Kylie is a good fighter—really good—but so am I. At 5’7", she towers over my 5’1" frame, but our builds are similar, which makes it easier to learn new moves together. She moves with a natural grace and confidence, her black sports bra and leggings accentuating her lean, defined muscles. She could pass for a supermodel with those curves.

I have muscles too, though they’re hidden beneath baggy sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt. Layers are my armor—they help hide the bruises and scars from Stacey and her minions. My wolf and I agreed a long time ago: I don’t want anyone’s pity. The same people who turned a blind eye when I was being beaten don’t get to offer me kindness now, pretending they care. It’s easier this way—keep the pain hidden, stay invisible.

The only place I feel alive is here, sparring. I love the rush of adrenaline that comes with a good fight. I usually keep to the back of the group, working with the warriors who assist Delta Kyle during training. He’s one of the few people who seems to understand why I stay separate from the others.

Despite everything, I’m a skilled fighter—even though I let Stacey and her friends use me as their personal punching bag. It’s better that way. If I’m the target, it means they leave everyone else alone. I don’t fight back. I learned long ago that the beatings end faster when I don’t resist, and I don’t get in trouble if I don’t hit back. The one time I accidentally gave Stacey a black eye right after I got my wolf, I was suspended for a week. My father locked me in my room the entire time and told Mary she wasn’t allowed to speak to me or feed me. Mary ignored him, of course—she made sure I had food and took my schoolwork in for me, ensuring I didn’t fall behind.

Delta Kyle walks around the training mats now, offering feedback and adjusting our forms. He pauses by me and Kylie, watching us spar for a moment before grinning.

“Nice work, ladies,” he says, leaning in with a conspiratorial wink. “You two are the first to get the concept down today—faster than the young alphas and beta. They’re still struggling with it.” His grin widens. “But don’t tell them I said that.”

Kylie and I exchange giggles, setting up to run the move again.

“You got it, Delta,” I say, my lips twitching into a small smile. Delta Kyle knows me well enough to realize the jab about Leo would amuse me. He’s more of an older brother to me than Leo ever was. He’s also one of the few people who’s helped me hide some of the worst injuries I’ve gotten from Stacey’s group—without judgment or too many questions.

Only Kyle and Luna Ava know that I got my wolf early. It’s rare for wolves to get theirs before they turn eighteen, but sometimes strong wolves—especially those with ranked blood—receive theirs earlier. I think the Moon Goddess gave me my wolf to help me survive everything. As much as I love her, though, I wish the Moon Goddess would stop the bullying altogether.

Luna Ava has been helping me learn how to shift and use the pack link, but I’ve enjoyed staying invisible. At least until Kyle ruins that plan.

“I think it’s time for a demonstration,” Delta Kyle announces loudly, catching the attention of the entire group. “Kylie, Selene—why don’t you two show everyone how the new defensive move works?”

I groan internally. So much for staying unnoticed. Kyle winks at me again, and I glare at him through the mindlink.

“I really don’t like you,” I say.

“I know,” he replies cheerfully. “But someone needs to see what kind of fighter you are. Your brother and his friends could use a little humility, don’t you think?”

“You’ve got two minutes. That’s it,” I huff, knowing there’s no point in arguing with him.

Kylie looks like a kid who just got told she could have all the candy she wants. She’s practically bouncing on her toes. Great. She likes the attention.

Delta Kyle’s voice booms across the training grounds. “Take your positions! Kylie, you’re on the attack. Selene, show us how to use the defensive technique to pin her. Let’s see if you can do it in less than thirty seconds this time.”

Snickers ripple through the group. I can hear the cocky muttering—most of it coming from the boys. “No way she pulls that off,” someone says with a scoff. My wolf bristles at the insult.

Arrogant idiots, she grumbles. They’re going to regret underestimating us.

Shall we? I ask her, already feeling the hum of her energy in my muscles.

Oh, kiddo, I thought you’d never ask.

Laughter bubbles up from the crowd, but I tune it out, focusing solely on Kylie. My warrior instinct takes over, and the rest of the world fades.

Delta Kyle raises his hand. “Set… GO!”

The moment he says “go,” I move. I don’t wait for Kylie to attack. She tries to fake left and drop low, aiming her shoulder at me, but I’m faster. I send my knee up into her ribs, knocking the air from her lungs. As she staggers upward, gasping, I pivot, slamming my elbow into her back.

She tries to grab me around the waist, hoping to pull me down with her, but I twist mid-fall, flipping us both. I land on top of her, pinning her throat with my knee and locking her arm in an unbreakable hold.

Silence. Not a breath, not a sound from anyone.

Kylie blinks up at me, her honey-colored eyes wide with shock. I release her and stand, offering her a hand. She takes it, still catching her breath.

“Holy sh*t,” she mutters, grinning. “You’re fast. You’ve got to teach me how to do that.”

I nod, unsure what else to say. If she knew where I stood in the high school hierarchy, she’d want nothing to do with me.

Delta Kyle claps me on the back, beaming. “Less than ten seconds! Sorry, Devin,” he says, grinning at his son. “She beat your record. By a lot.”

Devin scowls from the sidelines, crossing his arms as the crowd murmurs in surprise.

I grab my things, ready to escape the growing attention, but Kylie falls into step beside me. She doesn’t say a word—just follows me as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.

It’s strange, having someone willingly walk with me.

But for once, I don’t mind.