Before the sun came up, the training arena behind Silver Crest mansion was already a battlefield.
Warriors lined up in perfect ranks, weapons gleaming, boots pounding through early morning mist. Patrols kept circling the stone walls, always alert. Since the Alphas crossed the border, Kael doubled security everywhere. You couldn’t step onto the sand without getting inspected. You couldn’t even glance at Liana unless someone said you could.
And nobody, absolutely nobody, underestimated her anymore.
Not since the mark.
Not after everyone started whispering about the prophecy.
Not after the Alpha lost control and tore apart half the arena to protect her.
A cold wind ripped through the place. Clouds kept rolling in, dark and heavy, slow and watchful. The air around her felt like a storm w
