Lyra POV

The boy missing from her ranks appeared and slotted into his place in the third row, his face pale and his hands shaky.

He makes eye contact with a concerned Lyra and gives her a smile and a nod.

She returns the nod firmly, sending an unexpected smile in his direction, which makes his cheeks redden slightly.

A whistle blows, and Lyra nods again, waiting for the other Alphas to flutter to their fighters before she approaches hers.

The ranks break, and they gather around Lyra, who towers over most of them as she looks at each of them.

"You're here to do your best. We don't care...