The dawn air was cold enough to sting my lungs. Frost glittered on the training yard, crunching under my boots as I crossed to the shadowed figure already waiting there.
Kael.
He stood with arms folded, eyes like molten gold in the pale light. “You’re late, Southwood.”
“I’m early,” I said, breath clouding between us.
His lip twitched. “Early is still late if I’m already here.”
I didn’t bother arguing. The last time I’d tried, I’d ended up running drills until my legs gave out. Kael stepped forward, his presence filling the space like a tightening noose.
“Today,” he said, tossing me a weighted practice blade, “we strip away what you think you know.”
The sword landed heavy in my palms. He circled me once, a wolf appraising prey, then struck without warning. Steel slammed against mine, the shock traveling up my arms.
“Too slow,” he said.
Again.
My parry came late. The flat of his blade cracked against my ribs, stealing my breath.
“Too soft.”
Again.
This time I met his strike, forcing his weapon back. My teeth clenched in satisfaction — until his free hand closed around the back of my neck, shoving me to my knees.
“An alpha doesn’t just block,” he murmured over me, voice low and dangerous. “An alpha takes.”
His grip lingered a second too long before he stepped back. My pulse roared in my ears.
Before I could rise, a horn blared from the far gates. A squad was returning from the front.
Kael’s eyes cut toward the sound. “On your feet. You’ll see what real soldiers look like.”
We crossed the yard as the gates swung wide. Mud-splattered and battle-worn, the soldiers filed in — and among them, moving with the same fierce stride I remembered from years ago, was Callen.
My wolf lunged inside me, a mix of joy and panic. His hair was longer, jaw sharper, but those eyes… I’d known them in another life, when we’d run the palace corridors like wild things and sworn to fight side by side.
His gaze swept the crowd — and stopped dead on me.
Recognition hit like a blow. The corner of his mouth curved, but it wasn’t a smile. It was a silent question. What the hell are you doing here?
I forced my face to stay blank, my heart thundering against my ribs.
“Commander,” Callen said, tearing his eyes from mine to salute Kael.
“Callen,” Kael replied with a curt nod. “Report after rest.”
Before they could speak more, another voice cut in.
“Well, well. My brother wasn’t exaggerating.”
Rowan.
Dressed in fine riding leathers, he strolled into the yard like he owned it, beta guards flanking him. His eyes went straight to Callen, lighting with that too-keen interest I’d come to dread.
“Prince Rowan,” Kael said, bowing his head slightly — though his tone was unreadable.
Rowan’s gaze flicked to me briefly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips before he returned his attention to Callen. “I hear you’ve been making quite a name for yourself at the front.”
Callen glanced at me once more, then gave Rowan a polite nod. “Just doing my duty, Your Highness.”
The air between them thrummed with something sharp. I didn’t trust it for a second.
Kael’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Southwood. With me.”
I followed him to the far edge of the yard, heat prickling at the back of my neck. He stopped abruptly, turning on me with a look that pinned me in place.
“Care to tell me,” he said slowly, “why my newest recruit and one of my front-line soldiers just stared at each other like they were reliving the same ghost?”
I swallowed. “We’ve met before.”
His brows rose. “Met. That’s all?”
I held his gaze, trying to keep my voice even. “Before the war.”
He stepped closer, the gold in his eyes burning hotter. “You hide something, Southwood. And you’re not very good at it.”
“I hide nothing.”
Kael’s laugh was short, humorless. “You lie badly, too.”
I clenched my jaw, refusing to look away. The space between us seemed to shrink, every breath tasting faintly of cedar and heat.
He leaned in until I could feel the ghost of his breath on my ear. “Three months, the King said. I’m starting to think you won’t last one.”
My wolf bristled, but I forced my body to stillness. “Then you’ll be disappointed.”
Kael’s hand brushed the hilt of my sword, not in a threat, but in a reminder. “We’ll see.”
He turned and walked away, leaving me standing there with my pulse racing, the morning frost melting at my feet.
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