Chapter169: Training Session

|| Lilac’s POV || The woods smelled of damp earth and pine, the afternoon sun filtering through the canopy in golden shafts that painted the forest floor in flickering light. Birdsong drifted through the trees, mingling with the distant rush of a creek. It was peaceful here— far from the packhouse, far from prying eyes. Endora’s words echoed in my mind. "Stay close to nature. Train your body. Let it remind your wolf what she is fighting for." A twig snapped behind me. I didn’t need to turn to know it was Alaric. His presence was like a living thing, a pulse of heat against my back, the scent of pine and something darker, wilder, wrapping around me before he even spoke. I inhaled, trying to melt in that fire, in his fire! It was solitude! My peace, my alpha! "Ready?" His voice was rough, edged with something that made my stomach tighten. Given the current circumstances, Alaric even suggested it would be better if I learn a few moves. From him, personally. No the usual drills I was doing