Evaline:

My lungs burned. My arms ached. And my pride - well, that had already taken a beating about five minutes ago.

With a loud thud, I hit the ground again. The cold, hard earth beneath the training field welcomed me like an old friend, though I would rather it didn't. Dust puffed around me, catching in my hair and mouth as I groaned and rolled onto my back.

For a long second, I just lay there, staring up at the pale blue sky above. My breathing came in short, frustrated pants, my pulse still racing from the sparring session that had lasted way longer than it was supposed to.

And then, as if things weren't already bad enough, my gaze drifted to the sidelines... and there he was.

Draven.

Standing tall, arms crossed, a storm in his emerald eyes that made me want to sink straight into the ground and never get up again.

His jaw was clenched tight, and the familiar mark on his neck - the same one that matched mine - was pulsing faintly, as though echoing the possessive fury radiating from him.

I let out another groan, this one louder. "For the love of the Moon, Draven, stop looking at me like I just got mauled by a bear!"

"I wouldn't have to look like this if you didn't keep landing on the ground," he shot back immediately, his tone sharp enough to slice through the air.

I propped myself up on my elbows, glaring. "That's the point of training! I'm learning how to fight!"

He didn't reply, but his scowl deepened.

Beside me, River exhaled a long, weary sigh. He looked almost as tired as I felt. His deep green eyes flicked between me and Draven before he muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like, "Here we go again."

I pushed myself up, brushing the dirt off my clothes. River extended a hand, but before I could take it, Draven's low growl rolled across the field.

River froze mid-gesture, his jaw tightening. "Draven," he said slowly, his tone deceptively calm. "You need to stop glaring at me every time she takes a fall."

Draven's eyes snapped toward his eldest brother, his expression torn between irritation and guilt. "I'm not glaring at you," he said tightly. "I just don't like seeing her hurt."

River raised an eyebrow. "She's not hurt. She's training. You think I'm trying to break her bones?"

"No," Draven replied at once. "I know you wouldn't harm her. It's just'" He paused, raking a hand through his hair, clearly struggling to put his emotions into words. "It's instinct. My wolf doesn't like it. Every time she hits the ground, I can feel it. It's like something inside me snarls to protect her before my mind even catches up."

I sighed softly. As much as his possessiveness frustrated me, part of me also understood. Ever since he marked me, his instincts had become stronger, tethered to mine in ways even I couldn't fully explain. I could feel his emotions brushing against mine sometimes - protectiveness, pride, longing, worry - so constant it almost felt like his presence had become a part of my heartbeat.

River's expression softened, though his tone stayed firm. "I get that, brother. But you have to let her grow stronger too. You can't shield her from every bruise or mistake. You would be taking away her power if you did."

Draven grimaced. "It's been slightly over a week since the bond-"

"Exactly," River cut in smoothly. "Over a week. You have been following her like a shadow for nearly ten days straight. At this rate, she'll forget how to breathe without you hovering."

I bit my lip, trying hard not to laugh.

Draven shot me a warning look the moment he heard the sound of my stifled amusement.

"Don't you dare," he muttered.

But it was too late... I was already chuckling. "You really are starting to sound like an overprotective mother hen."

His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Eva-"

"Alright, alright!" River interjected before Draven could retaliate. He stepped closer and clapped his younger brother's shoulder. "Relax. I'm not going to hurt our mate. The worst thing I'll give her is a bruise... and a well-earned lesson."

Draven grunted, looking unconvinced.

River rolled his eyes. "You can stay and watch, but keep that murderous glare to yourself."

Draven muttered something that sounded like, "No promises," but didn't argue further.

Taking advantage of their exchange, I stayed quiet and focused on slowing my breathing. My muscles were screaming, my hair was sticking to my neck with sweat, and my palms were covered in dirt, but something in me refused to give up yet.

Because no matter how exhausted I was, I wasn't the same Eva I used to be. I wasn't the fragile, fearful girl who ran from fights... I was a mate, a mother, a warrior-in-the-making.

And I was determined to prove it.

"Ready?" River called, stepping back into position.

I nodded, taking my stance again. My mind was already calculating angles and openings, watching the way his weight shifted, how his eyes flicked toward my left hand. He was expecting another straightforward attack.

Perfect.

We circled each other slowly, dust rising in lazy spirals around us. I waited for my moment, for his focus to waver just enough...

And then it came.

He looked past me for half a second, his gaze drawn to Draven's silent figure, and that was all I needed.

I lunged forward, sweeping my leg low and twisting my body at the last second. He moved to block, but I was already one step ahead. My knee hit the ground, and my momentum carried me just close enough to catch his wrist. I twisted sharply, using his own force against him.

The next thing I knew, River was flat on his back, blinking up at the sky, a puff of dust rising around him.

For a moment, silence reigned across the backyard. Even the wind seemed to pause.

Then Draven let out a startled laugh - a real laugh that made me blink.

"Well done," he murmured, his voice filled with pride and amusement both.

River, on the other hand, looked completely dumbfounded.

I smirked, stepping closer and offering him a hand, though I couldn't resist teasing, "This is what happens when you lose focus for even a second. Your opponent doesn't give you time to think."

Recognition flashed in his eyes, followed by reluctant laughter. "You remembered that, huh?"

"I remember everything," I said, helping him up. "You told me that during our first lesson. Guess it stuck."

Draven crossed the ground in long strides, his eyes still gleaming. He looked like he was torn between hugging me and wrapping me in ten layers of armor.

River dusted himself off and smirked at him. "See? She's improving faster than you think."

Draven's gaze softened as he turned to me. "You did good," he said quietly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. "Really good."

I smiled at him, still catching my breath. "You mean that?"

"I do." He leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. "But I still don't like watching you fall."

I nudged him lightly. "Then maybe you should stop looking so much and let me train."

That earned me a small laugh, and for once, he didn't argue.

River stretched his arms with a wince. "Alright, I think we are done for today. Unless Draven wants to take my place for a round."

Draven shook his head. "No. She's tired."

River grinned. "You mean you are tired from worrying."

"Maybe," Draven said simply, without shame.

I rolled my eyes, but the affection behind their bickering made me smile.