It was day two of training, and Adina's body was sore. She wasn't sure how she would explain this to Thorne when he asked why she was moving her body like she needed to be out of her skin.

"Tomorrow at noon. Be here early and for the love of the gods, Adina, talk to Thorne about the bruises," Thessara grumbled out the last part.

Adina looked away in shame. "Maybe I like the bruises. You'll never know," she muttered.

Thessara stared at her like she'd lost her mind. How does anyone like bruising? 'Pups of today, just unbearable and…" Adina tuned her out even as she grumbled under her breath.

This time wasn't even intentional on Adina's part. She'd been cleaning her face for the night when Thorne walked in and was suddenly displeased seeing her bruises wear off her skin. Apparently, wearing his mating mark wasn't enough. She needed to be covered in a litter of hickeys to be satisfied… Of course, Adina wasn't complaining. Heck! She liked it.

"I'm leaving now, Thessara. I'll be here on time tomorrow. Thank you for helping me," she said as she made her way outside the cabin.

She didn't get to go far when she saw a rather familiar figure walking towards the cabin. She turned to Thessara, making sure she wasn't the only one seeing this.

Walking towards the cabin was Jocelyn, Thessara's own sister.

Thessara was already sporting a frown the moment she laid eyes on her sister. "Jocelyn," she called out, her voice filled with contempt.

Jocelyn smiled, her gaze landing on Thessara then shifted to Adina, the smile tightening a bit. "If it isn't the future Queen of the realm and Thorne's own mate, Adina," she said in such a condescending manner as she bowed.

Adina stiffened at the tone, forcing a smile on her face. "Lady Jocelyn," she called, nodding.

Jocelyn's gaze flickered between Adina and Thessara. "I didn't realize the two of you were this close?" she said offhandedly. "To be visiting each other's home? Especially Thessara's over here." Her gaze returned to Adina. "Did you know Thessara hasn't even invited me, her very own sister, to her home, ever."

Thessara stared at her, unimpressed. "Why have you come all the way into the woods, Jocelyn? What bad news have you brought along with you!" she asked.

Adina glanced at Thessara and Jocelyn, feeling very much out of place. She shifted awkwardly. "I'll take my leave," she said, about to walk past Jocelyn when she grabbed her arm, holding her back.

Adina's brows furrowed at this… she didn't forget this was the same woman who helped Elara spell Thorne.

"Leaving so soon?" Jocelyn asked sweetly, her grip light but firm. "We may have had misunderstandings, but it doesn't have to stay that way." Her smile sharpened. "We should have tea tomorrow. I want to know you better, what do you say? My chambers. Noon. I insist."

Adina blinked, "That's… thoughtful of you," she said, trying to keep her voice neutral.

"Think of it as a truce," Jocelyn murmured, finally releasing her arm. "After all, we'll be family soon enough, and I can see my dear sister already has a head start over me. I don't like that," she said, and perhaps it was meant to come out jokingly, but it didn't…

Adina forced a polite smile. "Thank you for the invitation," she gave Thessara a quick look that said, 'what is happening right now,' and nodded curtly before walking off into the woods.

The moment she was out of sight, Thessara stepped forward, arms crossed over her chest. "What are you really doing here, Jocelyn?"

Jocelyn's smile widened, "You never change. Always so suspicious." She stepped into the patio. "Can't I come say hello to my dear sister?"

Thessara scoffed as she walked into the cabin, Jocelyn following her. "You're now the pack's reject, and suddenly you remember you have a sister? Cut to the chase, Jocelyn. What brings you here."

Jocelyn rolled her eyes, already walking around, taking in the place. "Who would've thought you'd make such a place for yourself in the middle of the woods?" she asked, looking towards the kitchen. She sighed wistfully and looked back at Thessara.

"I didn't know you and Thorne's mate were close?"

"Adina. Her name is Adina, not Thorne's mate," Thessara shot back, and Jocelyn's smile turned even sharper.

"Adina… right," she trailed off, now walking towards the shelf filled with various herbs and liquids.

"You still hear potion from time to time, I see," she looked at Thessara over her shoulder.

Thessara didn't reply; she simply stood there, watching as Jocelyn performed whatever it was she was doing.

After some seconds, Jocelyn sighed, turning to face Thessara. "I'm afraid you're right."

Thessara's brows raised. "Am I, now?"

Jocelyn rolled her eyes, "Yes. I'm not the pack's reject, and I have just now remembered I have a sister who has chosen to live in the woods." She huffed irritatedly as she sat down.

"Won't you offer me some tea?" she asked, nearly pouting.

"I don't drink tea," Thessara shot back.

Jocelyn looked over to the kitchen where two mugs of tea sat, she looked back at Thessara. "Those cups still contain leftover tea."

"I don't drink tea with your kind," Thessara replied.

Jocelyn laughed under her breath, though her eyes didn't match the sound. "Still so dramatic. You always were the colder one, Thess."

"I call things as they are," Thessara replied flatly. "And I know you. You never show up unless you want something."

Jocelyn's playful façade slipped just slightly as she leaned back in the chair. "Fine. I'll skip the sisterly reunion." She tapped her nails against the armrest, one by one. "Tell me, Thessara, what would you do if Khaos were being reawakened?"

Thessara froze for a heartbeat. Then she let out a short, humorless laugh. "Has madness finally eaten you whole?"

Jocelyn tilted her head, smiling in that infuriating way that revealed nothing. "Answer the question."

"I'd ask why you're wasting my time with children's stories," Thessara shot back. "Khaos is dead. His body was burned and cast into the deepest ocean to never be seen again. He couldn't return even if he'd had ten lives."

Jocelyn smirked, "That's too confident, even for you, Thessara."

Thessara stared at her for a beat too long. Jocelyn was a snake. Thessara knew there was absolutely no chance of Khaos reawakening. They'd killed every single one of them when Thorne had stabbed his heart. And Jocelyn? Why would she even tell her if something like that was even one percent true? Khaos was the same one who gave her the deadly powers she possessed in order to keep her body younger while her soul rots.

"It's time to stop chasing the shadows of Khaos and what you could've well-being with his powers. He's dead, burnt, and rotten to never ever return. I suggest you keep to the present, Jocelyn."

Jocelyn stayed silent, eyes locked on Thessara's, then suddenly she smiled, standing up. "Fine… At least now, no one can say I didn't stretch out a friendly hand to you," she said.

"Crawl back to that filthy hole you came out of. Mother and Father are long dead and forgotten. I promise, no one is thinking we are even sisters anymore," Thessara spat out.

Jocelyn's smile waned off instantly at her words. "You know, I have blood flowing through my veins too, Thessara. And your words? They hurt me." She walked towards the door then paused.

"I'll be having your precious Adina over tomorrow noon for tea. You can join and learn…" she smirked, "How to be friendly."

Thessara's jaw tightened, "Stay away from her," she warned. "I mean it, Jocelyn."

Jocelyn laughed, shaking her head, "That girl means more to you than you let on… I wonder what it is she'll learn about me… or I will learn about her."