The Secret Heiress Loved by Four (Isha and Jason) novel Chapter 18

Eighteen

After the first trial, my body ached all over. Every muscle screamed, and every bruise throbbed. I could still feel the sting of Tharle’s punches and Kalenor’s pushes. My hands were scraped, my legs tired, but I didn’t care. I had survived. I had proven, at least a little, that I could fight.

Talia met me at the edge of the training ground. Alpha Kaelen wants you ready. Your next trial starts at sunrise,” she said, her voice quiet but firm.

“Sunrise?” I groaned, dragging my feet. My body felt like it belonged to someone else. “I can barely walk.”

Talia shook her head. “You can. You will. That’s the Velkorin way.”

1 clenched my teeth. She was right. No one was going to coddle me here. I had chosen to stay, and that meant I had to face every trial.

The next morning, the sky was pale and gray. The air was cold, sharper than anything I had felt before. My robe was gone, replaced with the simple training clothes Kaelen had assigned me… a fitted tunic and leggings that allowed movement but offered no warmth. I shivered.

The council chamber had cleared, and I was led by Talia to the edge of the northern cliffs… rough terrain, cold wind, and dangerous trails.

“This is the Trial of Endurance,” Talia said, her voice serious. “You will survive the northern cliffs, the cold, and the training tasks we have set for you. You may not rest. You may not complain. If you do… you fail.”

I nodded, swallowing hard. My stomach churned with fear, but also a spark of determination.

“You can do this,” Talia added softly. I blinked, surprised. “It’s what the Alpha expects. You’re stronger than you know.”

The wind hit me as I stepped onto the cliff path. Snow dusted the rocks, making every step dangerous. My legs shook as I climbed, every step an effort. The cold bit at my skin, making it hard to think.

Then I heard voices….distant, mocking.

“You really think you can survive here, little omega?” Maren’s voice floated over the cliffs. I gritted my teeth, ignoring her. She was still trying to get under my skin.

“You’ll never survive,” she added, snickering. “You’re weak. You can barely fight, and now you’ll freeze before you even finish the path.”

I felt my anger flare, giving me energy I didn’t know I had. “I will survive,” I muttered under my breath, teeth clenched. “I will show them.”

Hours passed. The wind howled, my body ached, and my fingers were stiff from the cold. But I

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kept moving. Every step forward was a victory. Every breath I drew, burning my lungs, reminded me I was alive.

Then, unexpectedly, I felt a presence behind me.

I froze.

“Not bad,” Kaelen’s voice said, low and amused. I spun, heart pounding. He was standing a few meters behind, his coat flapping in the wind, hair messy, golden eyes sharp on me.

“I… I’m managing,” I said, trying to sound confident, though I was shivering and exhausted.

“You’re barely moving,” he said, stepping closer The cold wind couldn’t hide the heat radiating from him. “Come on, Bunny. Faster. You can do better.”

My cheeks heated. “I… I can’t go faster,” I muttered. “It’s… it’s dangerous.”

He smirked, tilting his head. “Danger is part of Velkorin. And part of being my little omega. You wanted to survive, didn’t you?”

“Yes!” I snapped, embarrassed that I was yelling at him, at him! My voice sounded stronger than I felt.

“Good.” His gaze swept over me, calculating, sharp. “Then move. Or I’ll die your choice.”

I gritted my teeth and forced my legs to move faster, climbing the rocky path with renewed energy. Kaelen’s presence, his sharp eyes, and that almost-impossible intensity drove me. I didn’t understand why. I hated him. I wanted to punch him sometimes. And yet… I couldn’t ignore how much I wanted him.

Hours later, I reached the edge of the cliffs. My body shook from cold and exhaustion. My clothes were wet with snow and sweat. My muscles screamed. I wanted to collapse.

But Kaelen’s voice stopped me before I could.

“You survived,” he said, his tone cold but… approving. “Not many could. Most would have fallen or turned back.”

I sank to my knees, chest heaving, shivering. “I…I did it,” I whispered.

“Barely,” he said, stepping closer, eyes scanning my trembling form. “But that’s enough for now. You’ll need it for the next trial.”

I blinked, trying to focus, but the wind, the cold, he exhaustion, and the heat from his gaze made my mind spin.

Maren appeared at the edge of the cliffs, arms crossed. “Not bad,” she said, but her tone carried more annoyance than admiration. “Barely survived. Don’t think you’ve impressed anyone yet.”

I glared at her, shivering but proud. “I’ll survive every trial,” I said, voice trembling with

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determination. “You’ll see.”

Kaelen’s eyes flicked toward me, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. He said nothing else, letting me stew in my anger and pride.

The Trial of Endurance was over, but the next trials… the mind, loyalty, hunt, and marking… were waiting. And I had no idea if I was ready.

But I would be ready.

I had to be.

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