Chapter Sixty-Seven
The course wound on, each obstacle testing speed, balance, and precision. Avery and Molly moved in sync with Wulph and his second, their breathing steady, their focus sharp.
Halfway through the rope wall, Wulph’s voice brushed across Auron’s mind. Why haven’t your boys joined us yet?
Auron’s mental reply was dry, tinged with amusement. Avery’s orders. She wanted them on the toughest level for their… macho display earlier.
Wulph’s laugh burst out loud and sudden, echoing across the field.
Avery’s head snapped toward him, catching the gleam in his eyes. She didn’t need to ask — she knew exactly what Auron had told him. Molly, curious, glanced between them, but Avery just smirked to herself.
Good, she thought. They’ll be too worn out for any funny business tonight. Maybe I’ll even let them back in bed with me and Molly… if they behave.
By the time Avery and Molly crossed the finish line, Elena’s voice was calling from the porch, “Lunch!” The scent of fresh bread and something savory drifted across the field.
Avery slowed, scanning the grounds — and spotted them.
Auron and his team had indeed taken the boys through the advanced course parameters. They were only halfway through when she caught sight of them trudging toward the cabin.
Riven was still smiling, the exertion not yet catching up to him. Kael was sweating, his shirt clinging to his back. Lucien… Lucien looked like he might have pushed himself a little too hard, his usually composed expression tight with effort.
Avery didn’t say a word. She just turned and walked into the cabin, the picture of calm satisfaction.
The kitchen was warm and bright, the table already set when Avery stepped in from the field. Elena was ladling soup into bowls while Remy sliced a loaf of crusty bread, the scent of herbs and roasted vegetables filling the air.
They both looked up as Avery entered — alone.
“Where are the boys?” Elena asked, brows lifting. “They haven’t finished the assessment course yet?”
Avery’s lips curved into a slow, satisfied smile. “Nope. They’re still out there. Auron’s got them running the advanced parameters.”
Remy tilted her head. “Why?”
“Because,” Avery said, her tone deceptively casual, “they decided to get all macho and territorial over me talking to Wulph.”
Elena nearly dropped the ladle, laughter spilling out of her so suddenly she had to brace herself against the counter. “Oh, that’s priceless.”
Remy, however, just gave Avery a long, knowing look. “You haven’t been open with them?”
Avery met her gaze and linked her mind-to-mind. I have. But they’ve never been around Auron’s men long enough to see how close I am with my trainers. And they deserved to see it with Wulph — someone they’ve known longer than I have. The fact that he has his own mate should have tempered their reaction… but it didn’t.
Remy’s lips twitched, but she didn’t argue. Still in your dog house, then?
Oh, absolutely.
Elena, still chuckling, set the last bowl on the table. “Well, they’ll be good and tired by the time they get here. Maybe that’ll knock some sense into them.”
Remy slid into her seat, shifting the conversation. “So — your assessment with my trainers. Molly’s magic control is solid, but we’ll need to push her range. And you—” she looked at Avery, “—we’re watching for signs of your new abilities starting to surface. The bond’s deepening, so it’s only a matter of time.”
Avery nodded, glancing toward the door where the faint sound of footsteps approached. “Good. Because when we start training as a unit, I want us ready for anything.”
Outside, the boys were finally making their way toward the cabin. Riven was still smiling, Kael was sweating through his shirt, and Lucien looked like he’d pushed himself to the edge.
Avery didn’t move to greet them. She just sat down at the table, calm and composed, while Elena and Remy began dishing out the food.
The dog house was still very much occupied.
The door swung open just as Elena was setting the last dish on the table. Riven, Kael, and Lucien filed in, the scent of sweat and effort clinging to them. Riven still wore that stubborn smile, Kael looked like he’d just finished a sprint through the desert, and Lucien… well, Lucien’s usually perfect composure was cracked, his movements just a touch slower than normal.
Elena’s eyes flicked to the clock, then back to them. “You didn’t finish the course?”
Remy arched a brow. “It’s not that long.”
Avery, already seated with Molly at her side, didn’t even try to hide her smirk. “They were on the advanced parameters. Auron’s orders. My request.”
Elena’s hand flew to her mouth, but it didn’t stop the laughter from spilling out. She bent over the counter, shoulders shaking. “Oh, that’s too good.”
Remy, however, gave Avery a pointed look. “You haven’t been open with them?”
Avery met her gaze and linked, I have. But they’ve never been around Auron’s men long enough to see how close I am with my trainers. And they deserved to see it with Wulph — someone they’ve known longer than I have. The fact that he has his own mate should have tempered their reaction, but it didn’t.
Remy’s lips twitched, but she didn’t press. Still in your dog house?
Firmly, Avery replied
Elena straightened, still chuckling as she began dishing out steaming bowls of soup. “Well, maybe next time they’ll think before puffing up like roosters.”
Remy passed the bread, smoothly shifting the conversation. “So, Avery and Molly’s assessment — my trainers say Molly’s magic control is solid, but we’ll be working on her range. And Avery…” she gave her a small, knowing smile, “we’re watching for signs of your new powers. The bond’s deepening. It’s only a matter of time before they start showing.”
Molly grinned. “Guess we’ll see if I can keep up.”
Avery just dipped her bread into her soup, her expression calm — but her eyes flicked briefly to her three mates, still settling into their seats, still catching their breath.
The dog house was warm, well-furnished, and they were going to be in it for a while.