Christian's POV

Theodore and Caleb race past the packhouse, bare feet pounding the dirt path that leads toward the warrior center. They move like twin streaks of wild energy, cutting through the air with unrestrained joy. Caleb knows the route well—he's been coming to work with me often enough to map it with his eyes closed. Familiar faces lounge near the perimeter, warriors lingering on the sidelines of training routines, their postures relaxed but watchful. Many of them grin ...