And I understood. She'd never stop at good enough. Never settle for partial victory. It wasn't in her nature.
I carried her toward the pack house, aware of eyes following us, of whispers spreading already. Let them talk. Let them wonder. She'd earned this moment, this victory.
"Did you know?" she asked quietly, her voice hoarse from exertion. "Did you know I could beat them all?"
I considered lying, considered telling her I'd never doubted. But she deserved the truth.
"I knew you could beat some of them. I hoped you could beat most." I glanced down at her. "Beating all six... that exceeded even my expectations."
"Good," she murmured, satisfaction evident despite her exhaustion. "I like surprising you."
Something warm bloomed in my chest, dangerous and unexpected. I pushed it down. Sh
