Aria's POV
The Academy's return to "normal" operations felt anything but normal. Half the faculty had been replaced with interim instructors from various pack territories, the student body had been reduced by nearly thirty percent due to transfers and medical leaves, and every conversation seemed to carry the weight of recent trauma.
But classes resumed, training schedules were posted, and somehow the business of preparing future pack leaders continued.
"Advanced Combat Strategy," I read from the revised course schedule. "Tuesdays and Thursdays, Instructor Blackwood."
"At least one familiar face," Caspian observed, settling into the chair across from mine in what had become our regular study corner of the library.
"Commander Blackwood wasn't involved in the conspiracy?"
"Clean recor
