Lucas’s POV
The clang of weapons and the sound of fists hitting dummies filled the training ground. Sweat, dirt and frustration hung in the air.
“Lower your stance!” I barked at one recruit. “If your center of gravity’s that high, anyone can knock you flat on your ass.”
He adjusted, trembling with exhaustion. Good. They needed to tremble, better here than when facing a rogue with wolfsbane claws.
I moved between the lines, correcting hands, pulling shoulders back, adjusting stances. Some were hopelessly uncoordinated, others stubborn, and a few, like young Lior burned with determination so raw it made me pause.
But my focus changed the moment my eyes landed on her.
Ava.
She was sparring with another recruit, sweat running down her temple, her movements too sharp, too fast, like she
