A small bell chimed as I pulled open the door to the butcher shop, the deer resting on my shoulders while I held its hooves together in front of my torso. I enjoyed coming here, with the scent of freshly cut meat and the distinct smell of disinfectant wafting from the back room. A long glass display case sat along the center of the room, with more open ones positioned along the walls showcasing various cuts of meat and hams. The floor was covered in black and white checkered tiles, while the walls were painted an off-white color. Silver light fixtures emitted a low buzz of electricity, creating a white noise effect.

"Lady Sylvia, we weren't expecting you until later today." I shifted my gaze from the lights to the short male behind the glass display. He had short black hair, buzzed off almost completely, short pointed ears and soft brown eyes. Lesser Fae.

"Good to see you, Grover." I mused, flicking my eyes to the deer on my shoulders. "I had some free time this morning and decided to start working on your request early." I nudged the deer's head with my shoulder as it slipped to the side, doing my best to prevent the dried blood from staining my tank top.

"You can drop it off in the back. Thank you, again. It looks like quite the catch today." The short male droned as he wiped down the counter absentmindedly, avoiding eye contact as he took in the deer.

"We have too many stags this year. Had to make sure to thin the herd before mating season." I added, making my way to the black door along the far wall, behind the glass display case. The back room was cool enough to send the hair on my arms standing on end. I slumped the carcass onto a steel table in the middle of the room as strong chemicals assaulted my lungs. They always cleaned this room before opening in the mornings and at night before locking up. Various-sized blades adorned one wall, ranging from cleavers to hook knives, which are used to cut up specific parts of meats. I gazed at the deer on the table, running my hand over the puncture wounds covered in dried blood. Still a great kill. I patted the thick thigh of the animal before wandering back out into the butcher shop. I waved casually over my shoulder as I slipped out into the town square, the bell chiming again.

The town was bustling now, with people going about their day, running in and out of shops, and chatting along the stone benches scattered throughout the square. Some small children were playing in the fountain, resting in the middle, soaked from head to toe. The familiar scent of leather and wood enveloped my senses and pulled a half smile from my lips just as a heavy arm wrapped around my neck.

"Hey, beautiful." Felix cooed, his voice rough and deep. I leaned into his side for a second before meeting his gaze, giving him a lazy smile.

"Hey, Felix. Shouldn't you be at the training grounds?" I mused as we started moving through the square.

"Yeah, but today is your last day of suspension. I thought I might see you a bit before I head back." He answered, his fingers tenderly brushing my shoulder. Felix has had feelings for me for at least 20 years, but I could never bring myself to return it. He was a good friend, not to mention Reece's best friend since they were babies. Felix was kind, helpful, and always tried to make everyone happy. In another life, I might have taken him up on his offer. I won't deny that he's handsome as all hell, with short black hair styled in a curly fringe, stunning brown eyes, and the body of a god. Muscles rippled along his thighs, visible through his training leathers. His bare torso glistened with sweat from the morning training, accentuating the solid muscles along his abdomen. "Matthew is handling the unit while I'm away." He added. Matthew is his second-in-command, just like Jasmine is for me. Matthew was a few inches shorter than me, much like most fae, with shoulder-length blond hair and sky-blue eyes. A sweet male, but a bit self-absorbed at times. Felix was only a few inches taller than me, one of the few in town I could look up to. I was tall for a female, towering over others, but I didn't mind. I enjoyed it, actually.

"Reece is going to give you a tongue lashing." I teased, watching a few younger fae having coffee outside one of the cafes within the square before we rounded a corner. The cobblestone pathways wound throughout the entire town. Jasper's estate sat on a slight hill at the far side, with the training grounds a few minutes' walk to its right. Even from the square, you can see the estate looming in the distance—a large building constructed of stone with dark gray walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and three stories. The home I lived in for the last 45 years before I moved into my own house.

"Please, Reece can't tell me what to do. I fall under your command." It was true. I'm the head of Greenhollow's soldiers, the top commander, but Reece was still the heir to the Baron and could easily overrule me if he wanted to. "Besides, I haven't seen you in a few days. I'm sure the old bastard won't mind." He mused, nudging my hip with his own, which made me smile.

"You're the same age, nitwit. Does that make you an old bastard too?" I teased, and his lips curved into a smirk.

"Why don't you go out with me and find out just how old and experienced I am?" His eyes glistened with a hidden promise that could make any female drop their underwear in a heartbeat, but I felt nothing. Falling in love was hard for me, mainly because I had never experienced it before. I don't know what it should feel like, but I've made my position clear with him every time he's asked me out in the past. We were friends, and that is all it will ever be. I've seen other females swoon over him, but ever since he first asked me out when I turned 50, he has refused to notice any of them. His 182nd birthday will be in a few weeks, and I still haven't found the right birthday present for him.

"Are we starting with that already?" I sighed, and he shot me a dazzling smile.

"You know I won't stop. You should be used to it by now." He teased, never appearing hurt or angry when I rejected him. Not once. He only smiles and tries again. He's determined, I'll give him that. I bit back a smile as his eyes lingered on the exposed skin along my stomach, and his chest rose with a sharp inhale. I know the effect I have on males, and even some females, but it still excites me every time.

"How is Jasmine doing with our unit?" I asked, changing the subject as we passed a few townhouses on our way to the estate.

"She's doing well but misses you though. You should come say hi." He urged, leaning into my side.

"I'm not allowed on the training grounds, remember?" I fought the urge to roll my eyes at the suspension and let out a long sigh instead. I missed training. I missed fighting. I missed the ache in my muscles after sparring with Jasmine, Reece, or Felix. They were just about the only people able to walk out of the ring after we were done. The new recruits tap out within minutes, and the older warriors are not strong enough to challenge me fully.

"Then don't go onto the grounds; stand at the edge." He mused, and I stopped walking, causing him to drop his arm from my shoulder before turning to face me. "What?" I blinked a few times before glaring at him.

"Why didn't you tell me I could do that weeks ago?" I bit out. I can't believe I didn't think about it myself. I wasn't allowed to train others or set foot on the training grounds, but they never said anything about watching. A small smile played on his lips as he watched me realize it.

"I thought you'd figure it out. Guess I'm smarter than you now." I shot him another glare, and his smile widened.

"I'd be careful if I were you. I'll be back tomorrow." I teased as I started walking again, nudging his shoulder with my own as I passed him. He quickly fell in step beside me, now heading for the training grounds.

"And I can't wait. It's been a while since you've kicked my ass; I miss the bruises." He chuckled as his eyes roved over my skin-tight jeans, and I could feel his gaze lingering on my ass.

"Stare too long and you'll go blind, Felix." I teased as we reached the stone steps leading to the training grounds on the slight hill beside the estate.

"I'd happily go blind for just a peek." His tone took on a slight husky note that sent shivers down my spine. Like I said, he was hot as fuck, I'm not blind. I'd take him to bed without a second thought if I knew it would only be for sex. But that wasn't the case with him; for him, it would never just be sex.

The moment I set foot on the stone landing that led to the training grounds, my world felt balanced once more. I felt at home. Gods, I've missed this place. I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear at the sound of wood on wood as the recruits trained in every ring. The sound of commands being shouted to pivot, block, or strike. A sweet, singsong voice filled my ears as I noticed Jasmine leaning over a wooden railing by one of the rings, shouting fiercely at two recruits circling each other within. One male was slightly older than the other, with short pointed ears and freshly buzzed black hair, lesser fae. While the other one was young with a blonde spiky mullet, shaved off along the sides, maybe just past 46? He had the telltale, long pointed ears of a high fae.

"I said to stop fucking around! Lee, keep your right side covered! Manie, stop stepping before you strike; that's how you die!" Jasmine seethed by the railing before running her hand over her face. Her waist-length chestnut-colored hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, and her leather shirt lay discarded by her feet. Her sun-kissed skin was coated in dirt and sweat from training, and her black sports bra looked almost gray in the sunlight. People can say what they want about her attitude, but Jasmine was a knockout. Decent-sized breasts, a firm ass and a toned body. Not as toned as my own, but close enough. I didn't give a shit about her attitude; I appreciated her foul mouth and blunt truths more than her fighting skills. She was 30 years older than me, but she would still follow me into any battle or war. She'd die for me, and I'd kill for her. My best friend. As if hearing my thoughts, her head swiveled in our direction. The scowl she had moments ago was replaced with a stunning smile as she sprinted towards us. "Sylvia!" I braced myself, bending my knees and holding my arms out as she jumped into my arms. Her legs hooked around my waist, and her arms coiled around my neck. I hugged her fiercely to my chest, purring with delight.

"Hey, beautiful!" I grinned as her lips brushed my cheek before she slid down beside me. She was almost a head shorter than me, but I couldn't help but smile at those piercing blue eyes. "You saw me yesterday. What's with the excitement?" I mused, and she rested her hands on her hips in her usual sassy way.

"I saw my friend Syl yesterday." I haven't seen my commander, Sylvia, in three months. There's a difference." She always liked to emphasize splitting our relationship in two. When we were off the training grounds, we were best friends, but on it, I was her commander, not her friend. I liked it that way; she never took my harsh demands and orders to heart. I have a short temper and can easily lash out at my unit when things aren't done properly, but she never took what I said on the training grounds to heart and matched my temper step by step. We've beaten the shit out of each other here so many times before when we disagreed, but we've never discussed them off the field.

"Technically, I am not commander yet, only tomorrow." I corrected her, and she just shrugged, finally noticing Felix beside me with his usual grin.

"Felix, shouldn't you be training?" Her eyes narrowed in on him, and his grin bloomed into a smile.

"And miss the chance to see Syl? Never." She rolled her eyes dramatically before shooing him away with a wave of her hand. He quickly fell into a jog over to his unit at the far ring, shooting me a kiss and a wink over his shoulder. This time, I rolled my eyes.

"Tell me again why you're not climbing him like a tree?" Jasmine mused, eyeing his retreating back, noticing the muscles shifting with each step.

"You know why." I countered, and a smirk crept over her lips.

"Yeah, yeah. He's Reece's best friend, and you're emotionally unavailable, but damn. I'd give anything for one hot night with that body between my thighs." I bit back a smile. Jasmine has been lusting after Felix ever since she became my second. Being around Felix almost every day was torture for her because he refused to notice anyone but me. "Why not just fuck him and get it over with? Just invite me along." This time, her eyes met mine, and I smiled.

"You know I can't do that. Felix deserves more." I sighed, watching the recruits attempt to put on a decent show in the ring where Jasmine had left them. Felix deserved the world, but I can't give it to him. I won't even know where to start. "How are the brats doing?" I mused, changing the subject, and her eyes followed my gaze.

"As good as expected, they're learning, but they're not afraid of me enough. They only listen with one ear and still can't stand against me for more than two minutes before tapping out." She sighed, and I raised an eyebrow.

"I'll be back tomorrow; then we'll see if they actually listen." My skin crawled with anticipation.

"Just don't pull another Leon stunt." She chuckled, and I smirked at the memory.

"As long as they don't give me a reason to."

I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting on the grass just outside the training grounds, resting my head against the tree at my back. Watching was almost worse than not being there at all. The urge to jump in caused my leg to twitch every few minutes, but at least the recruits followed Jasmine's instructions under my watchful eye. The beast inside me ached to be set free as the sun touched the tree canopy, signaling the end of training for the day. Reece was busy at the edge of the training grounds, talking with Felix about the progress of his unit when I wandered over. Reece noticed me first.

"You shouldn't be here yet." He stated but had a hint of a smile.

"Training's over. Which means I'm officially done with my suspension." I cooed, and Felix hid his smile.

"You know that's not how it works, Syl." Reece countered, and I gave him a slow smirk as I passed him on the way to the estate.

"It's how it works according to me." He didn't argue but greeted his friend before falling into step with me.

"You're lucky I love you." He mused, and I waved off his words of affection with a flick of my wrist.

"I kept the agreement; three months have passed."

"You must be ecstatic." Reece mused, and I snorted, but couldn't help but smile. I was.

I took the front steps of the estate two at a time. The front door was a beautiful wooden door with frost-blasted windows on either side. A delicate carving of a wolf adorned the panels of the door. The foyer was just as beautiful. The stone walls featured elegant stone carvings depicting the god Cernunnos standing in a lush forest, with arched windows on either side allowing the lingering sun to fill the space. Vines and plants grew along the walls, with large potted plants, a stone bench along the right wall, and a mounted coat rack along the left. Ariel decorated the foyer one year; she definitely had an eye for style. She wasn't much of a fighter; instead, she helped our father in the house with baronial duties such as sending letters, checking local requests and orders, cooking, and cleaning. The foyer led into an open space adorned with white couches and armchairs, a beautiful golden glass coffee table positioned in the middle of the sitting area on top of a stunning grey rug. The room had a high ceiling with golden chandeliers scattered throughout and elegant swirls carved into the stone ceiling. An open-plan kitchen was situated just beyond the sitting area, with a dining table in the left corner next to a large floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked the forest to the left of the estate. A hallway to the right of the kitchen led to the office space. A few doors lined the hall: one led to a bathroom with a clawfoot bathtub, another to a small room stacked with paperwork from over the years, and the final one led to Jasper's study. I've only been in there a few times. The dark décor was stunning, with an oak desk resting in the middle of the space and a bookshelf directly behind it. The bookshelf was filled from top to bottom with the history of our kind and other Baron histories from those who came before Jasper. A staircase was situated to the right of the sitting area. The second floor consisted of the bedrooms, four equally sized rooms with their own attached bathrooms. Ariel had the room on the far right, and Reece had the one adjacent to the staircase while Jasper slept in the room to the far left. The third floor was where the library and gym were located, the floor I frequented the most when I used to live here. Spending my mornings getting sweaty and toned in the gym before winding down with a book or two about historical wars and training techniques, I still come here to work out every day since my suspension. Ariel was busy in the kitchen as we entered, her brown hair braided over her shoulder, dressed in a t-shirt and sweatpants.

"What's for dinner, sis?" I mused as I dropped down onto the plush sofa, pulling my legs up onto the cushion beside me. She glanced at me over her shoulder from where she was busy with a pot on the stove.

"Don't put your feet on the couch, Syl." I rolled my eyes at her back before dropping my feet back onto the floor as Reece sat down beside me, resting one arm on the backrest. Ariel had a soft, feminine voice that captivated most males, making them beg for a few seconds of her time. However, she was already in a long-term relationship with a High Fae in town. Lord Cole Howell. He was alright in my books, but I still enjoyed teasing him at the training grounds. He was in my unit for the last 10 years, one of my more experienced fighters. Ariel noticed him shortly after I became a commander. She always lingered around the training grounds during her breaks, trying to catch a glimpse of the male's dark skin, thick black curls, and muscular form. After a few months, I got tired of her just watching, so I introduced them. It didn't take long for them to hit it off. "I made beef stew, your favorite." She added. She wasn't wrong. I'd kill for a good beef stew, and as much as I hated to admit it, Ariel made the best damn stew in the world. She added carrots and potatoes, a decent helping of garlic and onions, and a variety of spices that caused the smell to linger in the house for hours. I inhaled deeply, purring at the smell, and Reece scrunched his nose in response. He wasn't a big fan of stew; he preferred steak or pan-seared meats with mashed potatoes and green beans.

"How sweet of you, Ri." I mused, leaning back on the couch.

"Where's dad?" Reece asked as he glanced around the open space.

"Dad will join us in a minute; he had a few letters to send out before dinner." She answered as she fetched the bowls from one of the cupboards. "Syl, could you please set the table?" She shot me her usual soft smile as I got up and made my way over to take the bowls from her outstretched hands. I normally set the table when I come over; it is the least I could do. They were the closest thing to a family I had and the closest thing to what I understand love should feel like. I arranged a place setting and a bowl at the usual four chairs we have been using since I moved here. We all chose our favorite place since that first day. Jasper sat at the head of the table with me to his right, Reece to his left, and Arial sat beside me. Reece helped Ariel bring the pot over to the table, setting it down on a wooden trivet to prevent the hot bottom from burning the elegant silver runner that ran along the length of the 10-seat table. We waited for about 10 minutes when I heard the front door open and shut. Jasper's home.

"Welcome home, dad." Ariel cooed as Jasper stepped into the room. His brown hair was pulled back into a low bun, and creases formed beside his eyes as he smiled.

"Hey, kiddos." He drawled as he made his way over, taking his seat at the head of the table. "Beef stew, you must be delighted, my little beast." That age-old nickname, one that only Jasper was allowed to use. I smiled at the man who was my father in name only.

"I am. Ariel really spoiled me today." I nudged my elbow into her side, and a light blush tinted her cheeks.

"Well, we're celebrating the end of your suspension after all." She cooed while fiddling with the deep green placemat beneath her bowl. My father nodded in agreement before giving us the go-ahead to dish out. I got to go first as the meal was made with me in mind, filling my bowl to the brim before the others. I savored the smell of the stew: the garlic, the delicately cured meat, the rosemary, and thyme. It sent small goosebumps dancing over my skin as I waited for them.

"Oh, that reminds me. We have a meeting at Heartgrove in a few weeks. I'd like you all to join me again." Jasper mused once everyone had finished dishing out.

"We had our annual Baron meeting a few months ago. Why again?" Reece asked as he took his first bite of the stew. I listened with half an ear as I started to shovel the stew into my mouth. Purring softly at the oil and salt coating my mouth.

"Not sure. High Lord Xander sent a letter this morning, asking everyone to meet at his estate on the 15th of November." Jasper added, slurping some of the liquid from his stew straight from the bowl. If he wanted another meeting so soon after the last one, it could only be about the war with the humans. Maybe the rebellion started to spread, or perhaps the humans from another continent were busy causing trouble along our coast. "The other High Lords and Ladies will also be attending." Everyone stopped eating at that moment, myself included. That was new; the other High Lords and Ladies rarely met with Lord Xander. Especially Lady Ayda. She couldn't stand Lord Xander; she always called him a brute and a killer. If they are joining the meeting, then it definitely has to do with the humans.

"It's the humans, right?" I asked, and Jasper only nodded, chewing on a large piece of meat. So, I continued, "Did they attack?" I watched Jasper swallow.

"They attacked one of the Mountain clan's smaller outposts. Stole a bunch of resources and left at least 10 lesser fae dead at the door. A few more were injured." Jasper stated, and I clenched my jaw hard enough for small tendrils of pain to shoot along it.

"Do they know which human city the bandits came from?" Ariel asked, her skin a shade paler. She was never one to enjoy bloodshed.

"No, the human rebels usually leave a calling card after their attacks." Their calling card was a red painted hand with two half moons beside it, representing the curve of their ears. "Whoever attacked the outpost must have been from another group." Great, more bandits. I've had to deal with bandits often throughout my career. The most famous bandit group was The Ten Knives. I've had dealings with them more often than most. They are an elite group of human warriors and a few lesser fae, eager to wipe out the High Fae. However, something about this attack didn't sit right with me. Even The Ten Knives left a calling card: a set of green knives stacked on top of each other.

"You said they attacked a Mountain Clan outpost? Which one?" I asked, downing nearly half of my stew.

"Coldwing Base." Jasper choked out, and my blood ran cold. Coldwing Base was located near the Strattham Mountains. They had to bypass multiple patrols to reach it. Not to mention, that outpost had a large storage of Fae weapons made from a rare metal called palladium. Mined from those very mountains, it can easily cut through fae armor.

"How's that even possible?" Reece whispered, his eyes fixed on the half bowl of stew in front of him.

"We don't know. Lord Xander wants to have the meeting for this reason. He thinks it might have been an inside job." Jasper stated, dropping his spoon into his partially eaten stew, and leaned back in his chair.

"Does he think more lesser fae defected?" Ariel asked beside me, pushing her stew aside. I swallowed the last bit of my stew, refusing to let even a drop go to waste.

"I'll leave for Coldwing Base tomorrow. Speak to the acting commander there to find out what happened." I stated, wiping my oil-coated lips with the back of my hand, and Jasper nodded.

"I'll go with you." Reece added, and I shot him a pointed look.

"No, I'll take Felix, Jasmine and Matthew. You need to stay here to look after our units while we're away." I ordered and he quickly narrowed his eyes at me. He hated it when I pulled rank, as the son of the Baron, he could have easily shot me down, but sighed and nodded instead.

Ariel was the first to leave the table, barely halfway through her meal, and started to clean the kitchen while the rest of us finished up. I had a second helping of the stew and carried my bowl to the sink where Ariel was busy washing the pot and other utensils. I placed a quick kiss on her cheek and thanked her for the meal before heading for the door.

"Little beast?" Jasper mused as he entered the foyer after me. I pivoted to look at him, with my hand on the door. Jasper was one of the few fae I had to look up to. He was no more than a few inches taller than me, much like Reece and Felix. "Please be careful tomorrow." His hand felt warm on my cheek, and his eyes softened in a way that they only did for me. I was his favorite; we all knew it. He saw something in me, something beyond the cold exterior and ruthless nature. "I already sent word to Coldwing Base that you'll be coming by in a few days." The trek to Coldwing Base was a four-day ride on horseback, taking a little over 2 days in wolf form. I nodded and wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him close to my side. He planted a kiss on my temple before I slipped through the door.