*Julian*

I sit at the edge of the training yard, watching Helena move among the healers as they run through drills in wolf form. They are learning to defend themselves, practicing blocks, strikes, and stances while keeping their focus on protecting the wounded. Helena mirrors Mason’s movements. She’s hesitant at first, testing her own ability to fight, but she improves with each repetition under my Beta’s instructions.

The ground beneath my feet rattles, smoke curling the air. Everyone freezes and looks up. I hold up a hand to reassure everyone, seeing a puff of black trailing from the tower of the castle where the alchemists are hard at work. “Lorna,”...