Mia
A month passed, and Ray's rejection backlash finally reached a point of catastrophic collapse.
The news reached Iron Ridge while I was in the training yard, practicing with a pair of short blades. Since I couldn't shift into my wolf form, I had to ensure my human body was lethal enough to survive the borderlands.
Luke’s back was still healing, but every single day, he sat on the wooden bench beside the training ring, watching me. He watched as I learned how to grip a dagger properly, how to duck, how to parry, and how to turn my frail frame into a weapon.
He didn't offer exaggerated praise, nor did he belittle my clumsy mistakes.
He only spoke up when I dropped my guard.
"Relax your shoulders, Mia. Don't use brute force. Use momentum."
"Keep your feet moving. You are not a targe
