A few hours later, Lara and Alec stood before the two-story building where the girls stayed. Both of them were exhausted from the day's activities, their clothes slightly rumpled and in desperate need of a refreshing bath.
Lara stretched her tired arms with a sigh, and Alec couldn't help but watch her. The way her long orange hair, tied in a ponytail, cascaded down her back, and her calm eyes flickered with determination, was truly mesmerizing. There was a certain charm in her every movement, even in her fatigue, that captivated all his focus.
Earlier, they had both sparred, and although Lara was not able to win, she managed to land several well-placed strikes on him.
He could see that she had improved significantly in close combat, and her physical strength had increased too.
Alec dipped his head low, surprising the woman standing beside him. Lara stepped back and raised an amused brow.
"What?"
