AUREN'S POV"You're late."I stopped at the edge of the training grounds and looked at Maelis."I'm only—""You are late," she repeated, folding her arms. "The sun was already up when you walked out of your room."I glanced toward the eastern sky, warriors already filled the grounds.Some sparred with wooden swords, others wrestled in the sand.A group of younger wolves ran laps around the field while an older warrior shouted corrections without slowing his own pace.The sound of wood striking wood echoed across the courtyard.Sweat, dust, laughter, grunts.Everything moved together like one heartbeat."I didn't know training started this early," I admitted, rubbing my palms together."It always does." Maelis started walking, I hurried after her."The first lesson in Emberfall," she said without looking at me, "is that danger doesn't wait until you're ready."We stopped beside a rack filled with wooden staffs, several warriors noticed us.Some smiled politely, others simply nodded bef
Last Updated : 2026-07-18 Read more