Page 42

This is why I'm here, I realize. This seamless blending of military strategy and civilian knowledge. My understanding of settlement needs matched with his tactical expertise creates a defense neither of us could manage alone.

"The secondary spring could be expanded within two weeks if you provide workers," I answer without hesitation. "But they'llneed protection during construction. It's too exposed to dragons flying overhead."

Fritz nods once, decision made. "Thorne, reassign the eastern patrol to provide construction security. Make sure they have plenty of dragon-penetrating bolts."

"Yes, Commander." Thorne's gaze flicks between us, something like respect in his yellow eyes before he leaves.

We continue working as daylight fades, candles eventually providing the only light in the stone chamber. The dancing flames cast strange shadows across Fritz's features, highlighting the inhuman angles of his face—the pronounced cheekbones, the slightly elongated jaw, the scars running from temple to chin that once disgusted me.

Now I find myself studying these features with something closer to curiosity than fear.

"You're staring," he says without looking up from the patrol schedules he's adjusting.

Heat rises to my cheeks, caught watching him without realizing I was doing it. "Your night vision," I deflect. "Can you see clearly in this light?"

His mouth quirks slightly—not quite a smile, but close. "Better than in daylight. Your human adjustments to darkness are... not great."

"One of many human shortcomings, I'm sure," I respond dryly, aware of all the ways my human limitations must frustrate him.

"Your knowledge of human settlements balances those limitations," he says, surprising me with what almost sounds like a compliment. "It's... valuable."

Valuable. Not quite belonging, not quite equality, but far beyond the initial contempt when he first claimed me. I'll take it as progress.

Night patrol training in the fortress courtyard draws me from my quarters the following evening. I tell myself I'm just there to observe tactical coordination that might affect settlement security. The truth I'm not ready to admit sits heavier in my chest.

From my spot on the elevated walkway, I can perfectly see Fritz demonstrating combat moves to newer recruits. His massive body moves with impossible grace, showing off the flexibility that once creeped me out but now fascinates me. He turns his head completely backward while still moving forward, his spine bending in ways that would snap a human's.

When he leaps from standing position to a ledge fifteen feet up, landing without a sound or apparent effort, my breath catches. The raw power of his form—the muscles moving beneath his fur-patterned skin, the controlled strength that could tear enemies apart yet has never left so much as a bruise on me during our most intense claiming—creates an unmistakable heat low in my belly.

"Quite the sight, isn't he?"

I jump, turning to find Elder Nyssa beside me, her silver braids catching the moonlight. I hadn't heard her approach, too captivated by the training below.

"I'm observing patrol protocols," I lie, the words sounding fake even to my own ears.

Nyssa's weathered face creases with a knowing smile. "Of course you are." Her gaze drops to my claiming mark, visible above my tunic collar. "The scar has healed well. His control must be exceptional."

"What do you mean?"

"Feline alphas can easily tear through human skin during claiming frenzy. The fact that your mark is so clean, so precise... it shows remarkable restraint." She studies me with eyes that have seen both pre-Conquest freedom and post-Conquest reality. "Not what you expected from the monster, is it?"

"He's not—" I stop myself, shocked at my instinctive defense of the alpha I once hated.

"Not what?" Nyssa prompts, knowing exactly what she's doing.

"He's not what I expected," I finally admit, turning back to watch as Fritz demonstrates a defense against dragon fire—the quick, rolling movement that uses a Prime's own momentum against them.

"Few things in this conquered world are," Nyssa observes cryptically before slipping away as quietly as she came.

Below, Fritz's head turns toward our position, his enhanced senses undoubtedly picking up my scent even from this distance. Our eyes meet across the courtyard, his golden gaze glowing in the darkness. He doesn't acknowledge me otherwise, returning his attention to the trainees without breaking stride.

Yet I know he's aware of me watching. Just as I've become constantly, uncomfortably aware of him.

---

The changes in my physical responses to Fritz disturb me more than I want to admit. My body has adapted to his inhuman nature in ways that go beyond mere heat biology.

I find myself automatically stepping to his right side during patrol inspections, unconsciously allowing room for his tail's movement. The appendage that once seemed so alien now registers in my awareness as naturally as an arm or leg.