When we finally made it back to the packhouse, dinner was waiting, so I ate what I could before slowly going upstairs to shower and change into comfortable clothes, then flopped on the bed–Asher laughing at me.
I rolled over, trying to ignore him, but it didn’t work when he finished his shower and climbed in beside me, wrapping his arm around my waist.
I woke before the sun, cold forest air seeping through my clothes. My muscles ached, even breathing hurt. Still, something wouldn’t let me stay down. Asher was already awake, crouched by the dying fire, tossing small twigs into it. He looked up as I stirred.
“Morning.” He said softly, his eyes lighting up when they met mine. “How are you feeling?”
“Like a truck ran me over… twice.” I muttered, sitting up. “And then someone stole the spare
parts.”
He chuckled, holding out a steaming mug of coffee. “That just means it’s working.”
I took it, letting the warmth seep into my fingers. “You’re completely insane, you know that?”
“Maybe.” He said with a sly grin. “But look at you–still alive. Must be doing something right.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” I scowled. But he just wriggled his eyebrows at me.
I rolled my eyes but drank the coffee anyway. It was bitter and strong, but it cut through the
fog in my head. For a moment, the only sounds were the forest waking up–the soft rustle of leaves, the chirping of birds, the distant rush of a stream. It almost felt peaceful.
Then my phone buzzed.
I froze. The number flashing across the screen made my stomach twist. My adoptive
parents.
Asher noticed immediately. “Who is it?”
I stared at the phone, my fingers tightening around the mug.
“Them.”
His expression darkened. “Answer if you want. Or don’t. It’s your choice.”
For a moment, I thought about ignoring it. But something in me–maybe guilt, maybe habit- made me swipe the screen and hold it to my ear.
“Hello?”
< CHAPTER 63
+25 Points
“Trinity.” My mother’s voice purred through the line, sweet but sharp. “It’s been so long since you called. We were worried.”
I snorted. “Oh please. Try that on someone who cares.”
“You don’t need to make this harder on yourself, sweetheart.” She said, amused. “No calls, no visits. We’re starting to think you’ve forgotten where you came from.”
I rolled my eyes, even though she couldn’t see it. “Yeah, because who wouldn’t want to cherish the memories of that place?”
I glanced at Asher, who was watching me carefully. His jaw was tight, but silent. He could hear her even without speakerphone.
“I haven’t forgotten.” I said, voice dripping with irony.
“That’s good.” She replied, voice dropping. “Family doesn’t forget, Trinity. No matter how far you run.”
I let out a dry laugh. “Running? Please. If I wanted to run, you’d never even catch my shadow. And in case you’ve forgotten, we’re not family.”
“Of course you are.” She snapped. “We’ll be here when the Alpha realizes his mistake. We always are.”
“Wow, creepy cult vibes much?” I shot back. “And while we’re being honest, what about my real parents you stole me from?”
Silence. She hadn’t realized I knew the truth.
I hung up, hands trembling.
Asher moved closer. “She’s just trying to get inside your head.”
“I know. They still think I owe them. That I can’t escape. That they’re ‘worried.” I laughed bitterly. “Right.”
He brushed his thumb across my knuckles. “We knew they wouldn’t let you go easily. Don’t
let them.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“I know.” he said. “But you’re not alone anymore.”
I let out a shaky breath and put the phone down. “I hate them.”
“I know.” He said quietly. “You have every right to. But don’t let that hate control you. Not
2/5
CHAPTER 63
here. Not now.”
+25 Points
I wanted to argue, but the warmth in his voice stopped me. He was right. I couldn’t let them drag me back–not while I was trying to build myself stronger.
“Come on.” Asher said, standing. “Let’s train. Use it. All of it. Turn it into fuel.”
I rose slowly, muscles screaming, and followed him into the clearing. Morning light filtered through the trees, casting patterns.
“Today we’re doing more than running. We’re working on control. Emotions rule you, you lose.
You have to channel them.”
“How?”
“By letting me attack you until you get it right.”
I groaned. “Of course.”
“Ready?”
I nodded, setting my feet.
Asher came at me faster than yesterday. I barely ducked before his hand grazed my shoulder. Instincts screamed, but thoughts scrambled–don’t let emotions rule you. My adoptive mother’s voice lingered–family doesn’t forget, Trinity.
I stumbled over a root. Asher held up a hand. “Breathe.”
“I’m trying!”
“Try harder.”
He lunged again. I rolled, landing awkwardly but steady. He swept at my legs; I jumped, barely clearing him. My body burned, but I focused on his movements.
Left shoulder twitch–he’s about to swing. Shift weight right. Exhale. Move.
I ducked under his arm, twisted, and struck his ribs. He grunted, more surprised than hurt, stepping back.
“That’s it.” He said. “That’s how you do it.”
I stood panting, fists trembling. “I can’t keep this up.”
“You already are.”
He crouched in front of me, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from him. His
3/5
< CHAPTER 63
+25 Points
eyes locked onto mine, dark and unyielding. “I do.” He murmured, his voice low. “She’s right here. Right in front of me.”
My throat tightened, a flutter of nerves dancing in my chest. “You make it sound… effortless.”
“It’s not.” He admitted, his fingers brushing against mine ever so slightly. “But every second… every moment is worth it.”
I wanted to believe him. I wanted to lean into him, let the words wrap around me like a
promise.
After a short rest, he led me deeper into the forest. The trees grew denser, the ground uneven. “This is where we test your awareness again.” He said. “Gage and Arlo are hiding too. They’ll come at you from any angle.”
My stomach clenched. “Seriously?”
“You can handle it.”
“Traitors.” I yelled, not knowing where they were.
I took my stance. The forest buzzed with birds, insects, wind through leaves. Every crack of a twig made my heart race.
Then it began.
A shadow lunged from my left–I rolled, glimpsed Gage, then he vanished. Movement to my right–Arlo. I ducked and bolted, nearly colliding with Asher.
“Focus.” He barked.
I spun, scanning the trees. They moved like ghosts, silent and fast. My body reacted–duck, roll, strike, dodge. Time slipped away; my body burned, my vision swam, but I kept moving.
A sharp whistle cut through the trees. Everything stopped.
Asher stepped out first, followed by Gage and Arlo. “Not bad.” He said, grinning. “Not bad at
all.”
I collapsed to my knees, gasping. “You’re all insane. And I don’t like you two anymore.” Gage and Arlo just smiled.
“It’s a price we’re willing to pay.” Gage said. “But you’re getting stronger.”
I wiped sweat from my face, trembling but proud. I had survived–and for a few minutes, I had forgotten my adoptive parents completely.
4/5
< CHAPTER 63
+25 Points
Asher knelt beside me, voice low. “This is what it takes, Trinity. Pain. Sweat. Focus. You’re not just training your body–you’re training your mind. They can’t control you if you don’t let them.
I closed my eyes, breathing hard. “I want to believe that.”
“You will.” He said. “You already are.”
He helped me to my feet, his arm steadying me. “Come on. Let’s go back. You’ve earned a
rest.”
As we walked back to the packhouse, the forest seemed less threatening. The shadows still moved, the ground still shifted, but it didn’t scare me anymore.
My phone buzzed, but I ignored it, shoving it into my pocket. Asher glanced at me but said nothing.
The sky turned gold as the sun dipped lower. My muscles ached, my hands trembled, but a small spark of strength glowed inside me. Maybe it wasn’t much, but it was there.
For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was taking my life back–even if the real fight hadn’t started yet.
1
Comments
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
SUMMARY (~1000 Words in English)
