I am standing in front of a dark-brown wooden workbench. It's large enough to hold various jars of dried herbs and mortars and pestles. I carefully measure out a pinch of silverleaf and add it to the mixture in front of me, trying to follow the instructions of the head assistant healer, Giona.Giona's black brows curl in annoyance. "Not like that, Aura," She says, her voice firm but not unkind. "You're using too much silverleaf. It'll overpower the whole blend."I nod and try to adjust the mixture, but she shakes her head."No, no, no. Here, let me show you." Giona takes the mortar and pestle from my sweaty hands and begins to mix the herbs with quick, precise strokes. "You have to feel the balance of the ingredients, not just throw them together." She states.I watch, trying to learn, but Giona's criticism stings. I take the equipment from her and try again, I try imitating her hand movement but the mix pulls out of the blend once more, ruining her previous effort. Giona groans in fr
Chapter 15I slump onto the bench beside Hanna, sighing in frustration. "It's been a week, Hanna. A week since Xzen agreed to train me, and nothing's happened. No training, no meetings, no nothing." My hands fall helplessly on my thighs. Hanna's expression turns sympathetic. “Come on, Aura. He's probably busy. I mean, Alpha Elena publicly passed him the crown two nights ago. He's got a lot on his plate."I nod, knowing she is right. But it is hard not to feel disappointed. I have been looking forward to learning from Alpha Xzen, to finally making some progress.While we are still speaking, Ace walks into view, and Hanna's eyes sparkles with mischief. "Speaking of busy, look who's here," she teases, nudging me.My cheeks burn as I assure her, "I don't even like him that way, Hanna. We're just friends."Hanna laughs, the sound draws Ace's attention to us. He quickly dismisses the lady clinging to his arm and strides over to us, his warm brown eyes fixed on me, shining with a glint."Au
Chapter 16Xzen's POVI pace back and forth in the training arena, my impatience growing with each passing minute. If Aura had even bothered to open the books I sent her, she would have found the note I'd placed in there with clear instructions to meet me here by six pm. It isn't an unreasonable hour, and all healing classes should have ended by now. So, what is taking her so long?"What the fuck is taking her so long?" I mutter, regretting my decision to train the omega. She obviously isn't taking this seriously.Collins, my chosen Beta, clears his throat, "Uh, Alpha? You might want to calm down."I send him a glare, but he continues, "Look, your omega is finally here."My heart skips a beat at the term "my omega," and I can't explain why. But as I turn to see Aura running towards me, her petite frame exuding determination, my justified irritation falters. She looks like a teenager on their first run, about to collapse at any moment. And then, she does. Aura stumbles and falls, her l
A groan escapes my lips when I wake, my body screaming in protest. My back aches from being thrown repeatedly to the hard mat. I wince hating how my legs feel like lead weights, burning from the intense training session. But it isn't just my physical body that is on fire - my heart still races from the memory of Alpha Xzen's firm hold.A warm blush creeps up my face as I recall the way he wrapped his arms around me. His protective weight and warmth makes me feel safe and cherished. Yesterday I had failed the last step so many times, not because I couldn't grasp the technique, but because I was distracted by the hot touch of his strong body against mine.I bury my flushed cheeks in my palm as the memory of how my heart had skipped a beat when Alpha Xzen's face was inches from mine, his dark green eyes locked on mine with an intensity that made me feel like he could see into my very soul. I had been sold that I had forgotten to breathe.With a sigh, I throw off the covers and get out of
Chapter 18Xzen's POVI stand facing Aura in the training ground, the late afternoon sun dutifully casts long shadows across the empty training hall. It is six pm, and the other trainees have already retired for the day, leaving us alone."So, you were with Ace last night," I say, my tone neutral as I try to sound nonchalant despite the unease growing inside me.Aura nods, her eyes fixed on mine. "Yes, Alpha Xzen. We had a bonfire and celebrated." She smiles.I feel a surge of...disapproval, but quickly push it aside. I am just concerned about her safety, that's all. "Be careful around Ace," I warn her. "He's...reckless."Aura's gaze narrows slightly, her plump lips setting in a determined line. "I can take care of myself, Alpha Xzen."I raise an eyebrow, a small smile playing on my lips. "Oh? And how do you plan to do that?"Without hesitation, Aura drops into a fighting stance, her eyes holding a glint. Her feet is shoulder-width apart, her hands are up in a guard position. It is th
Xzen's POV Just as my resolve breaks and my lips are about to touch Aura's panting ones, a loud clearing of someone's throat breaks the spell. We spring away from her. My eyes narrow when I turn to find the intruder. I should have killed the smug bastard when I had the chance. Collins stands with the door wide open and a shit eating grin on his face. "Alpha Xzen,” He starts, clearing his throat again to get the laughter out of his system. “I'm sorry to interrupt,” He wasn't we both knew he wasn't. With that stupid glint in his eyes it was obvious he enjoyed this more than any of the silly pranks he's ever pulled on me in the past. “...but...there's a situation at the border. We've got a group of rogue wolves causing trouble." I growl, frustration burning through me. "Can't it wait?" This shouldn't be something Collins and the men can't handle. The fool hesitates, his gaze flicking to Aura's shy posture before returning to me. "I'm afraid not, Alpha. They're getting bolder by th
I stand tall, my heart racing, as Alpha Xzen looms over me. The dark walls of my bedroom appear to be closing in on me."Why did you follow us last night?" he growls, his voice low and menacing, with a hint of its familiar huskiness that sends a strange calm through me. I lift my chin, meeting his angry gaze. "I wanted to help," I say, my voice surprisingly steady. I know I should be scared but I'm not. Alpha Xzen's eyes narrow. "You could have gotten yourself killed," he snarls. "You're an omega, Aura. You're not even supposed to be involved in pack fights."I take a step forward, my anger rising. "That's not fair," I say, my voice firm. "I have more strength now. And I want to prove myself. Isn't that why you are training me?”Alpha Xzen's face darkened, his eyes flashing with fury. “Self defense and pack fights are two very different things," he states, his voice dripping with venom. My chest squeezes in pain at his belittling words. "Irrespective of your desires, Aura, I am the
I sit nervously in my healing class. My hands shake slightly as I gaze down at the rabbit in front of me. Giona drops her papers under her armpit as she glances around, nodding her head in approval at the way every one of us is concentrating on the task at hand. She, explains today's lesson will be a practical test of our learned skills - we are to connect with the rabbit's life source, sense its energy, and perform a simple healing.I can do this. I take a deep breath, trying as much as possible to calm my beating heart. I focus on the rabbit, its soft fur and gentle eyes. As I place my hands on its soft tiny body, I feel a gentle flow of energy. My heart trembles within my chest, and I try to ignore it. I close my eyes, concentrating on the sensation.Soon, I can feel the rabbit's life source, a gentle hum of energy flowing through its body. I sense its heartbeat, its calm breath, its very essence.But my own heart refuses to calm down. I can feel it pounding in my chest, a remind