The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the training grounds. My body ached from the day’s drills, but I forced myself to keep moving. I couldn’t afford to show weakness, not here. Not now.

“Aiden!” Finn’s voice called out, breaking through my thoughts.

I turned to see him jogging toward me, his face flushed and his breathing heavy. “You okay? You looked like you were about to collapse out there.”

“I’m fine,” I said, my voice low and steady. “Just tired.”

Finn frowned, his concern evident. “You’ve been pushing yourself too hard. You need to rest.”

I shook my head, brushing off his worry. “I can’t. Not yet.”

He opened his mouth to argue, but before he could say anything, Jaxon appeared, his usual smirk in place.

“What’s this? Aiden can’t handle a little training?” he said, his tone mocking.

I clenched my fists but forced myself to stay calm. “I can handle it just fine.”

Jaxon raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying himself. “We’ll see about that.”

He walked away, leaving me seething. Finn shot me a sympathetic look, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it.

“Come on,” I said, gesturing for Finn to follow. “We need to get ready for the next drill.”

He nodded, falling into step beside me. We made our way to the equipment shed, the air thick with tension.

The next drill was a sparring match, and I was paired with Jaxon. Of course.

“Ready to lose?” he asked, cracking his knuckles.

I didn’t respond, focusing on my breathing. I couldn’t afford to let him get to me.

The match began, and Jaxon came at me hard, his attacks quick and aggressive. I dodged and countered, my movements sharp and precise. But I could feel the strain in my muscles, the fatigue threatening to overwhelm me.

And then it happened.

Jaxon landed a solid hit to my side, the force of it knocking the wind out of me. I stumbled, my vision blurring for a moment.

“Had enough?” Jaxon taunted, his grin widening.

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stand tall. “Not even close.”

I lunged at him, my attacks fueled by sheer determination. But I was tired, and it showed. Jaxon easily dodged my strikes, his movements fluid and confident.

And then, in a moment of carelessness, I slipped.

I hit the ground hard, the impact jarring my body. Jaxon stood over me, his expression triumphant.

“Looks like I win,” he said, his tone smug.

I glared up at him, my chest heaving. But before I could respond, Finn stepped in, his voice firm.

“That’s enough, Jaxon. Back off.”

Jaxon shot him a look but didn’t argue. He walked away, leaving me lying on the ground, my pride bruised more than my body.

Finn knelt beside me, his expression concerned. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said, my voice tight.

He didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t press the issue. Instead, he helped me to my feet, his grip steady and reassuring.

“You need to take it easy,” he said, his tone gentle. “You’re pushing yourself too hard.”

I shook my head, brushing off his concern. “I can’t. Not yet.”

He frowned but didn’t argue. We made our way back to the dorms, the silence between us heavy with unspoken words.

---

That night, I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. My body ached, but my mind was racing. I couldn’t afford to slip up again. I couldn’t afford to let anyone see through my disguise.

But as the days passed, it became harder to keep up the act. The physical strain was taking its toll, and the constant need to be on guard was exhausting.

And then, one day, it happened.

We were in the middle of a survival exercise, navigating through the dense forest. The sun was high in the sky, and the heat was oppressive.

“Aiden, wait up!” Finn called, his voice strained.

I turned to see him struggling to keep up, his face pale and sweaty. I hesitated, torn between pushing forward and helping him.

“Come on,” I said, gesturing for him to hurry. “We need to keep moving.”

He nodded, his breathing heavy. But as we continued, I could feel the strain in my own body, the fatigue threatening to overwhelm me.

And then, in a moment of carelessness, I tripped.

I hit the ground hard, the impact jarring my body. My chest felt tight, and I realized with a start that the binding had shifted, exposing a hint of my true form.

“Aiden!” Finn’s voice was panicked as he knelt beside me. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, my heart racing. “I’m fine. Just… give me a moment.”

He hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the shift in my binding. His expression changed, a flicker of realization crossing his face.

“Aiden…” he began, his voice hesitant.

I froze, my mind racing. He knew. He had to know.

“Finn,” I said, my voice low and urgent. “Please. Don’t say anything.”

He stared at me for a moment, his expression unreadable. And then, slowly, he nodded.

“I won’t,” he said, his voice steady. “But you need to be more careful.”

I nodded, relief washing over me. “Thank you.”

He helped me to my feet, his grip steady and reassuring. We continued through the forest, the tension between us heavy but unspoken.

---

That night, I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. My mind was racing, the weight of Finn’s discovery pressing down on me. I couldn’t afford to slip up again. I couldn’t afford to let anyone else see through my disguise.

But as I drifted off to sleep, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my secret was hanging by a thread.

And I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep it together.