Chapter 66

Bad news.

Elara’s POV

For the past three days, I’ve bled, bruised, and crushed every muscle in my body. I had expected Kieran to push me, but I didn’t expect him to treat me like one of his warriors. There was no leniency in his movements. No softness in his gaze. He wasn’t training me like a mate he wanted to protect, instead he was training me like a soldier he expected to survive.

And I couldn’t lie… I sort of needed that. I haven’t fought in a war or even had any real fight except that night fifteen years ago. I was just a child then, but now, as the Luna of Blackwood Pack, I need to be strong and be able to protect my pack members.

Still, it didn’t make today’s bruised ribs any easier to breathe through.

“Again,” Kieran barked.

My lungs screamed, and my legs trembled. We’ve been training since morning. He stood across from me in the clearing behind the pack house, shirtless, barefoot, and already drenched in sweat despite the morning c