DEMI
The training hall smelled like a mistake before I even crossed the threshold. Sweat, leather, metal, old bruises, and wolf rolled over me in one hot wave, and my stomach immediately filed a formal complaint about the three suppressants I had taken. Necessary, yes. Pleasant, absolutely not. The kitchen had almost convinced me I could survive Black Mountain by staying useful. The training hall corrected that optimism in one breath.
Maverick stood at the center of it all, sharp and controlled, guiding warriors through drills with the kind of command that made the room obey before he raised his voice. I hated how much watching him in Alpha mode affected me. I hated even more that Kate noticed and looked entertained by my suffering.
I did not step onto the mats right away. Pride had
