Penelope's POV

Liam starts showing up at my games after that first victory. Always in the front row, always with that supportive smile that makes something warm unfurl in my chest. Not the desperate, soul-deep ache I felt with Timothy, but something gentler.

Tonight's game is against the University of Northern Lakes, and they're tough. Their captain is a brick wall of a Beta who's been trying to intimidate me since warm-ups. But I've learned to use my speed and agility against bigger ...