The mornings at Kaden’s estate had taken on a new rhythm, one dictated not by the usual pack responsibilities or his Alpha duties, but by Althea’s recovery. Kaden, to no one’s surprise, had thrown himself into helping her with the same intensity he applied to everything else in his life. But Althea wasn’t sure how she felt about it. On one hand, his constant presence was frustrating: hovering, stubborn, and unwavering. On the other hand… she didn’t want to admit it, but she needed him. At least, for now. The first morning of her “training,” as Kaden called it, started earlier than Althea would have liked. The sun had barely risen when Kaden walked into her room, his usual commanding presence filling the space like a storm cloud. “Time to get up,” he said firmly, folding his arms as he

