Page 87 of The Wolf and the Chimera
Instead of fearing her, people would’ve liked human Elle.
I would’ve liked her.
The beast beneath my skin stirred.
But she wasn’t real.
And it was time for both of us to let her go.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I hugged Dad again. He squeezed me so tightly, I wondered if he would be able to release me. Eventually, he did, and when I spoke, he listened.
“Thank you,” I said. “Thank you for protecting me in ways I never realized, Dad, but I’m more than a magicless girl with her nose stuck in a book. I’m-I’m ready to be more.”
Dad nodded, and our training began anew.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Ryder
“Elle’s training is not progressing,” Circe declared without preamble.
I glared at the witch. Alongside Kieran, Bo, Melanie, and Lee, we stood in Circe’s garden, under a trellis covered in honeysuckle. The plant’s sweet scent, paired with the various flowers and herbs sprawling around us, perfumed the air. Plush, vividly green grass sprawled underfoot.
“She did well in combat today,” Lee argued.
“Yes,” Circe conceded, “but no amount of punching and kicking will protect her from Medea.”
The witch pinned her dark-eyed stare on me.
“You have failed even more heinously than your mate,” she accused. “At least she has tried.”
My wolf’s hackles raised, and my skin itched with irritation. Behind me, Kieran inched closer. I wondered if he intended to stop me from lunging for the witch or provide back-up.
“What do you want me to do exactly?” I demanded. “I was born with enough dominance to be the Sovereign. How am I supposed to train something that the gods have deemed my birthright?”
“Spoken like a true man,” Circe spat. “You think swinging your power around like an axe should do the trick.”
“That’s all Lyall does,” Bo said quietly, “and from what my parents have told me, Lyall’s father ruled in much the same way. It’s the only way we know.”
Circe sighed. “Dominance is meant to be wielded much like any other form of magic—with care. If Ryder here developed control, he would be able to impose his will onto enemies without making his allies crumble to his feet in the process.”
I tried to consider what she proposed and how valuable it would be with the threats closing in on us, but my attention snagged on the handful of words that held me back.
Impose his will.
My father had taught me that wolves craved structure and order. Packs needed Alphas to thrive. I had accepted the task of leading one pack, but leading them all?
Though I loathed him for it, Lyall had been right that day in his cabin. I couldn’t even protect my mate. What business did I have being Sovereign?
“Damn,” Melanie said. “That could be a game changer.”
“What about Elle?” Kieran asked. “What does she have to do with Ryder’s powers? You talk about them like they’re connected.”
“They’re mates,” Circe said. “They both need each other to be strong. Their bond needs to be unbreakable.”
As everyone’s attention turned to me, I swallowed the urge to bare my teeth.
“When I claim my mate,” I growled, “is no one’s business but mine and Elle’s.”
