Chapter 54

Chapter Fifty Four-1

The arena was massive, an expanse of open space surrounded by high stone walls that hummed faintly with magic. The morning sun barely peeked through the clouds, casting a muted glow over the scene. I stood awkwardly at the center, the uneven texture of the dirt beneath my bare feet adding to my discomfort. The rest of the witches who were watching from the surrounding balconies whispered amongst themselves, their curious gazes fixed on my mates and me.

I tugged at my clothes-or lack thereof and shot a glare at Rowena who stood smugly at the edge of the arena. "When you said everything was prepared, did you forget about clothes?" I asked irritably.

My outfit consisted of a pair of shorts, a sports bra, and open-fingered gloves, which left most of my skin exposed. While practical for training, it didn't do much for my comfort, What made it worse was my mates standing next to me in similar attire: shorts and no shirts. Their bare chests gleamed slightly under the morning light muscles rippling with every slight movement.

Rowena raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "I didn't forget anything. It's standard training gear. You'll get used to it."

I crossed my arms, glaring at my mates. "Can they at least be given shirts? Or, I don't know, something to cover up?"

Elijah smirked faintly, and Isaiah shrugged, nonchalantly. But Alex and Austin grinned like mischievous schoolboys.

Austin flexed his chest, his grin widening. "What's wrong, Stormi? Don't like what you see?"

Alex followed suit, playfully striking a pose as though he were a model. "Yeah, Stormi, tell us—are you impressed?"

I rolled my eyes and huffed. "No, I'm not," I snapped, though the warmth rising to my cheeks betrayed my words.

My wolf stirred inside me, growling softly. Liar, it chided, amused by my attempt to deny what we both felt.

Rowena chuckled, shaking her head. "Is it all the attention your mates are getting that's bothering you?"

Caught off guard by her question I straightened my spine, my voice curt. "Nope. Couldn't care less."

Rowena didn't push further, but the smirk on her face made it clear she wasn't convinced.

Commander Lynne stepped forward. Her presence immediately silenced any lingering whispers from the witches observing above. "Enough stalling," she barked, her tone sharp and commanding. "You're here to train, not to preen for an audience. Let's see what you're made of."

She gestured to the track that circled the arena. "We'll start with endurance. I know you're wolves, so you've got natural advantages. But that also means you'll

do double the work. Thirty laps around the track. No exceptions."

My stomach sank. Thirty laps? The track was enormous, and even with my enhanced stamina as a werewolf, I knew this wasn't

going to be easy.

My mates didn't look thrilled either, though they kept their complaints to themselves. I, on the other hand, groaned audibly, "You

can't be serious."

Lynne's sharp gaze landed on me, making me shrink slightly. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

I bit back another groan and lined up with the others. When Lynne gave the signal, we all started running.

The first ten laps weren't so bad. I found a rhythm, my feet pounding steadily against the dirt track. I kept my breaths even, pushing through the mild burn in my legs. But by the fifteenth lap, the strain started to hit me harder. My legs felt heavier with each step, and my breathing became more labored.

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My mates seemed to fare beller Elijah and Isaiah were in the football team at home so this was no big deal for them at trained as pack border guards–though even Austin, who was normally the most energetic of the group, looked like he was starting to struggle.

By the twentieth lap, My pace had slowed considerably. Sweat dripped down my face, and my muscles screamed in protest. The witches watching from the sidelines whispered amongst themselves, and I could feel their judgmental gazes like pinpricks against my skin.

By the thirtieth lap, I couldn't take another step. I collapsed onto the track, my limbs trembling and my chest heaving as I gasped

for air.

slicing through the air like

weakly. "I can't," I managed

as big as two football

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the savior

said, his tone low but dangerous. "She's

her to collapse isn't training-it's torture. If Stormi wants

she won't survive

my mates' protests, Lynne didn't let up, and by the end of the day, I

unable to sleep. My thoughts swirled with doubts and insecurities, Lynne's voice echoing in

to be the savior of

sighed and sat up, running a hand through my hair. The faint light of the runes filtered through my window, casting long

across the room.

movement. My legs still burned from the brutal run, but

outside near the massive garden.

of pain through my legs. But when I finally reached it, I

his broad shoulders illuminated by the flickering light of the fire. His eyes, usually sharp with humor or mischief, softened as they

he asked finally, his voice a low

physical and emotional, that weighed too heavily on me made it hard to resist his offer. I crossed the small space and lowered myself gingerly onto the bench, my muscles

fire's warmth wrapped around me. Soothing my aching body, and for the first time all day, I

a Tough day huh?" Alex

laugh. "You could say

turned slightly, his gaze searching her face. "You don't have

know. The

'I are always

staring into the flames. "You heard Lynne. I can't afford to be weak. Everyone's counting on me, Alex. If I fail..." I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. "I-I'm scared," I admitted quietly.

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full of reassurance. "Starmi, you'll never fail me. No matter what happens, I believe in

you know other girls?", 1

the flames. "Remember that presentation

solar system?"

rush of surprise. "You remember

in our class," he said, a

lips. "You made everyone

the memory flooding back. "I was just

is anyone that can get this done it's

icy fear that had begun to form. Before I could think too much about it, he leaned forward, closing the space

a little bit surprised, but then I responded, and his hand moved to cradle my cheek. The kiss deepened,

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my knees brushing against his as the kiss became more fervent. His lips were warm and demanding now, and I fell myself surrendering the heat that coursed through me

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