evening. Raven wiped the last of her tears away, dragging herself up from the floor. Her reflection in the small, cracked mirror on the wall looked back at

th wood, and she hesitated for a second before retrieving a small, silver pendant. It was the only thing she had left from her

t to hurt her, but she would turn them into her strength. She would becom

her chest, heavy but solid. She wasn't goi

s empty, dimly lit by the moonlight streaming in through the windows. Most of the pack had retreated to

halfway down when she heard Smith's voice, low and commandin

th was saying. "She should know bet

s tone was cautious, as if he knew he was treading on dangerous ground. "Raven's presence...

e pressed herself closer to the wall

think I don't feel the bond every second of every

ble, but Raven heard it. "Then why keep her here, Smith

oke, his voice was quiet, almost defeated. "Because

e words from slicing through her. He didn't want her. He was keeping her here out of obli

he'd expected. More

s, her footsteps soft and quick. When she reached her room, she cl

she repeated to he

rself, then she would. Not to win his approval or his love, but to prov

is love. She wouldn't

forge he

y morning sun cast long shadows over the grass, and the air was filled with the sounds of warriors spa

rough their drills. He caught her eye and gave her a small, encouraging s

ime to step into the ring, to prove that she wasn't

in surprise. "You're joining us today?" he a

id firmly. "I n

e nodding. "Alright. Pair up with

" she replied, a small s

their own sparring to watch, murmurs of surprise rippling through the crowd.

at you've g

, his movements smooth and practiced. He countered with a swipe at h

b said, his voice low.

this time. She aimed a punch at his jaw, but he caught her wrist and twisted, pul

hand. She took it, pulling hersel

said, gritt

tened for a moment bef

he hit the ground, she got back up. Each time she missed a strike, she adjusted her aim. Caleb pushed her harder than she'd ever b

onnecting with his ribs. He grunted, stumbling back

reathing hard but smiling.

e, newfound pride. The pack members who had been watching were no lo

ime, she felt l

standing there, watching her with an inscrutable expression. Their

she thought she saw somethin

s it appeared, leaving her w