---

The tension between Hailey and Varian has been there since the moment they met, simmering beneath the surface, unspoken but undeniable. But ever since Varian let his guard down and showed her a rare glimpse of his softer side, something shifts. The connection between them, once colored by suspicion and wariness, now holds a fragile thread of understanding. And while Varian's protective instincts toward Hailey remain as strong as ever, she is determined to prove that she doesn’t need anyone to protect her—not even him.

That’s why, when Hailey insists on joining the warriors in training, Varian’s immediate refusal only ignites her determination.

“No,” he says firmly, his deep voice brooking no argument. His dark eyes, intense and unreadable, hold her gaze, sending a clear message—this conversation is over.

Hailey crosses her arms, defiant, her jaw tightening as she resists the urge to roll her eyes. “I’m not asking for permission, Varian. I’m telling you—I want to train.”

“I won’t allow it,” he replies, his voice steady but laced with tension. Beneath his cool exterior, she can sense the strain, the tight coil of protectiveness that’s always simmering under the surface.

“I’m not some fragile pup that needs coddling,” she fires back. “I’ve trained before. I can handle it.”

Varian’s expression sharpens, a flicker of frustration crossing his face. “That’s not the point, Hailey.”

“Then what is the point?” She steps closer, her voice rising just enough to challenge him. “Are you afraid I’ll embarrass your warriors, or are you scared I’ll be better than them?”

Theo, Varian’s Beta, lounges nearby, watching the exchange with a barely suppressed grin. “You’ve really got a death wish, huh?” he mutters, though there’s a hint of amusement in his tone.

Varian’s lips tighten into a thin line, and for a moment, Hailey thinks he’s going to end the conversation there. He isn’t used to being challenged—especially not by someone like her. But she’s not backing down. Not after everything she’s been through. She’s survived too much to be told what she can and can’t do.

Finally, Rayon, the Gamma, who has been quietly observing from the side, steps in. His voice is calm, even, the mediator between them. “Let her train,” he says, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I’ll keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn’t get hurt.”

Varian turns to Rayon, his jaw ticking as he battles with himself. It’s clear that the idea of Hailey training unsettles him—whether it’s the thought of her getting hurt or the challenge to his authority, Hailey isn’t sure. But after a long pause, Varian exhales sharply.

“Fine,” he says, his voice clipped. “But you’ll stay with her the whole time, Rayon. No exceptions.”

Rayon gives a nod, his usual calm demeanor unshaken. Hailey, on the other hand, feels a surge of victory but keeps her expression neutral. She’s not about to let Varian think she’s gloating—though she can’t help the small flicker of satisfaction that burns inside her.

---

Later that day, Hailey stands in the middle of the training grounds, her heart beating a little faster than usual. The Crescent Pack warriors are scattered around, preparing for the session. She catches a few curious glances thrown her way—some skeptical, others intrigued. She knows they’ve heard stories about her, about her escape and survival, but she also knows none of them expect much from her.

Theo strolls over, his ever-present grin plastered on his face. “So, you ready to prove us wrong?”

Hailey raises an eyebrow, adjusting the straps on her boots. “You ready to eat your words, Beta?”

He laughs, stepping back as he gestures to a tall, broad-shouldered warrior named Kade. “We’ll see. Kade here isn’t going to go easy on you just because you’ve got a pretty face.”

“I don’t need him to,” she says confidently, stepping forward to face Kade. She drops into a fighting stance, her muscles tensing in anticipation.

Rayon stands off to the side, his watchful eyes on her as the session begins. His presence is a constant reminder of Varian’s overprotectiveness, but Hailey pushes it out of her mind. She’s here to prove herself—not just to them, but to herself.

Kade circles her, his movements slow and cautious. She can tell he’s not sure how hard to go against her, but she doesn’t give him time to think. With a quick pivot, she launches a kick aimed at his side. He blocks it, but just barely, and she can see the flicker of surprise in his eyes.

They exchange a few quick blows, Kade stepping up his game when he realizes she’s not some helpless damsel. Hailey dodges most of his hits, her body falling into the familiar rhythm of combat. It’s been a while since she trained like this, but it comes back to her easily. Her strikes are quick, sharp, and though not perfect, they land more often than not.

From the corner of her eye, Hailey catches Theo and Rayon watching, murmuring to each other. Theo seems impressed, though he’s trying to hide it behind his usual cocky attitude.

“She’s got more fight in her than I expected,” Theo mutters.

Rayon nods in agreement. “She’s been through a lot. It shows.”

As the sparring continues, Hailey finds herself growing more confident. She takes a few hits, but she gives just as many, and by the end of the session, her muscles are burning with the familiar ache of a good workout. She’s breathless, but exhilarated, feeling more like herself than she has in a long time.

Theo claps her on the shoulder, grinning. “Not bad. I might even say you kicked Kade’s ass.”

Hailey laughs, wiping the sweat from her forehead. “Just wait until next time.”

Rayon gives her a small, approving nod. “You did well. But you need to pace yourself. Varian won’t be happy if you end up getting hurt.”

Hailey smirks. “Who says he cares if I get hurt?”

Rayon chuckles softly, but doesn’t answer.

Just as Hailey is about to head back to the sidelines, she feels a presence beside her. She turns to see Varian, standing silently, his gaze sweeping over her in that intense way of his. For a moment, she expects him to criticize her performance, to point out all the ways she fell short. But instead, he simply nods.

“You did well,” he says, his voice low and steady.

Hailey’s heart skips a beat at the unexpected praise. Coming from Varian, those words carry more weight than she cares to admit. She swallows, forcing herself to play it cool. “Thanks.”

Before she can say more, Varian steps back and begins to shift.

Hailey watches, her breath catching as his body ripples, muscles elongating and bones snapping into place. She’s seen wolves shift before, but watching Varian transform is something else entirely. His massive wolf form is nearly twice the size of the others, his fur a deep, inky black, his eyes glowing with the same intensity they hold in his human form.

Her mouth nearly drops open at the sight of him. She’s heard stories about his wolf, but seeing it in person is… overwhelming. He’s majestic and powerful, radiating a strength that takes her breath away.

Theo, noticing her reaction, snickers. “Yeah, he’s big. Took me a while to get used to it too.”

Varian’s wolf prowls forward, leading the warriors into their next round of training. Hailey stands back, still mesmerized by the sheer size of him, as Rayon quietly steps closer, keeping his promise to watch over her.

“You’ve made your point,” he says softly, glancing at her. “But don’t push too hard. You know how Varian gets.”

Hailey smirks, her gaze still on Varian’s massive wolf. “Yeah, I’m starting to figure that out.”

As Varian’s wolf lets out a low, rumbling growl to signal the start of the session, Hailey’s heart races in anticipation. She’s proven herself today, but there’s still so much more to do. And as the sun begins to set over the training grounds, she knows one thing for sure—this is just the beginning.

Hey, wonderful readers! First of all, let me just say—I know you’ve been waiting for this chapter, and trust me, I was dying to get it out to you! But, life got a little too real, and I found myself caught up in the chaos of reality. You know, the usual stuff—dodging responsibilities like I’m in my own action-packed scene, trying not to burn dinner, and attempting to exist as a normal human while secretly plotting Hailey and Varian’s next move! 😅

But hey, we’re here now, right? And wow, can we just talk about how Hailey and Varian’s relationship is developing at lightning speed?! Like, one minute they’re growling at each other and the next, Varian’s out here secretly smiling while watching her train. I mean, who saw that coming?! 😂😂 I know I didn’t! It’s like they’re skipping all the slow-burn steps and jumping straight into the “can’t live without you” phase. Honestly, I’m just as shook as you guys are—how fast are they moving? Like, slow down, you two, give us all a chance to catch our breath! 😄

Thank you all for being so patient and sticking with me through the crazy. I promise, this is just the beginning—there’s so much more to come! More action, more drama, and of course, more of Hailey and Varian getting tangled up in their “Are we enemies? Are we something more?” situation. Let’s be real, we all live for the awkward tension and soft moments they’re bound to share!

Stick around because I’ve got some seriously epic scenes in store that are going to take things to a whole new level! You won’t want to miss what’s coming next. 💥 Until then, keep reading, keep laughing, and as always, thank you for being the best part of this journey!

Now, onward to the next chapter! 😎