“You want me to march with them?" Ilena asked, staring at the row of armored wolves sharpening blades in the courtyard.
Kael didn't blink. “You want to be trusted? Earn it."
“By running drills with warriors who would gladly bury a blade in my back?"
He handed her a rolled-up cloak. “Try not to die before midday. That would ruin morale."
Ilena exhaled sharply. “And here I thought you were starting to like me."
Kael's voice dropped. “If I liked you, I wouldn't send you into the woods with wolves."
She stared at him, unreadable. “Noted."
---
The Howling Woods were melting under spring thaw—snow gave way to slush, and trees dripped like leaking veins.
Ilena jogged at the rear of the patrol, breath even, boots soaked.
“Keep up, treaty," a wolf snarled ahead.
She said nothing.
“Didn'
