ALEXANDER
The air in the training grounds was cold enough to sting my lungs, but that was exactly what I needed.
Every strike that landed against the wooden post sent a sharp jolt through my arms—the kind that forced my mind to focus on something other than the chaos waiting outside these walls.
I was supposed to be preparing for a fight to the death.
I needed the world to shut up for a moment.
I inhaled deeply and reset my stance—then froze.
A familiar scent drifted in from behind me.
Steady and strong.
I turned, half expecting my mind to be playing tricks on me.
Cole stood there.
Not bandaged and leaning on a damn wall like he had been earlier.
He was standing tall, shoulders squared… breathing easy.
For a second, I just stared at him.
He lifted the hem of his shirt without
