Chapter 326: Our Wolves Don’t Like Each Other

Chapter 326: Our Wolves Don’t Like Each Other

Meredith.

A few hours later, I tugged at the hem of my training shirt as I walked beside Draven.

My palms were damp, and my steps felt heavier the closer we got to the training ground.

"You don’t look like someone about to be beaten up badly," Draven said in that calm, matter-of-fact voice of his.

I shot him a doubtful glance. I felt this was his way of trying to ignite my confidence. "You think I won’t be beaten up?"

He smiled faintly. "Jeffery’s strength is brutal. But if you keep your eyes on his shoulders and not his fists, you will see every move coming. You just have to anticipate. Don’t try to block everything—just move. Don’t lose focus, Meredith. Not even for a second."

I inhaled slowly, trying to quiet the pounding in my chest.

"Draven..." My voice came out softer than I intended. "Will others be at the training ground to watch me?"

Before he could answer, another voice, deep, calm, and steady filled my head.

"No."

I froze mid-step, blinking. That must be Draven’s wolf.

"I have longed for this connection with you, and finally the day has come,"

"Hi, Rhovan," I greeted.

"There will be no outsiders on the training grounds, especially your siblings. They cannot know of your progress. When they return to Stormveil, every ear will hear of it. That is not what you want. It is too soon to intensify your enemies’ hatred."

My stomach dropped instantly, but he was right. The thought of Mabel or Gary whispering my every move to the wrong people made my skin crawl.

"You are right, thank you," I whispered back.

Then Wanda’s smirking face flashed in my mind. Immediately, I asked, "But... what about Wanda? She saw me train. She fought me herself. Won’t she—"

Valmora’s voice cut through, sharp and firm. "Remember, she beat you so badly you won’t forget that day in a hurry. Wanda underestimates you. She doesn’t think you have it in you to grow, so she won’t tell of this tale."

Her bluntness stung for a moment, though I was used to her being mean once in a while.

Rhovan’s voice followed, clipped but firm. "That was unnecessary. You didn’t need to speak so harshly to her."

The silence that fell after was thick and charged. Then Valmora’s reply came, cold as ice and edged like a blade.

"Don’t speak to me unless you have a death wish."

I stumbled, choking on my own saliva. My eyes immediately flew to Draven’s at the same time he glanced at me.

His brows were drawn tight, his eyes full of the same surprise curling through me.

Then, Rhovan’s tone shifted, softer now. "Are you angry with me because I did not formally introduce myself sooner?"

Valmora’s reply remained cold and cutting. "I don’t need your introductions. Birds of different feathers do not flock together."

"Birds?" Rhovan scoffed, an edge creeping into his usually steady voice. "I would never see myself as a bird."

"Exactly," Valmora shot back, each word laced with disdain. "That’s why you are daft. You think one-sidedly, blind to what you truly are."

The tension between them spiked like a storm brewing. My heart lurched.

If I let this go on, they would tear into each other, and the last thing I needed right now was our wolves dragging me into their spat.

"Enough,"

Without giving either of them the chance to reply, I slammed the door shut on the mind-link, cutting off their voices. The silence that followed was jarring but a relief.

I exhaled sharply, only then realizing how tense my shoulders were.

Beside me, Draven’s gaze slid my way. "So, our wolves don’t seem to like each other."

"That’s an understatement," I muttered, still shaken.

But Draven’s voice was thoughtful, not alarmed. "I don’t think it’s that simple. It feels like something more. Well, we will find out in time."

His calm steadied me, though a part of me couldn’t shake the unease that lingered after what I had just witnessed.

Valmora was the one who convinced me to seal the matebond with Draven, but she never informed me that she hated his wolf, Rhovan.

Pushing the thoughts aside, I forced myself to take a deep breath, then another, trying to steady the nervous rhythm of my heart.

---

When we arrived at the training grounds, Jeffery stood in the centre of the area. His stance was relaxed yet sharp enough to remind me he wasn’t here to play.

"Don’t let your nerves control you," Draven said to me. "Focus. Remember what I told you earlier—avoid Jeffery’s hits. His strength is brutal."

I swallowed and nodded, though my pulse didn’t slow, so much for suggesting that I fight with Jeffery.

Just then, Jeffery’s voice carried across the grounds, crisp and steady, after he had acknowledged our presence. "I’m ready when the Luna is."

Draven gave me one last look, full of quiet certainty. "Go," he said. "Show me how much you have learned."

I straightened my shoulders, inhaled sharply, and walked forward to meet Jeffery in the centre of the field.

His arms hung loosely at his sides, and his posture was straight. Then his gaze met mine—calm, steady, and unreadable just like Draven sometimes.

But then, I saw the reluctance in his eyes. He must be feeling like I wasn’t a worthy opponent to contend with.

And as if Draven noticed it, he stepped closer to him. "Pretend I’m not here," he told Jeffery with an even tone. "Fight as you would in any other training session."

Jeffery gave a single nod, but his face did not change.

Then Draven turned back to me. His eyes were sharp, yet warm at the same time. "You will be fine," he murmured. "Don’t let his calm fool you. He is quick and precise, but you can hold your own if you focus."

I took a slow breath, rolled my shoulders back.

The distance between Jeffery and I felt like a line I couldn’t uncross.