ARIA
Early the next morning, I woke to the aroma of fresh coffee and Gabriel’s signature herb bread wafting from the Karen
I pulled my hair into a messy bun as I stepped through the doorway, catching my adoptive father’s knowing for weath
“Morning, I mumbled, reaching for a mug.
Gabriel folded his arms across his broad chest. “Did you leave the house last night, Aria?
I poured coffee, avoiding his aniber eyes. “Yeah. Went for a run, Needed to clear my head,
“At midnight? Alone?
“I can handle myself,” I replied, taking a sip. The bitter warmth helped wake me up. “You taught me well-
What I didn’t tell him was that I’d met Alpha Jace at the lake. That our conversation had lasted two hours.
“You should have told me,” Gabriel said, concern etching his weathered face. “Even with all your training, this territory is still new
to us.
I nodded, suddenly fascinated by the swirling patterns in my coffee. I sensed no threats.”
It was true. Despite being human in a world of werewolves, my instincts had always been unnaturally sharp. Gabriel often said I had a wolf’s senses trapped in a human body.
Can I watch your combat demonstration today?” I asked, changing the subject.
Gabriel’s expression softened. “Of course, little deer.”
Morning sunlight filtered through pine branches as we walked to the training grounds. The mountain air felt crisp in my lungs, a welcome change from the dense forests we’d left behind.
“Why aren’t you training today?” Gabriel asked. “I thought you were eager to prove yourself to the Moon Shadow warriors.”
I kicked a stone along the path. “Alpha Jace thinks I should train with the advanced group.”
Gabriel’s eyebrows shot up. “When did he tell you that?”
“Yesterday,” I answered carefully. “After that incident with Dominic.
“Your skills do exceed the junior level,” Gabriel nodded. “I’m proud of you, but don’t push yourself too hard. We’ve only been here three days.”
I squared my shoulders. ‘I need to earn my place here.”
Gabriel’s hand found my shoulder, squeezing gently. “You already have. Alpha Jace wouldn’t have accepted us if he didn’t believe in your worth.”
The training ground buzzed with activity. Young werewolves sparred in pairs, their movements too fast for ordinary human eyes to track. But I wasn’t ordinary.
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Chapter 18
Several stopped mid–fight which we approached, their stares burning into me. The human girl. The outsider. I lifted my chin and walked past them.
Alpha Jace stood at the center
the field, bare–chested and powerful. Even from a distance, his presence commanded attention. Next to him, a red–haired woman in tight–fitting training gear laughed too loudly at something he said, her hand resting on his arm.
An inexplicable tightness gripped me.
Jace turned toward us, his eyes meeting mine. After a few seconds, smiled.
“Gabriel, Aria. Good to see you,” he called, his deep voice sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.
1
“Alpha, Gabriel greeted with a respectful nod. I echoed the greeting dropping my gaze as custom demanded.
Jace’s focus shifted to me. I thought we agreed to move you to advanced training today?”
“My fault, Gabriel interjected. “I wanted Aria to observe today’s demonstrations first.”
Jace nodded. “No problem.” His smile when he looked at me again seemed to light up his entire face.
The red–haired woman–Scarlett, I remembered–slid her hand up Jace’s arm, her eyes narrowing at me. “Alpha, about that special technique you promised to show me…”
Jace casually stepped away from her touch. “Later, Scarlett.”
A surge of unexpected satisfaction flowed through me, followed immediately by confusion. Why should I care who touched the Alpha?
Gabriel noticed my expression. “You okay?”
I nodded stiffly, forcing my face into neutrality.
“Alpha Jace,” Gabriel continued, “Aria may be human, but she has exceptional combat awareness. We’ve trained daily since she was
ten.”
“I’ve seen her skills firsthand,” Jace replied, shooting me another smile. “She has potential many born wolves lack.”
Scarlett scoffed. “Is that why she nearly broke Dominic’s nose yesterday? Humans don’t understand their place.”
Gabriel’s eyebrow arched as he glanced at me. “Aria?”
“Dominic attacked her from behind after calling a timeout,” Jace explained before I could respond. “She defended herself appropriately. He turned to Scarlett. “Shouldn’t you be training with the others?”
“Injured my ankle yesterday,” she pouted, indicating her right foot,
I couldn’t stop myself. “Weird. You were walking perfectly fine five minutes ago.”
Scarlett’s eyes flashed dangerously. “You should watch your tongue, human. You’re only here because Alpha Jace pities your family.”
And you should remember wolves heal quickly,” I countered. “Unless your ankle’s actually broken, you’re just making excuses.”
The tension crackled between us. I knew I should back down–antagonizing a werewolf, especially one from an influential family, wasn’t smart. But something about her triggered my defiance.
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Chapter 18
lace cleared his throat. “Aria, Would you mind doing me a favor? My daughter Aurora is feeling unwell today. Could you check my phone in case Betty calls from the house?”
I can do better than that,” I offered, grateful for the exit. “I could go sit with Aurora while you train.”
Scarlett laughed. “You? Babysit the Alpha’s daughter? That’s absurd
“That would be a great help,” Jace cut her off. “Aurora hasn’t stopped talking about your singing yesterday.”
“I’ll head there now,” I said, pointedly ignoring Scarlett’s glare.
coming.
“Thank you.” Jace’s voice softened. “I’ll tell Betty you’re coming, and text Eliana so she knows you have permission to enter my quarters.”
As I turned to leave,,his voice stopped me once more. “Aria?”
I looked back. The warmth in his eyes made me momentarily forget how to breathe. Face burning, I ducked my head and scurried away, nearly tripping dyer my own feet.
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