Army Headquarters. Ryan knocked and entered after being told to do so, giving a sharp military salute to the man sitting behind the desk. "Grand Marshal Lawson, you wanted to see me?" he asked, straight to the point. Tony looked him over with satisfaction. "Not bad. General Robinson recommended you well." He almost complimented Ryan as the youngest major general in the Astralis Empire. But the thought of Thora, who had received her rank at 18, made him swallow the words. "Do you know why I called you in?" Tony asked, serious. Ryan shook his head. "No, sir." He was only a major general, yet the grand marshal had called him in personally, skipping several levels of command.When he received the order to drop everything immediately and await the grand marshal's instructions, he'd been full of questions. Was it a classified mission? "I heard you once wanted to join the Wolffang Unit," Tony said. Ryan answered respectfully, "Yes, sir. Ever since General Stanton started forming Wolffang, I submitted my application." But Wolffang had rejected him, and it had stung ever since. By rights, his skills and experience were more than enough. Even if someone higher up had interfered, Wolffang's cold response left him frustrated. Joining Wolffang had been a buried obsession, especially over the last two years. Though he didn't know their exact operations, he knew Wolffang handled secret army missions flawlessly. That only strengthened his determination. Even if no one ever knew his name or praised him, he still dreamed of being a warrior like those in Wolffang. Tony nodded. "With your skills, it's a real shame you didn't make it in. So, what's your plan now?" Ryan snapped to attention and shouted, "Follow orders! Obey commands! Do my duty!" Tony smiled. He could see the anger burning in Ryan's heart. "Do you know who commands Wolffang?" he asked. "All I know is the commander's last name is Green." Ryan shook his head. "Information on Wolffang isn't available to anyone below lieutenant general." He'd been on missions overseas most of the past two years and hadn't crossed paths with Darius or Oliver much. He'd only just returned. Still, that didn't make him respect Commander Green any less. Even if he resented Wolffang for rejecting him, he genuinely admired the commander's strength. Anyone capable of leading Wolffang had to be extraordinary. He'd even daydreamed about the day Commander Green might personally call his name and recruit him. Tony didn't say more. As grand marshal, he knew Wolffang's roster. But since they answered directly to the Lycan king, he didn't know the details of their missions. "Major General Cole." Tony's tone sharpened. "Yes, sir." Ryan straightened even more. "Do you know the Blue Star Military Academy entrance exams are coming up?" "I do." "And what do you think?" Ryan looked up. "I have no opinions." As a major general, most of his work was at headquarters or on secret missions. The academy's entrance exams were for recruits or junior officers. They didn't concern him.Still, he couldn't deny the curiosity stirring inside him. Everyone admired strength and wanted to see someone stronger than themselves. Tony leaned forward slightly. "What if passing the entrance exams is your mission?" Ryan was stunned. "That's right," Tony confirmed. "I'm giving the order personally. Your job is to pass the entrance exams and get into Blue Star Military Academy." He paused, then added casually, "Oh, and Wolffang's commander will be there leading a team as well." Ryan's eyes lit up, his back straightening even more. "Yes, sir! I won't fail!" "If you succeed, you'll get to choose whether to join Wolffang or not. The choice is yours." Tony held his gaze. It wasn't just a promise—it was a way to honor Ryan's pride.Tony knew Ryan still felt bitter about Wolffang rejecting his earlier application, so this time, he could make his own call. The decision had been made jointly with Hugo. After all, Tony had no authority to interfere with Wolffang's personnel. "This time, the military isn't only sending you and Wolffang. It all depends on your skills to get in." "Understood!" Ryan nodded firmly. "Go get ready. The exams start soon." Tony waved him off. Ryan saluted and called out, "Yes, sir!" Even as he left, his excitement radiated from his every step—nothing like the calm he'd shown when he arrived. Tony shook his head, laughing. "Youth really burns bright." Then he realized something. Wolffang's commander was Thora, and she was Darius' mate, while Ryan was Darius' close friend.Tony couldn't help but wonder. When Ryan discovered that the "Commander Green" he admired so much was actually his friend's mate, what would he look like? That was going to be worth watching.