Episode 10: Wolves in the Dark
Jaden barely heard the conversations around him. His fists were still clenched, his body tense like a coiled spring.
Blaine had seen Abby. He knew.
And that meant she was a target.
Abby, completely unaware of the storm brewing in Jaden's mind, stood beside him, her small hand still wrapped gently around his wrist. She always held him like that—soft, but firm. Like she knew he was holding too much weight, and she wanted to carry some of it for him.
"Jaden?" Her voice was quiet, careful.
He exhaled slowly. Tried to let go of the rage.
He looked at her, and it hit him again—just how different she was from everything in this place.
No mind games. No bloodlust. No hidden agenda.
Just Abby.
And fuck, she was too good for this world.
She tugged his wrist lightly. "Let's go."
Jaden swallowed hard, nodding. He let her pull him away from the crowd, ignoring Leo's knowing smirk and Blaine's lingering stare.
She didn't belong here. And he would do anything to protect her from it.
A Moment of Peace
They found a quiet spot under a tree near the far end of the training grounds, away from prying eyes. Abby sat down first, crossing her legs neatly as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She had that soft, graceful way of moving—effortless, like she never needed to try.
Jaden sat beside her, still on edge.
Abby must've noticed because she let out a small breath and nudged his arm.
"Hey."
Jaden glanced at her.
She smiled—small, warm, genuine. "I came all this way to see you, you know."
Jaden's shoulders loosened a fraction.
He rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah. Sorry."
She tilted her head slightly, studying him. "You're always like this."
Jaden frowned. "Like what?"
Abby's eyes softened. "Like you're carrying the world on your back."
Jaden looked away. "Maybe I am."
She shook her head. "You don't have to."
Jaden's breath caught. She always did this—said the things he didn't even know he needed to hear.
But she didn't get it.
This place wasn't just about winning—it was about surviving. If you weren't strong, you got eaten alive. And Jaden refused to be prey.
Abby sighed, then reached into her bag. "Here."
She pulled out a small plastic container and set it on his lap.
Jaden blinked at it. "What's this?"
She smiled softly. "Food."
Jaden opened it, and the second the scent hit him, his chest tightened.
A simple meal. Home-cooked. Something that wasn't cafeteria slop or energy bars.
It smelled like home. Like normal.
Abby sat with her hands folded in her lap, watching him. "You eat like crap here, don't you?"
Jaden exhaled through his nose, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah."
Abby smiled too, but it was smaller this time. Like she was trying to be strong for him.
She tucked another loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I can't do much, Jaden. I can't fight your battles for you. But… I can do this."
Jaden swallowed hard.
His ribs still ached. His knuckles were still bruised. His body was still screaming for rest.
But right now, with Abby sitting beside him, watching him like he was the only person in the world that mattered…
For the first time in weeks, Jaden felt human again.
He picked up the fork and took a bite.
It tasted like home.
He exhaled. "Thanks, Abby."
She smiled. "Always."
The Wolves Are Watching
But peace never lasted in Iron Stride.
Jaden felt it before he saw it.
That itch at the back of his neck. That feeling of being watched.
Slowly, his eyes drifted toward the facility gates.
And there, standing near the fence, was Blaine.
Watching.
Waiting.
Jaden's grip on the fork tightened.
Abby noticed. "What is it?"
Jaden forced himself to look away.
"Nothing."
He wasn't going to let Blaine take this moment from him.
Not now. Not ever.
But deep down, he knew.
This wasn't over.
And next time, it wouldn't just be Jaden in the crosshairs.
It would be her.