I stood in the observation room above the training area, my body tense as I watched Emily prepare Reba for her first session. She wore the training gear I’d had made for her–flexible ck pants and a fitted top that allowed movement while supporting her still–healing body.

Dominic’s POV fnba1a This text is hosted at find?novel/fnba1a

Emily’s voice came through the speakers clearly: “As Luna, you must learn to protect yourself and the pack when the Alpha bisn’t /bpresent. Today, we’ll assess your instinctual responses and begin basic defensive training.”

Four Delta warriors entered the training area, taking positions around Reba. It was standard protocolb, /bbut seeing my mate surrounded made my wolf bristle with protective instinct.

Reba’s eyes widened slightly. “Four against one? bI /bguess we’re ying for real today.”

Emily nodded, stepping back. “Begin.”

The first Delta moved forward, reaching for Reba’s arm. To my surprise, she didn’t panic or freeze. Insteadb, /bshe twisted away with unexpected grace, using the momentum of his grab to pull him off bnce.

The second Delta came at her from behind, but Reba seemed to sense him. She dropped and rolled, causing the first two Deltas to collide. A small smile of satisfaction crossed her face, quickly reced by concentration as the third and fourth closed in.

They were being careful, I could tell–these were trained warriors who could easily overpower her, but they were gauging her responses, testing her limits rather than trying to hurt her. Still, when the third Delta managed to get her in a chokehold, I felt my ws extend involuntarily.

Reba’s face reddened as she struggled for breath, her hands wing at the arm around her throat. Just when I was about to intervene, something remarkable happened. Her expression changed, a sh of something primal crossing her features. With unexpected strength, she grabbed the Delta’s finger and bent it backward until it snapped.

The warrior released her with a surprised yelp, and Reba spun away, her breathing ragged but her stance newly confident. There was something different about her movements now–more fluid, more instinctual.

The fourth Delta circled her warily, then rushed in with a series of quick strikes. Reba dodged most, took a ncing blow to the shoulder, but then countered with a swift kick that caught the warrior in the knee. It wasn’t a trained move–it was pure instinct, the kind of fighting that came not from lessons but from something deeper, more primal.

“She’s tapping into her wolf,” Emily murmured beside me, her voice filled with awe. “Look at her eyes.”

I leaned forward, focusing on Reba’s face. As she spun to face the regrouping Deltas, I caught a sh of gold in her normally gray- green eyes. My breath caught in my throat. Her wolf was emerging, responding to the threat,ing to her aid.

The remaining three Deltas closed in, working together now. Reba was surrounded, her back to the wall. I saw the moment when something within her shiftedpletely. Her posture changed, bing lower, more predatory. Her fingers curled, and I could see the tips of her nails lengthening into ws.

With a grace that was both beautiful and terrifying, sheunched herself at the nearest Delta, moving with a speed that was decidedly not human. She feinted left, then dropped and swept the legs out from under one warrior while simultaneously shing at the arms of

another.

15:17 Monb, /bbSep /bb29 /b

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90

The Deltas, now fully engaged, managed to coordinate their efforts enough to bring her down, but not before she’d left marks on ball /bbof /bthem. Even as thergest Delta pinned her to the mat, officially ending the match, Reba turned her head and–to bmy /butter shock- yfully licked the side of his face.

“I didn’t say I yield,” she grinned, still showing slightly elongated canines.

The training room erupted in surprisedughter, and I found myself apuding as I exited the observation area. By the time bI /breached the training floor, Reba was sitting up, her features returning to normal as Emily helped her to her feet.

“Well done,” I said, unable to keep the pride from my voice. “It seems my Luna doesn’t need much protection after all.”

Reba smiledb, /bwiping sweat from her brow. “I surprised myself,” she admitted. “It was like… like something else took over. Something that knew exactly what to do.”

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