Shattered Bonds: A Second Chance Mate - Chapter 46: Chapter 46

It had been a week since the attack.
The humans, unaware of the existence of werewolves, had scrambled to make sense of what happened. The official story spread like wildfire: a group of vandals and gang members had broken onto campus during the night, destroying property and injuring several people before vanishing into the woods.
To protect the students, the university board suspended all classes for a month.
To me, it felt like the world had quietly fallen apart—and no one realized it but me.
The memory of the rogue werewolves, of that gnashing, chaotic energy that cornered me like prey, still burned in the back of my mind. I had nearly died. If Francesco hadn’t appeared when he did...
I would’ve been a name in the news. A girl gone missing.
The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the Lycaon estate’s dining hall, casting golden rays across the long wooden table where breakfast had been laid.
The scent of rosemary-infused bread, fresh eggs, and strong Italian coffee drifted in the air. Laughter and casual chatter echoed softly against the high stone walls as warriors, pack members, and household staff enjoyed the rare moment of calm.
I sat beside Francesco at the head of the table, surrounded by Beta Alfonso, Marlow—the pack’s grizzled head warrior—Audrey, and a few key guards who had returned with us from the night before.
After the chaos of the exhibition, a calm morning like this should have felt like a blessing. But it didn’t…
My hands trembled slightly under the table. Not from fear. From the storm building inside me, but I had made up my mind.
“Before we continue,” I said, voice clearer than I expected, “I have a request.”
Forks paused midair. Coffee cups stopped halfway to lips.
Francesco turned his head toward me, his expression softening immediately, as it often did when he looked at me. “Of course, El. What is it?”
I stood slowly, placing my linen napkin on the table.
I didn’t want to do this seated, like a child asking for permission. I needed them to hear me. To see me as more than the quiet girl they were still learning to understand.
“I want to train,” I said clearly. “Properly. As a warrior.”
The silence that followed was sharp, cutting through the room like a knife.
Marlow blinked. Alfonso straightened. Audrey choked slightly on her juice.
Francesco’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Train?”
I nodded. “Yes. I want to learn how to fight. Strategize. Defend myself—not just rely on others to save me.”
“El,” he said gently, “you already have protection. You have me. You have Audrey. You have an entire pack willing to lay down their lives for you.”
“I know,” I replied, my voice steady, though my heart pounded. “And I’m grateful. But last time proved that I can’t always wait for someone to save me. That power—I don’t even understand it fully. I want to learn not just to use it, but to be strong with or without it.”
Francesco’s jaw tightened. “You nearly died…”
“That’s why,” I said quickly, before he could continue. “That’s exactly why.”
Marlow shifted in his seat, exchanging a quick glance with Alfonso.
“I want to train with the warriors,” I continued, locking eyes with Marlow. “I know I’m behind. I’ve never been taught. But I’m willing to work. To learn... I can wake up at dawn. I can do the drills. I just need someone to give me the chance.”
Francesco stood slowly, towering beside me. “No.”
His voice was firm. Final.
A flicker of pain pierced through my chest, but I stood my ground. “Why, Francesco?”
He looked at me as if the answer was obvious. “Because you’re the Luna.”
“Exactly,” I said with a firm nodded. “That’s why I need to be strong.”
“You’re not a soldier. You’re not a weapon. You’re my—” He caught himself. “You’re mine to protect.”
I hated how much those words made something inside me ache.
I know, he meant them with love. But they weren’t what I needed to hear.
“I don’t want to be caged behind your protection,” I said quietly. “I want to stand beside you. Equal. Capable. You weren’t there when I felt helpless and small my whole life. You weren’t there when I was rejected, thrown aside like I was nothing. I’m not asking for power. I’m asking for freedom.”
The room had gone still. Even the warriors didn’t dare speak.
Marlow cleared his throat. “Alpha—if I may—”
Francesco shot him a sharp look. “Marlow...”
“She has potential,” Marlow said, voice low but firm. “Magic or not. She has the instinct. She’s already proven that.”
Alfonso gave a subtle nod. “And the rogues know who she is now. They won’t stop.”
“She will always be guarded,” Francesco replied coldly. “That is not up for discussion.”
I clenched my fists.
Calm down, I convince myself that I need to keep calm “You can’t lock me in a golden cage, Francesco. I won’t survive that.”
His eyes met mine—hurt, frustration, fear flashing in their golden depths.
But, I have to keep firm with my request.
“This isn’t about control,” he said. “It’s about you. About keeping you alive.”
“I know that,” I said, quieter now. “But this is about me, too. My choice. My growth. You said I was more than what they made me believe. Let me prove it.”
He looked away, jaw tight, hands clenched at his sides.
“I can help her,” Audrey offered gently. “Train her in private. At least teach her the basics. I know what it’s like, Francesco. To grow up underestimated.”
There was a long silence.
Finally, Francesco exhaled sharply and sat back down.
“No weapons,” he said.
I blinked… What…
“No field missions. No unsupervised sessions.”
My heart skipped.
Oh God…
“But…” I try to speak and immediately shut it when he looked at me again, eyes still stormy, but softer. “But you can train. With supervision. At the estate grounds. With Audrey. And Marlow—if he agrees.”
Marlow gave a respectful nod. “She’ll be treated like any recruit. Early hours. Hard drills. No exceptions.”
I did it!!!
I swallowed hard. “Thank you.”
Francesco didn't respond. He looked down at his plate, untouched.
I took my seat again, heart racing.
The tension didn’t leave the room. But something shifted.
I wasn’t the same girl I’d been when I arrived in Florence. I wasn’t just a rejected she-wolf trying to find herself in a foreign country. I was a Luna. A fighter. A woman finally choosing her own path.
And even if the road ahead would be rough, I would walk it.
With or without fear.
And with Francesco—even if he didn’t like it—I wouldn’t walk it alone.
I know he will always be with me.