Maya's Perspective
The morning mist was just beginning to lift from the forest floor when I made my way to our usual training spot, carrying my ritual supplies and trying to ignore the flutter of anticipation in my chest. Aunt Iris had agreed to work with us before the formal dinner preparations began, and I found myself looking forward to these sessions for reasons that had less to do with magical development and more to do with a certain russet-haired Alpha heir.
Calla was already waiting when I arrived, sitting cross-legged on a fallen log and looking more relaxed than she had in days. The tension that had been radiating from her since Kieran's arrival seemed to have eased, replaced by something that looked almost like anticipation.
"Good morning," she said with a smile that suggeste
