LYN

laze of pink and orange. Her hands, still trembling from the night's chaos, curled

h

ing things she shouldn't? Why had her body reacted the way it

within her refused

tal armor lay-a gift from Kade. It was a reminder of the path she was

ake the feeling that this

en her and everything that wanted to destroy her. She hadn't known him for long, but everything about him-the way

sound of footstep

he trees, his presence commanding as always. His e

force o

efore her, his gaze never wavering. She could feel

he said finally, his v

lied, her voice small but f

n softening slightly. "I u

he met his gaze. "What if I'm not

resting gently on her knee. "You don't have

she lifted her chin. "And

ce. "We'll train together. One step at a time.

s thoughts, but the weight of her situation still loomed heavy i

tle unsteady beneath her, but the determination in

e P

ruggled to focus on the simpl

me she'd touched a blade, she hadn't been in control of her own actions. Now

d seen last night

uld f

s she swung her sword at him again, this

r breath coming fast. "Everything about

nd pulling her close. "It's not about being perfect. I

thing passed between them-a connection neither could explain. Evelyn's breathing slowed, and the

ain," h

ith every pass. The power within her was undeniable-he could feel it even if she couldn't yet grasp i

to let her fal

LYN

s of crickets and the occasional rustle of leaves surrounding them. Training had exhauste

he woman she

nger, the uncertainty-but another part of her knew she couldn't. Her daugh

, breaking the silence. Her voice was barely abo

ftening. "You're still you, Evelyn. You just forgo

ly. "I wish I kn

aused, his voice thoughtful.

always strong on her own. But for the first time in her life, she was fo

e the stillness of the night. Kade's eye

p quickly. "

, his senses on high a

eeper as Kade's muscles coiled, ready for battle. Evelyn sto

me," Kade ordered

er tone sharp. "I'm not

ers. "I know you'

't get it. I have to do this. I

her in danger, but he could see the fire in her eyes. The same fire he'd seen when she st

as ev

an instant, shifting into his wolf form with a thunderous roar that made the earth tremble.

est, her instincts screaming at h

n, she

cloaked in black. The figure's e

r pack

before something heavy struck her side, sending her crashing to the ground. Pain fla

blinding light pierced the night-Kade, now fully transform

her feet, watching as Kade tore into the intru

as t