POV: Ben Archer

Pain was relative.

I'd broken bones during pack challenges. Torn muscles in combat training. Spent nights in the healing wing after particularly brutal sparring sessions.

But nothing had prepared me for this.

The interrogation room was cold. Concrete walls. Single light fixture. Chair bolted to the floor where they'd restrained me with silver cuffs that burned against my skin.

Professional setup. Military grade. King Alexander's people knew exactly what they were ...