Two weeks had passed since the rogue’s execution.
The pack had returned to its usual rhythm.
Or, at least, Raquelle had made sure it did.
The morning sun hung high over the training grounds as dozens of warriors moved across the field, their movements sharp and coordinated.
Raquelle stood at the edge of the grass, arms folded tightly across her chest as her sharp eyes tracked every drill.
“Again!” she called out, her voice easily cutting through the morning air.
The warriors immediately reset their positions.
“Front line, tighten your formation!” Raquelle barked.
“You’re leaving too much space between yourselves.
Second line, don’t wait for them to engage before moving.
The moment the front line advances, you move with them.” She stepped forward, pointing toward the warriors on the left.
“Your flank is exposed.
If an enemy gets past the first formation, they’ll come straight through you.
Fix it.” “Yes, Alpha!” Raquelle’s eyes swept across the field.
“Faster!” The warriors moved in a blur of motion.
“Good.
Now switch positions.” They obeyed immediately, their boots kicking up dust from the dry earth.
Raquelle watched carefully, correcting mistakes the absolute second she spotted them.
“Clementine, lower your stance.” He adjusted his weight instantly.
“Sylvester, stop relying entirely on your raw strength.
You’re leaving yourself wide open.” Sylvester nodded, wiping sweat from his brow.
“Yes, Alpha.” Raquelle folded her arms again, a rare trace of approval on her face.
“Better.” A familiar, rumbling voice suddenly came from right behind her.
“Since you’re apparently so good at spotting everyone’s weaknesses…” Raquelle turned on her heel.
Beta Dominic Blue stood a few feet away, wearing an amused, challenging expression.
“…why don’t you demonstrate?” Dominic stepped onto the training ground, his shoulders rolling loosely.
The surrounding warriors stopped their drills, immediately exchanging interested, eager glances.
A spar between the Alpha and Beta was a rare treat.
Raquelle stared at him, her face a mask of indifference.
“No.” Dominic’s eyebrows rose.
“No?” “I have other things to do.” Jake, who had been leaning lazily against one of the wooden posts nearby, let out a loud laugh.
“She’s scared.” Raquelle’s head snapped toward him, her golden eyes narrowing.
“Excuse me?” Jake grinned, stepping forward.
“You heard me.” The immense tension that had existed between the two of them over the past two weeks hadn’t disappeared completely, but things were much better than they had been immediately after the incident in the clinic.
Jake had forgiven her for that frantic, desperate kiss.
They still joked occasionally, and they still worked together seamlessly, but something fundamental had changed.
A thin, fragile distance remained between them—one that neither of them dared to acknowledge.
Raquelle narrowed her eyes at the Gamma.
“You really want to do this, Jake?” Jake shrugged, his smirk widening.
“I’m just saying Dominic might actually beat you today.” Dominic laughed, cracking his knuckles.
“Thank you, Jake.” Raquelle rolled her eyes dramatically.
“Fine.” She stepped fully onto the dirt of the training ground.
“But don’t start crying when I nail you to the ground on the first move, Blue.” Dominic burst out laughing.
“You’re going to nail me to the ground?” “Exactly.” He shook his head, shifting his weight.
“Your confidence is going to be your absolute downfall, Alpha.” “We’ll see.” The surrounding warriors quickly formed a loose, excited circle around them.
Dominic rolled his broad shoulders one last time, while Raquelle lowered herself slightly into a balanced fighting stance.
“Ready?” Dominic grinned.
“Always.” Raquelle lunged first, her speed blinding.
Dominic barely managed to throw up his arms to block her heavy strike, the forceful impact sending a sharp crack echoing through the air.
The warriors around them erupted into loud cheers.
She attacked again and again, a flurry of precise blows.
Dominic blocked every strike, occasionally countering with a swift movement of his own.
Their movements became faster, a synchronized dance of pure Alpha and Beta power.
Raquelle suddenly ducked beneath his swinging arm, sweeping her leg low toward his feet.
Dominic anticipated it, jumping cleanly over her shin.
“Nice try,” he taunted.
Raquelle smirked from the ground.
“You talk too much.” She charged again from a low angle.
This time, Dominic managed to catch her wrist mid-air.
He twisted his body, attempting to use her own forward momentum to throw her over his shoulder.
Raquelle anticipated the throw.
She pivoted sharply in mid-air, broke his iron hold with a burst of strength, and drove her shoulder dead into his chest.
Dominic stumbled backward, his boots sliding in the dirt.
The warriors shouted in excitement.
Raquelle didn’t give him a single second to recover.
She moved in fast, hooked her foot tightly behind his ankle, and sent him crashing heavily onto his back.
The entire training ground erupted into deafening cheers.
Raquelle stood over him, her chest rising and falling as she breathed heavily.
“I told you so.” Dominic stared up at the sky, completely winded.
Then, he groaned dramatically, throwing a hand over his face.
“I hate you.” Raquelle laughed, extending a hand to help him up.
“You love me.” Jake laughed loudly from the sidelines.
“That’s exactly what you get for challenging your Alpha, Beta.” Dominic sat up, wiping dust off his uniform, and glared at the Gamma.
“You’re next, Jake.” Jake’s playful smile disappeared instantly.
He took a step backward.
“Actually, I just remembered I have somewhere urgent to be.” Raquelle laughed, shaking her head.
“Coward.” “Smart,” Jake corrected, turning to walk away with a grin.
*** Vanessa hurried through the crowded hallway of her university, her eyes scanning the classroom doors frantically as she searched for Lucas.
She had already checked three different lecture halls.
Nothing.
“Where is he?” she muttered to herself, her frustration mounting.
She finally spotted his tall frame through the open doorway of a classroom near the end of the hall.
Vanessa slowed her pace, her relief short-lived.
Lucas was standing near one of the desks, and a human girl was sitting right in front of him.
They were talking closely, their heads leaned in together.
Vanessa’s heart skipped a beat, a sudden wave of possessiveness flaring in her chest.
She moved closer to the doorway, trying to hear what they were saying, but it was useless.
The classroom was too far away, and she couldn’t use her enhanced werewolf hearing here.
This was a human university.
If she suddenly reacted like a werewolf or showed any supernatural traits in front of everyone, she would have a lot more explaining to do than she wanted.
She was about to step inside to interrupt them when someone loudly called her name.
“Oh, hi, Vanessa!” Vanessa turned around, her expression tight.
“Tiffany.” ***** okay guys, chapter is coming late cause of today’s Sunday and my day was kinda hectic.