Chapter 16

Isolde's POV

I stepped out of the Moon Alliance residence, mentally preparing myself for another day of training. I'd grown to appreciate these early morning walks—a brief taste of freedom before being thrown back into the corporate wolf cage that was Silver Moon Group.

I was so lost in thought that I almost missed the tall figure leaning against a sleek black SUV parked at the curb.

"Security Director Orion!" I blurted out, blinking to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.

He straightened up, his amber eyes crinkling slightly at the corners as his lips quirked into a small smile. "That's me. No need to be so formal, Isolde."

He looked different outside the battle arena—still powerful, but somehow more approachable in a fitted gray Nike tracksuit and limited-edition sneakers that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe back home. A designer gym bag hung casually from his broad shoulder.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, unable to hide my confusion.

"Isn't it obvious?" His expression was warm, almost playful. "I thought I'd walk with you to the battle arena. You're always there before me, so I figured you must leave early. I've been here since seven."

I checked my watch—7:45. "You've been standing here for forty-five minutes?"

He shrugged as if it was nothing. "Forty-five minutes isn't long."

"Of course it is!" I insisted, genuinely bewildered. "That's nearly an hour! An hour is a long time!"

"It passed like a moment," he replied simply, falling into step beside me as we began walking toward the corporate complex that housed the training facility.

"Why would you wait that long for me?" I couldn't wrap my head around it.

His amber eyes met mine directly. "Because I enjoy your company."

I nearly tripped over my own feet. He reached out to steady me, his warm hand gentle on my elbow.

"Why do you look so surprised?" he asked, his tone genuinely curious. "Has no one ever told you that you're interesting to be around?"

Look at you, completely flustered by basic courtesy, Lyra mocked in my head. Although... be careful. There's something not quite right about this.

I ignored her warning. After weeks of being treated like dirt by most of Silver Moon's elite, having someone—especially someone of Orion's status—actually want to spend time with me was... disorienting.

"Not lately," I admitted quietly.

We walked in companionable silence for a while, the morning sunlight glinting off the mirrored glass of Silver Moon's corporate buildings.

"How are you finding the Alliance Program?" he asked eventually.

I hesitated, unsure how honest I should be with the Security Director. "It's... an adjustment."

His laugh was low and warm. "That's diplomatic. I've heard about some of the challenges you've faced."

My stomach tightened. "Have you?"

"It's my job to know everything that happens within Silver Moon territory," he said, but his tone remained light. "The bathroom cleaning punishment was particularly creative of Greta."

I grimaced at the memory. "Not my finest hour."

"I disagree," he replied unexpectedly. "Standing up for yourself against Sybilla showed character. Most Alliance girls would have simply taken the abuse."

We reached the sleek entrance to the underground training facility, its minimalist design belying the high-tech combat arena within. Orion stepped forward to open the door for me, but as soon as he crossed the threshold, his entire demeanor changed. His spine straightened, shoulders squared, head lowering slightly in deference.

I immediately sensed why.

Alpha Ezra stood inside, his powerful frame accentuated by a custom white athletic set that somehow made him look both casual and intimidatingly regal. His scent hit me like a physical force and something dark and dangerous that made my knees weak.

Mate, Lyra whispered urgently. Our mate.

"Good morning, Alpha Ezra," Orion greeted formally.

I echoed the greeting softly, keeping my eyes lowered. Every cell in my body seemed to vibrate with awareness of his presence.

"Good morning," Ezra replied, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. "You may look up."

I cautiously raised my gaze, meeting those stormy gray eyes that occasionally flashed with gold. Something flickered in their depths when our eyes met—recognition, perhaps. Or irritation.

"Isolde. That is your name, correct?" he asked, though I was certain he already knew.

"Yes, Alpha," I answered, struggling to keep my voice steady.

Orion cleared his throat. "I should check on the security perimeter and make sure the other fighters are prepared for today's session."

Ezra nodded dismissively, and Orion left with a final glance in my direction.

"Tie your hair back and join the others," Ezra commanded, his tone leaving no room for discussion.

"Yes, Alpha," I replied automatically, reaching for the elastic band on my wrist.

As I pulled my chestnut curls into a tight ponytail, I could feel his eyes on me, assessing. His proximity made my skin tingle, my wolf pacing restlessly beneath the surface.

He's watching us, Lyra purred. He feels the connection too.

Shut up, I snapped back mentally.

I joined Nyssa and the other fighters who were already warming up. The training session immediately kicked into high gear, with Ezra barking commands that had everyone pushing their limits. Thirty minutes into the grueling warm-up, I was drenched in sweat, muscles burning from exertion.

Nyssa and I collapsed onto the mats side by side, gulping water during the brief reprieve.

"Brace yourself," she whispered, nodding toward where Ezra was demonstrating a complex takedown technique with several elite warriors. "Today's going to be brutal with him here."

"I figured," I muttered, watching the fluid power of his movements. Even in training, he moved with lethal grace, his body a weapon honed to perfection.

"Nyssa, Isolde." His voice cut through the gym like a whip crack. "Stand up."

We scrambled to our feet, instantly alert.

"I want to see what you've learned in the past few days," he said, stalking toward us with predatory grace. "Move to the fighting circle."

The other fighters backed away, forming a ring around the designated combat area. My stomach knotted with apprehension.

"Your safe word is 'Silver Moon,'" Ezra announced. "Use it if things get too intense."

I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips at the irony—Silver Moon was the very thing I needed to be safe from.

His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Something amusing, Isolde?"

"No, Alpha," I answered quickly, the smile disappearing.

"Then begin!" he commanded, stepping back to observe.

As Nyssa and I circled each other, I had a moment of profound regret. I should have chosen one of the other training options in this damn Moon Alliance Program. Beauty treatments, hospitality skills, or even basic etiquette would have been safer than fighting in front of the Alpha himself.