Fell for the Alpha-less Queen

Chapter 371 Trust or Trap

Maybe... she could try trusting him.

After six months of training together, Tessa smiled at Nathan for the very first time.

When she smiled, joy flashed in Nathan's eyes.

+8 Pearle

Back then, she thought it was because he felt accepted. She didn't realize it was something else entirely- the thrill of a predator watching his prey finally drop its guard.

During their time at the training camp, Tessa had truly considered Nathan a friend. They shared stolen chocolate on rest days, fought back-to-back during simulated battles, and she even patched up his wounds while cursing him out.

But little by little, that friendship twisted into something else. His protectiveness started to feel more like control. His loyalty? Possession.

One day, all she did was pick up a dropped magazine for a guy on the team next door.

The next day, that guy collapsed in the dining hall. His tray hit the floor, shattering, as he let out a muffled choke-his tongue had been cut out. The wound was coated with the blood-clotting powder used by Yalvaria shamans.

and set down a tray with her favorite- perfectly roasted potatoes. He smiled, like the nightmare she'd just witnessed hadn't

she complimented their captain's tactics in her training

on her windowsill, blood dripping from his fingertips. In his hand was the captain's strategy notebook, soaked in fresh blood. "He didn't

body hung from the training ground scaffolding, the word unworthy

to see it-what lay beneath Nathan's gentle

to keep her distance. But all

in her contacts turned into random, unreadable symbols. And if she looked a male instructor in the eye for more than a few seconds? The next day, she'd find a bloodied wolf

the day she found the photo album under

silver-haired woman wearing the Frost Pack Luna's crown. Nathan stood behind her in most shots, his arm wrapped around her waist,

that woman... looked just

Pack." Nathan's voice came from behind, low and calm. His

1/2

IVI

Trust or

+ Pearls

ago, she shielded me from a wolfsbane mist. Died in my arms. But before she did, she made me promise not to mourn. Said she'd come back to me... in a better form."

that, everything