Ayla’s POV
I stared at the photo on my phone screen, the one Sienna had taken just minutes ago. Derek and I stood side by side, the trophy between us, gold medals hanging around our necks. My hair was a mess, my face was flushed red from exhaustion, but I was smiling… Really smiling.
We won.
My fingers moved across the screen, attaching the image to a message for Arkon. I typed quickly.
We won.
I hit send before I could second guess myself.
Arkon had been checking in on me throughout the entire training period, asking how things were going, if I was eating enough, if anyone was bothering me. He meant well, I knew that. He was protective because he cared, he always had been.
I slipped my phone back into my pocket and turned my attention to Sienna, who was already dragging me toward
