Chapter 235

Words : 780 Updated : Jun 25th, 2025

I woke up before the sun. The soft glow of morning light crept through the curtains. I blinked into the brightness, dragging a hand down my face. I was awake, but my thoughts were still caught somewhere between sleep and that moment last night... when I almost lost control. For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, hoping the ache in my chest would ease. It didn't. It never has ever since I realized that Sadie is my mate. The scent of her still clung to my skin, though we hadn't touched. Not really. Goddess, the way she looked last night-standing in the soft glow of her bedroom, wearing nothing but a tank and cotton shorts, her hair still damp from a shower, her eyes wary and wanting all at once. The way her breath hitched when I leaned in to kiss Aspen. The way her scent shifted-sweetened and sharp with desire. I wanted her. Every damn part of wanted her. My wolf, Knox, was unrelenting last night. Prowling just beneath my skin, demanding I take her, mark her, make her mine. And I almost did. It took everything into turn and walked away. The full moon was days away, and already it was playing havoc with our bond. I could feel it like a live wire beneath my skin, tugging toward her, whispering her name into every breath I took. But wanting her, needing her, wasn't the same as deserving her. And I hadn't earned that yet. Knox had been pacing all night, scratching beneath my skin, howling to go back to her. To finish what we started. To mark her, claim her, bind her to us before the full moon rose and we lost our minds. I'd wrestled him for hours, grounding myself with every ounce of control I had. But my body was still humming, every nerve ending on fire, and the taste of her still lingered in my mouth even though I hadn't even kissed her. I got up, went through the motions of my morning - showering, brushing my teeth, pulling on a pair of training sweats and a fitted black T-shirt. Each routine movement was meant to distract me, to drown out the memory of Sadie's scent, the way her eyes widened when I stepped too close, and the sound of her breath catching when I leaned in to kiss Aspen. I wanted Sadie. Her heat, her presence, the maddening bond between us. After a quick breakfast, I headed out to the training grounds. The morning air was crisp, biting. I welcomed it. At least it gave something else to feel. By the time I stepped onto the training grounds, the sun was already high. I ran a hand through my damp hair and let out a sharp whistle. All the warriors straightened. Eyes turned toward me. of them looked eager. Others wary. I could see the tension in their shoulders-like they were still processing everything they'd learned. "I know Micah's already briefed you on what's going on," I said, walking across the dirt-covered field. A ripple of tension moved tthe troupe One of the younger warriors, a cocky kid named raised a skeptical brow. "Alpha... is it true? That hybrids exist?" The disbelief in his voice echoed in the murmurs around us. I didn't blame them. I didn't answer. Not verbally. Instead, I reached for the mind-link. "Jason, bring him," Jason replied almost immediately. "Already on our way." A minute later, Jason and Micah appeared at the far end of the field, flanking Brian. There was a noticeable shift in the moment Brian appeared. He looked different, clean-shaven, freshly showered, dressed in simple training gear. His entire appearance was a stark contrast to the bloodied, defiant version Sadie had tortured in the dungeons. And yet... he still carried the air of danger, the calculated control that didn't belong to a man used to taking orders. Shock rolled through the ranks. I could feel my warriors stiffen. Sinhaled deeply. Others took half-steps back. Didn't blame themmm. The warriors tensed, immediately catching the scent. "Vampire," someone whispered. "He's not just that," I said calmly. "Brian. Show them." Brian looked at me, something unreadable in his expression. Then, slowly, he lifted one arm. His The lifted Ο rippled. Bones cracked. And before their eyes, his fingers shifted into the claws and paws of a werewolf. Several warriors stumbled back. Others swore aloud. Brian let them see it for just a few seconds before shifting back. Hen flexed his hand and rolled his shoulder like it was nothing.

Chapter 235

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