24. (JO POV)

JO POV

The week flew past, a whirlwind of learning and adapting to the academy's pace. To my surprise, with Dane there constantly encouraging me and pushing me to do better, I wasn't just keeping up. I was excelling.

The curious glances and nods of approval from teachers and fellow students were a testament to my hard work and dedication. I had never received this much acknowledgment for doing the right things instead of the wrong.

Throughout the week, our most persistent argument revolved around those dreaded collars. The notion of being collared struck a chord in me, igniting a refusal that resonated through my being few other things in this created.

Dane attempted to secure the collar around my neck each morning and after naps. Anytime he let me take it off, he had to know how hard it would be to get it back on. Our struggles peaked when, in a moment of extreme frustration, he clasped it so swiftly I had no chance to resist. The act led to a punishment after I tore it off in defi