Malakai POV

I arrived at the training grounds after completing my final round of patrols through Blue Moon’s territory. Camilla hadn’t joined me—I hadn’t asked her to, knowing she was exhausted from her earlier training. It had gone better than I anticipated. She was skilled, and with time and discipline, she’d grow into a formidable Luna.

She barely spoke to me during training. She claimed she needed to focus, insisting I not distract her. I knew better. It was just another excuse to keep her distance from me, but I let it slide.

While scouting the territory, I realized how small their pack truly was. I even found myself at the border without noticing. Strengthening this pack and forming a solid alliance would be crucial. There had to be something I could do.

I picked up my pace and entered the training grounds. Today, the female trainees were having sparring matches, and I wanted to observe Camilla closely. Identifying her weaknesses meant I could help her improve.

As I stepped in, I heard Susan’s voice calling Camilla’s name. I looked up just in time to see her rise to her feet. My heart clenched, that familiar rush of warmth spreading through me. Only she could make me feel like this.

“Who do you think will win?” a voice asked nearby.

“Tina, obviously. She’s the strongest here. Camilla doesn’t stand a chance.”

I turned my gaze toward her, silently willing her not to be nervous.

“Poor thing. First time in combat practice, and she’s paired with someone like Tina? She’s about to be humiliated.”

“Why didn’t Gamma Susan match her with someone else?”

“You mean Blackie?”

A burst of laughter erupted.

“Yeah. Two weaklings together might have actually made it interesting. Or maybe not—since neither of them would win.”

I followed their gaze to a lone figure seated by the arena. The girl—Blackie, I assumed—sat with her arms wrapped around her knees, her expression distant.

“Even the way she sits screams loser,” one of them sneered. “Just like Camilla.”

Their laughter grated on my nerves. My jaw tightened, hands balling into fists. I knew the whispers surrounding Camilla. Everyone assumed she was weak, all because she hadn’t shifted with her pack during the last full moon. What they didn’t know was that she had stayed locked away, avoiding me. They believed she lacked a wolf.

Camilla needed to prove them wrong. And I would make sure she did.

“Enough!” My voice cut through the chatter, silencing the arena. The duel that was about to begin came to a halt as every eye turned toward me. I stepped forward, locking eyes with Camilla. “I’ll be her opponent.”

Her brows furrowed in confusion. “What are you doing?” she mouthed, but I ignored her, amusement tugging at my lips as her frown deepened into a scowl.

Had she forgotten? I promised I’d train her today.

Susan hesitated before nodding. She gestured for Tina to step aside. “You’ll go next.”

The arena emptied, leaving just Camilla and me in the center. Exactly how I wanted it.

“Here.” I tossed her a pocket knife, watching her eyes widen. “Attack me.”

She hesitated. “A knife?”

“You’ll need to learn how to fight with weapons eventually.”

Her grip tightened around the hilt, uncertainty flickering across her face. I sighed and took her hand, pressing the knife firmly into her palm. “Do you really think you can hurt me with this?”

This was the Camilla I remembered—hesitant, soft-hearted. Yet, the fire in her words, the way she lashed out at me lately, proved she wasn’t the same girl anymore. But traces of her old self still lingered, evident in the way she wavered now.

“You wanted to be stronger so no one calls you weak again.” I leaned in slightly. “Prove it.”

Her eyes snapped to mine, something shifting within them. For the first time in a long while, she looked at me without hatred.

Goddess, her eyes were captivating. I wanted to reach out, to trace my fingers along her jaw, to lose myself in those depths. I had missed them—missed her—so much.

“Fine.” She broke the moment, snatching the knife from my hand.

I smirked. That’s my girl.

“Let’s begin.”

We took our positions, standing across from each other. I gave her a moment to warm up, though I needed none. I’d been fighting my whole life. My only concern was how to go easy on her. Hurting her was the last thing I wanted.

“Don’t hesitate,” I instructed. “Fight me like I’m your real enemy.”

A flicker of something passed through her expression—was that excitement? As if she’d been waiting for an excuse to attack me.

I prayed she wouldn’t actually try to kill me one day.

She lunged first. Her movements were sluggish, her attacks predictable. It was easy to evade them. A kick aimed for my head—I ducked. A slash toward my side—I stepped back. Every attack missed me entirely.

“You’re giving away your next move,” I pointed out. “Stop looking at your target before you strike.”

“I know,” she muttered, frustration leaking into her voice as she swung again—another miss.

She gritted her teeth, letting out an annoyed grunt. The determination in her eyes only fueled my amusement.

She tried again, this time aiming for my stomach. I dodged and struck her forearm. The impact made her lose her grip, and the knife clattered to the ground. She flinched, her focus breaking. Taking advantage, I grabbed her arm, twisted it, and swept her legs out from under her. She hit the ground, and in an instant, I was on top of her, pinning her wrists above her head.

She thrashed beneath me, attempting to use her legs to throw me off. It was futile.

“You let yourself get distracted.” I held her gaze, my voice low. “Never take your eyes off your enemy. That’s how you lose.”

“You cheated.”

A laugh rumbled in my chest. “Maybe. But an enemy won’t warn you before they attack.”

She exhaled sharply. “Noted. Now get off me.”

“Ask properly.”

She scowled. It only made me want to tease her more.

“Please.”

I leaned in slightly, my eyes flicking to her lips. “Gonna need more than that, baby.”

Her breath hitched. “Malakai, don’t you dare—”

“You promised me,” I reminded her. “I can kiss you whenever and wherever I want.”

Her lips parted to protest, but I took the opportunity, capturing her mouth in a slow, claiming kiss. At first, she didn’t respond. But when I deepened it, coaxing her, she finally gave in, matching my hunger.

A loud throat clearing broke through the moment.

Susan.

“I hate to interrupt,” she drawled, barely masking her amusement. “But this is a training ground, not a mating den. Save it for later, when the moon is at its peak.”

I smirked. Right. Tonight was a full moon.