den of

rom the cliffs, her thoughts a jumble of feelings and unresolved queries. She found herself torn between obligati

fe to becoming an Alpha, yet no

ion was to engage in battle. To shift. To overcome the co

esent, wait

lenge of

He possessed a physique shaped by conflict-wide shoulders, firm muscles, and scars from battles

obser

y," he remar

ulders. "Didn't kno

displaying a watchful elegance. "Y

existed-brav

onto the training mat. "Let's find o

ds escaped her mou

powerful, and unyielding. His assaults were exact

h a quick kick to his side. He hardly reacted. In

marked. "Excellent." However, champ

pushed her sliding backwards. Curse him. He was correct-thi

her wrists before she could flee.

hispered, his voice smooth as silk. "However,

Aeryn's heartbeat revealed her inner turmoil

t, she escaped, turn

her in surprise

pping himself up. "Perhaps I o

aze upward in annoy

ave fondness for

her heart at his words and looked a

Versus

arms folded, silver eyes inscrutable. In contr

owled. "

ead. "Are you practi

"Envieuse, bén

im and walked onto

es. "Do you believe y

d silent. He

s and shear strength, Riven embodied graceful accuracy. He predicted her actions

annoyance when

ou," Riven stated calm

elled herself to take her time.

right-surprising him. She jabbed her elb

a quick brea

pro

sidelines. "You're be

"Negative." "She's si

been battling sinc

rer. Certainly. "However, you've never st

r more fiercely tha

ly about demonstratin

cerned h

ttling against

t Appr

empting to free her thoughts. The training had challenged her, compe

ossess enou

er embrace her wi

her to turn-just as Talon

zed with a deep, t

e remarked,

He just gazed at her, hands

d, "What made you

Did you think I

"I anticipated tha

up. "I am c

n movement ahead.

stood

ed with anguish. "dismiss his ha

"Then why have you

ie

Since..." His voice faltered. "Sin

utiously nearer.

reco

e that embracing these emotio

ell to the flo

ching his palm. The bond ignited, transmitting warmth between

e, neither of th

st above

cease this strugg

t her hea

dn't e

ng of the

Aeryn made her way back t

Kael was intense-haz

Riven was frozen-c

h Talon was a temp

she could manage this. Th

had always

oon started to ascend-casting i

l was ap

would need to con