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.

emerged from behind one of the heavy punching bags, wiping sweat from her forehead

probably my age, with shoulder-length auburn hair pulled back in a practical ponytail and the kind of lean, muscular build

her smile was warm and genuinely welcoming. “Not everyone can be born with

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

there’s more to combat

friendly demeanor. “And

from any of these warriors and

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

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44 Chapter 44

about what happened to that blonde bitch who tried to mess with her? Word is she put Valerie Nightshadow in the hospital with her

clearly hearing this story for the first time. “That’s different,” Marcus insisted. “Civilian combat isn’t the same as warrior training.

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

deafening. Even the sound of weights clanking and punching bags

at the omega who’d just challenged their

face darkened with what looked suspiciously like anticipation. “Fine,” he said,

predatory grace. “Let’s see what you’ve got,

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

means you don’t try to intimidate her, embarrass her, or prove a point at her expense. Are we

I thought Marcus might argue. Then his gaze shifted between Damien and me, and something calculating flickered in

expression. “Crystal clear, Alpha.”

of

sprints, defensive maneuvers, and reaction drills

drenched in sweat.

part wasn’t the physical demand—it was

her form on those push-ups,” one warrior

she quits before the first hour

call an ambulance now or

match struck against my determination. Instead of

I’d spent my entire life being underestimated, dismissed, written off as

Not today.

defensive move designed to counter a larger opponent’s

to attempt it, I threw myself into the technique with

bad, Riley called out encouragingly when I managed to successfully deflect her practice attack. “Your center of

of the guys here, Use

became my closest ally in the training facility, staying

Riley said as we shared protein shakes after an especially intense session, “I’ve never seen Marcus

using that sweep

I protested, though warmth spread through my chest at the compliment. “He has two expressions:

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