Chapter 39

MAGNAR’S POV It was clear to me from the moment my father assigned this task that he intended for me to fail. His condescending tone, the way he presented it as a “test,” and the tight deadline—it all screamed of a trap to humiliate me in front of the pack. But I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction. If this was his way of undermining my potential, I’d show him exactly what I was capable of. The first week was all about clearing the area. I wanted everyone focused on the same task so we could execute it efficiently. Workers and warriors alike were instructed to cut down trees, clear the rocks, and prepare the land for construction. I worked alongside them during the day, earning their respect by showing that I wasn’t above hard labor. By the second week, I split everyone into shifts. Two teams of workers and two teams of warriors were created—one to work during the day and the other at night. The warriors’ role was not just to guard but to ensure resources were being procured and