Alex's POV
I was annoyed. No, scratch that, I was furious.
Not only had I been one of the last to finish the run, which was already enough shame to chew on, but now I had to deal with the fact that I’d been benched.
After I limped over the finish line with just five minutes to spare, Instructor Vaughn didn’t even bother to acknowledge me. No “good job,” no “you made it.” Nothing.
He looked me over with those sharp, cold eyes of his and said flatly, “You. Medical tent. Now.”
Twenty minutes later, I had a tight bandage wrapped around my ankle, an instruction sheet in my hand, and an order to “sit the hell out” of the next round of training. Vaughn said I’d still have to complete it eventually, but I’d do it alone once I was healed.
“Can’t have you slowing down the rest,” he’d added l
