The training grounds behind the Avila mansion were bathed in the golden light of late afternoon. Claire wiped sweat from her brow, breathing hard but steady. She had been pushing herself harder every session with Alissa, determined to prove — mostly to herself — that she could stand in this world. Her nose had healed enough that the bruise was now just a faint shadow, but the memory of the handball incident still fueled her.
Victoria had been watching from the sidelines again today, her presence like a shadow that refused to leave. The dark-haired she-wolf had returned “to strengthen alliances,” but everyone knew the real reason.
“Looking stronger, Claire,” Victoria called out with a sweet smile as Claire finished a set of drills. “For a human, you’re actually keeping up quite well.”
Al
