Chapter 0020

Dawn barely breaks when I'm already awake.

Not ready to join the warriors' brutal training sessions yet, but I can't resist watching her.

I slip into the guest room and crack open the window just as her wolf streaks along the treeline.

Minutes later, she emerges in workout gear, heading straight for the training grounds.

The warriors immediately tease her about the flowers.

She deflects their jokes effortlessly, shutting down their suggestions about getting rid of me.

Theron growls possessively in my mind. 'Let them try.'

Today's sparring matches mirror yesterday's - except this time, she fights in wolf form.

Her wolf is smaller than mine but moves with lethal grace.

Theron practically vibrates with longing to meet her.

After training, I watch her wolf disappear into the woods before rushing to get ready for school.

Donovan waits downstairs with my breakfast.

"Thanks. I owe you big time for covering for me."

He punches my shoulder. "No sweat. Yesterday was entertaining. Ready for today's big move?"

Fuck yes, I'm nervous.

This could go spectacularly right or catastrophically wrong.

Theron howls at the mere thought of rejection.

'She'll accept. Our gift honors her wolf. Nothing speaks louder than this offering.'

'You're absolutely certain? No take-backs once we do this.'

'She's ours. I'll move mountains to prove it.'

The morning drags, my stomach twisting tighter with each passing hour.

By lunchtime, I'm fighting nausea.

Theron stays uncharacteristically silent as I enter the cafeteria early.

Theodora spots me instantly.

She gives the slightest nod before focusing on the entrance.

When Evelyn walks in, our plan springs into action.

The entire room falls silent as Theodora approaches Evelyn's table with the elaborate lunch setup.

Evelyn looks stunned, then asks for the card.

My palms sweat. This is the moment.

The cafeteria collectively groans as the food's aroma fills the air.

Donovan appears beside me, silent support radiating from him.

Evelyn reads the card.

For a heartbeat, nothing happens.

Then - sunlight erupts behind her emerald eyes as her wolf surfaces.

That golden glow only Guardian wolves possess.

She's discussing it with Nathaniel. Genevieve snatches the card, her own wolf rising to read it.

I hear Phoebe ask Selene's opinion.

Selene. Now I know her wolf's name.

Then - victory.

Theron's triumphant howl shakes my skull.

She accepted.