Page 77 of My Fated Mate

"Elowen," I reply, my voice gruff. "I thought you wanted to train alone."

She avoids my gaze, fiddling with the silver clasp in her braid. "Well, I…" she stammers, then takes a deep breath, finally meeting my eyes. "Actually, I was wondering…" Her voice trails off, and I can practically see her battling her pride.

"Wondering what?" I ask gently, taking a tentative step closer.

She throws me a quick, almost defiant glance before blurting out, "Would you be willing to… to teach me?"

My eyebrows shoot up. Teach her? After everything that's happened, the hurt, the distrust?

She wanted Kain to teach her…

But then I see the vulnerability in her eyes, something I haven't witnessed since the night under the full moon. It makes my wolf whine with a strange need to protect.

"Teach you what?"

"Everything, I’m the fated mate, I can’t be useless. I want to learn combat and how to use… my powers," she mutters, her cheeks flushing a faint pink. "You have the scroll, and we have Greta—between the two of you, there must be a way to harness my so-called powers."

Understanding dawns. This isn't about her ego. This is about the pack, about protecting them from the coming darkness. A wave of respect washes over me. This female.., she is perfect.

"I suppose I could do that," I try to sound nonchalant, but a smile tugs at my lips.

A genuine smile, hesitant at first, blooms on her face. It's like the sun breaking through the clouds, chasing away the shadows that have clouded our connection for so long. "Would you really? That would be… amazing."

We stand there for a moment, an awkward silence stretching between us, but this time, it doesn't feel heavy. It feels charged, laced with a newfound hope that fills me with adrenaline.

Clearing my throat, I gesture towards the training area. "Alright then, let's get started. Show me what you've already figured out or what Kain has tried to teach you.”

Elowen's smile widens, and for the first time since that night, there's a spark back in her eyes.

Maybe teaching her won't be so bad after all. Maybe this could be the start of something new, something we could build together under the light of the same moon that had almost torn us apart.

Goodness, I really hope this is the start of her warming up to me. I’d give anything for her affection again.

Together, we spend the next few hours experimenting. Elowen shows me the combat skills Kain has taught her and we determine she is ready to start her magical class tomorrow.

This time with her is perfect. I start to feel whole again. My mate is with me.

We bicker, of course. Elowen’s frustration boils over with each strenuous thing I make her do. But beneath the surface, a tentative understanding is forming.

We're learning to communicate, to navigate the emotional minefield that still exists between us.

So I’m not surprised when Elowen storms to our training ground three days later, looking as bright and shiny as the moon goddess herself.

Tonight's training is different. We're delving deeper, exploring the potential of the moonlight to empower not just Elowen but the entire pack.

And it looks like she came prepared.

Mine!My wolf snarls inside me. I order him to be silent.

Elowen takes a deep breath as she walks over to me, her eyes gleaming. "Thorne, I'm so excited for tonight’s training.”

We stand facing a group of practice dummies, the clearing bathed in an ethereal silver light.

Even I am excited. Tonight is about channeling the power of the moon outwards. Elowen's idea is to use the moonlight to enhance the wolves' strength and speed, turning them into a formidable force against the looming threat of the Dark Moon.

This works, providing the moon shines.

Elowen focuses intently, her eyes closed, her brow furrowed in concentration. Moonlight swirls around her outstretched hands, condensing into a luminous orb.

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