“Gross,” Heidara mumbled.
This time, Evelyne let herself laugh, truly laugh, and savor the rare ease of the moment—the warmth of shared laughter, the brief illusion of normalcy. But it didn’t last. Because when she glanced at Kaldrek, he was watching her.
Her stomach fluttered beneath the intensity of his stare, but she didn’t have time to analyze it, because Holden said something that made the air turn to ice.
“You gave us quite a scare last night.” He smirked, eyes flicking to Evelyne. “Got a little too close to death, didn’t you? Makes me wonder what the Noskari would’ve done with a pretty little thing like you.” He leaned in slightly, his tone dropping to a dark, taunting murmur. “I bet they’d have drawn it out, slow and sweet. Savoring every bite of your body.”
Evelyne flinched as the words landed, yanking the memory of Ivan’s unwelcome touch from where she’d forced it to stay hidden. The fire’s warmth vanished instantly, replaced by a cold dread curling through her veins. Evelyne’s heart plummeted as her mind flashed to rough hands gripping her waist, fingers clawing at the fabric of her skirts, vile breath whispering against her ear.
The memory seized her, like a ruthless tide threatening to drag her under. The laughter around her faded into a dull hum, her vision narrowing as the blood drained from her face.
A familiar hand covered hers. Alaric. His touch was gentle but grounded her back into the present.
“It’s a good thing our mighty wolf pack swooped in to save you,” Holden laughed, and Heidara rolled her eyes, oblivious to the sudden change in Evelyne’s expression.
But not Kaldrek. He was watching her closely, his gaze intense—like he’d picked up on something she hadn’t meant to reveal. Before he could speak, she swallowed hard and masked her expression with a calm look. She wasn’t going to talk about it. Not now, not ever.
Instead, she lifted her chin. “I want to learn how to fight.” She paused. “To defend myself.”
Holden immediately perked up. “I’ll teach you.”
“Or you can join us,” Heidara added eagerly. “Kaldrek trains us early each morning.”
Evelyne turned to him, waiting, but he did not look pleased. His grip tightened on his dagger, and for a second, she thought he might flat-out refuse.
“I’d like to learn as well,” Alaric added.
Kaldrek’s eyes flicked between them. After a long beat of silence, he sighed. “I won’t stop the lesson for you, so do your best to keep up.” His words were laced with doubt, a challenge coiled beneath them.
Evelyne let a slow smile creep onto her lips. “Oh, I will.”
Chapter 32
Evelyne woke just before dawn, the sky still deep blue with the first light creeping through the trees. And of course, he was already up.
Kaldrek stood alone in the clearing, wearing training leathers that were loose enough for fluid movement yet fitted enough to reveal the strength and discipline that defined him. The morning mist drifting through the trees seemed to hesitate near him, curling at the edges as if uncertain of his presence. Every motion he made was controlled: a jab, a duck, a sharp kick. He moved with the power and precision of a force of nature, strong, focused, and entirely composed.
She should be getting changed and preparing for whatever awaited her in this training session, but she couldn’t look away.
He bounced lightly on the balls of his feet, shaking out the tension in his fingers before striking again, faster this time, more brutal. She had no idea how long she stood there watching, but when Heidara appeared beside her, grinning like she’d caught her in a scandal, Evelyne nearly jumped out of her skin.
“Enjoying the view?” Heidara teased, her emerald eyes alight with mischief.
“I was just… trying to get an idea of what I’m getting myself into this morning.”
“Yes,of course. But it’s perfectly normal to admire our alpha, too.” Heidara winked before slipping into Evelyne’s tent.
Evelyne scowled after her, but couldn’t help feeling grateful when Heidara hand-picked a set of training leathers and boots for her. Without a word, Heidara stepped behind her and began weaving her hair into a braided crown, tucking it neatly to keep every strand out of her face.
When Evelyne stepped out of the tent and into the clearing, she could feel Kaldrek’s gaze burning into her. The training leathers hugged her figure more closely than anything she was used to, and for a moment, she considered turning back, adjusting the vest, and covering more skin. But then she noticed how he looked at her—not with ridicule or judgment, but with something that made her feel seen. Admired.
She stood taller, lifted her chin, and let him look.
The morning started with a warm-up, which, to Evelyne, felt like a full-on battle. The so-called “basic stances” left her legs aching within minutes, and the constant crouching and squatting made her thighs burn.
Alaric stood near the front, paired with Ty, moving like this was second nature to him. Meanwhile, Heidara patiently corrected Evelyne’s every misstep.
“Now stand with your dominant foot slightly behind your lead foot,” Kaldrek instructed as he paced between the trainees.
