CHAPTER 8

Selina~

The book felt heavy in my hands as I entered the training room. The sun had already set, and the lamps cast long shadows against the walls. Raymond stood in the center of the mat. He wore only dark training pants, and his bare chest glistened slightly with sweat from an earlier run. The snake tattoo shifted with every breath. His ice-blue eyes lifted as I closed the door.

"You came," he said.

"You invited me. Or ordered me. Depending on how you read it."

He shrugged. "Put the book down. We’re starting."

I placed the manual on a bench and stepped onto the mat. My hands felt cold. The magic was already tingling beneath my skin, sensing his proximity.

"Control first," he explained. "No attacks. Just summoning and holding. Think of something neutral. The mountain. The wind. Not anger. Not me."

Too late. The thought of him was already there. Sparks appeared instantly. Green and gold danced around my fingers, illuminating his face.

"Breathe. Slowly. Hold it."

I breathed. The lights steadied. Raymond stepped closer and circled me. His eyes followed the sparks.

"Good. Now let it grow. But don't let it explode."

I concentrated. The energy rose, forming a small circle around my hands. Raymond raised his hand, hovering it just above the light. The warmth of his skin mingled with the magic, and suddenly something pulsed through the bond—a warm surge that took me by surprise.

"What was that?" I whispered.

"The bond. It’s reacting to your power. And to my proximity."

He pulled his hand back, and the connection weakened. I let the magic subside until only a faint glow remained.

"Again," he said. "This time, with movement." "Move forward and keep the light steady."

I walked slowly across the mat. The sparks followed. Raymond walked beside me, correcting my posture with brief words. Shoulders down. Breathe deeper. Eyes straight ahead.

The words hit me hard. I wanted to be angry. I wanted to scream at him because just yesterday he had called me weak. Instead, I felt only warmth in my chest and a dangerous tingling in my fingers.

"Then we keep training," I said. "Until we control both. The magic and the bond."

He nodded and took his position opposite me again. This time, we practiced defense. He attacked slowly, and when I stumbled, he reached out and caught my arm. His fingers closed around my wrist, and the magic flared up brightly. Green light enveloped us both for a heartbeat. His breathing quickened. Mine did, too.

"Let go," he said roughly.

I did. The light vanished. We stood close together, staring at each other. His scent filled my lungs—wild and warm, smelling of night and the forest. My heart was pounding so loudly I was certain he could hear it.

"That wasn't just control," he murmured. "That was the bond making itself felt."

"I know. Alfred found some texts. The bond amplifies emotions. Closeness. Protection. And other things."

"What other things?" he asked, his voice lower than usual.

I swallowed. "Attraction. Maybe."

Raymond’s eyes darkened. He took a step back and rubbed the back of his neck. "The curse makes everything worse. It eats away at my control. And your blood makes the wolf hungry for more."

"Hungry for what?"

"For you. For what the bond promises. For what I shouldn't have."

And I tried to shape the sparks into a shield. It didn't work very well. The energy flickered uncontrollably, burning his forearm. He flinched, and I immediately let up.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that."

"It’s healing. Try again. Less panic. More intent."

We kept training until my body ached and the magic responded only weakly. Raymond looked tired. The curse was visibly taking its toll on him; dark shadows lay beneath his eyes, and his movements were slowing down.

"Break," he said, sitting down against the wall. I sat beside him—not too close, but close enough to feel his warmth.

"Why are you really helping me?" I asked after a while. "Not the bond. The truth."

He stared at his hands. "Because I saw you in the cafeteria yesterday. How you pushed yourself up despite the pain. How you took Alfred’s hand even though you don’t trust anyone. And because your blood smells pure, yet your heart isn’t weak. The wolf recognizes that. Even if I don’t want it to."

I remained silent. His words were more than I had expected—more than the cold Alpha usually allowed himself to reveal.

"Thank you," I said softly.

He turned his head and looked at me. "For what?"

"For the salve. For the book. For today. And for the truth just now."

Raymond exhaled. "Don’t tell anyone. The others would think I’m going soft. And softness kills in this pack."

"I won’t say a word. I promise."

We sat there for a while longer. This time, the silence didn't feel heavy.

It felt like a truce. Eventually, he stood up and held out his hand. I took it and let him pull me up. His fingers lingered a moment longer than necessary.

Come back to the quarters. You need sleep.

On the way through the dark corridors, I felt eyes on me. Liora was standing in an alcove with two other Fae, smiling as we passed. Raymond stepped partially in front of me, his body tensing.

She watches you too much, he murmured.

I know. Alfred and Rowan warned me.

Good. Listen to them.

He paused outside our shared quarters. Elian was standing in the shadows beside the door. His pale face was calm, and his eyes glowed a faint red.

The vampire, Raymond said coldly.

I protect what has been entrusted to me, Elian replied quietly. Even if the Bond makes it unnecessary.

Raymond took a step forward. You’re keeping your distance. That’s good. She doesn’t need another shadow.

Elian inclined his head. She needs the truth. And it’s coming soon. From many sides.

He vanished as silently as he had arrived. Raymond opened the door and let me in. Inside, he turned on the light and went straight to the kitchen.

Eat something. Then sleep.

I sat at the counter and watched him prepare bread and cheese. He set the plate in front of me but took nothing for himself.

You aren’t eating.

Later. The curse kills the appetite.

I ate slowly, feeling exhaustion wash over me. Raymond leaned against the cabinet, watching. His eyes were softer than usual.

The magic was better today, he said. Again tomorrow. Earlier. Before the others are awake.

Agreed.

When I finished, he cleared away the plate. I stood up and headed toward my room. At the door, I turned around.