Page 42 of A Sunwoven Ascent

It was fixed on her best friend, who looked moments away from settling a very personal score. Evelyne had never cared much for gossip in Caltheris, but this—this she would not miss.

Heidara struck first. Beau dodged easily and began circling. After a few beats, he lunged low, sweeping her legs and driving her to the ground. She hit hard, knocking her breath loose. Beau planted his hand against her chest to keep her pinned and Evelyne watched fury blaze across Heidara’s face at the contact, at the smugness in his posture.

Beau leaned in, his voice low and cocky. “Your punches were fine,” he murmured. “I just wanted an excuse to get you down here.”

Heidara moved at once. Her elbow drove into his jaw, then her knee struck hard into his stomach. Beau stumbled away with a rough grunt as she pushed to her feet.

“You are insufferable,” she snapped.

He rose more slowly, one hand rubbing his jaw, his expression turning dark. “My apologies,” he said. “I only thought you might want a true male rather than chaining yourself to someone who will not last.” He caught his breath before finishing, “Watching you devote yourself to a dying man is… difficult.”

The clearing went silent.

Then Heidara lunged with a snarl, slamming into Beau hard enough to drive the breath from him. They hit the ground in a spray of dirt and leaves. She landed on top of him and struck without restraint, rage flying through her fists. Beau blocked what he could, twisting beneath her in search of leverage, defending himself without ever striking back.

“You do not get to speak of him,” Heidara roared. “You lost any right to me long ago.”

Holden and Coren moved at once. They caught Heidara by the arms and dragged her off him while Beau scrambled back, chest heaving. Coren planted himself between them as Holden held fast, murmuring something calmly into Heidara’s ear.

Ravena’s voice cut through the clearing like a blade. “Beau.”

Her son froze.

“Have you finished humiliating yourself this morning,” she asked coolly, “or would you prefer to go on testing my patience in front of the entire pack?”

Beau flushed. “I only—”

“Enough,” Ravena said, flat and final. “You are here to train, not provoke.”

Kaldrek stood nearby, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold with thinly veiled amusement. Evelyne caught his eye and arched a brow.

He shrugged slightly, lips twitching.

Evelyne turned back to Heidara, who had already pulled free of Holden’s grasp. Dirt streaked her cheek, her hair had come loose, and her breath still came hard.

Evelyne stepped closer. “Are you hurt?”

Heidara dragged the heel of her hand across her face and shook her head. “No.” Her eyes cut once more toward Beau before returning to Evelyne. “Keep sparring with me. I need to burn this out before I do something I regret.”

Evelyne smiled. “As you wish.”

They resumed at once, and with each strike a little more of the fury seemed to leave Heidara’s body. When it finally felt safe to speak, Evelyne decided it was time to shift the mood.

“Cillian plans to try again tonight.”

Heidara’s head jerked up. “You’re joking.”

“I would not dare.”

“I want to be there,” Heidara said at once. “I will not interfere. I swear it.”

Evelyne smirked as she blocked another blow. “Why else do you think I told you?”

A sudden, bright laugh broke from Heidara, and for the first time that morning her movements lost some of their strain. Around them, the pack carried on with training as the grounds slowly began to empty, wolves drifting away in small clusters while laughter and low conversation faded toward the trees. Weapons were stowed, sweat-damp hair tied back, and the restless churn of movement softened into the quieter hum of morning. For one fleeting moment, despite the danger still waiting beyond the horizon, Evelyne felt something close to hope.

She had just sheathed her blade when she realized Kaldrek hadn’t moved.

“Again,” he said, already stepping closer.