for a human.

  I felt something suddenly poking into my gut, and I looked down.

  The little bastard has his fucking sword sticking into my stomach, just enough to pierce if he were to apply any force.

  "You little prick." I growled, tightening my grip.

  "Put me down Magnus." He was too calm and it irritated me. His cold, emotionless voice made me want to crush his windpipe, but I let go.

  Griffin dismissed his Artifact like the threat was gone and stared at me unblinking, unmoving.

  I looked over my shoulder, and Andrea was no where to be found. I turned back to Griffin and growled.

  "One of these days, you'll fight something far worse than me, and you won't have the strength to beat it. I can only hope that I'm there to watch it devour you." I snarled before slamming out through the gym doors.

  I didn't know what Gideon was thinking with this one. I didn't see the appeal or potiential. He was just lanky and whiny.

  I should have just crushed his skull with the power from Megingjord, Thor's belt. But then they'd just take it from me.

  It was my birthright, as a true descendant of the Nordic bloodlines. The damn Order thought it owned everything, but the Belt was mine, and they'd have to take it from my corpse.

  My Motorola StarTAC rang and I fumbled with it before I got the damn thing open. Stupid technology. Portable phones just made life more irritating.

  "Hello?"

  "Yea, I'll come home tonight."

  "You couldn't get the damn diapers yourself?"

  "No, I haven't been drinking. I'm still at work."

  "Yep. Love you too. Bye."

  I made sure the stupid phone was off and sighed.

  "Damn needy bitch and her brat." I growled to myself.

  As I turned the corner into the hallway, I saw Andrea rushing back, with Gideon on her heels. I rolled my eyes.

  "You better not have hurt him." Andrea said, glaring at me. I scoffed and waved my towel at her.

  "He's fine. Little fucker pulled his sword on me." I said, trying not to snap at her. Gideon's dark eyes stared at me hard as he approached. Andrea stared at me as she moved passed me to go back into the gym. I turned my head to stare at her ass as she went back. When I turned back, Gideon was right in front of me.

  He was a big guy, but we stood almost eye to eye with each other. I scratched the back of head and stared back at him, lazily.

  "You cannot be fighting the other Chosen Magnus. They are your family." He told me. I shook my head.

  "These guys aren't my family boss. My family is the broad at home with the brat." I told him, trying to keep a neutral face.

  "Regardless, we are here to work together, not to fight each other. I will not tolerate this behaviour in my home." He said, his old voice droning on.

  "Gotcha." I said, trying to move passed him. He put a hand on my chest and my nostrils flared again. His face held no anger or ill intent, so I simmered a bit.

  "Magnus, I need to know that I can trust you to work as a team, especially when you are out in the field. This discourse between you and the others, it is unwarranted." He told me. I moved his hand from my chest. If he had been anyone else, I would have broken his wrist.

  "Yup. Team player. Got it." I rolled my eyes. Gideon kissed his teeth at me.

  "Do not give me reason to have you removed Magnus. You may come from a long line of Chosen, but the Cathedral is my home, and I will not have your malice infect it. Do you understand me?" He pointed his finger at me and I wanted to snap it off. Old bastard thought he could threaten me?

  "I understand perfectly." I said behind clenched teeth.

  When he moved off, back down the hallway, I punched the brick wall beside me. It crumbled a bit, and I looked down at my fist. My bloody knuckles throbbed, but the sensation only pushed my already spiked adrenaline.

  I was a lion on the prowl, and my prey had all gotten away. Thankfully, there was always some poor, pathetic animal at home.

  I looked back longingly at the gym door. Andrea would break eventually. I knew she was into me. She was always in the gym at the same time as me. Obviously she wanted me.

  And if not, there was always that Greek girl, walking around here all high and mighty.

  I'd show all of them. I was the mighty Magnus, and I would not be denied.