Nicole's Pov
I sit on the bed, staring at the empty tray on the nightstand where breakfast had been. Drake has already left for his office, and the room feels quieter without him here. The excitement from the morning has faded, replaced by a low hum of nervousness.
I know this training was my idea, something I want to tackle head-on. But now that it is actually happening, I cannot help but feel a pit forming in my stomach. Shifting still feels foreign, and part of me fears what might happen when I try.
Taking a deep breath, I push the thoughts aside and remind myself why this is important. If I want to protect myself, my friends, and the people I care about, I need to embrace all of who I am, even the parts I do not fully understand yet.
With that resolve, I walk over to the closet. I
