The path narrowed as we climbed higher.
Not extreme hiking—nothing requiring equipment or specialized skill—but the incline bit hard enough that within twenty minutes every breath scraped through my throat like sandpaper.
My legs burned.
Worse than stage fatigue. Worse than late-night practice sessions.
This was sustained physical exertion, and my omega stamina couldn't keep pace with the alphas striding ahead.
Panic crept in at the edges.
This was exactly how everything went wrong before.
Exhaustion. Suppressants failing under physical stress. The collapse that became viral footage.
Behind me, footsteps adjusted.
Slowed.
Yuhyun matched my rhythm without a word, his breathing deliberately measured to stay at my shoulder rather than pulling ahead.
"Don't."
He glanced over.
"Don't what?"
"Match my pace."
Yuhyun frowned, confusion flickering across his features.
I kept my eyes on the trail.
"This is individual training, remember?"
For a moment he said nothing.
