mson. Emma walked beside Kael, her thoughts as tangled as the roots beneath he

ed lost in his own thoughts, his ja

ry again?" Emma finally a

o her before returning

stomach tighten. "And wh

ael replied,

r. "You can't keep carrying this alone, Kael. If Luka

rk hair. "I do have a plan, Emma. But it d

n danger! You said it yourself-Luka used me as an excuse to challeng

when he saw the determination in her eyes

mma sai

ou're going to stay, you need to

e trees here were older, their trunks thick and gnarled,

. "First rule: always trust your instincts. Your body knows when y

rt was already racing. "Oka

es you sloppy. If you panic, you'

for you to say. You've been

But you're stronger than you think

ion serious. "Let's see what

inked.

repeated, holdi

I don't think thi

brow. "Do you want

sts and swung at him. Kael dodged effort

ding back. If this were a real figh

could at least pr

"Make me beli

, block attacks, and use her surroundings to her advantage. By the time they finished, her muscles a

r," Kael said as they

ll smile tugging at her li

xpression was short-lived. His gaze shifted

Emma asked,

alone," Kae

t leapt into her throat. She turned to see a pair of

Kael g

ring, a sly grin on his face. "Well,

ael demanded, positioning h

g in. Wouldn't want our dear alpha

ists. "If you're here to fig

ng. "But soon. And when the time comes,

sappeared into the woods, his

r knees threatening to g

rim. "A warning. Luka's not done yet

pped and placed a hand on Emma's shoulder. "You

ning. "Then teach me. Whatever

she saw something in them-something raw and v

ha

ou're stronger than you know, Emma. But strength isn't

r chest tighten

lingered in his gaze. Together, they headed back to tow