SILVER SHADOW
Dust hung in the air, swirling in shafts of afternoon light as Alpha Nero lunged forward, his blade flashing in a clean arc. Darian caught the blow with a grunt, their swords locking in a brief struggle that sent sparks skittering. Sweat ran down both men’s temples, though it was Nero who looked more focused.
For a while, neither spoke. The rhythm of steel against steel carried the conversation they didn’t need to have—until Darian broke it with a low chuckle.
“You’ve been training more than usual, Alpha.”
Nero pushed back, twisting to parry a low strike. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“Not bad,” Darian said lightly, circling him. “Just… surprising. You? In the yard before noon? It’s almost unnatural. The last time I saw you this serious, it was the night you chal
