Chapter 56 - Kael's Test
Athena didn't expect Kael to come looking for her.
She was standing near the outer courtyard, watching a small group train with wooden staffs, when she felt his presence before she saw him.
"You walk lightly for someone who doesn't know how," he said from behind her.
She turned.
Kael stood a few feet away, arms crossed, eyes sharp and unreadable.
"I wasn't trying to be quiet," she replied.
"I know," he said.
He jerked his chin toward the open path leading beyond the courtyard.
"Walk with me."
Athena hesitated for only a second before nodding.
They walked side by side without speaking at first. The path curved toward the outer training grounds where the trees thinned and the earth was worn from years of movement.
Kael didn't look at her as he spoke.
"You didn't flinch in the meeting."
She glanced at him. "Was I supposed to?"
"Most humans would have."
She didn't answer.
They stepped into a wider clearing where several wolves were training in pairs - some in human form, some shifting partially as they practiced control.
Athena's eyes widened slightly at the sight, but she didn't stop walking.
Kael noticed.
"You're not afraid," he said.
"I don't feel like I should be," she admitted.
Before he could respond, a loud snarl ripped through the clearing.
One of the younger wolves had shifted too fast, losing control for a split second as he stumbled into his partner.
The movement was sudden. Violent. Unexpected.
Several people stepped back instinctively.
Athena didn't.
She moved forward.
Not fast.
Not panicked.
Calm.
Her voice came out steady.
"Hey," she said firmly.
The wolf's head snapped toward her.
She held his gaze without realizing what she was doing.
"Breathe," she said. "You're okay."
The wolf's chest heaved once.
Twice.
Then he began to settle, his posture lowering as control returned.
Kael watched the entire thing in silence.
Athena stepped back only after the situation had fully calmed.
Her heart was pounding, but her face didn't show it.
She turned to Kael.
"Is he alright?"
Kael stared at her.
Long.
Measuring.
"You didn't panic," he said.
"I didn't feel like I should," she repeated.
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
Then something shifted in his expression.
Not suspicion.
Recognition.
"You are not what I expected," he said quietly.