Free Web NovelChapter 38: Chapter 38
Everyone turned to stare at me.
Christian’s eyes flashed amber. "Sophie—"
"I accept Jake’s challenge," I said louder, my wolf rising with absolute certainty. "Next week, as originally planned. Not today. But I will fight him."
Jake’s smile was all teeth. "Looking forward to it, Luna."
The way he said "Luna" made it sound like an insult.
Connor dismissed training early, the tension too high. Warriors dispersed in small groups, already gossiping about what they’d witnessed.
Christian caught my wrist before I could leave. "We need to talk."
"About how I apparently know Northern Pack fighting techniques I shouldn’t know?" I tried to smile. "Yeah, that’s weird, right?"
"Sophie." His hand slid up my arm, leaving fire in its wake. "You don’t have to prove anything by fighting, Jake. He’s one of our best warriors."
"Then I’ll have to be better."
"Why are you so stubborn?"
"Why are you so protective?"
We stared at each other, both breathing hard, the space between us crackling with frustration and want and something neither of us wanted to name yet.
Maria appeared like a ninja. "Sorry to interrupt the eye-sex, but Vanessa’s been spotted near the training grounds. Thought you should know."
My blood went cold. "She was watching?" ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
"It looked like it." Maria’s expression darkened. "Girl’s up to something. I can feel it."
Christian’s jaw clenched. "I’ll handle Vanessa."
"No." I pulled free of his grip. "I’ll handle my problems. You’ve got Alpha stuff to deal with."
"Sophie—"
"Christian." I met his eyes. "You can’t fight all my battles. Let me do this."
The look he gave me was equal parts frustrated and proud. He leaned in close, his lips brushing my ear. "You’re going to drive me absolutely insane."
"Good." I tried to ignore how my entire body reacted to his proximity. "Insane looks good on you."
He growled—actually growled—and walked away before he did something we’d both regret in front of the remaining warriors.
Jessica found me in the equipment room an hour later, where I was pretending to organize training gear while actually having a mild panic attack.
"You know Jake fights dirty, right?" She leaned against the doorframe. "Like, technically legal but morally questionable dirty."
"Great. That’s great."
"But you’ve got something he doesn’t." Jessica’s smile turned sharp. "You’ve got instincts he can’t predict. That Northern Pack technique thing? That’s gonna throw him off. Nobody expects moves from outside our traditional forms."
"Assuming I can actually remember them at the moment."
"Your wolf remembers." Jessica tapped her temple. "Trust her. She knows more than you think."
That night, I couldn’t sleep.
I kept replaying the training session, the way my body moved without conscious thought, and the look on Connor’s face when he recognized techniques I shouldn’t know.
What else was buried in my memories? What else had Tom’s rejection locked away?
I was standing on the balcony at midnight when Christian found me.
"Can’t sleep either?" He joined me at the railing, our shoulders touching.
"Too much in my head."
"Want to talk about it?"
"Want to tell me why Vanessa keeps showing up everywhere I am?"
Christian’s expression went dark. "I’m working on that."
"Christian." I turned to face him. "What does she want? Really?"
He was quiet for a long moment, his hazel eyes searching mine. "I think she wants to prove she should’ve been Luna instead of you."
"Because you two were...?"
"We were never anything. Friends, maybe, when we were kids. But she convinced herself we were destined mates." Christian’s hands gripped the railing. "When I became Alpha and didn’t choose her, she didn’t take it well."
"How not well are we talking?"
"Obsessive letters. Showing up at my office at weird hours. Spreading rumors that we were secretly involved." Christian’s jaw clenched. "I had to formally ban her from Luna consideration. She left Shadow Ridge after that. I thought she’d moved on."
"Guess not."
"Sophie." Christian turned to me, his hands framing my face. "Vanessa is my past. You’re my future. Don’t let her get in your head."
"Too late. She’s already there, setting up camp and serving tea."
He smiled despite himself. "You’re ridiculous."
"You look ridiculous."
"I like you."
The air between us shifted, charged with the same electricity from last night. Christian’s eyes dropped to my lips, his thumb tracing my jawline.
"Three more days," he murmured. "Three days until your next challenge. Then two more after that."
"Who’s counting?"
"I am. Every second." His forehead pressed against mine. "After the trials, Sophie, I’m claiming you properly. No more waiting. No more restraint."
My breath caught. "Promise?"
"Promise."
He kissed me then—deep and desperate and full of everything we couldn’t say yet. I melted against him, my hands fisting in his shirt, my wolf howling for more.
When he finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard.
"Go to bed," Christian said roughly. "You need rest for training tomorrow."
"You’re not the boss of me."
"I’m literally your Alpha."
"Technicality."
He kissed me again, shorter this time but no less intense. "Bed. Now. Before I forget why we’re waiting."
I went to bed. But I didn’t sleep.
Because lying on my pillow was a single white envelope, sealed with red wax.
My hands shook as I opened it.
*The Strength Challenge isn’t your real test. The real question is whether you’ll survive what comes after. Some secrets are better left buried, Sophie Turner. Walk away while you still can. - A Friend*
I read it three times, my heart pounding.
Someone was threatening me.
And they’d been in my room while I was on the balcony with Christian.
