As we left the office and headed toward the training grounds, the steady rhythm of the warriors’ movements reached my ears, grunts, shouts, and the sharp impact of boots hitting the dirt. The air was thick with the tang of sweat and determination, the sounds of sparring filling the space like a well-orchestrated symphony of discipline and preparation. It was a familiar scene, one that both invigorated and sobered me. This was the core of our pack’s strength, a reminder of the unity and readiness we needed to maintain in the face of the threats constantly looming on the horizon.
When we stepped onto the field, a ripple of awareness passed through the warriors. Heads turned mid-strike, their gazes landing on Conor. Conversations halted, sparring partners paused, and the weight of expectatio
