CHAPTER 18

A Fragile Truce

"You’ve got to be kidding me."

Flora folded her arms, eyeing the group of soldiers assembled before her.

Across from her, Adrian mirrored her stance, looking just as displeased. "I don’t like it either, but orders are orders."

They stood at the edge of the training grounds, surrounded by a dozen soldiers. The latest directive? A joint military operation between the army and the pack to strengthen defences along the border. It wasn't just about strategy-it was a political move to show unity. Which meant working together.

Flora exhaled sharply. "Fine. But let's get one thing straight-this isn't a reunion. It's a mission. Keep it professional."

Adrian's jaw clenched, but he nodded. "Agreed."

Dawson, standing to Flora's right, gave a low whistle. "Well, this'll be fun."

She shot him a warning glare before turning to the team. "Listen up! We're running defensive drills today. Pair off—one soldier, one wolf. Learn each other's strengths. No egos, no unnecessary aggression. We work as a unit, understood?"

The answer was unanimous, the tension so thick it was almost palpable.

Adrian took another step forward. "I'll work with you."

Flora did a half-pause. "You don't have to."

"But it makes a lot of sense that I do." His voice was neutral, revealing nothing. "If we are to do this well, we have to be on the same wavelength."

A muscle knotted along her jaw, but she nodded. "All right. Let's get it over with."

They moved in perfect harmony, but every movement felt strained under the unsaid weight between them.

Adrian attacked; Flora dodged. He counterattacked in a flash, and she blocked, her reflexes sharp as glass.

"You're holding back," she grumbled, as his next move came at her.

Adrian's lips moved with something like a smile. "So are you."

Flora snorted. "I don't need your pity."

"And I don't need yours."

She struck faster, testing him, pushing him, needing him to stop being careful.

Adrian caught her wrist mid-motion. His grip was firm but not forceful. For a beat, neither of them moved.

Flora could feel the eyes on them-soldiers, wolves, all watching.

"Let go," she said.

He did, stepping back. "You're stronger than when we last fought."

She ignored the flicker of pride that sparked in her chest. "You're slower."

Adrian smirked. "You wish."

The tension shifted, just a fraction. Not gone, but different.

"Again," she said, resetting her stance.

And this time, it felt less like a fight and more like something else entirely.

That night, Flora found Adrian waiting outside her tent.

She could have ignored him, but she wasn't a coward.

"What do you want?"

He blew out a breath, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. "To talk."

Flora crossed her arms. "Then talk."

Adrian said nothing for several long moments. When he did speak, his voice was low. "I don't expect you to forgive me."

Her fingers curled slightly, but she said nothing, didn't interrupt.

"I just." He faltered. "I handled things wrong. With you. With everything. And I know an apology doesn't fix it."

"No, it doesn't," she said even.

Adrian nodded once, accepting that. "But I still needed to say it."

For a moment, Flora didn't know what to say. She had fantasized about this-when he would be sorry, would admit his fault. But now that it was happening, it didn't feel. satisfying. It didn't erase the damage.

She exhaled. "I don't know if I can trust you, Adrian."

"I know."

And somehow, the honesty in his voice made it worse.

They stood silent, the night air thick between them.

Finally, Flora exhaled. "Get some rest. We have work to do tomorrow."

Adrian nodded. "Goodnight, Flora."

She didn't say it back. But she also didn't walk away.

Adrian hadn't planned on digging into Alice's past that night. But after his conversation with Flora, he needed something to focus on.

Jonas leaned back in his chair; arms crossed. "You're sure about this?

Adrian nodded. "There's more to Alice than what she's let on. I need to know everything."

Jonas exhaled loudly. "All right. But you're not gonna like what you find."

He slid a worn folder across the table. Adrian flipped it open, scanning the contents. His stomach turned.

Alice hadn't just manipulated him.

She had orchestrated lies, controlled narratives, ruined people.

Adrian's grip tightened on the pages.

Jonas watched him warily. "What now?"

Adrian clenched his jaw.

"Now?" He met Jonas's gaze. "Now, I put an end to this."

Adrian's eyes scanned the files as his mind whirled through all the implications. He could not believe he had been so blind, so trusting. Alice had played him like a fiddle, using him to get ahead in what mattered most to her.

Jonas stirred in his seat uncomfortably. "Adrian, I—

"Don't," Adrian cut him off, his voice cold. "You knew about this, didn't you? You knew what Alice was doing."

Jonas hesitated before nodding. "I suspected. But I didn't know the full extent."

Adrian's eyes flashed with anger. "And you didn't think to tell me?"

Jonas held up his hands. "Adrian, I'm sorry. I was trying to protect you."

"Protect me?" Adrian let out a low, bitter laugh. "You were protecting yourself, Jonas. You were protecting your own interests."

Jonas looked away, his face pale. "Perhaps I was. But I am trying to rectify the mistake, Adrian."

Adrian lingered on him for a few moments before giving his attention once more to the files. He needed to know everything, how far Alice had gone with her manipulations.

As he read, a plan began to form in his mind. He would bring down Alice, expose her for the manipulative, power-hungry person she was. And he would do it with Flora's help.

He looked up at Jonas, a cold smile spreading across his face. "It's time to take back control, Jonas. It's time to take down Alice."

Jonas's eyes widened, but he nodded. "I'm with you, Adrian."

Adrian's smile broadened. "Good. Because we're going to need all the help we can get."

The next day, Adrian sought out Flora and found her in the training grounds, sparring with one of the soldiers. He watched her for a moment, impressed by her skill and strength.

As she finished her match and turned to leave, he fell into step beside her. "Flora, can I talk to you for a minute?"

She raised an eyebrow but nodded. "What is it?"

Adrian was uncertain, not knowing how to bring up the topic. Still, he knew that honesty had to be shared with her. "I've been doing some digging into Alice's past," he said in a low tone of voice. "And what I found. It’s not good."

Flora's expression turned serious. "What did you find?"

Adrian took a deep breath. "Alice has manipulated people for years, using them to further her own agenda. And I think she's been using me, too."

Flora's eyes narrowed. "What makes you think that?"

Adrian now wavered, unsure of how much to let out, but he knew he needed to be frank with Flora too. "I found some files," he said. "Files that suggest that Alice has played me right from the beginning."

Flora's face went cold. "We need to take her down."

Adrian nodded, a wave of relief washing over him. "I was hoping you'd say that."