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“Careful, Bodhi,” I purr mockingly, “you’re starting to sweat.”

He growls playfully, tightening his hold again, nearly pinning me. I twist sharply, throwing us both off balance. We crash onto the mats, wrestling furiously, each maneuver calculated, intense. I finally gain leverage, pinning him down firmly.

“Yield,” I pant victoriously, eyes shining with triumph.

Bodhi laughs beneath me, surrendering graciously. “Fine, princess. You win this one.”

I stand gracefully, offering him a hand. “Better luck next time.”

“Next time,” he agrees with a smirk, accepting my help to pull him up.

Turning smoothly to Thorn, I flash a challenging smile. “Ready for round two?”

“Bring it,” Thorn responds confidently, ignoring Bodhi’s amused groan.

Thorn charges without hesitation, his power and precision impressive. “Eager, aren’t we?” I taunt, ducking swiftly beneath his strikes, retaliating with quick, focused blows. He blocks smoothly, retaliating immediately, the exchange fierce and rapid. He grips my wrist, pulling me close, his arrogant smile hovering inches from my face.

“Had enough yet?” he breathes smugly.

“Oh, honey,” I shoot back breathlessly, eyes flashing tauntingly, “I was just getting warmed up.”

He chuckles darkly, suddenly sweeping my legs from beneath me. We crash onto the mats, grappling fiercely. These are the moments I love, I wasn’t made for a desk job, my body always craves the action. I drive my knee into his ribs sharply, eliciting a satisfied growl from him before he flips me expertly onto my back. “You’re getting predictable,” he murmurs.

“Careful what you wish for,” I warn, twisting sharply to escape, delivering a swift kick that knocks him off-balance. He recovers instantly, tackling me forcefully, finally pinning me beneath him with an infuriatingly smug expression.

“How about now?” he asks softly, eyes bright with triumph.

I glare defiantly, dramatically sighing in defeat. “Fine, you win—this round.”

Thorn helps me gently to my feet, admiration clear in his gaze. “You fight damn well.”

“I know,” I reply confidently, raising my chin. “Don’t underestimate me again.”

“Never do, but the reminder is always damn fun,” he murmurs respectfully.

Bodhi claps loudly, commanding attention. “Alright, kids, show's over. Let’s wrap it up before Seanna bruises more than our egos.”

The recruits laugh and disperse back to their training. Bodhi tosses me my jacket effortlessly, eyes glinting with humor. “Impressive moves, princess. Consider me humbled.”

“Glad to meet your impossibly high standards,” I reply dryly, slipping into my jacket.

Thorn nods quietly from the sideline, appreciative and amused. “Next time we’ll see if that was beginner’s luck.”

“Anytime,” I promise, mock-saluting them both. “See you around, boys.”

Their laughter echoes behind me, leaving a rare warmth in my chest.

That was what I needed, the fight, to remember how good it feels to let the adrenaline take over for just a few minutes. To let it clear my head and fill me with fresh determination.

Chapter 6

Seanna

It’slatebythetime I pull up to my cabin, the engine softly rumbling to a stop, headlights slicing aggressively through the dense darkness, scattering shadows across the gravel driveway. I cut the engine and step out, boots crunching on gravel as the night air fills my lungs with its familiar blend of sharp pine and damp earth.

My eyes automatically drift toward Hydessa’s cabin. Dark again. Either she’s already deep into that undercover mission, or she’s out getting herself into something messy. A flicker of curiosity briefly surfaces—wondering just what trouble my careful, methodical sister might have found—but I brush it off immediately. Hydessa’s tougher than people think. Still, an uneasy prickling creeps down my spine, irritatingly persistent.

Halfway to my door, I freeze, muscles instantly coiled tight, eyes narrowing sharply. Resting innocently on my doorstep is a small, matte-black box. Neatly placed, unmistakably deliberate.