Chapter 42

mily’s POV

“ Again. ”

The command was sharp.

I lifted my head, pushing a / lock of hair out of my face. The training field felt too small. Across from me stood

Stella.

She stood with perfect posture and perfect control. Everything about her seemed Hawless. Her lips curled into a mall, fake smile, the kind that told me she already knew how this would end.

“ Don’t hold back this time, ” she said lightly. It was a challenge, but it felt more like a warning.

I stepped forward. My body moved before I could think. Everyone knew she was stronger and better trained than omeone like me. But this time, I didn’t hesitate.

She lunged. I pivoted. Her hand shot out to strike, and I blocked – barely. Pain exploded in my arm, but I didn’t top. Not today.

I moved lower. Faster. I did something different. For just a second, her eyes flickered with surprise. That was all he time I needed. I swept her leg with everything I had.

‘ hud.

She hit the ground hard.

Silence. Then, I heard a sharp inhale from the crowd of wolves watching us. I froze, staring down at her, not elieving I had actually done it.

Stella didn’t move at first. Then, slowly, she pushed herself up from the floor. Her whole expression changed. The ake softness disappeared. The smile was gone.

“ Well, ” she said, her voice dropping to a low whisper. “ That was unexpected. ”

I stepped back, my pulse racing against my ribs.

“ That was a clean victory. Technically perfect. Well done, Emily, ” the Head Warrior Wayne said, giving me a firm

at on the shoulder.

I noticed the excited looks from the girls around the training grounds, and even the guys had stopped lifting

weights to watch. It wasn’t every day the future chosen Luna got knocked flat on her back.

“ Don’t get too happy, I let you win, ” Stella cut in. She sounded smooth and calm, but her eyes promised me something worse. Much worse.

As the adrenaline faded, my body felt heavy and sore. All I wanted was to go to my room, lock the door, and soak in a hot bath until my muscles relaxed. I needed time alone.

-IC.

Tmily! You’re the one I was looking for. ”

I turned, my heart sinking slightly. It was Meredyth.

“ I’m so sorry, dear, ” she said, reaching out to catch my arm. “ I know you’ve had a long day, but I need your help with dinner, ” she said, already pulling me toward the kitchen. ” Garrett, Nathan, and Liam are expecting a full meal n an hour, and I can’t do it alone. Please? Just for tonight? ”

I looked at the stairs, then back at Meredyth’s tired face. My bath would have to wait.

“ Of course, ” I whispered, pushing my exhaustion deep down. “ I’ll help. ”

The kitchen smelled like herbs and home, making the rest of the world feel far away. I stood beside Meredyth, licing vegetables.

“ Look at you, ” Meredyth said, pausing to watch me. “ You’ve come such a long way, Emily. When you first arrived, ou were terrified of the kitchen knives, but now? You’re moving much faster than before. It’s a big help. ”

I glanced down at the pile of perfectly uniform onion slices, a small smile tugging at my lips. “ I’m still just ollowing your instructions. I’m sure it’s mostly luck. ”

Meredyth chuckled, a warm, grounding sound. “ It isn’t luck, dear. You’ve really gotten the hang of this. And elieve me, the men have noticed. ”

I wondered if Nathan had noticed, too. A small smile tugged at my lips.

Warmth spread through my chest. “ Thank you, Meredyth. That … that means a lot. ”

“ It’s the truth, ” she insisted, patting my hand before turning back to the stove.

The door opened behind us. The sound was soft and measured.

“ I’m looking for Nathan. ”

My hand froze. Stella. I didn’t have to turn around to know it was her.

“ He’s not here, ” Meredyth said easily. “ But he’ll be back for dinner. You can wait if you want. ”

Stella stepped closer.

“ I don’t mind, ” she said softly. She moved right beside me, so close I could feel the shift in the air.

“ What are you making? ” she asked, her voice sounding like honey.

“ Salad, ” Meredyth replied. “ Want to help? ”

Stella nodded, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “ Sure. ”

It almost felt normal, the way she moved and spoke, as if the training field incident never happened. Stella picked up a knife and started slicing, talking and smiling like she hadn’t just been embarrassed in front of everyone. I kept

5:27 pm

my eyes on the cutting board and stayed silent, feeling the heavy tension in the air.

Oh. ” Meredyth said suddenly, “ I forgot to grab the herbs from the pantry. Stella, could you help? ”

Every part of me wanted her to leave. But Stella stayed put. A small, pained expression crossed her face, but it looked too practiced to be real.

“ I would love to help, Meredyth, ” Stella said, her voice full of fake sweetness. She teached down and gently ubbed her ankle. “ But I think I twisted my leg when I fell earlier. I really need to rest and stay off the stairs for a

while. ”

She looked up at me, her eyes cold and calculating. She wasn’t hurt. She was staying in the kitchen on purpose.

“ Oh, why didn’t you say so? ” Meredyth gasped, her face softening with concern. “ Don’t push yourself. Take a seat

ind rest. ”

Meredyth turned to me with a warm, encouraging smile and pointed toward the heavy pot on the stove.

“ Emily, sweetie, keep stirring this, ” she asked softly. “ It’s a bit delicate, so try not to stop even for a second. We wouldn’t want it to burn. I’ll just run to the pantry and grab those herbs myself. I’ll be right back! ”

A chill ran down my spine. Meredyth didn’t see the trap, but I did. I didn’t want to leave Stella alone in the kitchen, but I had no choice.

The door closed. And then, everything changed.

The warmth in the kitchen disappeared. Stella stepped closer to me.

“ You surprised me today, ” Stella said. No smile now. No softness.

“ I didn’t mean to-

“ I know. ” She cut me off again.

Then, before I could react, her hand shot out. She grabbed the necklace around my neck, the one I cherished. The hain pulled tight against my skin, and then it snapped.

“ Let’s see how much this means to you, ” she hissed.

I gasped as she threw it. The small gold pendant landed right on the stove, directly on the open flame. It sizzled

nstantly.

‘ No! ”

I moved without thinking. I reached into the fire, my fingers grabbing the hot metal.

Pain exploded. It was white and blinding. It felt like I had grabbed a piece of the sun. I screamed, but I didn’t let go until I had it. The metal burned into my palm, searing my skin, branding me.

I dropped the pendant and stumbled back, my hand shaking. My palm was bright red and burning with a pain that felt too deep to be normal.

5927 pm

“ You shouldn’t touch things that aren’t yours, Emily, ” Stella said softly. She was smiling again.

The door opened.

“ Emily? ” Meredyth’s voice was full of concern.

I couldn’t answer. The pain had spread from iny hand up my arm, hot like a fever. And deep inside, something Infamiliar was finally waking up.

“ Emily, what did you do? ” Meredyth rushed into the kitchen, her voice breaking with worry.

She looked at me first, her eyes filled with pain and pity. But then, she looked past me, straight at Stella.

And for the first time, Stella didn’t look amused. I could see she looked … alert. Like something hadn’t gone

ccording to her plan.

Next Chapter

Chapter 43

Q1

Rate Chapter

Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.