Julian stared at the roster sheet.
#9 – Noah Kim (ST)
A single note beside the name stood out:
Injury – Torn ACL (Estimated Recovery: 6–12 months)
Julian's mind clicked. He'd heard it already—Noah had gone down halfway through last season. It had been a brutal tear. Based on the timeline, he should still be in recovery.
And yet… Julian hadn't seen him.
Not during training. Not around the field. Not even in the halls.
Was he already back? Was he watching? Or was he waiting to reclaim what once belonged to him?
Julian didn't feel fear.
No.
What he felt was hunger.
The kind that made his blood run hotter.
The kind that sharpened his senses.
The kind that demanded one thing:
Devour him.
"What are you thinking about?" Cael asked, walking up beside him. "The other striker, right? I heard from the team—he was legit. Some MLS academy even scouted him."
Julian didn't flinch. He didn't smile. He just replied, low and calm.
