Morning came without mercy.
A horn sounded before the sky even began to lighten, sharp and brutal, ripping me out of an already shallow sleep. My body protested the moment I tried to sit up. Every muscle screamed. My ribs felt like they were wrapped in iron bands.
For a brief, shameful moment, I considered not getting up.
Just lying there.
Letting this place decide I wasn’t worth the effort.
Then I remembered the way Kael had looked through me, not at me.
I forced myself to my feet.
The camp was already alive. Wolves moved with purpose, their expressions focused, their bodies conditioned for war. No one spared me a glance. I was invisible again, just another body that didn’t belong.
Sera stood at the center of the training grounds, her posture straight, her gaze sharp.
“You’re lat
