The observation began immediately.
Raven noticed it before anyone explained it.
Nightfall wolves were everywhere.
Not in a threatening way. No one surrounded them or openly followed them from building to building. But wherever the Silverfang survivors went, someone from Nightfall always seemed to be nearby.
Watching.
Training fields. Dining halls. The paths between buildings.
Nightfall wolves observed quietly, their attention subtle but constant.
By the second morning, Raven had stopped pretending not to notice.
"They're studying us," Elias said as the group walked toward the training grounds.
"That's exactly what they're doing," Mira replied.
Raven glanced around the settlement.
Several warriors stood along the edges of the open fields preparing equipment for morning training. Others moved between buildings carrying weapons or supplies.
And more than a few of them looked in their direction.
"They're deciding if we're worth the trouble," Jarek muttered.
Tomas shook his head slightly.
"No."
The others looked at him.
"They're deciding if we're a threat."
Raven frowned slightly.
"That's comforting."
The training grounds were already alive with activity.
Morning sunlight spilled across the wide dirt field where warriors sparred in small groups. The air filled with the sound of fists striking padded armor and the occasional thud of bodies hitting the ground.
Lucas noticed Raven approaching.
He waved her over.
"Well," he said with a grin, "ready for round two?"
Raven raised an eyebrow.
"You recovered fast."
Lucas rubbed the back of his neck.
"My pride needed time to heal."
Several nearby warriors chuckled.
Raven stepped into the ring again.
Lucas circled her slowly.
"This time," he said, "I'm not underestimating you."
"Good."
He attacked first.
Fast.
This time Raven had to work harder to keep up. Lucas moved with practiced precision, forcing her to block and pivot quickly to avoid his strikes.
Their movements stirred dust into the morning air.
Several warriors gathered nearby to watch.
Lucas attempted a sweep aimed at her legs.
Raven jumped over it.
Then countered.
She grabbed his arm—
Lucas twisted away just in time.
"Not again," he laughed.
They exchanged several more strikes before Lucas stepped back and raised his hands.
"Alright," he said breathlessly.
"You're officially not allowed to pretend you only train 'a little.'"
Raven smiled faintly.
"Maybe I'm improving."
Lucas shook his head.
"No," he said.
"You're something else."
From the edge of the training grounds, Claude watched the sparring match with obvious interest.
He leaned casually against one of the wooden fence posts, arms folded as he observed Raven's movements.
"She's impressive," he said.
The warrior beside him nodded.
"Lucas isn't easy to throw."
Claude smiled faintly.
"Yes," he said quietly.
"I noticed."
High above the field, Marcel stood on the balcony overlooking the training grounds.
Darius stood beside him again.
The two Alphas watched the sparring match in silence.
"She's adapting quickly," Darius said.
Marcel nodded.
His gaze remained fixed on Raven.
Every movement she made caught his attention.
The way she shifted her weight.
The way she anticipated Lucas's strikes.
And the strength behind her movements.
Too strong.
His wolf stirred again.
Restless.
Mate.
Marcel clenched his jaw slightly.
His instincts had never failed him before.
But the girl below still showed no reaction.
No recognition.
No awareness.
She sparred with Lucas as if nothing unusual existed between them.
Confusion simmered beneath Marcel's calm expression.
That wasn't how mate bonds worked.
When the sparring ended, Raven stepped out of the ring.
Lucas grabbed a towel from the nearby bench and tossed it toward her.
"You're going to make enemies if you keep humiliating Nightfall warriors."
Raven caught the towel.
"That sounds dramatic."
Lucas grinned.
"I'm serious."
Before Raven could respond, Claude approached.
"Well," he said smoothly, "that was entertaining."
Raven sighed quietly.
"Are you following me?"
Claude placed a hand over his chest.
"Following you? Of course not."
He paused.
"I just happen to appear wherever interesting things happen."
Lucas rolled his eyes.
"You mean wherever Raven goes."
Claude smiled.
"Also true."
Raven shook her head slightly.
"You're impossible."
Claude leaned casually against the sparring ring.
"You'll get used to me."
Across the training grounds, Tomas watched the interaction carefully.
He stood beside Mira near the edge of the field.
"You see it too," Mira said quietly.
Tomas nodded.
Claude's attention toward Raven was obvious.
But that wasn't what concerned him.
His gaze drifted toward the balcony above the Alpha lodge.
Marcel stood there.
Watching.
Tomas narrowed his eyes slightly.
The Alpha's attention had been fixed on Raven since the moment they arrived.
And Raven…
Seemed completely unaware.
Something was happening.
Tomas didn't know what.
But instinct told him it mattered.
And Tomas trusted his instincts.
Later that afternoon, the Silverfang survivors were summoned to the central training hall.
Selene stood waiting for them.
Several Nightfall warriors gathered nearby.
"We will begin structured training tomorrow," the Beta announced.
Raven folded her arms.
"Structured how?"
Selene's expression remained calm.
"Team exercises."
Garrick stepped forward.
"You will be paired with Nightfall warriors."
Jarek smirked.
"Babysitters?"
"Partners," Garrick corrected.
Claude spoke from the back of the room.
"I volunteer."
Several wolves laughed.
Selene ignored him.
"Pairings will be assigned tomorrow morning."
Raven glanced toward the balcony above the hall.
Marcel stood there again.
Watching.
His gaze met hers briefly.
The now-familiar warmth stirred in her chest.
Then he turned away.
Raven exhaled slowly.
Nightfall was watching them.
Studying them.
And tomorrow…
They would begin training together.
What she didn't realize yet…
Was that Marcel had already decided something.
And tomorrow's pairings…
Would not be random.