Semua Bab Scarred by fate : Bab 131 - Bab 140

Tobias's POVAfter Gamma Austin announced today’s endurance challenge, my excitement about being in Group One plummeted. I couldn’t help but wonder what the guys in Group Two were doing instead. If I weren’t worried about Zahra thinking less of me, I’d have ditched this torture and gone back to Group Two in a heartbeat.The only silver lining is that Nicholas and Dustin are doing this madness as well. At least I’m not suffering alone. From the murmurs around us, this challenge sounds brutal, someone even mentioned boulders. I notice Nicholas watching Zahra closely, his gaze filled with the same concern I feel. She’s so capable, but this challenge is intense. Is her stamina up to this after her injuries? She only returned to training yesterday. Perhaps this is too much, too soon. I wonder briefly what the Gamma is playing at?!But then I remember last night, and some of the anxiety in my gut eases. She has her wolf now. That thought is a comfort. She’s better protected than before, and

Xander's POVThe path steepens, and the burn in my lungs becomes nearly unbearable. My hands feel numb, and my chest tightens with every laboured breath. I start pacing my breathing, big exhales followed by dragging in deep breaths through my nose. The short, shallow breaths I had been using aren’t cutting it.As I focus on timing my breaths to my steps, the numbness in my hands begins to fade, and my body finds a new rhythm. It feels more manageable now, even as the steep incline continues to punish my legs.We press on, the rugged mountainside demanding every ounce of my focus. I have no idea how far we’ve gone or how long we’ve been running when I hear a slight stumble behind me. I glance over my shoulder, my instincts immediately on high alert.I glance back and see it’s Seb. He’s slowing down, his face flushed bright red, his breathing short and ragged. His expression is scrunched up in pain, and I can tell he needs to stop. Glancing further back, I see it’s just our group now, I

Xander's POVWhen we step into the pack office building, I head straight up to mine and Dad’s office. He’s behind his desk, focused on something on his laptop. As I walk in, he looks up, his eyes bright and the corner of his mouth quirking up slightly. “How was training this morning?” He asks a hint of amusement in his voice, He knows exactly how bad this morning was... bastard.“It was horrendous!” I declare, dropping into the chair across from him. “But my group and I finished fairly well, well, except Sebastian. He dropped back to the next group. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”Dad’s grin spreads, and I know he’s enjoying this way too much.“Well, we’re kicking things up a notch this summer. We need to bring the overall fitness levels up,” he says casually before his tone softens. “How did Zahra do? I was a little worried about the lake swim this early in the season.”The mention of Zahra makes my jaw clench. His words spark an instant anger that boils over before I

Lucas's POWatching Xander leave now, I realize just how much I’ve damaged our relationship in my attempts to protect it. In trying to avoid hurting him, I hurt him anyway. I sigh heavily, rubbing my forehead and wiping at my eyes as the memories of that day nearly eight years ago come flooding back.A knock at the door breaks me out of my thoughts. "Come in," I bark, my voice still rough with emotion. The scent of Greg and Austin reaches me, with Hugo just behind them.The three enter, nodding respectfully before taking seats around the small conference table at the far end of my office. I follow them, settling into my chair as they arrange their notes and devices.“What’s on the agenda for today, gentlemen?” I ask, my tone brisk as I shift into Alpha mode.Greg leans forward, his posture confide

Zahra's POVArriving at school, the three of us climb out of Seb’s truck and head toward the front doors. Seb drapes his arm over my shoulder like he always does, and Max strides beside us, exuding that unbothered confidence that makes people move out of his way without him saying a word. Me? I’m just the pint-sized hanger-on, trying not to get trampled by the human stampede that always seems to form around these two.As we walk to our lockers, I notice her. A girl. She’s headed straight for us like she owns the place. She’s tall—well, taller than me, which isn’t exactly an achievement—but she’s got to be around 5’7” with a figure that screams gym membership and good genetics. She’s got boobs, hips, and a slim waist, all perfectly proportioned. Meanwhile, I’m stuck with my twelve-year-old-boy build and a hope that maybe one day I’ll grow up too. Her long chocolate-brown hair falls in perfect waves down her back, and her face? Flawless. Slim nose, high cheekbones, deep brown eyes that