Chapter 32 – Regret
DRAVIC’S PERSPECTIVE
The fire in the command tent burned low, casting long shadows across the table where the battle maps lay. Outside, the night was quiet. Tense. Like the entire camp was holding its breath in anticipation of tomorrow’s fight.
Captain Rohen entered without ceremony, followed by two older soldiers who’d once served under General Xendale—the elder one. Marcia’s father. They had that same stiffness in their posture, the same sharpness in their eyes. Men who had survived too many wars to waste time with niceties.
“Your Highness,” Rohen said. “We need a word.”
I didn’t look up from the reports. “Go ahead.”
“The challenge,” he said plainly. “Why’d you allow it?”
The others stepped forward. One of them, Tovran, if I remembered right, narrowed his eyes. “With all due respect, sir, Eunice Hale questioning General Xendale in front of half the high command sets a dangerous precedent. You should have shut it down. Will our general keep answering to petty challenges like this?”
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Chapter 32 – Regret
“I could have shut it down,” I nodded. “But I didn’t.”
“Why not?”
I finally looked up.
“Because Marcia is going to win.”
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The tent was silent for a moment. Tovran looked like he wanted
to argue, but Rohen just watched me.
“You sound very certain,” Rohen said.
“I am.”
The older soldier beside him scoffed under his breath. “With everything she’s been accused of—favouritism, promotions without merit—do you really think one duel will fix it? She already sparred with Jareth and won. It didn’t matter.”
“You’re right,” I agreed. “But this duel will shut them up long enough for her to prove the rest.”
They stared at me, unconvinced.
So I continued.
“Right now, the camp is divided. Half think she was handed her position. The other half are waiting to see if she’ll crumble under pressure. No one is looking at her actual performance. No one
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Chapter 32 – Regret
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cares how cleanly she’s run drills, or how fast the guard’s improved under her command. They care about the rumours. About how she got here.”
They didn’t interrupt, exchanging quick glances.
“A quiet win in a sparring ring wasn’t enough. They thought Jareth went easy on her. That I ordered him to. But if she beats Eunice, if she holds her ground in front of the same crowd that doubts her, it won’t just be a win. It’ll be undeniable. They all know Eunice hates Marcia. After all, I’m sure she’s the one who started half the rumours in the first place. Everyone knows Eunice will give this fight her best. So if Marcia wins this, it’ll all be finally over.”
“And what if she loses?” Tovran asked bluntly.
“She won’t,” I said.
“You’re betting a lot on that. Even your own credibility.”
“I’m not betting anything. I’ve seen her fight. I’ve watched her grow. You all served her father—you know the kind of man he was. She’s not him, but she is something else. Something dangerous. Born from heart break and loss. People like Eunice keep underestimating her because she doesn’t bark orders or chase credit.”
Rohen’s jaw twitched. Then he nodded slowly. “So you’re letting her earn it out loud.‘
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Chapter 32 – Regret
“Exactly.”
Tovran shifted. “It still feels like a gamble.”
I looked at him. “Then you haven’t been watching closely enough.”
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They said nothing after that. Just exchanged glances, gave short nods and turned to leave.
As Rohen stepped out, he paused.
“You really think this ends it?”
“Maybe. Maybe not,” I said. “But it’s a start nonetheless.”
He didn’t argue. Just stepped into the dark and disappeared.
I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly.
This wasn’t just about Marcia’s honour.
It was about control. Unity. The command needed to rally behind someone. And no matter how capable she was, they wouldn’t do it unless she bled for it first.
I wanted to let them watch her fight.
Let them doubt her until she proved them wrong—again.
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Chapter 32 – Regret
Then they would remember her name for the right reasons.
And they’d follow her without question.
KAEL’S PERSPECTIVE
Eunice stood near the edge of the sparring ring, hands wrapped and shoulders square, her expression hard as stone. The match wasn’t for another hour, but she was already tense. Focused. Ready.
Too ready.
I watched her from a distance for a few seconds before I crossed the field towards her. She noticed me, but didn’t speak.
“You don’t have to do this,” I said quietly.
She didn’t turn her head. “Yes, I do.”
“Eunice–”
“She’s not stronger than me,” she interrupted. “I’m not going to stand by and let her parade around like she’s earned this when we both know she hasn’t.”
I stepped in front of her, forcing her to meet my eyes. “She has
Chapter 32 – Regret
earned it. The soldiers respect her now. Even the old guard. This match—it’s not about ability anymore. It’s all politics.”
“Then let me play it better,” she said, jaw clenched. “If I win, command comes to me. I’ll restore order. The soldiers will trust leadership again.”
“And if you lose?” I asked.
Her mouth tightened, eyes going black. For a second, I thought she might look away, but she didn’t. Her eyes slowly returned to their usual blue. The colour I’d fallen for amongst the chaos of
war.
“Then I’ll come back to the pack,” she said softly. “Back to you. You’ll need someone to help keep things together. You always said I was better at it than you.”
My chest tightened.
She wasn’t saying it to guilt me. She meant it. This wasn’t some desperate, angry move. She genuinely believed she could lead this camp—or support me if she failed. Either way, she wanted to protect something. Someone.
Me.
“You’d come back for that?” I asked. “Not for power, not for reputation. Just to help?”
Chapter 32 – Regret
She nodded.
My heart twisted in my chest, slow and painful.
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She had always been like this. Sharp edges, yes. Reckless temper, sure. But underneath, there was loyalty. Strength. That wolf–blooded pride that never let her back down from a fight when something—or someone—she cared about was on the line.
I had forgotten what that felt like.
Forgotten how it felt when she looked at me like that. Like I was still hers. Like we were still a team.
I didn’t know what to say, so I took her hand, wrapping mine over it.
“You don’t have to prove anything to me,” I said.
“I know.”
“But I’m still going to be here,” I added. “Whether you win or lose.”
Her eyes softened, just for a second. “Thanks.”
We stood like that for a moment longer. Just two soldiers in the middle of a silent field, both of us pretending we weren’t remembering what it felt like to love each other out loud.
Chapter 32 – Regret
Maybe this wasn’t a mistake.
Maybe Marcia wouldn’t win.
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Eunice had years of battlefield experience, a sharp mind, and unmatched will. Marcia might’ve surprised everyone during drills and duels, but this was going to be different.
Real.
And if Eunice came out of it victorious, everything could be fixed. The pack. The command. Maybe even us.
“Be careful,” I said as I let go of her hand.
She smirked. “When am I not?”
That made me laugh, just a little. She walked away, steps steady, posture tall.
And for the first time in a long time, I let myself believe we had a future again.
Even if it meant betting it all on a single fight.
Because every part of me hoped she’d win.
If Marcia lost, then I wouldn’t have to question my choices. I wouldn’t have to look back and wonder if I gave up on the wrong
person.
Chapter 32 – Regret
I could let go of the guilt.
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And the annoying regret that pulled at my heart every time I glanced at her.
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