Four

KAMARI POV

The morning came quickly. I could barely catch any sleep. Zena headed back to EmberGlen today being the Pack commander of the Northern gate, she had to return as fast as she could.

I sat up slowly, my fingers curling into the blanket as if it could anchor me to something that wasn’t changing.

A knock came at the door.

“Kamari.”Zena’s called out softly from the door.

I exhaled. “ I’m awake.”

The door opened before I finished speaking.

She stepped in already dressed for travel, hair tied back, weapons strapped across her waist, expression still.

“Carriage is ready,” she said. “You have thirty minutes to get ready.”

I nodded.

Neither of us moved for a second. Then she crossed the room and pulled me into a hug.

Okay,” she whispered against my hair. “No more crying.”

“I wasn’t planning on it.”

She let out a quiet breath and pulled back just enough to look at me. “Good,” she said. “Quick refresh, then I’ll walk you out.”

We moved through the room in silence after that.

Zena helped me pack what little was left, even though there wasn’t much she’d allowed me to keep in the first place. When I was finally ready, Zena stepped back and studied me.

“Alright,” she said quietly. “That’s it.”

I nodded, gripping the strap of my bag tighter than necessary.

“Ready?” she asked.

No.Never.

But I still said, “Yes.”

The corridor outside felt colder than usual. Or maybe it was just me noticing it for the first time.

Guards stood at attention as we walked past. None of them spoke. None of them looked at me for long.

News had traveled fast. Even without knowing the details, they could feel it.

“Find Davin Reid,” Zena said as we crossed the hall leading to the courtyard.

“Davin?” The name pulled a small smile from me before I could stop it.

My heart jumped.

It had been two years. I’d missed his easy smile, the way he turned everything into a joke, the sound of his laughter echoing through quiet halls.

I’d missed the way he looked at me like I was… worth noticing.

Zena cut through my thoughts instantly. “I’ve only been to Wolfstone three times in the past year,” she said sharply. “From what I hear, he’s doing well. He’ll keep you safe.”

My smile faltered.

She pointed a finger at me. “You wipe that look off your face. He’s a Beta. Second year.”

“I—what?” I blinked.

“Don’t mess with Betas,” she said flatly. “And if you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking—”

“I’m not thinking anything!”

Her eyes narrowed. “Good. Because you’re not there for distractions. If you want to get laid, only  first-years. Keep your head down.”

My face burned. “Can we please go now?”

Zena exhaled sharply. “I'm serious, only first year.”

The courtyard doors opened ahead of us.

And there he was.

Father.

He didn’t speak at first. Neither did I. The distance between us felt wider than the entire hall.

Zena stopped beside me but didn’t let go of my arm.

Father finally exhaled. “You don’t need a speech,” he said quietly.

A weak laugh escaped me. “Good,” I whispered. “Because I don’t think I could survive one.”

Something flickered in his eyes… pain, pride, fear… all tangled together.

He stepped forward and placed something into my hand.

A small leather pouch. “I know you think I’m sending you into the dark,” he said. “But I need you to understand something.”

I swallowed. “I’m listening.”

His grip tightened slightly around my fingers.

“You are not weak, Kamari.”

My breath caught.

“That’s not something you ever were.”

I looked at him, struggling to contain the emotion rising in my chest. “I don’t feel strong.”

“I know,” he said simply. “But you are.”

Zena shifted beside me, turning her face away like she couldn’t bear to watch.

Father released my hand slowly.Then he stepped back. That was it. And he walked back in.

The carriage waited.

My steps felt heavier than I expected, each one pulling me further from everything I knew.

Zena walked with me until the last moment.

Then she stopped.

“Kamari.”

I turned back.

Her expression had changed again to  Commander Zena. But her eyes betrayed her.

“Don’t trust the Academy,” she said. “Don’t seek friendship. And stay the hell away from Silas Alindor.”

My brows furrowed. “Who is he?”

Her gaze hardened. “You don’t want to find out.”