Arthur did not ask her if she wanted to train, he told her.
It started at dawn.
Silver was halfway through dressing when the knock came, sharp. It wasn’t a request but a summon. She opened the door to find a guard waiting, eyes respectful but unyielding.
“The Alpha requests your presence in the lower ring,” he said.
Lower ring meant combat, not sparring or conditioning.
Combat.
She swallowed. “Now?”
“Yes, Lady Silver.”
She followed.
The pack was already awake. Warriors were stretching. The clink of metal echoed faintly. The smell of sweat and dirt hung in the air. Some turned to look at her. Some bowed. Some just stared.
She felt like a spectacle.
Arthur stood at the center of the ring, arms crossed, posture rigid. Matt was beside him, holding a training blade.
Arthur’s gaze sn
