Last Female Sypher and Her Brother's Friends novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Aria

Barric is right.

I hate that he is–but he is.

The truth sits heavy in my chest as I stand in the middle of the training field, my musclès already protesting from the

warm–up Barric insisted was “light.” My lungs burn, my pulse still hasn’t settled, and there’s a faint tremor in my hands I

try to hide.

Liam could have been hurt.

The memory flashes sharp and fast–too fast to stop. The fear. The chaos. The way something inside me snapped loose,

and my wolf surged forward, taking control before I even understood what was happening.

If she hadn’t…

I swallow hard.

“I would’ve frozen,” I mutter.

You did freeze, my wolf corrects, her voice low and steady in my mind. I didn’t. I won’t ever let anything hurt you or our

pack.

Her words fill me with a sense of warmth I don’t expect. There is no judgment in her tone. Just an unshakable

understanding that she is there for me when I need her.

That I’m not alone.

I know.

And that somehow makes it worse.

Relying on yourself is one thing, but having people you want to fight for, people you want to project just as much as they

want to protect you, that is harrowing.

Across from me, Barric watches with arms crossed, his sharp gaze missing nothing. Beside him, Kade stands quieter, but no

less intense.

They’re waiting.

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Chapter 78

Intere

“For what it’s worth,” I say, lifting my ehin, agree with you.”

Barric raises a brow. “That so?”

I nod, forcing the words out. I need to get stronger. I refuse to be the reason anyone else gets hurt.”

My wolf hums in approval.

“I need to be able to protect the people I care about,” I continue, my voice steadying as I go. “And that means I can’t

hesitate. I can’t… lose control like that again.”

Kade steps forward slightly. “Control isn’t about forcing your wolf down.”

I glance at him.

“It’s about working with her,” he adds.

My wolf shifts, interested. Our mate is right. We are a team. One.

Barric nods once. “Then let’s stop talking about it.”

A slow, almost dangerous smile curves his lips.

“And start fixing it.”

***

I regret everything.

That’s my first coherent thought as I hit the ground hard enough to knock the air from my lungs.

Again.

“Get up,” Barric says, not unkindly–but not softly either.

“I am up,” I groan, rolling onto my side.

“You’re on the ground.”

“Temporarily.”

My wolf snorts. Pathetic.

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Chapter 78

-Trail,” I mutter under my breath.

“What was that?” Barrie asks,

“Nothing!”

I push myself upright, legs shaking slightly as I regain my footing.

We’ve been at this for… I don’t even know how long.

Conditioning, Barric called it.

Which apparently means running until my vision blurs, followed by strength drills that make my arms feel like they’re

going to fall off, followed by him knocking me on my back every time I think I’ve figured something out.

“Again,” he says.

I lunge this time, faster.

He sidesteps.

I pivot, aiming for his side-

-and he catches my wrist, twists, and suddenly I’m airborne.

I land with a grunt.

“Too predictable,” he says.

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