Chapter 0084

Sleep came easily that Tuesday night. My own bed felt like heaven after so long away.

Morning light brought the sounds of combat training drifting through my window. I curled into the window seat, watching the scene below. Adrian had mentioned Father was overseeing warrior drills, but I hadn't expected them to be using our private training grounds.

My gaze locked onto Adrian immediately. The man moved like liquid steel - powerful yet graceful. He moved among his warriors like a force of nature, correcting stances and pushing them past their limits. I'd never trained alongside him before. The commanding presence he wielded surprised me.

Father was brutal. His insults rained down like hailstones, calling them "kittens" and "weaklings" as he put them through hellish obstacle courses. Adrian never flinched, taking every challenge without complaint.

When sparring began, I studied Adrian's technique hungrily. Our styles differed naturally - he relied on raw power and reach while I favored agility and stamina. Yet watching him dismantle his warriors with terrifying efficiency proved endurance wasn't his weakness either.

Sebastian gave him the toughest fight, but Adrian still emerged victorious.

Selene's sudden purr vibrated through my mind.

"Really? This is how you're spending your recovery time? Staring at our Alpha like some lovestruck pup?"

I smirked. "Call it tactical reconnaissance. We'll be sparring soon enough."

"Mmm, perhaps we should request private lessons. I'm certain watching him up close would speed my recovery."

"Selene!" I hissed aloud. "You're embarrassing us. And no, we're not using training as an excuse to drool over him."

"You're no fun," she sulked, though her purring continued as we kept watching.

I'd lost track of time when the session ended. Adrian lingered, receiving Father's critiques for each warrior. Just before leaving, his head snapped up. Those piercing eyes found mine through the window. A slow, knowing smile curled his lips before he winked and strode away.

Downstairs, I was fixing breakfast when Father wheeled in. "Sweetheart, you should be resting."

"I'm healing, not helpless," I said, flipping pancakes. "Don't worry, I'll take it easy today."

He chuckled. "Catch any of the training?"

"Enough to pity your victims. What did they do to deserve that?"

Father's grin turned wicked. "Oh, this was just the warm-up." He rubbed his hands together like a cartoon villain.

"Those poor souls," I sang in my best Disney villain voice, making him laugh as he left to shower.

The pack hospital visit came at 3pm. Dr. Whitmore wanted both bloodwork and an IV for hydration. Once the needle was in, I seized my chance.

"Father, what aren't you telling me about Victor Blackwood?"

His expression shuttered. "What makes you think—"

"Don't play dumb. Something's off. Tell me."

He exhaled heavily. "This should come from Sebastian... but you deserve the truth." His gaze turned grave. "When you were taken and we realized Victor was responsible, Sebastian revealed something shocking about him."