Chapter#22
Selene’s POV
“Keep moving!” Rowan shouted.
My legs burned. Each step was a battle against exhaustion. My lungs screaming for air as I clutched my sword. The end line was now in sight.
“Kaelen, stay close!” Liam called as his staff dug into the ground for support.
“They’re gaining!” Caden yelled, glancing back.
My heart pounded but I forced myself forward.
“We’re almost there!” Varian growled as he turned to face the approaching threat, sword raised. “Don’t stop!”
With a final, desperate sprint, we reached the end line, collapsing onto the dirt. I dropped to my knees. My hands shook as I gripped the ground. We’d made it…barely.
“Time’s up!” the captain’s voice boomed as we struggled to our feet. The five of us stood there, ragged and breathless, our clothes torn, faces streaked with dirt and blood, as he looked at us.
“Captain, did they pass?” Rowan asked stepping forward.
The captain’s eyes narrowed, scanning each of us. “Bare minimum,” he said curtly. “You survived, but it was sloppy. Rules state you get just enough to move forward.”
Rowan and Caden exchanged a glance. Without a word, they stepped forward as they drove their swords into the ground, the points sinking deep into the earth. They knelt, heads bowed low, their hands resting on the hilts. It was a gesture of submission that silenced the murmurs of the gathered recruits.
“Captain,” Rowan began, “we’re ready for any punishment you see fit. We know we broke the rules by going back.”
Caden nodded, “Exile us from the camp if that’s your judgment. But Kaelen, Varian, and Liam…they shouldn’t be punished. We made the choice to head back, knowing the consequences.”
I froze, “Rowan, Caden, no…” I started, but Varian cut me off.
“Let them speak,” he said.
Liam stepped forward, “Captain, we’re standing here alive because of them. Punish us too if you are to punish them. I’m ready to be exiled as well.”
The captain smirked and raised a hand, silencing us. “Attention, everyone!” his voice carried over the crowd of recruits. “Rowan and Caden were the ones who won this battle. This trial wasn’t just about survival…it was about teamwork. In this camp, everyone is a team. They went back to help their comrades, even knowing the consequences, and that’s the kind of loyalty the Ironfang Pack needs.”
Rowan lifted his head slightly, “Sir?”
The captain’s smirk widened. “You two showed courage and responsibility. I’m awarding you extra credit for that.” He turned to the rest of us as his gaze swept over me, Varian, and Liam. “And you three, Kaelen, Varian, Liam, you get extra credit too. You fought as a unit, and that’s what kept you alive. Don’t let it go to your heads, though. Improve, or you won’t last long.”
“Thank you, sir,” I said as I met his gaze.
Varian grunted, crossing his arms. “Didn’t expect that.”
Caden pulled his sword from the ground, standing with a nod. “Let’s not make a habit of breaking rules, though.”
Rowan chuckled, rising beside him, “Agreed. But I’d do it again if it meant keeping my family safe.”
“Don’t get cocky,” Varian muttered, “Bare minimum isn’t something to brag about.”
“Ease up, Varian,” Liam said, “We’re alive. That’s worth something.”
Varian snorted. “Alive, sure. But barely. Kaelen, you slowed us down back there. Next time, keep up or stay out of the way.”
I bristled as I met his gaze. “I held my own, Varian. You’re not the only one who fought.”
He raised an eyebrow, crossing his face before it hardened. “We’ll see. Just don’t expect me to carry you.”
“Enough,” Rowan cut in, “We’re not doing this now. Let’s celebrate what we’ve got…we made it through.”
“Celebrate?” Varian scoffed. “With what? A pat on the back?”
“With a meal,” Liam suggested as a small smile tugged at his lips. “Come on, Varian. We deserve it. All of us.”
Caden nodded. “He’s right. Let’s eat together, for once, as a team.”
I looked at them. “I’m in,” I steadied my voice.
“If you want to celebrate, don’t celebrate like chickens. I know a way to Ironfang City. We can do this properly.”
“Ironfang City?” Rowan asked, “You mean sneak out? That’s against camp rules.”
“Rules?” Varian snorted, “You already broke them going back for Kaelen. What’s one more? Unless you’re scared, little brother.”
“Don’t call me that,” Rowan snapped, “And I’m not scared. I’m just saying…if we get caught, we’re done.”
“We won’t get caught,” Varian replied, “I go to the city anytime I want. There’s a path through the western ridge. Guards don’t patrol there. We’ll be back before dawn.”
Liam leaned forward, “Ironfang City… I’ve heard the taverns there are wild. Real ale, music, maybe even a fight or two. Sounds like a real celebration.”
“Exactly,” Varian smirked, “Unless you’d rather sit here toasting bread like cowards.”
Caden muttered, “I don’t know. Rowan’s right…if we get caught, we’re out. We just got extra credit. Why risk it?”
“Because we earned it,” Liam countered.
I nodded, “Liam’s right. We’ve been through hell. Ironfang City could be exactly what we need.”
Rowan frowned, “Kaelen, you’re okay with this? Those men could be…”
Varian let out a mocking laugh, “What men? Is princess Kaelen scared of men?”
I snapped, meeting his gaze, “Let’s do this. One night of celebration and then we’re back.”
Caden sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “You’re all insane. But… fine. If we’re doing this, we stick together. No wandering off, Kaelen.”
“Deal,” I said as a small smile tugged at my lips.
Varian’s smirk widened slightly, “Good. We leave at midnight. Don’t be late.”
“Midnight it is,” Liam said.
As everyone went back to the barracks to rest, I slipped away from the others, finding Liam in a quiet corner of the barracks, sitting on his cot, his russet hair matted with sweat.
“Liam,” I said softly, stepping closer. “Let me check your bandages.”
He looked up as a faint smile tugging at his lips, “You don’t have to, Kaelen. I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine,” I replied, kneeling beside him. My hands were gentle but firm as I lifted the edge of his tunic. “Let me see.”
He sighed, relenting, and I carefully unwrapped the bandages Caden had applied. My fingers brushed his side as I examined the wounds. “They’re almost healed,” I said, “The salve worked faster than I expected.”
“Good,” he replied as his eyes met mine, “Thanks for checking. You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to,” I said, sitting beside him, “You’ve been pushing yourself too hard. I… I worry about you.”
He chuckled weakly, “You’re one to talk. You’ve been carrying a lot too, Kaelen. I see it, even if you don’t say it.”
I hesitated. “Maybe,” I admitted. “But you… you’ve been through more than I realized. Why are you here, Liam? At the academy, I mean. Are you training to be a knight? Because if you are…I can tell you’re a far better fighter than just a knight. Then why’re you still here?”
He leaned back against the wall, “It’s… a long story.” he paused and then continued letting out a sigh, “It’s because of a woman I met years ago.”
“A woman?”
He nodded, “She was my mate…or I thought she was. We were supposed to be together, build a life. But…things changed. I caught her with an alpha, in my bed. I opened the door, and there she was… on top of him, moaning, begging him to claim her. I can still hear it, the way she called his name, like I didn’t exist.”
“That’s awful,” my heart achedm “What did you do?”
“I confronted her,” he muttered, “I demanded to know why. She rejected me right there, told me I wasn’t the one she was supposed to be with. Said I had no power, no control…that I’d never be enough for her. She chose him…an alpha, over me.”
I reached out, resting a hand on his arm, “I’m so sorry, Liam. You didn’t deserve that.”
He shook his head as a bitter smile tugged at his lips, “I was wiry back then, weak, barely able to hold a sword. She was right. I had nothing to offer. But I swore I’d change that. I joined the academy the next season. This is my third year here, and I’ve fought my way to the top. I’m training to be strong enough to erase that alpha’s name, his territory, everything he stands for. I’ll make sure he pays for what he took from me.”
I nodded, “Do you know where she is now?”
“She’s his slave,” Liam cocked, “She got what she wanted…his attention…but it came at a price. She’s bound to him now, no freedom, no will of her own.”
I swallowed, “Who was the alpha, Liam?”
He met my gaze, “The one who’s name is told in the bedtime stories to scare children. Alpha Leandro, of the Shadowclaw Pack. The the one I’ll destroy.”
I froze. “Leandro,” I repeated, “He’s… ruthless.”
“I know,” Liam said, “And I’ll have his head on my sword and claim his throne.”