Joey guided me to a quiet corner of the training grounds, away from the main group. The sun was high, casting shadows that danced across the dirt floor, and the smell of sweat and leather hung heavy in the air. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. “First rule of fighting,” Joey said, her voice serious but encouraging, “don’t panic. Fear will make you sloppy. Focus on your stance and balance.” She demonstrated a simple pose feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands ready to strike or block. I tried to copy her, wobbling a little. “Like this?” “Better,” she said, adjusting my arms. “Now, let’s start with the basics punches and kicks. Don’t hold back, but don’t hurt yourself either. You have to know your limits.” We began slowly. Joey threw gentle punches, and I mirrored her movements. My arms ached quickly, and I stumbled more than once. But each time, she corrected me patiently, showing me how to shift my weight, how to use my legs for power, and how
Devon had called for a meeting with the council elders to address the constant attacks from rogues. They needed to figure out why the rogues kept coming. “Baby, this meeting is going to take a while. Do you want to come with me?” He wanted me to accompany him. But I wouldn’t. Not with the way the pack had been acting towards me. When Devon was showing me around, I was greeted politely and with smiles. The only one showing open hatred is Levi. Their warmth feels like a mask, one that slips the moment Devon isn’t looking. “I’ll be fine with Joey. Besides, if I’m there I’ll only distract you,” I told him, trying to assure him that I was okay staying back. Inside, though, I wondered if the elders would bring my name up at the meeting. The thought twisted in my stomach. “I’ll be distracted either way. When you’re with me, I’ll only focus on you. When you’re not, I’ll miss you.” He gave me that look again, the one that said he was leaving his heart behind. I’d never had anyone s
I couldn’t sleep no matter how hard I tried. Even with Devon’s warmth beside me, my heart kept pounding like it wanted to tear through my chest. Every time I closed my eyes, all I saw were the she-wolves’ snarling faces, the way their eyes glowed with hate like they had been waiting for me all along. I turned on my side slowly, not wanting to wake Devon, but he was already watching me. His golden eyes caught mine in the faint light from the window. “You’re still awake,” he said softly. I bit my lip. “I can’t stop thinking about them.” Devon reached for my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “No one will hurt you while I’m here. You believe me, don’t you?” I wanted to believe him. I really did. But something about the way Scar had looked at me earlier—like he was certain I didn’t belong—kept crawling into my mind. “What if Scar’s right?” I whispered. “What if I bring trouble to your pack?” His expression hardened, his jaw tightening the way it did when he was annoyed. “S
The growls shook me to my core, low and dangerous, like they were warning me that I didn’t belong here. I pressed myself against the cold wall, wishing I could melt into it, wishing Devon would appear and make all of this stop. My heart beat so loud I was afraid they could hear it. The tallest of the three stepped forward, her dark hair pulled into a braid, her lips curling over sharp teeth. “So this is her? The little rogue who thinks she’s worthy of an Alpha.” The others chuckled bitterly, their eyes burning with jealousy and hate. “I… I didn’t do anything,” I whispered, but my voice shook. My fingers curled into my dress, nails digging into my palms to keep me steady. They circled me slowly, like predators playing with prey. One of them leaned close enough that her hot breath brushed against my cheek. “You don’t belong here. You’ll ruin him, you’ll ruin us all. Better you leave now before things get… messy.” Her meaning was clear, and my stomach knotted. “I’m his mate,”
Devon’s arm tightened instantly around my waist, pulling me closer, his warmth a shield I desperately clung to. “Devon,” Scar said, voice clipped, each syllable laced with suspicion. “Why is she still here?” My breath hitched. Not again… please, not again. Devon’s aura pulsed before he even spoke, a quiet growl rumbling deep in his chest as his dominance filled the air. “Levi, you know Adriana is my mate. She belongs by my side.” Scar’s gaze flicked to me, sharp and accusing, as if I was some intruder who had fooled his Alpha. My chest tightened until it hurt. What if he convinced Devon I wasn’t worth this? What if I was dragged back into the darkness? I tried to speak, to defend myself, but the words withered in my throat. “She’s dangerous,” Scar pressed, his voice rising. “You weren’t there when she—” “That’s enough.” Devon’s voice cut like steel. He bared his teeth, his Alpha command rippling through the room. “I don’t want to hear another word against her.” Scar froze, lip
Just as Joey left I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you". I tell my mate, tears choking me . "You're my mate and you need to know that there's nothing I wouldn't do for you, ever. "Are you hungry? we can get you something to eat. you must be starving ". Just on cue, my stomach grumbles and I flush, embarrassed . but he just laughs and says "cute". As we head to the kitchen, he intertwines his hands with mine and I'm greatfull for the warmth. "Alpha". The two omegas in the kitchen bow to Devon as we step into the kitchen. he helps me sit on a kitchen stool, facing them while holding my back he says this is my mate, your Luna, Adriana. Immediately they both bow to me. "you're welcome to the pack, Luna". "What would you like to eat?" the blonde one steps out to ask me, beaming brightly she looked like a star. "Oh , I'm Bella by the way. Just Bella not short for anything". "Hi Bella". "And I'm Tori, short for something, Victoria. but you can just call me Tori". "Hi Tor