KAEL
Few hours before Kael returned to camp.
The road stretched ahead of us, a thin strip of dirt winding into the horizon. The air was sharp with the smell of iron and leather, horses breathing hard under the weight of armor and riders.
My men marched in steady rhythm behind me, their chants echoing like a drumbeat across the hills.
I should have felt their fire and readiness, but instead, all I felt was the dull weight pressing against my chest.
Mashik rode beside me, his eyes cutting sideways every now and then, sharp enough to see through the mask I tried to wear. He had known me for too long, he always knew when something clawed at me.
“You okay, Alpha?” His voice was low, almost casual but I heard the concern in it.
I gave him a weak smile, the kind that wasn’t meant to fool a
