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.

come off it, Marcus.” A woman emerged from behind one of the heavy punching

hair pulled back in

serious athleticism. Unlike the intimidating males surrounding us, her smile was warm and genuinely welcoming. “Not everyone can be born

Riley Santos. I spend most of my time trying

there’s more to combat

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

of these warriors and she’ll be in the hospital. It’s a

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

10:41

173

44 Chapter 44

didn’t you hear about what happened to that blonde bitch who tried to mess with her? Word is she put Valerie Nightshadow

of the warriors exchanged glances, clearly hearing this story for the first time. “That’s different,” Marcus

one way to find 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 actually

was deafening. Even the sound of weights clanking and punching bags being

turned to stare at the omega who’d just challenged their head

anticipation. “Fine,” he said, moving

grace. “Let’s see what you’ve

Damien’s voice cracked like a whip across the space. “You will treat her with the same respect you’d

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

argue. Then his gaze

expression. “Crystal clear, Alpha.”

physically and mentally challenging of

and endurance—push-ups, sprints, defensive maneuvers, and reaction drills that

drenched in sweat.

physical demand—it was the

one warrior muttered to his

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

an ambulance now or

struck against my determination. Instead of breaking my resolve, their

my entire

Not today.

counter a larger opponent’s attack, I watched

turn to attempt it, I threw myself into the

to successfully deflect

of the guys here, Use that

my closest ally in the training facility, staying

know,” Riley said as we shared protein shakes after an especially intense

But just now, when you managed to pin Jake using that sweep we’d been

protested, though warmth spread through my chest at

10:30

213