RandelleThe pale light of dawn crept over the horizon as I slowly opened my eyes. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest as I sat up, remnants of yesterday's grueling training session. Jeremy's regimen was taking its toll, but I could not let pain or exhaustion stop my progress. Too much depended on it. Jeremy was already up, stoking the glowing embers of last night's fire back to life. The dancing flames cast flickering light across his stoic face. Our eyes met, and in his steady gaze I found reassurance. Today would be another step forward."Ready for some breakfast before we start training again?" Jeremy asked, holding up two speared fish he must have caught at sunrise. My stomach grumbled in response.As we cooked the fish over the crackling fire, Jeremy said, "Today will be different. We're going to focus on mental preparation."I blinked in surprise. "Mental preparation?"Jeremy nodded, turning the sizzling fish over the flames. "Physical strength is critical. But against

Randelle Everything was dark and still. Slowly, details emerged from the void. Hard stone beneath my body. The murmur of flowing water. A dull ache permeating my bones. I blinked open my eyes. Sheer canyon walls surrounded me, cutting a jagged line across the night sky. How did I get here? The last thing I remembered was collapsing into Jeremy's arms after the battle with Luthien.Pushing up with a pained grunt, I scanned the shadowy canyon. "Jeremy?" I called hoarsely. No response except my own echo. Unease prickled my skin. Where was he? How did I get back in the canyon alone?The scrape of clawed feet on stone jerked my head around. A large grey shape detached itself from the shadows - the massive direwolf Luthien. I tensed, ready to fight or flee. But strangely, her demeanor seemed non-threatening as she approached.Halting before me, Luthien sat back on her haunches and spoke in a gravelly voice. "Be at peace, young one. I mean you no harm here."I gaped in shock. "You can talk

JeremyThe morning sun filtered through the trees, dappling the forest floor as Jake and I patrolled the territory border. A light breeze carried the earthy scent of pine and rain-dampened soil. In the distance, birdsong echoed through the stillness."All's quiet this morning," Jake remarked, scanning the shadowy underbrush intently. The Beta was rangy and dark-haired, his keen eyes missing nothing. "Haven't seen sign of the Rouge Wolves for days now."I nodded, rolling my shoulders to loosen tight muscles. We had been running continual border sweeps lately, ever since a Rouge scout was spotted. "Hopefully they got the message to steer clear of Freeway lands," I said. Though I knew the uneasy peace could rupture again at any time.Jake flashed me a wolfish grin. "Probably don't want another thrashing like last time." He mimed throwing a punch, ever the brawler.I chuckled, checking the position of the sun filtering through the canopy. "We should start circling back. Nothing to report

Randelle The dawn light was just cresting the horizon when I awoke. Beside me, Jeremy stirred and pulled me closer against his bare chest. "Is it time already?" he murmured sleepily, voice husky.I savored the warmth of his body curved around mine, knowing such moments would be scarce in the coming days. "Yes, love. My first trial starts today." Speaking the words out loud made my heart quicken with a mix of nerves and anticipation.Jeremy propped himself up on one elbow to study my face in the gloomy predawn light. "Are you ready for this?" His callused hand came up to cup my cheek gently.Turning my head, I pressed a kiss into his broad palm. "As ready as I can be. It will be a test unlike any I've faced." I covered his hand with my own, voice dropping to a fervent whisper. "But I am strong with you beside me, Jeremy."His dark eyes shone with emotion. Voice tight, he said simply, "Then I will be there."We clung to those final stolen moments together as the silence gave way to b

Randelle "Again!" Kieran barked, his gravelly voice echoing through the misty dawn forest. I staggered to my feet, legs shaking, and bent to grab the heavy pack I had just finished sprinting with. My lungs burned as I gasped down air. Through the sweat dripping into my eyes, I saw Kieran frowning, arms crossed over his broad chest."No rest yet, recruit! Give me five more sprints up that hill with full pack!" I bit back a groan. My thighs screamed from the repeated hill charges already this morning. But Kieran's flinty stare brooked no argument.Jaw set, I turned and began lumbering up the steep trail once more. My boots slipped on loose pebbles as I forced leaden legs into a run. At the crest of the hill I pivoted, chest heaving, and started back down.Kieran's voice trailed me on each agonizing repeat. "Drive those legs! Put some fury in that stride!"At last I stumbled across the makeshift finish line on my fifth climb. My pack hit the ground an instant before I crumpled too, wh