Austin's POV
My first week back at the Academy after being away for days felt overwhelming. Alpha Irina had warned me about falling behind, but I seriously underestimated the workload that would pile up from missing classes.
Catching up proved more challenging than I anticipated. The academic courses hit me hardest, with assignments and lectures I needed to absorb while keeping pace with new material. Thankfully, my mate helped me navigate through the chaos, staying up late with me as I worked through missed assignments.
Sparring remained my strongest subject. Without Alpha Mason's intimidating presence, I finally felt comfortable showcasing my real abilities. The controlled environment of the Academy differed drastically from actual combat, where lives hung in the balance and split-second decisions determined survival.
