"You know," Ethan said, still chuckling, "I was just thinking about how the Imperial Military has really gone downhill."
He tilted his head, and in the moonlight, Xavier caught the glint of his teeth.
"One general retires, and suddenly the whole group can't even catch a single beta person in a forest. How long has it been? Four hours?"
The words hit Xavier's sore spot. But in his defense, Ethan was by no means a simple beta.
Xavier's grip tightened on his rifle.
Everyone knew that Grayson could have ended this chase in forty minutes, and the rest of the time would be fighting. But Xavier's people were too disciplined to point it out.
Xavier's eyes narrowed. He could feel his old insecurity rising, burning in his chest.
It had followed him since the academy days, since the promotions, since every operational briefing where someone's gaze would drift to the empty chair that Grayson used to occupy.
But he was not Grayson.
He will never be Grayson.
