<b>Chapter </b><b>48 </b>


    I woke


    sup in pain.


    The kind of pain that throbbed deep in my bones, like I’d been trampled by a herd of buffalo or worse, Beta Alfonon. Every inch of me was sore, tight, aching. My limbs were sluggish, hemy like stone. Even turning my head on the pillow made me wince


    But still… I smiled.


    Because the pain wasn’t empty. It wasn’t from fear or grief or heartbreak. It was earned.


    I had trained.


    Thad chosen this pain.


    And somewhere beneath the difort, I could feel something else. Something pulsing faintly in the background of my mind. Ap


    presence


    It’s Her <ol><li>a. My well. </li></ol>


    Mika,


    The connection wasn’t fully restored, not yet. But she was closer than she had been in years. She didn’t feel like a distant echo anymore she was real, tangible, humming in my bloodstream.


    “You’re doing good, El,” she whispered, her voice low, warm, proud.


    Tears pricked the corners of


    <b>s </b>of my eyes


    “I missed you,” I murmured into the empty room.


    “Me too” I felt the warmth ripple through my chest, like sunlight after winter.


    I dragged myself upright, groaning as my spine cracked and popped. Every muscleined, but I weed the <b>ache </b>like an old friend. I nced down at my arms. Faint bruises bloomed like violet petals beneath my skin, and I could still feel the sting of yesterday’s exercises–Marlow hadn’t gone casy on me.


    Good, I didn’t want easy.


    All my life, I had been hidden. Sheltered. Left behind.


    Only twice had I ever shifted into my wolf form–both times <b>alone</b><b>, </b>beneath the moon, trembling with lear that someone would see me in ckpine, was invisible. A nobody. The daughter of a died warrior who <b>had </b>no say. I was never allowed near the warriors, never invited into anything beyond the <b>bare </b>minimum.


    And after Ruben rejected me… I lost everything.


    Including Mika


    The heartbreak had to me open, and with it<b>, </b>Mika <b>had </b>slipped into silence. I’d tried–gods, I’d tried–to call her back. But she had faded, <b>just </b>like I did.


    Now I understood why.


    Mika <b>wasn’t </b>gone. She had been wounded, just like me. Rejection, betrayal, grief–it had <b>drained </b>her power. And mine.


    “You’re special, Eine,” she had whispered paintly the night <b>before</b>, when I copsed after training


    -Special how?”


    But she didn’t answer. She never did,


    Maybe she didn’t know Di maybe. It wasn’t time yet.


    I forced myself out of bed, slipping into loose clothes and pulling a hoodie over my sore arms. I tied my hair back, ignoring the suffe


    and left the room with quiet determination.


    Today would be another hard day


    But I would face it.


    Ast approached the dining hall, I expected the usual suspects–Beta Alfonso, Audrey, maybe a few warriors who always made fun of how much toast!: ate. I braced myself for teasing and aching muscles


    What I didn’t expect


    Was him. Francesco.


    Sitting at the head of the long table, coffee untouched, <b>eyes </b>locked on the hallway like he had felt meing


    My feet stalled


    He looked too good for this early in the morning. A ck long sleeved shirt clung to his frame, rolled at the sleeves, exposing <b>his </b>strong forearms. His dark hair was still damp from a shower, pushed <b>back </b>carelessly. He looked like he belonged in a ck–and–white painting timeless, watchful, dangerous.


    And yet… <b>his </b>eyes <b>softened </b><b>the </b>moment theynded on me.


    -Morning,” he said quietly,


    standing


    early.”


    “Hi,” Treplied, stunned. “You’re up e


    “I’m here for you,” he said simply.


    Iblinked. “What?”


    He stepped around the table and walked straight to me. “I’m joining your training today.”


    My jaw fell open. “<b>Wait</b>–you’re training with me?”


    “Supervising,” Marlow called from his seat. “Hovering, Being annoying”


    Francesco ignored him.


    “You don’t have to,” I said softly, <b>unsure </b>how I felt about it. A part of me was ttered. Another part terrified,


    His gaze locked onto mine. “I want to.”


    But


    “I’m your mate, ine. I want to be by your side, not watching from a distance.”


    And just like that, he <b>erased </b>every doubt swirling in my chest.


    He reached out, took my hand, and tugged me closer. And right there, in front of everyone–Beta Alfonso, Marlow, Audrey and the rest–he kissed <b>me </b>


    It wasn’t <b>rushed </b>or hesitant.


    It was iming.


    A kiss that said mine, and I’m proud of you, and I’ll be here every step of the way.


    Behind us, someone groaned,


    “For monit’s sake, can you not to this before I finish my eggs?” Audrey muttered.


    Allenso chuckled, “Do I need to confiscate your Eps, Alplsa?”


    Francesco


    puffed away with a smirk, but his eyes stayed locked on


    They’ll get over it


    I couldn’t help the smile spreading across my lips. My cheeks burned, but for once, I didn’t shrink under the attention.


    Because I had never felt this supported in my life.


    And <b>yet</b>. As we made our way out to the training grounds, walking hand in hand under the morning sun, I caught the glint in Francesco’s is the <b>one </b>that made my stomach twist.


    Shit! He was definitely nning something.


    Marlow and Alfonso exchanged a look as we passed. Audrey whispered something that made them both chuckle, but neither of them wamed me.


    Traitors


    I swallowed hard, trying to convince myself I was ready.


    But something told me… Today was going to hurt.


    The sun had barely <b>risen</b><b>, </b>but the training grounds were already buzzing with life. Warriors jogged in formation, weapons nged in drills, and the scent of sweat, steel, and earth filled the air,


    And in the center of it all… was him


    Francesco… My mate. My Alpha. And now, apparently, my personal tormentor.


    “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” he asked, standing a few feet from me, arms crossed, a stern look recing his usual softness.


    No smirk. No teasing.


    Just… the Alpha.


    y<b>, </b>even if my muscles still trembled from yesterday.


    “I want this,” I said firmly, even i


    His jaw tightened. “That’s not what I asked.”


    I swallowed. “Yes. I’m <b>ready</b>”


    He nodded once, sharp and decisive. “Then today, you’re mine.”


    i blinked. “What?”


    “For training,” he rified. “You’ll spar with me. One–on–one”


    Marlow, who had beenzily stretching on the edge of the field, nearly choked on his protein <b>bar </b>


    Audrey snorted. “Should we call the med tam now or wait until she copses?”


    “I’m right here<b>, </b>you know,” I muttered in annoyance.


    Francesco’s expression didn’t change. “They’re just worried. I’m not going many on you?


    lifted my chin “I don’t want easy”


    He studied


    Ime, and something, flickerd


    his eyes. Pride, maybe. Or rch


    luctance. Or both.


    “All right,” he said.


    He stepped onto the mat and waited.


    My pulse quickened.


    The first few moves were simple, Defensive blocks, footwork corrections, strikes. He moved with terrifying grace, sach him to hold my own, but he was faster, Stronger.


    Still, I didn’t stop


    Sweat beaded on my forehead. My body screamed. But I pushed forward.


    “Focus your <b>stance</b>,” he said. “You’re <b>leading </b>too much with your left. Center your weight.”


    “<b>Okay</b><b>.</b>” Ipanted, adjusting


    He circled me again.


    ated I tried to mitos


    This time, he struck faster. A sweep of his foot knocked me off bncended hard on my <b>back</b>, gasping as air rushed out of my lungs.


    He stopped closer. “Again.”


    I blinked. “Wha


    “Get up, <b>Luna</b>”


    His voice <b>was </b><b>calm</b>, but there was steel in it. Not cruel, butmanding Distant, Like he had pulled the mate away and let only the Alpha. I forced muse


    I myself up.


    Again. And again.


    And again…


    Each fall hit harder. Each mistake cost me more. My pride, my bnce, my strength.


    But


    the never stopped.


    He demanded everything.


    And I gave it.


    Because this was why I came here. To stop being <b>afraid</b>. To stop being <b>small</b>. To reim the strength that had been taken from me.


    My body ached. My knuckles were raw. My legs barely held me up.


    And then he stopped.


    He <b>didn’t </b>say anything at first. Just stood there, breathing hard, sweat glistening on his brow as he looked at me like I <b>was </b><b>a </b>puzzle he couldn’t solve


    Then, quietly: “Why are you really doing this, Amore mio?”


    Whatz


    The question hit harder than his fists.


    I blinked at him, surprised. “Hold you


    I want to be stronger.


    “No,” he said. “You want something more. You’re chasing something


    1 bit my lip. Shit! He knows me better now.


    He stepped closer. “Talk to me, El


    Thesitated, heart pounding Then I whispered: “I want Mika back,”


    His eyes widened.


    “I miss her,” I said, <b>voice </b>cracking, “I miss me, I was <b>never </b>allowed to be strong before. And when I finally started to believe I could be..he. He rejected <ol><li><b>me</b><b>. </b></li></ol>


    Francesco’s jaw clenched.


    “I’ve only shifted twice,” I continued. “Mika used to be strong. Loud. But after the rejection, she…she weakened. I couldn’t feel her anymore, just her


    voice.”


    He reached out, gently brushing my cheek with the back of his hand. “I’m sorry


    “I want her back,” I said again. “And I think… if i get stronger, maybe I’ll find her again. She it stronger too if I am strong.”


    He looked at me like he was seeing me for the first time.


    Then he pulled me into his arms.


    No one dared say a word, everyone <b>falls </b>silent but i could sense something, proud? No one judgeme


    He held me tight, his <b>heart </b>thundering against mine. “You’re already stronger than you know, Eine. And Mike–she’s still in there. I can feel her. Even Lucas can feel her. She’s watching. <b>Waiting </b>


    I nodded, pressing my face against his <b>chest</b>,


    He held me a mement longer, then leaned <b>back</b>. “Okay… And that’s enough for today.”


    “But…“When I just opened my mouth to protest.


    He silenced me with a look. “Don’t argue, Luna Mio. You need rest”


    I didn’t push. I was too tired to win, anyway.


    Francesco scooped me up in his arms without warning, ignoring the amused whistles from the warriors nearby


    “Alpha, seriously?” Audrey called.


    “I’m not risking her walking when she looks like she’s going to fall over,” he said simply, and carried me off the held.


    Back in our quarters, he drew a warm bath. He didn’t speak as he carefully removed my hoodie and sweats, helping me into the tub like I was made of ss.


    I could barely move. My limbs shook. My eyes stung with exhaustion.


    He washed me gently, his touch reverent, quiet. Like I <b>was </b>something sacred.


    Afterward, he carried me to bed, dressed me in one of his shits, and tucked the nkets around me like a coron


    As I drifted off, he kissed my forehead.


    “Sleep, amore mio. Tomorrow, we’ll try again, And I’ll be right beside you,”


    And this time, Mika’s voice was a little louder.


    “He’s good for us,” she whispered,


    “I know,” I whispered back before tightened my embrace to the man in my arms.


    And finally… I slept,


    AD


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