The Rogue King's Wolfless Queen

Chapter 6: The Training of a Queen

Three weeks had passed since the explosive showdown at the river border, and Elena’s life had completely flipped upside down. She wasn't an omega maid anymore. She was the official Head Healer of the Rogue Pack, and she had her own massive, sunlit medical clinic inside the estate.

But right now, she wasn't curing illnesses. She was trying not to get her teeth knocked out.

"Keep your chin down, Elena! If you leave your throat exposed like that, a BloodMoon warrior will rip it out in two seconds!"

Jax’s booming voice echoed across the private training courtyard. He lunged forward, swinging a heavy wooden practice sword right at her head.

Elena gasped, ducking underneath the weapon just in time. The wind from the swing whipped her hair across her face. Her chest heaved, her heart pounding against her ribs. She was wearing tight black leggings and a sports bra, her skin glistening with sweat. Her muscles ached from hours of grueling drills, but she refused to call it quits.

"Again!" Elena yelled, wiping the sweat from her eyes and raising her fists.

"I like the spirit, Lady Elena, but you're too slow," Jax said, a proud but ruthless smirk on his scarred face. He stepped in fast, sweeping his leg out.

Elena tried to jump back, but her foot slipped on the dirt. She braced herself to slam hard against the ground, closing her eyes.

But the impact never came.

A pair of massive, rock-hard arms caught her securely from behind, pulling her back against a broad, burning-hot chest. The familiar, intoxicating scent of expensive whiskey, rain, and pure dominance flooded her senses.

"I think that's enough for today, Jax," a deep, rumbling voice murmured right against Elena's ear.

Elena opened her eyes and looked up. Caleb was standing over her, shirtless as usual, his perfectly chiseled chest and abs on full display. His amber eyes were locked onto her, a dark, simmering heat dancing in them.

Jax immediately dropped his wooden sword and bowed his head. "Alpha. Apologies. I was just trying to ensure she can defend herself if the BloodMoon pack tries anything stupid again."

"She can defend herself just fine," Caleb said, his grip tightening around Elena’s waist for a fraction of a second before he gently set her back on her feet. He looked down at her bare, sweaty shoulders, his gaze lingering a bit too long. "But she needs rest. A doctor shouldn't be overworking her own body."

"I'm fine, Caleb," Elena muttered, her face flushing red from how close he was standing. "I want to be ready. Killian looked completely insane at the river. He's not going to just let this go."

Caleb’s expression instantly turned cold and murderous at the mention of Killian’s name. "Let him try. If that pup crosses my borders again, I’ll feed his head to the crows. Go get cleaned up, Jax. You're dismissed."

"Yes, Alpha," Jax said, quickly turning on his heel and leaving the courtyard.

Once they were completely alone, Caleb turned back to Elena. He reached out, his massive, calloused hand gently grabbing a soft white towel and wiping a streak of dirt off her cheek. His touch was surprisingly gentle for a guy who could crush a skull with his bare hands.

"You're pushing yourself too hard, sweetheart," Caleb murmured, his voice dropping into a low, private register. "Every day I look out here, you're running drills until your feet bleed. Why?"

Elena snatched the towel from his hand, her purple eyes flashing with a fierce, stubborn fire. "Because I’m sick of being weak, Caleb! For twenty years, I was the pack joke. The wolfless b***h. The girl anyone could kick or spit on. Killian rejected me like I was a piece of garbage, and the only reason he wanted me back at the river was because of his stupid, toxic pride."

She took a shaky breath, her chest heaving against her sports bra. "I don't have a wolf. I don't have claws or an Alpha aura. If I don't learn how to fight with my human body, I’m just a target."

Caleb stared at her, his jaw clenching hard. He stepped closer, completely invading her personal space until she was forced to look all the way up into his towering form. The s****l tension between them was so thick it felt heavy in the air.

"Listen to me, Elena," Caleb said, his voice raw and filled with an intense, possessive emotion. "You are not a target. And you are definitely not weak. You stood on that riverbank and looked a high-ranking Alpha in the eye without blinking. You have more courage in your little finger than his entire pack has in their bloodlines."

He reached out, his long fingers gently wrapping around the nape of her neck, pulling her just an inch closer. His thumb traced her jawline, sending a wild, electric shiver straight down her spine.

"And besides," Caleb whispered, his amber eyes dropping to her lips before snapping back to her eyes. "You have me. I told you before, nobody touches you. I am the Rogue King, and my entire pack answers to you now. If you want Killian's head on a silver platter, all you have to do is ask."

Elena’s heart was hammering so loudly she was sure he could hear it. The way he looked at her made her feel completely breathless. It was entirely different from the forced, painful bond she had felt with Killian. This felt real. It felt chosen.

"I don't want you to fight my battles for me, Caleb," Elena whispered back, her voice a little breathy. "I want to humiliate him myself."

Caleb let out a low, rough chuckle, a wicked smirk spreading across his handsome face. "God, you are magnificent. Fine. If you want to humiliate him, I have the perfect opportunity."

Elena blinked, breaking out of the romantic daze. "What do you mean?"

Caleb dropped his hand from her neck, though he stayed dangerously close. "The Grand Alpha Summit is happening next week. It's a massive gathering of all the packs in the northern territory to discuss treaty boundaries and trade. The BloodMoon Pack will definitely be there. Killian and his father are hosting it this year."

Elena’s stomach did a nervous flip. "And you're going?"

"We are going," Caleb corrected, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light. "The rogues usually ignore the summit because we don't care about their petty politics. But this year, I'm going to make a grand appearance. And I want you right by my side as my official partner and the Head Healer of the Rogue Pack."

A slow, wicked smile began to form on Elena’s lips as she realized what he was planning. "Tanya and Killian are going to be there. They think I'm rotting in a ditch somewhere or begging for scraps."

"Exactly," Caleb smirked, leaning down until his lips were just inches from hers. "We're going to walk into their territory, show them exactly what a real Queen looks like, and make Killian regret the absolute day he was born. What do you say, sweetheart? Want to crash a party?"

Elena looked into his fiery amber eyes, feeling a rush of absolute adrenaline. The fear was completely gone, replaced by pure, addictive anticipation.

"Let's do it," Elena said softly, a dangerous edge to her voice. "Let's give them a show."