Flashback.
Kaden as a child—watching his first beast partner be executed for resisting training.
The Order had trained him to be ruthless. Efficient. Empty.
But Hunter had chosen him years later. Not out of command.
Out of loyalty.
Back to present—Kaela notices Kaden staring at nothing, fists clenched.
"Nightmare?"
He nods.
She touches his hand. "You're not that boy anymore."
Kaden doesn't believe her.
But he wants to.