Friedrich's POV
Father still catches me off guard more times than I care to admit. When he summoned me out to the training grounds last night, I steeled myself for a fight—a punishment for standing up to him in that meeting. Instead, he told me he had reconsidered. The strays would be allowed to stay. at least for the time being.
I never saw that coming. It's a win, though, and one Bertha will be well pleased with. For once in my life, I stood on my own and didn't cause chaos. That transient feeling of victory does not last but instead gives in to the solemn knowledge of what is really at stake: the induction trials starting tomorrow and Ethan-my prodigy-will have to prove himself to our pack.
Behind me, a twig breaks. The sound draws my attention from the pretty spider and her webs. I
