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My training session with Finn had been enlightening, to say the least. The Fae had an innate connection to the elemental forces of nature, and Finn was no exception. His deep-blue eyes sparkled with excitement as he explained the basics of elemental magic to me.
After my session with Finn, it was Callan's turn to train me. He was a different kind of teacher, sharp and calculating. He didn't have Finn's gentle demeanor; instead, he pushed me to my limits, determined to make me a formidable shifter. Or as formidable as a bunny could get.
In my bunny form, I hopped nimbly around the training area, using my enhanced senses to detect his movements. Callan, in his panther form, stalked me with deadly precision. He taught me to harness my instincts, enhancing my senses further and sharpening my reflexes. Our training sessions were intense. As we trained, I found myself pushing not only my own limits but his as well, silently challenging him to open up.
Our training was a dance of predator and prey, teacher and student, and as the days passed, I couldn't deny the chemistry that existed between us. But it was a dangerous path to tread.
The week of relentless training unveiled a remarkable transformation within me. Each day, I delved deeper into my unique affinity for lightning under Finn's expert guidance. His azure eyes held a wealth of knowledge, and he patiently led me through the intricacies of manipulating this electric force. We stood amidst nature's beauty, and as I reached out to the elements, lightning responded, surging through me like a river.
Callan's training sessions were demanding. He pushed me to hone my shifter abilities. There was none of Finn’s practiced patience and kindness with Callan. The sprawling forest served as our training arena, and soon I learned to channel my speed and agility. He drilled into me, until I could control it with precision, shifting in only a few seconds flat.
* * *
The weekof grueling training left me feeling far from perfect, but I couldn't deny the leaps and bounds of progress I had made. Confidence surged within me like a tide, and I could feel the lightning coursing through my veins, eager to respond to my commands.
Finally, I was able to get some alone time with Lily. We had barely spent time together since my return, both of us swept up in the hectic rhythm of our lives as she spearheaded several classes for self-defense. A girls' day was long overdue, and we settled into a table at the cafeteria with steaming cups of coffee, ready to catch up.
“You are not allowed to leave me like that ever again,” she demanded.
“I’m sorry,” I said sheepishly. “But I had to. I needed to try.”
“Callan was insufferable while you were gone. I was secretly glad when he dipped out because he was getting on my nerves.”
A frown split my brow as I looked at her. She rolled her eyes, tossing her dark curtain of hair over one shoulder. “That boy clearly has it bad for you.”
Laughter exploded from me, and I almost choked on my coffee in the process. “He has a mate, Lily. A living, breathing mate that isn’t me. I’m sure you’re just misunderstanding.”
She raised a brow. “Just because he has a mate doesn’t mean he can’t also be into you.”
“What about you?” I threw back at her, eager to get the conversation off me. She didn’t know what she was talking about. “You seem to be spending quite a bit of time with Nia.” I could be wrong, but I sensed something there, different from the way Lily and I were friends.
She blushed, something I had never seen my friend do before, and I broke into a wide smile. “Oh, I’m totally right, aren’t I? You and Nia?”
“Shush! We’re just . . . hanging out. Getting to know each other.” She looked down at her hands, suddenly withdrawn. “I was worried about telling you. Or anyone. Same-sex couples among shifters are rare. It’s counterintuitive to our need for survival. My parents would rip my head off.”
I raised an eyebrow, mildly offended. "Lily, I hope you know me better than that. I’m certainly not going to judge you. Who cares who you want to love? If your parents can’t accept you for that, then it’s their loss.”
No child, no matter how old, should have to live in fear of how their parents would react to something as simple as who they chose to love. There were bigger issues in the world, like war and famine and Queens that were hellbent on destroying the universe. Everyone should just mind their own damn business.
Lily sighed in relief, her shoulders relaxing. "Thank you. It's just . . . I'm really into Nia. We've been getting to know each other, and I can't explain it, but I feel this inexplicable connection. Like I can’t breathe when she’s around, I’m so nervous. It’s kind of scaring me, if I’m being honest."
My eyes widened in understanding, and I couldn't help but grin. “That's amazing.”
She blinked, surprised. "You don’t care?”
I chuckled softly. "I only care that you’re happy. And Nia is good people. She’s saved my ass more than a few times.”
The cafeteria's door swung open, and in walked Finn and Wolfe, deep in conversation as they joked back and forth. When they spotted us, they made their way over, and Finn slapped Wolfe on the back with a laugh.
"Hello ladies, you won't believe the bromance that's been brewing here! Did I use that word right? I just learned it!" Finn exclaimed, his blue eyes twinkling mischievously.
Wolfe chuckled, his unruly brown hair tousled. "We've been bonding over magical defenses and a shared love for the ladies."
“And theslang,” Finn chimed in, beaming with pride that he’d used another word he had learned.
Lily giggled while I fought the urge to barf. "It's good to see you two getting along so well."
Wolfe nodded, his expression turning more serious. "Speaking of defenses, we've been working hard on preparing the pack for the upcoming fight. Thanks to Finn's expertise, we've implemented some new magical protections."
