Chapter 5
Night fell over the Blackthorn estate, heavy clouds blotting out the moon. Liana paced the training room, her muscles still sore from the day's combat exercises. Her hands twitched involuntarily, the latent energy inside her stirring restlessly. She had thought the day's lessons were sufficient, but Damian's words echoed in her mind: "Control first, or you will be destroyed."
A soft knock at the door made her jump. Damian's silhouette appeared in the doorway-broad and unyielding. "You're not resting," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Good. Sleep will come when the threat is gone-or not at all."
Liana glared at him. "I'm not a child. I can decide when to rest."
"You're not deciding anything," he replied, stepping closer. The Alpha aura radiating off him felt suffocating, magnetic, and infuriatingly possessive. "You're surviving. That's all that matters for the next forty-eight hours."
Before she could respond, a sharp crack echoed from outside-the perimeter. Damian's body stiffened, alert. "They've found us."
Liana's stomach dropped. "Who? How--?"
He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the large windows overlooking the estate gates. Shadows moved too quickly-figures darting between the trees, silent and deadly. "Hunters," he said, his jaw tight. "And they're close."
Her pulse raced as fear mingled with adrenaline. She had trained, yes, but she wasn't ready for real attackers. Yet there was no choice-survival demanded action.
Damian moved behind her, his hands brushing hers as he adjusted her stance. "Focus. Control your power. I will guide you, but you must act."
The first attacker scaled the gate with ease. Liana's chest tightened, heat flaring beneath her skin. She extended her hands, feeling the energy surge like wildfire. Her first strike erupted in a controlled blast, sending the intruder staggering backward.
Damian's eyes darkened in approval. "Good. But aim to disable, not destroy. Remember-control first."
More attackers came, fast and relentless. Liana ducked, dodged, and unleashed controlled bursts of energy, each strike precise under Damian's watchful gaze. Her body burned with exertion, but she couldn't stop-the hunters would exploit any hesitation.
One attacker lunged from the shadows. Reflexively, Liana pushed energy forward, and the figure slammed against the stone wall. She could hear Damian's sharp intake of breath beside her.
"You're learning fast," he said, his voice low and intense. "But there's more coming. Be ready."
A series of blasts illuminated the courtyard. The attackers were skilled-faster than she had expected-and coordinated. Her energy was strong, but even she began to falter against the sheer numbers.
Damian stepped forward, dominant and protective, taking down attackers with ruthless precision. He moved like a shadow himself-powerful, swift, and terrifying. Each time his hand brushed against hers or his presence pressed close, her pulse skipped, her fear intertwining with something darker-a pull she couldn't fight.
One attacker broke through the line, heading straight for her. She froze for a fraction of a second-too long.
Damian's hand shot out, gripping her shoulder. "Now!" he commanded.
Liana focused. The energy inside her flared bright, then condensed, striking the attacker with a controlled but devastating force. The man collapsed, groaning, unable to rise. She stumbled back, her chest heaving.
"You can do this," Damian said quietly, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. "But remember-you must not lose control. If you do, they'll exploit it. And I won't always be able to save you."
Her legs shook, a mixture of exhaustion, fear, and heat coursing through her. "I… I'm trying," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"You're stronger than you know," he said, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "And whether you trust me or not… you're mine for these forty-eight hours. I won't let anything happen to you-not while I breathe."
The remaining attackers hesitated, regrouping. Damian signaled to the pack members hidden in the shadows. They moved with precision, surrounding the intruders, cutting off escape routes, and ensuring none would leave alive. Liana watched, awe and terror mingling in her chest.
When the last figure fell, Damian turned to her. His gaze was intense and unreadable, but a faint smirk curved his lips. "You did well. But this was only a test. They'll come again. And next time, they'll be smarter, faster."
Liana sank to her knees, her hands trembling. "I can't keep doing this," she admitted, her voice cracking. "I'm not strong enough."
"You are," Damian said firmly, kneeling to her level. His presence pressed against her, dominance and protection intertwined. "You just don't know it yet. And you won't have the luxury of failure. Not for forty-eight hours. Not ever."
Her chest heaved, his words sinking deep. She hated that she wanted his reassurance, hated that the touch of his hand-the brush of his fingers against hers-made her pulse race. Yet she also knew it was his Alpha presence that kept her alive.
The night settled over Blackthorn, dark and threatening. Liana's body tensed, ready for what lay ahead