The Elusive Bond

The Summons

The morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the Little Palace, casting soft beams across the polished floors. Amira had barely gotten any sleep the night before. Her mind had been racing with thoughts of the chase, of Aleksander, of the truth she had finally begun to acknowledge.

She had spent hours pacing her room, trying to make sense of the emotions that had surfaced. The bond between her and Aleksander was undeniable, but admitting it was a different matter altogether. Her wolf had been restless, pushing her to accept what they both knew, but Amira wasn't ready. Not yet.

And now, just as she thought she might get a moment to herself, she had been summoned to Aleksander's office.

She stood outside the door, her heart thudding in her chest. Her instincts told her to be on guard, to stay sharp. Aleksander was clever—far too clever for her liking. If he had called her here, it wasn't just to make small talk. He had something in mind. And after everything that had happened during the chase, she had no idea what to expect.

Taking a deep breath, Amira knocked on the door and waited.

"Come in," came Aleksander's calm, commanding voice from the other side.

Amira pushed the door open, stepping inside with her usual air of confidence, though inside she was anything but calm. Aleksander sat behind his desk, his sharp eyes lifting to meet hers the moment she entered. He looked as composed as ever, his dark eyes gleaming with something she couldn't quite place.

"Amira," he greeted, his tone steady and measured. "Have a seat."

She hesitated for a brief moment before walking over to the chair opposite him, sitting down and crossing her legs as she met his gaze. He wasn't giving anything away, and it made her wolf stir uneasily. He was up to something.

"You called for me, General?" she asked, keeping her voice casual.

Aleksander leaned back in his chair, his hands resting lightly on the arms of his seat as he regarded her. "Yes, I wanted to discuss your performance. I've been hearing good things from your instructors, and your work in the Second Army has been exceptional."

Amira raised an eyebrow, her suspicion growing. This wasn't the conversation she had expected. "Thank you. I've been doing my best."

"Your best has been noticed," he replied, his voice smooth. "But I wanted to talk to you about something a bit more... specific."

Amira's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her expression neutral. Specific? Was this it? Had he figured it out? Her mind raced, trying to prepare herself for what was coming.

"You've been... impressive in combat," Aleksander continued, his dark eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her stomach twist. "You're holding your own against some of our most skilled Grisha. That's no small feat."

She swallowed hard, her wolf pacing in the back of her mind, growling softly in warning. What was he getting at?

"I've always prided myself on my training," she replied carefully, keeping her tone light. "And I appreciate that you've taken notice."

Aleksander's gaze didn't waver, and for a moment, the silence between them felt like a coiled spring, ready to snap at any second.

"Tell me, Amira," he said slowly, leaning forward slightly. "How do you think you would fare in a more... competitive setting?"

Amira blinked, caught off guard by the question. "A competitive setting?"

Aleksander nodded, a small, almost imperceptible smile playing at the corner of his lips. "Yes. Something a bit more... challenging than sparring with your comrades. I have a particular interest in testing those under my command who show real potential. And I think you might be ready for something... more."