Chapter 114

**AUSTIN**

The morning sun filtered through the tall pines, streaking the sparring field with golden light. My breath steamed in the cool air as I stretched out my shoulders and squared up across from Adam. It had been a few days since my transformation, and the strange exhaustion and nausea were behind me. What replaced them was something I hadn’t quite expected: clarity. Strength. Focus.

Adam grinned across the field at me, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet. "You sure you're ready for this?"

I returned the smirk. "Worried I'm going to knock you on your ass?"

"Not worried. Just wondering if your ego got bigger along with your fangs."

We circled each other, bare feet kicking up the dew-dampened earth. Adam moved first, quick as lightning, and I ducked, sidestepping to grab his wrist and counter. Our bodies collided in a blur of motion, the crack of muscle against muscle echoing across the clearing.

For the first time, I felt like I could keep up. More than that—I could anticipate him. Our sparring sessions had always left me panting before. Now, I moved with a speed and precision that shocked even me.

Adam grunted as I flipped him over my shoulder, and he hit the ground with a satisfying thud. We both burst into laughter.

"Okay," he said, brushing dirt from his arm as he got up. "You win that round."

We jogged over to the bench near the weapons shed, grabbing water bottles and sitting shoulder to shoulder, sweat cooling on our skin.

"So? How does it feel?" Adam asked, glancing at me sideways.

I took a long drink before answering. "Like the volume got turned up on everything. My sight, my hearing, my reflexes... they're sharper. Cleaner. It’s strange. I thought I'd feel out of control, but it's the opposite. I feel centered."

Adam nodded thoughtfully. "That's a good sign. Not everyone would adjust this smoothly. But you were always disciplined. That helps."
"Yeah, well... I'm still getting used to the craving part," I admitted. "I smell things I shouldn't. Hear things I probably don’t want to. But when I look at Aria, I know why I did this. I’d go through worse to keep her safe."

"Speaking of that," Adam said, voice dropping slightly. "We caught Caedmon snooping near the eastern observation trail last night. Alex's team followed him discreetly. He met with no one, but he lingered near the marker we planted."

I frowned. "The one we laced with the false security breach?"

Adam nodded. "He thinks the community’s eastern flank is our weakest point. He’ll pass that on soon, I imagine. It’s all staged, but we need him to believe it.

The more convinced he is, the more careless he becomes."

I wiped sweat from my brow. "It still bothers me that he’s here. Aria interacts with him more than I’d like."

"I know. But she’s smart. And Rosalie’s cast a tracking spell on her. The moment Caedmon does something he shouldn’t, we’ll know."

I exhaled slowly. "I don’t like that we’re always reacting. We need to take the next step. Make a move."

"I agree," Adam said. "Alex and Fares are drawing up two contingency plans. One involves feeding Caedmon more disinformation. The other..."

He trailed off, staring out at the forest.

"What?"

"The other involves setting a trap. Not just for him—but for whoever he's reporting to."

I sat back, letting that sink in. It was dangerous, bold. And exactly what we needed.

"When do we move?"

Adam met my eyes. "Soon. But only when Aria is stable. She’s stronger now, but the pregnancy is draining. We have to time this right."

I thought of her then, curled up in our bed with that tiny smile she gave when she dreamed. My heart twisted. "We do this for her. For them."

"Always," Adam said.

The sun rose higher, casting sharp light on the path ahead.

We weren’t just building a home anymore. We were defending a future.

And this time, I felt strong enough to fight for it.

**ARIA**

The morning light spilled softly through the windows of the corridor as I made my way down the staircase. I moved slowly at first, still not entirely used to the extra senses my body now wielded, but I couldn’t deny the strange and welcome sensation humming just beneath my skin. I felt... like myself. Like I had reclaimed some missing piece I hadn’t even known was gone.

As I continued through the common space, more familiar faces greeted me—warm smiles, subtle nods, words of affection and relief. It touched me more than I expected. This place, for all its complexities and hidden threats, had become home. And these people—these wolves, witches, vampires, and hybrids—they were family.

In the dining room, Rosalie and Leila were already seated, chatting animatedly over bowls of fruit and fresh bread. Cassius sat beside Leila, his ever-watchful gaze softening slightly when he noticed me. Sasha, sitting on the edge of the table with a half-eaten croissant, waved me over with powdered sugar dusting his fingertips.

"Well, look who’s finally decided to grace us with her glowing presence," Sasha teased.

I rolled my eyes with a smile and settled into the seat between Leila and Rosalie. The scent of cinnamon and coffee swirled around me, grounding me in the moment.

"You look better than ever," Rosalie said, eyeing me closely. "There’s color in your cheeks and mischief in your eyes. I’d say someone’s feeling the full benefits of transformation."

"Maybe," I replied with a laugh. "Or maybe I’m just excited to eat something that’s not toast and eggs."

"We’ve missed you down here," Leila added, her hand brushing mine. "The table’s been too quiet."

Cassius smirked. "Speak for yourself. Sasha hasn’t stopped talking since you took your rest."

"Hey! Rude," Sasha muttered through a mouthful of jam and bread, but he winked at me, clearly pleased to see me back.

We were just starting to talk about baby names again—Leila and I having made a game of bouncing ideas off one another—when I heard familiar footsteps entering the room. A moment later, Adam and Austin appeared, both freshly showered, hair damp, and still flushed from their morning training session.

My heart did that ridiculous stutter it always seemed to do now when I looked at them. Austin’s sharp eyes immediately found mine and softened. Adam, trailing just behind him, gave me a small, warm smile that was only for me.

"Look who’s up and stealing the spotlight again," Adam teased, leaning down to kiss my cheek before sitting beside me.

Austin kissed the top of my head and took the seat to my left. "How are you feeling today?"

I grinned. "Like myself. Finally."

Rosalie lifted her mug. "To feeling like yourself again."

We clinked glasses, and for a few moments, there was only laughter, the scent of warm food, and the quiet strength of belonging. It felt good. No, it felt right.

Even with everything looming beyond these walls, this moment was ours. And I was ready for what came next.