The hallway felt heavier after that duel, the air thick and charged like the aftermath of a lightning strike.
Darius stood in the doorway, his massive frame backlit by the corridor's fluorescent glow, his eyes locked on me. Gold flickering in their depths like molten metal. His wolf right there, barely contained, rippling beneath his skin.
Behind him, Caleb and the two Betas looked ready to intervene, muscles tensed and coiled. But they held back, sensing the tension crackling in the small space.
"You're okay," Darius said. Not a question. An observation. Relief bleeding through the bond, warm and palpable.
"I'm fine."
His eyes shifted to Gideon, hardening to cold steel. "What happened here?"
"A sparring session," Gideon said smoothly, the shock from moments ago already masked behind that practiced charm. "Testing Miss Bennett's abilities. She's quite impressive."
"You pinned her."
