Chapter 47 Strength
ARYA
He kissed her. Hard, possessive, claiming. His hands fisted in her hair, angling her head for deeper access. It was raw and primal and completely indecent for a public setting.
When they broke apart, Sage was smirking. “There’s my wolf. Thought I’d lost you to brooding for a minute there.”
“I don’t brood.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” She turned to us, completely unbothered by the public display. “So, what’s the plan? I’m here to help with security, right?”
“Right,” Luca confirmed. “We need warriors we can trust. Ryker vouched for you.”
“Ryker has terrible judgment in women, but excellent judgment in warriors.” She winked at Ryker, who scowled. “What are we dealing with?”
Caspian pulled up a holographic display, and for the next hour we discussed strategies, potential threats, and defensive positions.
Sage’s input was invaluable. She’d fought in more battles than most people twice her age, and her tactical mind was sharp as her blades.
“The main vulnerability is the single entry point,” she said, studying the terrain map of the Moonborne lands. “If they block it, we’re trapped like rats.”
“We could create alternate escape routes,” I suggested. “Hidden paths through the mountains.”
“Good thinking. And we need scouts posted on every peak with visual of the valley. Anyone approaching, we want to know about it hours in advance, not minutes.” She zoomed in on the map. “Here, here, and here. High ground positions with clear sightlines.”
“Agreed,” Luca said. “Caspian, coordinate with the mountain packs. We’ll need climbers who can handle those positions.”
“What about magical threats?” Sage asked. “Physical security is one thing, but if they have witches or warlocks—”
“We have Bardon,” I interjected. “And I have my own magic. Moonborne power should counter most offensive spells.”
“Should isn’t good enough. We need certainty.” Sage looked at me directly. “No offense, Luna, but have you actually trained in counter-magic? Or are we hoping your bloodline does the work for you?”
The challenge in her voice was clear. And deserved.
“I’m still learning,” I admitted. “My power only fully emerged a few weeks ago.”
“Then you need a crash course. Yesterday.” She looked at Luca. “With respect, Your Majesty, sending her into a potential war zone without proper training is a suicide mission.”
“I know.” Luca’s jaw was tight. “Bardon has been working with her—”
“Not enough. She needs combat training. Real combat, not just theory.” Sage’s expression was serious. “I’ve seen too many powerful people die because they didn’t know how to use their gifts under pressure.”
“Are you offering to train me?” I asked.
“If you’ll have me. I’m not gentle, and I don’t coddle. But I’ll make sure you can defend yourself.” She crossed her arms. “Your mate won’t like it. I’ll push you hard.”
“I don’t need his permission.”
“No, but you’ll need his cooperation. Because the kind of training I’m talking about? You’ll come back bruised, exhausted, maybe bleeding. He’ll want to stop it.” Her eyes flicked to Luca. “Can you handle watching that?”
Every eye turned to Luca. His expression was conflicted—protective instinct warring with logic.
Through the bond, I felt his turmoil. The desperate need to keep me safe. The knowledge that coddling me would get me killed.
“I can handle it,” he said finally, though his voice was strained. “If it keeps her alive, I can handle anything.”
“Good answer.” Sage nodded approvingly. “We start tomorrow at dawn. Bring your wolf, Luna. You’ll need her.”
As the meeting broke up, Sage pulled me aside.
“Can I be blunt with you?”
“Please.”
“Ryker’s still in love with you. Or thinks he is. Or is trying not to be. I’m not entirely sure which.” She crossed her arms, her expression carefully neutral. “I’m not asking you to do anything about it. Just… be aware. He’s confused, and confused wolves make mistakes.”
“He told me he’s moved on.”
“He’s trying to. His head knows you’re not available. His heart is catching up. His wolf?” She shrugged. “His wolf is stubborn as hell and doesn’t like change.”
“I’m sorry. If I could—”
“Don’t apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong. You were honest with him from the start.” She looked over at where Ryker was talking with Luca and Caspian. “I just wanted you to know where I stand. I’m here to help with the summit. After that, Ryker and I will figure out if we’re real or if I’m just a rebound.”
“You’re not a rebound.”
“Maybe not. But I’m definitely not his first choice. And that’s something I need to decide if I can live with.” She squeezed my shoulder, the gesture surprisingly gentle. “Anyway, enough heavy shit. Want to show me how a Moonborne fights? I’ve heard stories, but I’d like to see for myself.”
“I’m still learning—”
“Perfect. We’ll learn together.” Her grin returned. “Come on, Luna. Show me what you’ve got.”
We sparred for over an hour. Sage was brutal, not holding back, and I loved it. She pushed me harder than anyone except Luca, forcing me to tap into my power, to integrate Lean’s instincts with my human intelligence.
“Stop thinking!” she barked after I hesitated on a strike. “Your wolf knows what to do. Trust her!”
I let Lean rise closer to the surface. My movements became faster, more fluid. When I finally landed a solid hit that sent Sage stumbling back, she laughed.
“There it is! That’s the power everyone’s afraid of.” She wiped blood from her split lip. “Again. And this time, don’t pull your punches.”
By the end, we were both exhausted and laughing, covered in sweat and minor injuries.
“You’re good,” Sage panted, sprawled on the grass. “Raw, but good. A few more months of training and you’ll be terrifying.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It is. Trust me.” She sat up, wincing slightly. “I like you, Arya. I was worried I’d resent you, but I don’t. You’re too genuine to resent.”
“I like you too. Even though you scare me a little.”
“Good. I’d be disappointed if I didn’t.” She stood, offering me a hand up. “Can I give you some advice? Woman to woman?”
“Always.”
“Your mate is powerful. Ancient. Used to getting his way for eight centuries.” She looked at me seriously. “Men like that—they’ll cage you in gold if you let them. They think they’re protecting you, but really they’re protecting themselves from the fear of losing you. Keep your claws sharp. Don’t let him make you soft.”
“I won’t.”
“Good.” She started walking toward the house. “Now let’s get cleaned up. I’m starving, and I hear the food here is amazing.”
As we walked, I reflected on how much my life had changed. A month ago, I had no real friends except Ryker and Mrs. Hargrove. Now I had allies, supporters, and maybe—just maybe—a genuine friendship forming with this fierce warrior woman who didn’t treat me like I was fragile.
The revolution was building.
And I was becoming someone strong enough to lead it.