Chapter 0247

I braced myself for the difficult conversation with Nathaniel. No Alpha enjoys revealing such horrors about a pack member's mate. But as his leader, this duty fell to me.

When the knock came, I called him in. The scent of distress rolled off him in waves. Without a word, I poured two glasses of bourbon from my office bar.

"That bad?" Nathaniel asked, accepting the drink with trembling fingers.

I took a measured sip before speaking. "You remember how Seraphina was when she first arrived."

His knuckles whitened around the glass. "Yeah."

"Malachi didn't just feed from Genevieve during those seven years." I watched his jaw clench. "He tortured her daily."

The glass shattered in his grip. Nathaniel drove his fist through the wall with a roar that shook the windows. When he turned back, his eyes glowed wolf-gold with rage.

"I knew... I felt it in her panic when she saw him." His voice cracked. "How do I fix this, Sebastian? How do I make her feel safe?"

I gripped his shoulder. "There's no quick fix. But she's stronger than she knows - surviving this long proves that. Let her set the pace. Be whatever she needs in each moment."

He dragged a hand through his hair. "Would she see Dr. Whitmore? Maybe professional help..."

"Suggest it gently. If she resists, give her time. Maybe Evelyn could help persuade her."

Nathaniel nodded stiffly. I refilled his glass, watching him drain it in one swallow.

"I should get back. The nightmares..." His throat worked. "Magnus stayed with her last night. That helped?"

"Yes. She trusts him. Right now, his presence may comfort her more than yours would."

As he turned to leave, I added, "Whatever you both need - it's yours. She's pack now."

His eyes flashed. "She's my mate. I'll wait however long it takes for her to believe that."

After he left, I finalized the training rosters. When I finally slipped into bed, Evelyn's warmth and lavender scent pulled me into exhausted sleep.

Morning found us heading to Black Canyon for pack training. I'd heard only one scream in the night - an improvement. Perhaps Magnus' presence had helped.

Five hundred warriors gathered on the training grounds - three hundred from Nightshade, two hundred from Blackthorn. Adrian and Donovan were already drilling groups when we arrived.

I pulled Evelyn aside. "Show me what Gregory's taught you." I dropped into a defensive stance.

Her nose wrinkled. "What?"

"I need to assess your skills. Attack me."

"I'm not hitting you, Sebastian."

Standing straight, I leveled my gaze. "As your Alpha, I need to evaluate your combat readiness. Now," I reset my stance, "show me what you've got."

Her eyes narrowed. Then she moved.