Page 46 of Fated for Flames

As if on cue, Lucien’s voice echoed from downstairs. “Any of you want more cookies?”

We both smiled and headed downstairs.

Who could say no to Lucien’s yummy cookies?

30

Evelyn

The training grounds were alive with grunts, the thud of bodies colliding, and the occasional chuckle that echoed across the field.

A wave of laughter bubbled up inside me as I stood beside Chad. The sight of him, his wavy hair and shirt soaked with sweat from our sparring session, brought a mischievous grin to my face.

“Chad, want to know what I learned in my Supernatural History class?” I began, unable to contain my amusement.

“What did you learn, little witch?” he asked, a smile on his lips.

“Well, is it true that shifters sometimes carry over animal habits into their human form?” I watched his brows furrow before continuing, “Like, since you’re a puppy…do you sometimes find yourself sniffing other people’s butts?” I cackled, not able to hold it in.

The laughter that erupted from him truly warmed my heart. His deep chuckles echoed through the training grounds, eliciting a few glances our way.

“Not all butts, little witch,” he added with a wink.

Our sparring session continued, our movements synchronized in a dance of strength and agility.

My eyes were locked on Chad’s as we circled each other, sizing each other up.

“All right, little witch,” Chad said, his voice low and challenging. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

I tensed, my muscles coiled like springs, ready to launch into action at the first sign of an opening. Chad mirrored my movements, his eyes gleaming with a predatory intensity that sent a thrill down my spine.

Without warning, he lunged forward, his movements lightning fast. I barely had time to react, I dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding his grasp.

“Not bad,” he growled, a wicked grin spreading across his face. “But let’s see how you handle this!”

He launched a flurry of strikes, each one faster and more powerful than the last. I felt my heart racing, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I struggled to keep up. I blocked, parried, and countered with everything I had, my body moving on pure instinct.

The world around us seemed to fade away as we became lost in the dance of combat. Every muscle strained, every nerve ending alive with the thrill of the fight. Sweat beaded on my brow, my lungs burned, but I refused to give in. It felt good. I felt alive and powerful, but suddenly, Chad feinted to the left, and I fell for the trap, leaving my right side exposed. He pounced, his strong arms wrapping around me, pinning me to the ground.

“Gotcha,” he breathed, his face mere inches from mine.

I struggled against his hold, but it was futile. He had me, and we both knew it. I stared up at him, my chest heaving, and for a moment, the rest of the world fell away.

“You’re getting better, little witch,” he murmured, his voice low and rough. “But you’ve still got a lot to learn.”

At one point, I almost bested him, though he was distracted by a conversation with another shifter. It wasn’t a real win, but it felt like progress.

After class, Chad invited me to a bonfire at their house the next night.

I tilted my head in confusion. “Your house?”

“Yeah,” he clarified with a laugh. “The shifter house.”

The shifters had a place in the woods where they could “let loose.” I nodded and agreed to meet him there.

Throughout all this, I was fully aware that Ryker’s intense gaze never wavered from me. He watched silently from afar, his dark eyes filled with an inscrutable emotion. His stares were nothing new, but they still sent shivers down my spine every time our eyes met.

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