The air is cool and still when I step out onto the training field. Morning dew clings to the grass, sparkling under the rising sun.

I should be focused. I should be clearing my mind and centering my energy. But all I can think about is Nyx and Xena. All I can think about is the love that turned into hatred. The power that was never wanted. The betrayal I still don't

understand.

What could possibly shatter a bond like that?

I try to picture Xena, but it's hard to imagine someone I've never seen. All I have are fragments of who she is, but no face.

Nyx... I know her. I've felt her pain, her strength, and her rage. I've carried her memories like they were my own. But Xena? She's still a mystery. And I can't fix what I don't understand.

I shake my head and push the thoughts aside. Enough. I didn't come here to spiral into my thoughts. I came to train.

The field is empty, just me and the silence. Nyx is nowhere in mind, so I rely on what she taught me yesterday.

I steady my breath, spread my fingers, and reach inside myself, searching for that spark, that golden thread of power waiting to be pulled.

Nothing.

I try again and again.

Still nothing.

I grit my teeth, feeling the heat of frustration crawl up my spine. My palms tingle but no light appears, no pull, no hum. Just silence and still air.

On the fifth attempt, when all I feel is the familiar sting of failure, I scream. Loud and raw. It tears out of me and echoes into the trees.

I sink to the ground, my breathing uneven. My hands dig into the earth, grounding

me.

Is this what Nyx felt every time she didn't master a technique immediately? This crashing weight of disappointment and failure. No wonder she always felt inferior. I don't know Xena personally, but the fact that she can create a whole new species and I can't even summon just one scepter makes me feel some type of way.

I sigh, my tears threatening to fall, but I push them back.

I need a break.

I close my eyes, letting the breeze run over my skin, trying to calm the whirlwind inside. And that's when I remember-Alec asked me out. And I said yes.

Why did I say yes? I didn't even think about it. Didn't even hesitate.

There's still so much that's unresolved between us. So much pain. And yet, there's this flicker of hope in me. This foolish, reckless hope that maybe, just maybe, everything will work out. That maybe we can heal from the past and build something new for the future.

And that scares me because what if I'm wrong?

What if things don't work out? What if the goddess decides to fuck me up again? I can't handle another heartbreak. Especially not from the same man. Not from my mate.

I sigh and pull my phone from my pocket, needing a distraction. I scroll through

my contacts and call King. It only takes two rings.

"Hey, Sadie," he answers, voice warm and familiar.

"Hey," I say softly, "how are you?"

"I'm good. How about you?"

"Trying not to lose my mind," I laugh dryly. "How's the pack?"

He sighs. "The pack is doing really well. Everything is fine."

That's good to hear. I never doubted his capabilities. I knew King would take care of the pack so well, they n't even notice their alpha isn't around.

"And the hybrids?"

"Calm for once. Too calm. No sightings, no killings, absolutely nothing."

“That's weird,” I murmur, brows pulling together. “Do you think they're up to something?"

"Probably. Or maybe they're regrouping."

I chew my lip for a second before speaking again. "There's something I need to

tell you."

I realize that I haven't filled him in a while. He needs to know about what is happening. About what we discovered and everything else

"Go on..." His tone sharpens immediately.

So I proceed to tell him everything, being careful not to leave anything behind.

"Are you sure you want to go ahead with this plan?" he asks when I'm done. "It's completely crazy."

I almost throw my hands up in joy, Finally, someone who gets it. The rest couldn't see it, but I could, This plan as much as it could solve a lot if it's a success, is also risky.

"I know, but it'll fix everything... that's why I'm training. To make sure it doesn't go wrong."

"I don't know, Sadie."