23- The Fire Inside

The next morning, I woke to the dull ache of bruises scattered across my body. Every muscle screamed in protest as I dragged myself out of bed, my mind replaying the brutal training session with Aiden. The fire in his eyes, the harshness of his words—they’d left a mark as deep as the bruises, but I wasn’t backing down. I couldn’t. Not after everything.

By the time I made my way outside to the clearing, Aiden was already there, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed, watching the forest like a predator waiting for prey. The air was crisp, the sky still shrouded in early morning mist, and the chill seeped into my bones, though it did little to quell the fire of determination burning inside me.

“Late,” Aiden muttered without looking at me, his voice clipped and cold.

“I’m here, aren’t I?” I shot back, squaring my shoulders as I approached him.

He finally turned to face me, his eyes narrowing as he took in my appearance. The bruises on my arms and legs, the dark circles under my eye