Alina’s POV
The transformation happened gradually, piece by piece.
First, there was my hair. Maddox arranged for someone to come to our safe house and dye my dark hair to a deep shade, almost black, with soft waves and stylish clips that made it look luxurious and purposefully done. Next came the makeup—applied heavily but in a way that looked effortless, with smoky eyes and perfectly shaped lips.
Then there was Jaxon’s intense training—three hours each day filled with tough exercises. He taught me how to break free from grabs, how to spot exits in new places, and how to use my own weight to defend myself against someone bigger. By Thursday, I had learned how to escape from a hold, maneuver into a protective stance, and get the upper hand on an opponent before they even noticed what wa
