Chapter one hundred thirty five

War & Pleasure

The evening air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth as the trees swayed in the cool breeze. The forest was bathed in deep twilight, shadows stretching long, adding an eerie beauty to the surroundings.

Alina smirked, rolling her shoulders as she locked eyes with Marcus. "C'mon, don't be shy. I'm waiting," she teased, shifting her weight onto her back foot. "Or have you already accepted defeat?"

Marcus chuckled, his expression infuriatingly calm for someone about to fight. He shoved his hands into his pockets like they weren't about to throw down.

"You're pretty damn confident," he mused. "But don't let that go to your head, sweetheart. I'm an Alpha. Maybe you forgot."