*BRIANNE’S POV*Training at the pack house was unnecessarily exhausting today. We were back to wolf training, and as far as I can remember, I have fought two wolves today. Every muscle in my body felt heavy as if I were dragging rock instead of flesh. But despite the exhaustion, there was a surge of pride running through me. I was proud of my skills. The sting of not having my wolf still gnawed at me. But days like these reminded me that I wasn’t weak. Not by a long shot.The arena buzzed with life as the trainees walked about, talking in small groups and catching their breaths after the intense session. The scent of damp earth and sweat hung in the air, thick and oppressive. Wolves in various stages of transformation walked by, their fur matted with dirt. The trainers were shouting instructions, their voices blending into a chaotic symphony.I wiped the sweat from my brow and leaned against one of the stone pillars at the edge of the arena, letting the coolness seep into my skin. I c
*BRIANNE’S POV*“ENOUGH!”It was Jordyn. His voice was filled with an authority that silenced even the wildest wolves. The massive wolf on top of me hesitated, his ears flattening in submission.I could barely lift my head, but when I did, I saw Jordyn standing at the edge of the ring, his eyes blazing with fury. His gaze flicked to Amelia, and for the first time, I saw something dark in his expression—something close to hatred.The wolf backed away, retreating to the edge of the ring as Jordyn stepped forward, his focus entirely on me. He crossed the space between us in a few long strides, his hand reaching down to help me up.“Are you alright?” He asked, his voice low but urgent. There was concern in his eyes…genuine concern, not the indifferent mask he was putting on a few days ago.I nodded weakly, though I wasn’t sure how true it was. My body was screaming in pain, my side bleeding from the wolf’s claws. But the physical wounds were nothing compared to the confusion swirling in m
*BRIANNE’S POV*The walk to the infirmary was quiet, but my thoughts were anything but that. I replayed the scene in my head, trying to make sense of everything. Why had Amelia done that? What have I ever done to her? And Jordyn…why did he always seem to come to my rescue, even when his loyalty was supposed to lie elsewhere?***As Doctor El finished wrapping the bandage around my waist, I let out a slow breath, my body exhausted but healing quickly. Jordyn was still beside me, his hand resting gently on mine. The room was filled with thick silence. The type that almost had a pulse.The memories of the training ring were still fresh in my mind. My body felt every bruise, every hit, but none of it compared to the turmoil inside me. Did Amelia hate me so much as to single me out in front of everyone, knowing I didn’t have my wolf?“Thank you, El,” Jordyn said as the doctor packed away his tools.Doctor El gave me a sympathetic smile before leaving the room, his footsteps fading down the
*JORDYN’S POV*“What is wrong with you?” I lashed out, my voice echoing through the walls.Amelia had crossed the line today. My mind kept replaying the moment I saw Brianne crumple under the weight of that final blow, her body battered from the fight Amelia had practically orchestrated.One minute, I was talking with Josh, telling him about my bond with Brianne. And the next minute, an overwhelming surge of panic coursed through me— Brianne was in danger. I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t even think. The bond pulled me straight to her.And now, standing in front of Amelia, I could barely keep my anger in check.“So, you’re going to yell at me because of her?” Amelia’s voice trembled, her eyes watery with a mix of emotions that she didn’t even try to hide.“You had no reason to do that,” I said, my tone still sharp, though I tried to calm it. “No reason to single her out like that and force her into a fight she couldn’t win.”Amelia’s face flushed with resentment, her lips curling into a sn
*BRIANNE’S POV*It’s been days since the unnecessarily unfortunate encounter with Amelia, but the soreness in my muscles was a constant reminder of her petty actions. Despite my training, my body still ached in places, but my mind was more exhausted than anything. I couldn’t stop replaying that fight in my head, especially Amelia’s smug expression as she watched me struggle.“That girl is something else,” Mary’s voice broke into my thoughts, pulling me out of the haze.I glanced around the table, my best friend, sitting with a frustrated look on her face. We were at a quaint little restaurant just outside the pack house. The place has a warm, cozy feel, with wooden tables and soft lighting that reflects off the polished floor. The scent of fresh bread and coffee filled the air, giving it a comfortable vibe, though the tension I felt in my chest remained heavy.“I know, right?” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t know what I ever did to her. If she’s having issues with Jordyn, she should
*BRIANNE’S POV*“Brianne, can we talk?” Marcus asked as soon as he approached our table, his voice steady but with an undertone of urgency.I looked up from my coffee, my eyebrow raised in suspicion. “Are you following me?” I asked, though my tone was half-joking. I knew Marcus, this wasn’t exactly the first time he’d shown up uninvited.He shook his head, though his eyes said something different. There was something almost possessive in the way he looked at me like he was claiming a right to be there, to be part of whatever I was doing.“No, I just…I heard you were around, and I thought we could talk. Please.”Mary shot me a glance, her lips pressing into a tight line. She didn’t like Marcus, and she certainly didn’t appreciate him barging in on our time. Still, I could sense there was something more to his appearance today. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to find out, but curiosity pulled me in.“Alright, talk,” I said, folding my arms across my chest as I leaned back in my seat. “What i
*JORDYN’S POV*“What do we have on our table, Josh?” I asked, rubbing my temples as I leaned back in my chair. Josh sat across from me, his laptop open and papers spread across the table.Josh gave me a look that made it clear he had something more to say than just pack affairs. “I don’t think you should be worried about that right now,” He said, his tone careful but firm.I raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”Josh sighed, pushing a file aside. “The council called for a meeting, right? You know who’s behind it. Amelia and your mother—they’ve probably already filled the council with their concerns.”I exhaled sharply. Of course, they had. “They want me to move forward with the wedding.”Josh nodded, looking uncomfortable. “It’s not just that, though. There are whispers that Amelia’s trying to push the timeline because she’s…worried about something.”I crossed my arms. “Worried about what?”“She thinks you’re holding back because of Brianne,” Josh said, leaning forward. “She’s not wrong, is s
*JORDYN’S POV*I walked down the hallway toward the council meeting room, my boots echoing off the marble floor. Each step felt heavy with purpose, and I counted them in my head, trying to hold on to the last thread of my patience. I could feel the rage simmering just beneath my skin, but I needed to keep it in check. Not yet, I told myself. There was a time and place for everything, and today, I was about to show them exactly why people didn’t mess with me.The door to the council room stood ahead, tall and foreboding, but I pushed through without hesitation. As I entered, the dull murmur in the room fell silent, and a dozen pairs of eyes turned toward me. Good. Let them stare. I had no interest in pleasantries today.I scanned the room, noting the familiar faces. All of them sat in their designated spots, the council members in their long robes, pretending to be wise and impartial. My mother and Amelia were seated at the far left, side by side like conspirators. My mother had a comp