Chapter Five: A New Beginning

The aftermath of the rogue attack was a whirlwind. Warriors shifted back into their human forms, their breathing labored but steady. The scent of blood lingered in the air, mixing with the earthy aroma of the forest.

Aria stood frozen for a moment, her makeshift weapon still clutched tightly in her hands. Her heart raced, the adrenaline coursing through her veins making it difficult to process what had just happened. She had survived. Not only that, she had fought—really fought.

Isaac’s voice cut through the haze. “Darius, assess the damage and regroup the patrol. We need to move.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Darius replied, his tone calm despite the chaos around him.

Isaac’s silver eyes turned to Aria, sharp and assessing. “You’re not injured?”

Aria shook her head, her voice failing her.

“Good,” he said simply, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. Then, without another word, he turned and began issuing orders to the rest of the pack.

Aria exhaled shakily, her grip on the branch finally loosening. Jamie appeared at her side, a grin on his face despite the dirt and blood streaking his skin.

“Not bad for your first rogue attack,” he said, clapping her on the shoulder. “You’ve got some fight in you after all.”

She managed a small smile, though her hands were still trembling. “I didn’t think I’d make it.”

Jamie chuckled. “None of us do at first. But you held your own, and that’s what matters.”

As the patrol regrouped and began their journey back to the pack house, Aria found herself walking near the middle of the group, surrounded by warriors who had once dismissed her as weak and insignificant.

Now, they glanced at her with something resembling respect.

The pack house was alive with activity when they returned. Word of the rogue attack had spread quickly, and the remaining pack members were waiting to tend to the injured and hear the details.

Aria slipped away from the crowd, her mind still spinning. She needed time to process everything, to make sense of the strange mix of fear, exhilaration, and pride that coursed through her.

But before she could retreat to her room, Greta appeared, her expression stern.

“Kitchen,” she said briskly. “There’s work to be done.”

Aria hesitated, exhaustion tugging at her limbs, but she nodded. The last thing she wanted was to give anyone a reason to think she was slacking.

The kitchen was bustling with activity, the air filled with the sounds of clattering pots and sizzling pans. Greta handed her a knife and a pile of vegetables, motioning for her to get to work.

As Aria peeled and chopped, her mind drifted back to the fight. She replayed the moments over and over, analyzing her movements, her mistakes, and the way Isaac had looked at her afterward.

“You’re distracted,” Greta’s voice snapped her back to the present.

“Sorry,” Aria muttered, focusing on her task.

Greta raised an eyebrow. “You’re lucky the Alpha saw something in you,” she said, her tone gruff. “Most wouldn’t have made it through that fight alive.”

Aria didn’t know how to respond, so she stayed silent, her hands moving steadily as she worked.

Later that evening, Aria found herself back on the training grounds. The area was empty, the moon casting a silvery glow over the dirt and grass. She hadn’t meant to come here, but her feet had carried her there before she even realized it.

She picked up a training staff, the wooden weapon feeling solid and comforting in her hands. Her body was sore, her muscles protesting every movement, but she began to practice the drills she had been taught.

Strike. Parry. Dodge.

Each movement was precise, her focus sharper than ever.

“You’re pushing yourself too hard.”

The voice startled her, and she spun around to see Isaac standing at the edge of the training grounds, his arms crossed.

“I needed to practice,” she said, lowering the staff but not letting go of it.

Isaac stepped closer, his gaze unreadable. “You fought well today,” he said, his voice low but steady.

Aria blinked, unsure if she had heard him correctly.

“But,” he continued, “you were reckless. You relied on instinct rather than strategy, and it nearly cost you.”

Her pride deflated, but she nodded. “I’ll do better,” she said quietly.

“You will,” he said, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Isaac studied her for a moment longer before turning to leave. But just as he reached the edge of the grounds, he paused.

“Aria.”

She looked up, surprised to hear him address her by name.

“Rest tonight. You’ll need your strength for what’s coming.”

And with that, he was gone, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

The next few days were a blur of training and preparation. The rogue attack had put the entire pack on edge, and Isaac was determined to strengthen their defenses.

Aria’s training sessions became even more intense, with Isaac personally overseeing her progress. His critiques were harsh, his expectations high, but she found herself rising to the challenge.

She was no longer the weak, timid girl who had been sold to the pack. She was becoming something more—stronger, sharper, and more resilient.

But with each passing day, she couldn’t ignore the growing tension between her and Isaac. His presence was magnetic, his every word and action drawing her in despite her better judgment.

And yet, he kept his distance, his emotions carefully guarded.

One evening, as Aria was finishing her training, Jamie approached her, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Word is, the Alpha’s got his eye on you,” he said, leaning casually against a post.

Aria rolled her eyes. “He’s my trainer. Of course he’s watching me.”

Jamie smirked. “Oh, it’s more than that. He doesn’t put this much effort into just anyone.”

She shook her head, dismissing his teasing. “I’m just trying to prove myself.”

“And you are,” Jamie said, his tone suddenly serious. “But be careful, Aria. The Alpha’s a complicated man. He doesn’t let people in easily.”

Aria frowned, her thoughts swirling. She didn’t know what to make of Isaac or the strange pull she felt toward him.

All she knew was that she was determined to earn her place in the pack, no matter what it took.

As the moon rose higher in the sky, Aria stood at the edge of the forest, her heart heavy with uncertainty. The path ahead was still unclear, but for the first time in years, she felt like she was moving forward.

She didn’t know what challenges lay ahead, but she was ready to face them.

Because for the first time in her life, she was learning what it meant to fight for herself.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***