R

wn my spine. Splinters bite my palms. The staff shake like a branch in t

und the training staff, my muscles burning, but they still tremble. Two warriors sp

sneered. "She can't e

go to war," anothe

n. I can't give them the satisfaction of seeing me stumble. The bond ha

sweaty palms. I waver

pping it to

goes ahead to release my hold on the staff and correcting my s

ust in force, Aria

d, though I still feel the

if I were enough, he'd

oice barely above a whisper. "Or

ias smiles faintly, brushing it of

s through the warriors. They straigh

eir gaze –

ority. Her long hair silk, her cheekbones sharp, her l

iting at my raw insecurities. Boots crunched against gravel, the sound sharp as a

ain

rate glance at my trembling stance before turning her gaz

ou'd keep your Luna bus

othing. The silence cut deeper than any blade. I lower my

isible.Her smirk was victory already claimed. I turn,

A

yard. My wolf growls low as I spot Aria struggling with the staff. Sh

ys knows exactly when to make herself visibl

e weight. I want to stride forward, to correct the wrong, to take

check. Let her stumble now, let the pack see her strugg

wards the riverbank. My wolf growls in frustration

L

ingers are shaking, her stance faltering, and I can'

s in control." I say brushing my f

doubt. "If I were stronger...if I were

weak one, not you." My wolf prowlers just b

ll myself to hope she believes me. She lean against

following her gaze – and tensed, Astrid Morwen. Beautiful, pr

a half-grasp. I follow her silently, l

*

R

orse than ever. I wrap my arms around myself, wishing t

ted lazily above reeds.I dip my hands into the co

he grass. He doesn't speak at first, only

prove yoursefollow

I can't win their respec

ias murmurs. "The kind who rules with her hear

rching his gaze, clinginggggg to

lly, reminding me it isn

Dam