a's

down. When I trudged into the kitchen, my father's grim stare greeted me. Great. Somehow,

unds with me," he ordered in a ton

utely

ck, making no effort to hide my sarcasm. "I'm pu

me, startled by how quickly I'd reacted. Surprise flic

he snapped. "Let's see if you really have a Beta's blood in y

e was and wishing she had to suffer through this too. The moment I spotted

their moves. As future Alphas, they needed to know how t

your wolves yet," my father announced. He moved to the center of th

wolfsbane poisoning could leave you unable to shift, so pay attention to what you

Elara, you'll face Camille," he drawled. He t

, and she was already sizing me up like prey. As we made our way to

ws so quickly that their movements blurred, every strike dangerously precise. For a moment, I couldn't look

red. Tossing her hair over her shoulde

red. Tossing her hair over her shoulde

, forcing a strangled groan from my throat. A knee to the face followed before I could recov

n easier than I thought!

feel sorry for you!" she adde

, thought I was pathetic. I didn't have to look at my father to picture the disappointment an

e sure I couldn't defend myself against this kind of treatment. I wondered whether he meant this as a lesso

he balls of her feet with her fists raised. I b

d, their attention fixed on us. I was about to make a complete fool of myself. I closed my eyes for a moment and trie

le murmured. Her lips curled int

uld hardly believe it. Neither could anyone watching. Camille's eyes widened, but she kept coming, her swings growing wilder. Then I punched her. Time seemed to slow as my f

n reflex. Guilt washed over me as tears filled her eyes, and she p

other muffled cry, she forced her nose back into plac

to break it,"

ked, nearly hysterical

, her face contorted with rage. I raised my arms to bloc

led her eyes. I'd lashed out in panic, but she was the one paying the price. Dread gripped me as I watched

n beat me?" she spat, glari

can get the better of me?" Her vo

re in sight. The twins, however, were watching Camille with growing concern.

d. She was shifting. Camille's nails grew into sharp claws, coarse f

She was going to tear my throat out. Shifting was forbidden during this session, but she clear

t and waited for her f

ether. My eyes flew open as two

appened. Kael and Rowan had used their Alpha comm

efiant growls still rumbled from her throat as the twin

orm," Rowan ordered, h

seconds, she lay curled on the ground, whimpering and trying t

he finally pushed through the crowd. He glared at Camil

crambled up and hurried away w

pping her," my father told the twin

ke her. Elara can be replaced." His voice

e can't afford to lose you. Next

ly. Beside him, Rowan kept his gaze fixed

n to keep things f

es. "If my daughter had been hurt, I would've dealt w

bout that. They clearly didn't believe my father either. Both turned and walked away