Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother (Seraphina and Damien) novel Chapter 217

Cobblestone 217

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Seraphina’s POV

The training facility looked exactly the same.

Same worn mats. Same rusted equipment. Same smell of sweat and determination that I remembered from

three years ago.

But everything felt different.

I stood outside the main building, staring at the entrance like it might bite me. My hands were shaking. When had they started shaking?

*You can do this. You’ve fought in underground rings. You’ve survived three years alone. You can handle a bunch of trainees.*

The pep talk didn’t help.

Damien’s hand touched my lower back. Light. Barely there.

“You okay?”

I nodded. Didn’t trust my voice.

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“Marcus is expecting you. He’s excited you’re back.”

Right. Marcus. The training captain who’d actually respected me three years ago. Who’d treated me like an equal when most of the pack saw me as just the Alpha’s weak mate.

I wondered if he still felt that way.

“Let’s get this over with.” I pushed through the doors before I could change my mind.

The main hall was chaos. Wolves everywhere. Some in human form doing warm–ups. Others sparring on the mats. The sound of fists hitting pads echoed off the walls.

A few heads turned when we entered. Eyes tracked our movement across the room.

Then someone shouted.

“Sera!”

Marcus appeared from the crowd like a freight train. Tall. Built like a mountain. Scarred face split into the biggest grin I’d ever seen.

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“Holy shit!” He didn’t slow down. Just charged straight

at me.

I barely had time to brace before he swept me up in a bear hug that lifted my feet off the ground.

“You’re back!” He spun me around once. “You’re actually back!”

“Can’t… breathe…” I gasped.

He set me down. Kept his hands on my shoulders. Looking at me like I’d risen from the dead.

“Three years.” His voice cracked slightly. “Three fucking years and you just disappeared.”

“I know. I’m sorry–”

“Don’t apologize.” He squeezed my shoulders. “You’re here now. That’s what matters.” @

More people gathered around us now. Some faces I recognized. Most I didn’t.

The training facility had changed. New recruits. Fresh faces. Young and eager and looking at me like I was a stranger.

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“Everyone!” Marcus’s voice boomed across the hall.

“This is Seraphina. She’s taking over as head instructor for the female warriors.”

Silence.

Someone in the back laughed. The sound was quickly

muffled.

Marcus’s expression darkened. “Something funny?”

“No, sir.” A young male voice. “It’s just… she’s human.”

More murmurs. Whispers rippling through the crowd like poison.

“Human.”

“How’s a human supposed to train warriors?”

“This is a joke, right?”

My stomach dropped. Of course. I’d been stupid to think this would be easy.

“Sera is one of the best fighters I’ve ever seen,” Marcus said. His voice got harder. More commanding. “Human or not, she can outfight half the wolves in this facility.”

“That’s bullshit,” someone muttered.

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Marcus took a step forward. “You want to say that

louder?”

“I said it’s bullshit!” A young woman pushed through the crowd. Tall. Blonde. Built like an athlete. “No

offense, but we’re supposed to take orders from a

human? Learn from someone who can’t even shift?”

More voices joined in.

“She’s right.”

“This doesn’t make sense.”

“How’s she supposed to understand what we go through?”

The noise level rose. People talking over each other. Some agreeing. Some defending. All of them talking about me like I wasn’t standing right there.

My hands clenched into fists. The familiar burn of

anger spreading through my chest.

Damien moved beside me. His presence a wall of authority. “That’s enough–”

“No.” I put my hand on his arm. Stopped him. “It’s okay.”

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He looked down at me. Something uncertain flickering

in his eyes.

“I’ve got this,” I said quietly.

I stepped forward. Away from Damien’s protective presence. Into the center of the crowd.

The voices died down. Everyone watching now. Waiting to see what the weak human would do.

I looked at the blonde woman who’d spoken up. “What’s your name?”

“Jessica.” She crossed her arms. Defiant. “And I’m not trying to be rude. I just don’t see how this works.”

“Fair enough.” I turned slowly. Making eye contact with as many people as I could. “Anyone else feel the same way? That a human can’t lead warriors? Can’t understand what you’re going through?”

Hands started going up. One. Two. Five. Ten.

More than half the female trainees.

My chest tightened. But I kept my face neutral. Calm.

“Okay.” I nodded. “I get it. You don’t know me. Don’t

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trust me. And you’re right that I can’t shift anymore. That I’m human now.”

Jessica’s expression softened slightly. Like she hadn’t expected me to admit it.

“But here’s the thing.” My voice got harder. “I’ve spent the last three years fighting. Real fighting. Not training exercises. Not controlled sparring. Life and death fights where losing meant dying.”

The room got quieter.

“I’ve fought wolves twice my size. I’ve fought men who wanted to break me. Who wanted to prove that a

human woman couldn’t survive in their world.” I met

Jessica’s eyes. “And I’m still standing.”

“That doesn’t mean–” someone started.

“I’m not finished.” The words came out sharp. Final.

Everyone shut up.

“You want to know if I can teach you?” I walked toward the nearest training mat. “You want to know if I understand what you’re going through? If I deserve to lead you?”

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I stepped onto the mat. Turned to face them.

“Then let’s find out.”

The crowd stirred. Confused. Uncertain.

Marcus stepped forward. “Sera–”

“Who has doubts about me?” I looked around the room. “Who thinks I can’t do this job? That I’m too weak? Too human? Too whatever?”

My voice rose. Carrying to every corner of the hall.

“Come on. Don’t be shy. If you’ve got a problem with me, now’s your chance to prove it.”

Jessica’s eyes narrowed. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying we settle this.” I gestured to the mat. “Anyone who wants to challenge me can. Right here. Right now. Absolutely fair.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

“You can’t be serious,” someone said.

“I’m completely serious.” I looked at Damien. He was standing rigid. His jaw tight. But he didn’t stop me.

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“One on one. No powers. No shifting. Just skill against

skill.”

“This is crazy,” Marcus muttered.

“Maybe.” I turned back to the crowd. “But it’s the only way to prove I belong here. The only way to earn your respect.”

I took a breath. Let my eyes sweep across every face watching me.

“So.” My voice dropped lower. More dangerous. “Who has doubts about me? Step up. Let’s spar. Absolutely fair.”

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