Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

44 Chapter 44

44 Chapter 44

Seraphina’s POV 1

The Nightshadow Pack training facility was nothing like what I’d expected. Located in a converted warehouse on the outskirts of Silver

Moon Harbor, the space was massive-high ceilings supported by steel beams, concrete floors worn smooth by countless hours of

combat practice, and the kind of industrial lighting that cast everything in harsh, unforgiving angles.

The scent hit me the moment I walked through the doors: sweat, testosterone, and the metallic tang of blood from countless sparring sessions. My wolf Ayla stirred uneasily in my mind, overwhelmed by the aggressive alpha energy that saturated the air like humidity

before a storm.

“Second thoughts?” Damien asked quietly, his hand settling on the small of my back. He’d changed out of his expensive suit into black

tactical pants and a fitted t-shirt that showcased every sculpted muscle of his torso. The transformation from corporate executive to

deadly predator was both thrilling and intimidating.

“Not a chance,” I replied, though my voice came out slightly breathless as I took in the dozen or so warriors scattered throughout the

space. Almost all male massive, intimidating specimens who looked like they could bench press small cars without breaking a sweat.

And every single one of them had stopped what they were doing to stare at

“Alpha,” a gravelly voice called from across the room. A man who looked to be in his forties approached us, his scarred face set in lines of

barely concealed disapproval. His brown hair was streaked with silver, and a jagged scar ran from his left temple to the corner of his

mouth, suggesting he’d seen serious combat. “This is the omega?”

“Marcu,” Damien’s voice carried a warning edge that made several nearby wolves take automatic steps backward. “Meet Seraphina

Knight. She’ll be training with us on weekday afternoons.”

Marcus looked me up and down with obvious skepticism, taking in my workout clothes-yoga pants and a fitted tank top that suddenly

felt completely inadequate for this testosterone-fueled environment. “With respect, Alpha, training is for warriors. We don’t have time to

babysit desk workers who want to play soldier.”

Heat flooded my cheeks, but before I could respond, another voice cut through the tension.

of the heavy punching bags, wiping sweat from her forehead with a

hair pulled back in a practical ponytail and the kind of

intimidating males surrounding us, her smile was warm and genuinely welcoming.

hand toward me, ignoring Marcus’s glare. “I’m Riley Santos. I spend most of my time trying

to combat than brute

replied, grateful for her friendly demeanor. “And I’m definitely

any of these warriors and she’ll be in the

Riley shot back with the kind of casual confidence that suggested she regularly

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44 Chapter 44

tactics. “Besides, didn’t you hear about what happened to that blonde bitch who tried to mess with her? Word is she put Valerie Nightshadow in the hospital

first time. “That’s different,” Marcus insisted. “Civilian combat isn’t the same as warrior training. She’ll get herself

out,” I said, surprised by the steel in my own voice. “Unless you’re too worried about your reputation to risk training someone who might

the sound of weights clanking

stare at the omega

looked suspiciously like anticipation. “Fine,” he said, moving toward the

grace. “Let’s see what you’ve got,

space. “You will treat her with the same respect you’d show any other

to intimidate her, embarrass her, or

argue. Then his gaze shifted between Damien and me, and something calculating flickered

expression. “Crystal clear, Alpha.”

most physically and mentally challenging of my life. Marcus put me through a series of

test strength, speed, and endurance—push-ups, sprints, defensive maneuvers,

drenched in sweat.

most challenging part wasn’t the physical demand—it was the constant commentary

warrior

bucks says she quits before the first hour is up,” another added with a

now

like a match struck against my determination. Instead of breaking my

spent my entire life being underestimated, dismissed, written off as weak

Not today.

demonstrated a defensive move designed to counter a larger

When it was my turn to attempt it, I threw myself into the technique with everything

I managed to successfully deflect her practice attack.

the guys here, Use that

in the training facility, staying after official sessions ended to work with

as we shared protein shakes after an especially intense session, “I’ve

pin Jake using that sweep we’d been working on, I swear

I protested, though warmth spread through my chest at

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