Chapter 196

NATALIE’S POV The sun had just started to set beyond the treetops, painting the sky orange and violet. I sat on the grass after another grueling training session, stretching my sore limbs and letting the cool breeze brush over my skin. I could hear the distant sound of warriors still sparring in the distance. I let out a deep breath and I let my body relax. For the first time today, I allowed my mind to slow down. But then I felt it. The hairs on the back of my neck rose. A deep chill went down my spine, and every muscle in my body tensed. Something was wrong. Very wrong. My wolf alerted me. Inside me, she sat up and her ears were raised in alert. She started to feel at ease. My instincts were on edge now. I spun around but too late. A man appeared behind me. He was tall, dark, and impossibly fast. His hand caught my wrist before I could fully react. His power crackled against my skin like static electricity. “What the hell—” I tried to twist free, but he was far too strong. Who the he