Alex left the cabin, the mark on his chest still glowing faintly, reminding him of his new connection to his lineage. Daylight hit his face, and as he headed toward the area where he knew he would find Rainer, his mind was occupied with echoes of the conversation with Fenris. However, he wasn't the only one who noticed.
As he approached a clearing, a group of pack members saw him. They were three sturdy men, each with challenging looks. One of them, a dark-haired man with an intense gaze, stepped forward.
"So, little Alex has become special, huh?" he said sarcastically. "You think you can face us after fighting Rainer? He probably let you win."
Alex felt the challenge in his chest. He knew that proving his new power was crucial, but the desire to avoid unnecessary conflict also called to him. However, the pack had gathered around, drawn by the whispers of challenge, and he couldn't back down now.
"What do you want?" he asked, trying to sound more confident than he felt.
"A fight. Let's see if you're as powerful as they say," the man replied, smiling with an arrogance that sparked murmurs among the others. "Don't worry, we won't change to berserk. Just you and us."
Without further preamble, the man threw the first punch. Alex dodged instinctively, his body already adjusting to the changes he had begun to feel. With each movement, the ancestral energy of his lineage pulsed within him, and he could feel the pack's attention, expectant.
The fight began to intensify. Alex, using his second form, moved with grace and speed, but the pack men were experienced and fierce. They moved like shadows, attacking in rapid succession. Though Alex showed skill, he soon realized that the ability he had awakened wasn't enough to handle the number and strength that confronted him.
A strong blow made him stagger, and although he wasn't in his wolf form, the part of him that felt his lineage's strength began to rebel. "Come on, Alex!" shouted one of the spectators, but the weight of the fight began to overwhelm him. He found himself outnumbered, with the three men coordinating their attacks with a ferocity that forced him to retreat.
However, amid the chaos, he remembered Fenris's words about control and power. Focusing, Alex closed his eyes for a moment, feeling how his lineage's energy flowed through him. He centered on the connection he had established with his mark, feeling its power vibrate beneath his skin.
When he opened his eyes, a blue glow illuminated them, emanating from the mark on his chest. He raised a hand and, with a determined gesture, channeled the energy forward. An aura of power spread around him, lighting up the clearing with an intense glow. The pack's murmurs grew in volume; fear and admiration intertwined in the air.
The pack men stopped, surprised by the sudden burst of energy. It was a decisive moment, one that made them reconsider their strategy. With a fluid movement, Alex deflected an attack from the dark-haired man, using the energy to push his opponent backward, leaving him stunned.
However, the conflict didn't end there. The other pair of men regrouped and launched themselves at him again. Alex felt exhausted, his body tired from the effort, but something inside him drove him to continue. The fight went on, and although he demonstrated his new ability, the outcome was uncertain.
Finally, with a skillful turn, Alex managed to take down one of his opponents, but in doing so, his body gave in to accumulated fatigue. He fell to his knees, breathing heavily while the echo of his power still vibrated in the air.
The pack watched him in silence, and although Alex had been outnumbered, the demonstration of his new ability had left an indelible impression. A reverent silence fell among them, a mixture of admiration and a glimpse of fear at the power he had just unleashed.
"See?" said Gideon, who had approached while they fought. "Don't underestimate the legacy you carry. There are things in you that you must learn to control."
Alex looked at him, feeling the weight of his words. He knew his journey was just beginning. Not only did he have to learn to master his new power, but he also had to earn the pack's trust and discover how to handle the legacy he had inherited.
As the pack dispersed, some approached to offer a pat on the back, acknowledging his bravery. Alex, though exhausted, felt a spark of hope. He had faced a challenge and, although he hadn't gained another ability this time, he had taken an important step toward his true destiny.
The fight had been a valuable lesson, and Alex knew the path ahead would be difficult. But in his heart, the roar of the inner wolf continued to resonate, and he was determined to discover what it truly meant to be the last of his lineage.