the curse wa

hadn't been able to control it before. The fear that she would lose herself again was a constant presence in her mind, lurking in the sha

Selene knew that. She needed more. She needed to conf

t earth mixing with the sharp, tangy odor of wolf fur. Tristan stood at the front, his presence commanding attention as alwa

he could feel their wariness, the cautious glances they threw her way. The bond between them may have been undeniable, b

to her skin. She had to make things right. For them. For Tristan. She

hrough her thoughts. "We're start

h, and moved to join the rest of the pack. The warriors shifted into their training stances, preparing for the day's

lity. Tristan watched from the sidelines, his eyes scanning the movements of the fighters. It was c

if he could sense the turmoil inside her. She had kept it hidden from everyone, but it was growing harder to contain. The curse w

push the dread aside. But it wasn't easy. The air felt thick a

unger pack members, standing beside her. His eyes were bright with eagerness, but

ing him a small s

lacked the raw power of the more seasoned warriors. But today, Selene knew, she had

focused, but Selene easily sidestepped him, her body fluid and precise. She didn't need to exe

ergy focused on overpowering her. Selene blocked his attack, but the impact sent a jolt of power through her

ene's breath hitched in her throat, and for a moment, she thought she might lose control. But

anded squarely on her shoulder, sending a shock of pain through her body. It wasn't e

ttle she wasn't sure she could win. The curse had always been a

ice rang out, sharp an

nd, but something about his voice broke through. H

s on her, watching her every move. The bond between them flared to life a

his attack and landed a swift blow to his midsection, knocking the wind

ght wa

ting for breath. "You're incredible, Sel

ike one. She had won the match, but she had lost something of her

bond between them pulsed with energy, but there was a flicker of concern

d toward her. "We need to talk,"

The pack was still buzzing with activity, but she barely noticed. All

r, his gaze intense. "What happened?" he asked, his

ht away. She had been so close to slipping. She could feel the curse clawing

too calm, too distant. "I just..

perfection. "That wasn't just a distraction, Selene. You were close to losing i

. "It's the curse," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "It'

"You don't have to do this alone," he said, his voice

een them pulsed with strength, with love. She wasn't alone. Not anymore. But the fear still

said, her voice steady despite the fear gnaw

ed. "We will

*

her room, alone. The walls around her felt suffocating, and the curse inside her churned restle

on the door brought

was soft, yet it carried a

ding there, his expression unreadabl

alone," he repeated, his vo

loomed, but with Tristan by her side, she felt a flicker of

or the pac