Andrew was back to his duties the very next day—like he hadn't been half-dead barely twenty-four hours ago. The pack greeted him with cheers and wagging tails (figuratively, but not entirely). Relief shimmered in every face. Their Alpha was alive, healed, and annoyingly back to barking orders.
Over the following weeks, other Alphas arrived—one after another—pledging alliances and leaving behind warriors to train alongside ours. The training grounds stayed busy from sunrise until long after sunset.
A full month had passed in a blur of motion and secrets.
As for me? I had visited Malphas twice. Slipping away wasn't easy—not with warriors doing late-night combat drills like insomnia was contagious—but I managed. Lucky me.
My so-called relationship with Malphas was progressing... uncomfort
