MATED TO THE LONE WOLF

Chapter4:part two

The midday sun beat down on the dirt floor of the training courtyard. The scent of dust and crushed pine needles filled the air."Again," Talia commanded, her voice like cracked ice.Lizzie wiped sweat from her forehead. Her muscles burned with an exhaustion she had never felt as an omega. In her hand, the wooden practice dagger felt heavy and awkward.Talia lunged forward. Lizzie froze for a fraction of a second, her old instincts screaming at her to drop and cover. Instead, she remembered Ramond’s words. She forced her feet to move, stepping to the left as Talia’s blade sliced through the empty air where Lizzie had just been standing."Better," Talia grunted, circling her. "But you're still waiting for me to strike. An omega's advantage isn't strength. It is speed. You are smaller, lighter, and faster than a Blood Moon brute. Use that."From the edge of the courtyard, a low, rumbling purr vibrated through the mate bond. Lizzie glanced over. Ramond stood leaning against a wooden pillar, his arms crossed over his chest. His intense blue eyes followed her every movement. When their gazes locked, he gave her a slow, approving nod. The warmth of his approval flooded her veins, chasing away the lingering tendrils of fear."Focus, Lizzie!" Talia barked, throwing a sweeping kick at Lizzie’s ankles.Lizzie jumped back, just barely evading the blow. Driven by a sudden spark of defiance, she didn't just retreat this time. She lunged forward, twisting her body to slip past Talia’s guard. With a quick flick of her wrist, she tapped the wooden practice blade against Talia’s ribs.Talia blinked in surprise, then a rare, genuine smile broke across her scarred face. "Well look at that. You have teeth after all."Before Lizzie could celebrate, the heavy iron pack bell began to toll from the watchtower. Clang. Clang. Clang.The sound shattered the afternoon quiet. The mate bond instantly spiked with cold adrenaline. Ramond straightened up, his easy posture vanishing as his Alpha aura flared, heavy and suffocating.Marcus sprinted into the courtyard, his chest heaving. "Alpha! Silas’s scouts have bypassed the river. They just ambushed our southern patrol. Two warriors are down."Ramond’s jaw tightened into stone. His eyes flashed a dangerous, predatory gold. The time for preparation was over; the Blood Moon had arrived. He turned to Marcus, his voice booming with absolute authority. "Sound the assembly. Get the elders and pups into the secure bunkers. Now."Ramond strode over to Lizzie, his massive hands catching her face. He kissed her forehead fiercely, the mark on her neck tingling with his possessive energy. "Stay with Talia. Do not leave the inner perimeter."Lizzie clutched his leather vest, her heart hammering against her ribs. "Ramond, please be careful.""I am the Alpha of Blackwood," he said softly, a dark promise in his eyes. "I will tear apart anyone who tries to reach you."With a final squeeze, he turned and bounded toward the forest, shifting into a massive midnight-black wolf mid-stride, leading his warriors into the fray.Lizzie watched the dust settle behind him, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her dagger. She was terrified, but as she looked at Talia, she knew she wouldn't hide anymore. She was ready to bleed for her pack.