<b>Chapter </b>46


    it <b>had </b>been a week sin


    The humans, unaware of the existence of werewolves, had scrambled to make sense of what happened. The official story spread like wildfine a group of vandals and gang members had broken onto campos during the night, destroying property and injuring several people before vansing into the woods.


    To protect the students, the university board suspended all sses for a month…


    To me, it felt like the world had quietly fallen apart—and no one realized it but me.


    The memory of the rogue werewolves, of that guashing, chaotic energy thatered me like prey, still boned in the back of my mind. I had nearly died.


    Francesco hadn’t appeared when he did.


    <b>I </b>would’ve been a name in the news. A girl gone missing.


    The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the <b>Lycaon </b>estate’s dining hall, casting golden rays across the long wooden table where breakfast had beenid.


    The scent of rosemary infused bread, fresh eggs, and strong Italian coffee drifted in the air, Laughter and casual chatter echoed softly against the high stone walls as warriors, pack members, and household staff enjoyed the rate moment of calm.


    Isat beside Francesco at the head of the table, surrounded by Beta Alfonso, Marlow–the pack’s grizzled head warrior<b>–</b>Audrey, and a few key gus had returned with us from the night before.


    After the chaos of the exhibition, a <b>calm </b>morning like this should have felt like a blessing. But it didn’t…


    My hands trembled slightly under the table. Not from fear, From the storm building inside me, but I had made up my mind.


    “Before we continue,” I said, voice clearer than I expected, have a request


    Forks paused midair. Coffee cups stopped halfway to lips.


    Francesco turned his head toward me, his expression softening immediately, as it often did when he looked at me. “Of course, EL What is it?


    I stood slowly, cing my linen napkin on the table.


    I didn’t want to do this seated, like a child asking for permission. I needed them to hear me. To see me as more than the quiet gel they were still learning


    to understand..


    “I want to train,” I said clearly. “Properly. <b>As </b><b>a </b>warrior.”


    The silence that followed was sharp, cutting through the room like <b>a </b>knife


    Marlow blinked. Alfonso straightened. Audrey choked slightly on her juice.


    Francesco’s <b>eyes </b>narrowed slightly. “Train!TM


    I nodded, “Yes, I <b>want </b>to learn how to fight. Strategize. Defend myself–not just rely on others to save me.”


    <b>“</b>EL,” he <b>said </b>gently, “you already have protection, You have me<b>, </b>You have Audrey. You have an entire pack willing toy down their lives for you!


    “know,” I <b>replied</b>, my voice steady, though my heart pounded. “And I’m grateful. Butst time proved that I can’t always wait for someone to save me. That power—I don’t even understand it fully. <b>want </b>to learn not just to use it, but to be strong with or without it.”


    Francesco’s jaw tightened. “You nearly died.


    “That’s why.” I said quickly, before he could continue. “That’s exactly why.”


    Marlon shihed in his <b>seat</b>, exchanging a quick nce with Alimaso.


    want to train with the warriors, I continued, locking eyes with Marlow. “I know I’m behind. I’ve never been taught boten why


    can wake up at dawn, Iran do the drills. I just need someone to give me the chance.”


    Francesco stood slowly, towering beside me “No”


    His voice was firm. Final


    A flicker of pain pierced through my chest, but I stood my ground. “Why, France1”


    He looked at me as if the answer was obvious. “Because you’re the Luna.”


    “Exactly,” I said with a firms nodded. “That’s why need to be strong


    “You’re not a soldier, You’re not a weapon. You’re my “He caught himself. “You’re mine to protect.”


    I hated how much those words made something <b>inside </b>me ache.


    I know, he meant th


    them with love. But they weren’t what I needed to hear.


    “I don’t want to be caged behind your protection,” I said quietly. “I want to stand beside you. Equal Capable, You weren’t there when I felt helps and small my whole life. You weren’t there when I was rejected, thrown aside like I was nothing. I’m not asking for power. I’m asking for freedom.”


    The room had gone still. Even the warriors didn’t dare speak


    Marlow cleared his throat “Alpha–if I may-


    Francesco shot him a sharp look. “Marlow.”


    “She <b>has </b>potential, Marlow said, voice low but firm. “Magic or not. She has the instinct. She’s <b>already </b>proven that


    Alfonso gave <b>a </b>subtle nod. “And the rogues know who she <b>is </b>now. They won’t stop


    <b>“</b>She will always be guarded,” Francesco replied coldly. “That is not up for discussion.”


    I clenched my fists


    Calm down, I convince myself that I need to keep calm “You can’t fock me <b>in </b>a golden cage, Francesco. I won’t survive that.”


    His eyes met mine–hurt, frustration, fear shing in their golden depths.


    But<b>, </b><b>I </b><b>have </b>to keep firm with my request.


    “This isn’t about control,” <b>he </b>said. “<b>It’s </b>about you. About keeping you alive.”


    “I know that,” I said, quieter now. “But this is about me, too. My choice, My growth. You said I was more than what they made me believe. Let me <b>prove </b>


    He looked away, jaw tight, hands clenched at his sides.


    “I can help her,” Audrey offered gently. “Train herin private. At least teach her the <b>basics</b>. I know what it’s like, Francesca. To <b>grow </b>up underestimated<b>.</b>”


    There <b>was </b>a long silence.


    <b>y </b>and sat back down.


    Finally, Francesco exhaled sharply a


    “No weapons,” he <b>said</b>.


    Iblinked… What….


    “No field missions. No unsupervised sessions.”


    My heart skipped.


    Oh God….


    “But…“I try to speak and immediately shut it when he looked at me again, eyes still stormy, but softer. “But you can brain. With supervision. At the estate grounds. With Audrey. And Marlow–if he agrees”


    Marlow gave <b>a </b>respectful nod. “She’ll be treated like any recruit. Early hours. Hard drills. No exceptions”


    I did it


    I swallowed hard. “Thank you.”


    Francesco didn’t respond. He looked down at his te, untouched.


    I took my seat again, heart racing,


    The tension didn’t leave the room. But something shifted.


    I wasn’t the same girl I’d been when I arrived in Florence I wasn’t just a rejected she–wall trying to find herself in a foreign country. I was a Luna A Sighter A woman finally choosing her own path.


    And even if the road ahead would be rough, <b>I </b>would walk it..


    With or without fear.


    And with Francesco–even if he didn’t like it–I wouldn’t walk it alone,


    I know he will always be with me.


    AD


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