The morning after the border incident dawned gray and heavy, clouds hanging low over Shadowpeak like a warning. Lyra stood in the clearing behind the Alpha House, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. The air smelled of damp earth and pine, and her wolf paced beneath her skin, restless and alert.
Kayden approached from the tree line, his presence steady and grounding. He carried no weapons — he never needed them — but his expression was serious.
“Ready?” he asked.
Lyra nodded, though her breath trembled. “I think so.”
Kayden stopped in front of her, close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from him. “This isn’t combat training,” he said gently. “Not yet. Today is about control.”
Lyra swallowed. “Control of my wolf?”
Kayden shook his head. “Control of your healing.
