Semua Bab The Alpha’s Genius Dud: Bab 31 - Bab 40

The training room in the North estate was nothing like the high-tech gyms in the city. It was a wide, circular hall made of dark stone and heavy timber. The air smelled of old wood and the faint scent of Killian’s cologne, that dangerous mix of pine and leather.Faith stood in the center of the room, wearing a simple black tank top and leggings. She felt small. Without her silver “Goddess” glow, she felt like she was back in the trenches, just a wolfless girl trying to survive. Her legs were still a bit shaky, but she kept her chin up. She wouldn't let him see her struggle.Killian walked into the room, and the temperature seemed to rise ten degrees. He wasn't wearing a shirt. His chest was a map of muscle and scars, reminders of the wars he had fought to become the Alpha of the Blackwood Pack.“The King’s men don't fight fair, Faith” Killian said, his voice echoing against the stone walls. They won't wait for you to find your magic. If they get close, you need to know how to break a

Faith looked at the screen. Her mother’s face was pale, and the blade at her throat was sharp. The silver light in Faith’s hands flickered, responding to her rage. She looked at Killian. He was back on his feet, his jaw tight. He saw the betrayal in his eyes earlier, but now, there was only the cold focus of a predator."I’m coming down!" Faith screamed toward the helicopter.“Faith, please no,” Killian hissed, grabbing her wrist. It’s a trap. Silas won’t let her go just because you surrender.“I know,” Faith whispered, leaning close so only he could hear. “But they think I’m scared. They think I can’t control the spark. When I get close to the lead Silencer, I’m going to short out their comms. When the lights go dark, you jump.”Killian’s eyes searched hers. He saw the genius mind behind the ‘Dud’ mask. He gave a single, sharp nod.Faith stepped out into the snow, her hands raised. The three remaining Silencers moved toward her, their purple staves glowing. The black helicopter lower

The fall felt like an eternity. The wind ripped at Faith’s clothes, and the black smoke below spewed upward like a living beast, eager to swallow the light she carried. But Faith no longer felt like a victim. She didn't feel like the ‘Dud’ who had been sold for scraps. As she dived, she reached deep into her chest, past the fear, and grabbed the silver spark. “Shift,” she commanded. Mid-air, the transformation happened. It wasn't the slow, agonizing sound of breaking bones. It was a flash of light so bright it turned the night into day. Where a girl had been falling, a massive White Wolf now descended. Her fur was the color of fresh snow under a full moon, and her eyes were glowing pools of molten silver. She hit the ground in the center of the Blackwood Ruins with a force that cracked the stone. The shockwave of her landing sent the black smoke reeling back. Killian landed a second later, shifting into his massive dark gray wolf form. He stood beside her, his fur bristling, his g

The sun had barely risen over the city, but the training room was already alive with the sound of rhythmic breathing and the sharp “thud” of feet hitting the floor.Faith was focused. She had spent the last hour working on her footwork, moving through the gym's shadows. She wasn't using her silver spark. She was using her muscles, her sweat, and her instincts.“Again,” Killian commanded.He stood at the center of the room, his shirt discarded. In the morning light, the scars on his back looked like silver threads. He was watching her every move with the intensity of a hawk.Faith aimed a low kick at his lead leg, then spun, trying to catch him with an elbow to the ribs.Killian didn't even flinch. He caught her arm, his large hand wrapping around her wrist like a velvet-lined shackle. With a quick twist, he used her own momentum to pull her flush against his chest.“You're overthinking it,” he whispered, his breath hot against her ear. “You're trying to win. Stop trying to win and sta

The message on the phone felt like a drop of ice water down Faith’s spine. She scanned the crowd of students, but everyone looked the same, fearful, confused, or curious. The girl with her face was a shadow, blending into the very light Faith had created.“Faith? You're shaking,” Killian said. He took her phone, his eyes narrowing as he read the text. His hand crumpled the device slightly, the screen spider-webbing under his grip. That’s it. We’re leaving.“No,” Faith said, her voice sharp. If we run, he wins the narrative. He just apologized to the whole world on TV. If we hide now, we look like the villains.Killian looked like he wanted to punch a hole through the wall, but he knew she was right. He turned to Leo. “Take Sarah back to the estate. Triple the guards. If anyone so much as breathes near her without my clearance, kill them.”“On it,” Leo said. He gave Faith’s shoulder a quick, supportive squeeze. “Stay sharp, bestie. I’m going to start digging. If there’s a secret lab in