< Chapter 15 

 

The next morning, I woke up with a strange heaviness in my chest. I hadn’t slept well. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Kael’s face. His eyes. That stunned expression. It was burned into my mind like a scar. 

I dragged myself out of bed and got dressed. I chose a simple pair of leggings and a soft sweatshirt Alexandra had picked out for me. I tied my hair into a loose ponytail and stepped out of the room, hoping a walk around the mansion would help clear my head. 

I didn’t get far. 

I had just reached the end of the hallway when I found Rylan leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed over his chest and a slow smirk on his lips. 

“Good morning,” he said while straightening up. “Sleep well?” 

I gave him a small nod. “As well as I could.” 

He studied me for a moment and then grinned. “Perfect. You’ll need all your energy.” 

I blinked. “Why?” 

“Because you’re starting training today.” 

I froze. “What?” 

“You heard me.” He stepped closer. “You’re going to start training with the rest of the pack. It’s time you learned how to defend yourself.” 

My eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Rylan, I don’t think that’s necessary. I’m fine.” 

He gave a low chuckle. “Fine? Lisa, you were almost killed by rogues when we found you. What if we hadn’t shown up in time? What if something worse happens?” 

“I have you,” I said, shrugging with a little smile. “You’re supposed to protect me, aren’t you?” 

His smile softened but didn’t waver. “I’ll always protect you, Lisa. But I won’t always be there. You have to learn to protect yourself too.” 

His words hit me in a strange way. It wasn’t just about training. It was about discipline, control and safety. Something I hadn’t had in a long time. 

“I just don’t know if I’m good at that kind of stuff,” I murmured. 

“You don’t have to be good,” he said gently. “You just have to try. We don’t know what the future holds. I would rather you be ready than sorry.” 

I let out a sigh and nodded slowly. “Okay… fine. Let’s try.” 

He grinned. “That’s my girl.” 

 

I felt my cheeks heat at those words. 

+25 Points 

Rylan led me out through the mansion’s back garden and into the vast training grounds. The space was huge, surrounded by tall trees and marked with several sparring areas. Some pack members were already 

training. 

I spotted Jared and Alex sparring on one of the mats. They were moving with quick and brutal precision. Their blows were loud and their wolves peeked through their eyes as they fought. 

“They’re serious,” I said while watching wide-eyed. 

“They have to be. They’re ranked wolves,” Rylan said, stepping onto one of the open practice mats. “But don’t worry, you won’t be fighting them.” 

I let out a breath of relief. 

“Not yet anyway,” he added with a wink. 

I groaned. “Rylan…” 

He laughed and gestured for me to join him. “Come on. Today I’ll personally train you. I need to assess your level, see what we’re working with. Then I’ll pair you up with someone closer to your skill.” 

“I already know my level,” I muttered, stepping onto the mat. “It’s somewhere between pathetic and 

hopeless.” 

He tilted his head, his grin never fading. “That’s not the Lisa I’ve seen.” 

I gave him a look. “You’ve barely seen me do anything.” 

“Exactly,” he said. “So I’m going to find out.” 

He stood in front of me and stretched out his arms and legs. I tried to copy him, though I was sure I 

looked ridiculous doing it. 

“First rule,” he said, circling me slowly, “stay light on your feet. Always be ready to move.” 

I nodded. 

“Second rule-don’t hesitate. The moment you do, you lose.” 

I tried to focus as he moved into a ready stance. 

“Now, try to block me,” he said. 

He came at me slowly at first-a swipe of his arm, a gentle nudge of his foot. I dodged and stepped back, trying to follow his movements. 

“Good,” he said. “Again.” 

We went through the moves several times. He kept the pace light, never actually hitting me, just testing my reflexes. And I surprised myself. 

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I could dodge. I could sidestep. I wasn’t completely useless. 

*25 Points 

“Not bad.” Rylan said, grinning as he blocked one of my slow punches. “You’ve got good instincts. That’s a 

start.” 

I puffed out a breath. My heart was racing. “You’re going easy on me.” 

“Of course I am. But that’s about to change.” 

He picked up the pace. His movements were quicker now, but still careful. I ducked under a kick, barely 

missed his elbow, and turned just in time to avoid a sweep of his leg. 

“You’re pretty good at running away,” he teased. 

“I’m not running. I’m dodging.” 

“Same thing.” 

I narrowed my eyes and aimed a kick toward his shin. He laughed and caught my foot with ease, then let it 

“Okay, okay,” I huffed. “Maybe I am bad at this.” 

“You’re not,” he said, stepping closer, his voice low. “You just need the right teacher.” 

“And that’s you?” 

“Obviously. I’m the best.” 

I rolled my eyes. “Modest too.” 

He leaned in with a smirk. “You like it.” 

I looked away quickly, ignoring the flutter in my chest. “I tolerate it.” 

He grinned. “That’s good enough for me.” 

We continued training for a while. I was sweating, breathing hard, but there was something exhilarating about it. I was moving and fighting. Not just taking hits and blocking them. 

But then something strange happened. 

We had just reset our positions when I felt… something. A weird tingle at the base of my neck. My wolf, Sierra, stirred inside me. 

“Rylan,” I said, glancing over his shoulder, “what’s that sound?” 

He turned slightly, frowning. 

A cracking noise echoed through the training grounds. I looked beyond him and my heart stopped. 

A tall tree, just on the edge of the training grounds, was swaying. It tilted and it was falling. 

Right toward Rylan. 

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“Rylan!” I screamed, my hands shooting up. “Move!” 

+25 Points 

But he didn’t. He was staring at me, confused. Like he hadn’t heard the sound. Like he couldn’t feel the 

danger. 

The tree creaked, 

“No!” I shouted. 

Everything felt slow. I thought it was too late. I thought I would watch him get crushed- 

But then… 

The tree stopped. 

No, it didn’t stop. It split. 

Right down the middle. Like an invisible blade had sliced it in half. 

One half thudded to the side. The other, the part that had been falling toward Rylan, fell in the opposite direction. 

Silence fell. 

My hands were still raised. My chest was heaving. 

What… what just happened? 

Rylan turned slowly, looking at the tree behind him. His mouth opened slightly. His eyes were wide. 

Then he turned back to me. 

“Lisa,” he said, his voice quiet, “did you just… cut that tree in half?” 

I shook my head. “I-I don’t know. I didn’t… I didn’t touch it.” 

He stepped toward me, his gaze intense. “But you were the only one who saw it falling. And then you screamed. And then-boom. It split.” 

I swallowed hard. “I just… I didn’t want it to hit you.” 

Something warm buzzed under my skin. My palms still tingled. 

Rylan stared at me like I was something new. Something unreal. 

“This isn’t normal,” he said softly. “This isn’t just luck.” 

I wrapped my arms around myself. “What’s happening to me?” 

He came closer, gently placing his hands on my shoulders. “We’re going to find out. Together.” 

I looked up at him, feeling the fear, the confusion, the weight of something big pressing down on me. 

But his eyes were calm. 

 

He didn’t look scared of me. 

He looked like he believed in me.