My Marked Luna (Apphia and Nicholas) novel Chapter 70

**In Fragile Moments We Discover Strength Hidden In Stillness by Tao Cole Rynn**
**Chapter 70**

**Apphia POV**

Finally, the moment arrives for me to leave the comfort of my bed. Today is training day with Drake, and I can already feel the anticipation bubbling within me. Training has become my refuge, a place where I can channel my energy and emotions. My therapist has been quite adamant about its benefits, and I’m starting to see why. I slip into my gym attire, feeling the fabric hug my body snugly, and make my way out of the bedroom. Just as I step into the hallway, I come face-to-face with Drake, who looks taken aback by my early arrival.

“Good morning, Luna,” he greets, his voice warm and inviting.

“Good morning, Drake,” I reply, my smile wide and genuine, not pausing in my stride.

“You seem to be in high spirits today,” he observes, a hint of curiosity in his tone.

“Yep!” I can’t help but grin like a Cheshire cat. My spirits are soaring, and I can’t quite pinpoint the reason. Perhaps it’s the first night I’ve managed to escape the clutches of nightmares, or maybe it’s because I finally met the face of my Prince of Lust, who, to my astonishment, is my mate. Whatever the reason, I feel a surge of happiness bubbling within me, almost as if I could burst into song.

“The gym here is being fumigated, so we are going to the nearest training ground,” he informs me, his tone shifting to a more serious note.

Drake leads me away from the castle and into a sprawling expanse of greenery that serves as the training ground. It resembles a football stadium, but instead of just a field, it’s alive with activity—groups of people training in unison, their movements synchronized and purposeful. The atmosphere is electric, almost reminiscent of an army base.

As we walk through this vibrant scene, I notice the eyes of the trainees on us. They stare, some bowing their heads in respect, but only for a fleeting moment before returning to their rigorous routines.

“Drake, this place is absolutely enormous!” I exclaim, my voice tinged with awe.

“Oh, this is just a fraction of what we have. We boast over five training grounds scattered throughout the pack, and this is the smallest one,” he replies nonchalantly, causing my jaw to drop in disbelief.

Despite the grandeur around me, I find it hard to focus on training. The weight of so many eyes upon me makes me feel exposed and vulnerable, as if I were standing in front of an audience, all eager to witness the capabilities of their new Luna. I can feel the pressure mounting, and I can’t shake the sense of disappointment in myself when I struggle to keep up.

“Don’t sulk,” Drake says softly, wrapping an arm around my shoulders in a comforting side hug.

“You’re sweaty,” I protest, playfully pushing him away and scrunching my face in mock disgust.

As we step back into the house, we are greeted by Lady Anaiah, who waits for us with a serene smile.

“Good morning,” she beams, and I can’t help but reciprocate her warm energy.

“Good morning, Aunty Anaiah,” I reply, trying to keep my distance, aware of how sweaty and disheveled I must look.

She glances at Drake, who bows his head respectfully before slipping away without a word.

“Apphia, I was wondering if you’d be interested in a tour of our packhouses today,” Anaiah inquires, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

“I’d love to!” I respond eagerly, my curiosity piqued.

“Fantastic! We can head out right after you change out of those gym clothes,” she suggests, her tone brightening the moment.

Back in my bedroom, I quickly shower and dress, opting for a casual tank top paired with a ruched maxi skirt that flows gracefully around me. I pull my hair into a tight bun, feeling a sense of freedom wash over me. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with different hairstyles, and for the first time, I don’t feel the need to hide my scar. Here, it seems, no one really cares about it. The occasional curious glance doesn’t feel judgmental; rather, it feels liberating.

Slipping on a pair of open-toed low heels, I step out of the closet to find Anaiah lounging on the couch, Shai, her cat, curled up peacefully at her feet.

“Your cat is quite intriguing,” she remarks, glancing up at me with a smile.

“Yes, she is,” I reply, watching Shai stretch lazily across the soft, fluffy rug.

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