Riven’s POV
“Come out.”
My eyes narrowed.
Nyra stood several metres away, staring into the trees.
She had discovered the footprint.
He had deliberately stayed behind while she searched for water, allowing her to believe she was completely alone.
The exercise had never been about finding water.
That had only been the first part.
The real lesson was whether she could notice when she was being followed and now she had.
I remained hidden.
Nyra slowly turned, studying the forest around her.
“I know someone’s there.”
Silence.
I watched her carefully.
She was alert.
Nyra took another step.
“If you’re waiting for me to panic, you’re going to be waiting for a long time.”
Still nothing.
Then a branch snapped somewhere behind her.
Nyra spun.
A dark figure darted between the trees.
She immediately took off after him.
I followed and stayed far enough behind not to interfere.
The stranger was fast but Nyra was gaining.
She pushed herself harder, weaving between trees without slowing down.
The stranger glanced backward.
Nyra caught the movement.
Her hand went to the knife at her side, and before the figure could disappear completely, she threw it.
The knife flew through the air.
A sharp grunt came from the trees.
Nyra’s eyes widened.
“I got you.”
She moved forward quickly, but the figure was already running.
A dark figure disappeared between the trees, moving with a speed and control that immediately told her this wasn’t some inexperienced rogue.
Nyra chased after him.
She pushed herself as hard as she could, but the stranger knew exactly how to move through the forest.
He never ran in a straight line for long.
He changed direction, used the terrain, and disappeared behind thick vegetation before she could close the distance.
Nyra stopped.
Her breathing was heavier now.
She looked around.
Whoever it was, he was gone.She glanced back at the knife.There was blood on it, It had hit him but apparently, not well enough to stop him.
“Damn it.”
A few seconds later, I emerged from the trees.
“Don’t beat yourself up about it, you did quite well.”
Nyra turned toward him.
“Someone was following me.”
“I noticed, I didn’t want to interfere because I want to know how much you could do on your own”
“I lost him though”
“Where?”
“That direction.”
She pointed toward the trees.
“I saw him for a second. I threw my knife, and I think it hit him, but he still got away.”
I looked toward the forest, moved to where Nyra had been standing and examined the ground.
There were faint footprints then he noticed a small drop of blood on a leaf.
I crouched and touched it.
Fresh.
Whoever had been watching them was injured but judging by how quickly he’d disappeared, the injury hadn’t slowed him down for long.
“He’s good.”
Nyra frowned.
“Very.”
I looked deeper into the forest.
“And careful.”
Neither of us spoke for a moment.
We didn’t know who the stranger was nor who had sent him but they both knew he hadn’t been there by accident.
I remained quiet as they walked.
Something about the encounter bothered me.
Not only because someone had managed to get so close to Nyra but there was something else i didn’t understand.
I have been training with her for sometime now.
Yet Nyra had never transformed, not once.
Even when doing so would have made things easier.
Most wolves would have shifted during a chase like that.
Their wolf would have given them greater speed, sharper senses and better tracking ability.
I knew Nyra was strong in her human form.
He’d seen enough to know that but if she’d shifted just now… I glanced back toward the direction she lost the figure, perhaps she would have caught the stranger.
The thought of why didn’t she ever transform lingered but I didn’t ask.
I wondered if there was a reason for that or she probably just enjoys being in her human form than her wolf form.
I turned toward the direction of the camp.
“Come on.”
She followed.
After a few steps, Nyra glanced at me.
“You said were watching me the entire time, weren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“You could have helped sooner.”
“You didn’t need help.”
Nyra looked at him suspiciously.
“That’s your excuse?”
“It’s not an excuse.”
“What is it?”
“A lesson.”
She rolled her eyes.
“You’re turning everything into a lesson.”
“Because you need to learn.”
“I already know how to fight.”
Riven stopped walking.
Nyra nearly walked into him.
He looked at her.
“You know how to fight one opponent.”
She folded her arms.
“And?”
“You don’t know how to fight several.”
He started walking again.
“Tomorrow, we’re fixing that.”
Nyra smiled.
“Yes!”
Riven glanced back.
“Don’t sound too excited.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re going to hate me tomorrow.”
Nyra laughed.
“I already find you annoying.” she smiled.
I smirked “Then we’re making progress.”
******************
Nyra’s POV
By the time we reached camp, the sun was beginning to disappear behind the trees.
I dropped onto the log beside the fire.
I was exhausted.
Riven sat across from me, checking the weapons had used during training.
For several minutes, neither of us spoke.
It was strange.
I found myself staring at Riven, He looks so handsome without even trying and I’m so glad to have a mate as helpful as him by my side.
Eira giggled.
“Please don’t start.”
‘I didn’t even say anything.’
“You were going to.”
‘Maybe.’
I sighed.
“Eira.”
The wolf laughed inside my mind.
‘Fine.’
I looked across the fire.
Riven was staring into the flames.
“You’re quiet.”
“So are you.”
“I’m usually quiet.”
“So am I.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“You talk more than you think.”
The words slipped out naturally.
Both of us paused.
Riven held my gaze.
“Gosh he know what he does to me when he looks me in the eyes like that” I thought to myself.
Eira was practically celebrating inside her head.
‘He really likes you.’
“Please be quiet.”
Riven frowned slightly, “Did you say something?”
“No.”
“You’re talking to Eira?”
“How did you know?”
“You get a certain expression and your eye colors flicks between yours and your wolf’s.”
I smiled.
“Apparently everyone is noticing things about me.” I shrugged.
Riven chuckled “Not everyone.”
Riven stood, “I should go.”
Nyra nodded.
“Thank you.”
He looked at her.
“For what?”
“Training me.”
He nodded.
“You’re welcome.”
He took a few steps before stopping.
“Nyra.”
I looked up at him.
“Stay alert tonight.”
My expression became serious.
“Because of the stranger?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think he’ll come back?”
Riven’s eyes hardened slightly.
“I don’t know.”
I nodded.
That answer was honest and I appreciated it.
“Goodnight, Riven.”
“Goodnight mate.”
I smiled, before I could say anything else, he was gone.
He disappeared into the trees.
I didn’t know who the stranger was but I knoew it was probably someone working for the council.
They were getting closer.
******************
Silas’s POV
I pressed two fingers against the small cut along his side.
Her knife had caught me.I underestimated how quickly she’d react.
Noted.
I made one mistake, and I wouldn’t make the same one twice.
I continued through the forest until I was certain I was out of range then pulled out a communication device.
“Report,” Marcus’ voice came through.
“I found her.”
A pause.
“Are you certain?”
“Completely.”
“And?”
I glanced back toward the distant trees.
“She’s stronger than expected.”
“Did she see you?”
“She saw enough to throw a knife.”
Marcus went silent.
I almost smiled.
“It hit me but I’m fine.”
“And the other wolf?”
“Riven.”
That name made Marcus pause.
“He’s with her?”
“He’s training her.”
I looked toward the forest.
“That complicates things.”
“Can you handle it?”
My expression remained calm, “That’s what you’re paying me for.”