CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & TWENTY EIGHT
+25 Bonus
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & TWENTY EIGHT
Talia’s POV
Della and I trained on the south practice grounds after breakfast. We started with simple combinations to warm up and then moved into defensive drills. I focused on my footing and kept my guard up. Without my wolf, I had to rely on technique.
“Good,” she said, circling me. “Again. Elbow higher on the block. You drop it when you pivot.”
I adjusted and repeated the move. The strike landed square on the padded post. Della nodded with approval.
“You’re still a strong fighter,” she said. “You just have to work harder until your wolf returns.”
I caught my breath and rolled my wrists. “Harder is fine. I just need to get used to this being my new normal.”
“Don’t get too comfortable with it. Your wolf will be back in no time. If not before, then after the ceremony. Once you find your mate and complete the bond, she’ll come back. You know that,” Della said.
“I know, I know. That’s what the doctor keeps saying,” I said.
“We have records and elders who have lived through this,” Della added. “The bond restores balance. Your body knows it. Your wolf knows it too.”
I nodded, but I still felt uneasy about it. I wanted the mate given to me by the Moon Goddess, but perhaps having father choose for me was for the best. I returned to guard and signaled that I was ready to continue.
We moved through another series. Della feinted, and I countered. She grinned and said, “That’s it. You’re getting better at reading me.”
Footsteps approached from the path that led down from the armory. I looked over Della’s shoulder and saw Marco and Nolan crossing the edge of the field. Marco lifted a hand in greeting. Nolan wore a patrol jacket over a green shirt. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. I felt my heart flutter, and I looked away.
“Good morning,” Marco called. “Did we interrupt?”
“No, we were just finishing up,” Della said as she passed me a bottle of water.
“What are you two doing?” I asked.
“I was just explaining to Alpha Nolan where he’ll be stationed for the next three nights,” Marco explained.
“Ah. How do you like being a subordinate?” Della teased.
Nolan frowned and said, “That Silverfang needs to do better with their defenses.”
“So, it is perfect that you will be patrolling. We can use your expertise,” I said sarcastically.
Marco glanced at Nolan and I, feeling our tension and quickly changing the subject. “So, you train every day now?”
“Trying to keep her from outpacing me,” Della said, bumping my shoulder. “She makes me look lazy.”
I rolled my eyes at her and said, “As if. You’re still running circles around me.”
Marco’s attention moved to Della and asked, “Weren’t you supposed to check stock?” Della gave Marco a confused expression before her eyes widened. She quickly looped arms with Marco and began walking away from us.
“You’re absolutely right,” Della said. “Come on, I’ll walk you back. Talia, I’ll see you later?”
“Later,” I said.
They left together toward the path behind the sheds. I bent to coil the practice wrap and slung it over my shoulder. I noticed that Nolan hadn’t left.
1/3
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & TWENTY EIGHT
+25 Bonus
“I thought you had patrol assignments to review,” I said without looking at Nolan.
“I do,” he said.
“Border duty suits you,” I said.
Nolan snorted. “Sure.”
I turned to leave. “I was being serious earlier about using your expertise. If you see where we can improve, let Beta Logan know. Goodbye, Alpha Nolan.”
“Wait,” he said. “Before you go.
I stopped and faced him. He held my eyes, then looked past me for a second, as if he was working out what he wanted to say. I couldn’t help but feel a little anxious.
“Why did you help me?” Nolan asked.
“Technically, I didn’t. You were still punished,” I replied.
“This isn’t a punishment. It’s a slap on the wrist,” Nolan stated.
I kept my tone flat. “It was not because of our bond, if that is what you want to ask.” For a brief second, I thought I saw a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.
“Then why did you do it?” Nolan asked.
“I am the Princess. It is my job to protect Silverfang,” I answered. “I will not let Silverfang be dragged into turmoil over a false accusation. I was protecting my pack, not you.”
“Then Marco has a bigger mouth than I thought,” he said under his breath.
“You should be glad that he did. If I had not intervened, would you have really brought your warriors to destroy my pack, my home?”
“If the Alpha King chose to listen to false accusations, he does not deserve the throne he sits on.”
“So that is a yes,” I said.
“Does it matter? It didn’t happen. There’s no point in discussing it,” Nolan responded.
“You don’t get to decide when the situation is over! You gave my father a reason to doubt you by dosing his wine. And now you say he does not deserve the throne if he believes the wrong man?” I snapped.
“I meant what I said, Princess,” he replied. “If the Alpha King cannot tell the truth from a trap, he does not deserve the power he holds.”
Something in me snapped. I saw him for what he had always been, He wasn’t the man holding my hand while I lay in the hospital bed. This was him. Nolan was an Alpha who would do anything to get what he wanted.
“The rumors were right about you,” I said. “You are ruthless and without morals.”
Nolan didn’t argue.
I took a breath and said, “After the ritual, we will reject each other. And I expect you’ll leave Silverfang and never come back.”
