I woke up the next morning with a familiar tightness in my chest. The same annoying anxiety that had settled in me since I'd arrived.
I told myself it was just nerves, that I'd feel better once I got more used to life here. After all, this pack was supposed to be just a temporary stop.
Just a fresh start for my son and I. A place where, maybe, we could finally start feeling safe and accepted.
But being here wasn't as simple as I'd hoped.
Yesterday's events were still fresh in my mind. The sick pack member. Ryker's suspicions. The way he had almost accused me of bringing the illness myself.
I thought I'd proven myself by healing that man. That I'd finally be valued for my skills and might even be accepted here. But as I looked around at the wary glances some pack members cast my way, I realized trust wasn't so easily won.
I sighed, glancing at my son, who was still fast asleep beside me. I needed to do better, for both of us.
This was our best shot at starting a stable and safe life, even if that meant changing a bit to fit in, then so be it. Today, I had to try to be more social, to make friends, even if it felt forced.
I spent the morning helping out around the pack, doing small favors here and there, chatting with anyone who'd listen. I kept my tone light and friendly, my smile wide, even though the effort felt unnatural.
I wasn't used to trying so hard to win people over. Back in my old pack, I'd been valued for my skills as a herbalist, just staying at the edge of the pack territory with my son, nothing more. But here, I wanted more than just acceptance for what I could offer to the pack. I wanted to belong.
But still, the comments stung as my mind kept replaying them.
"So, the dwarf's good with herbs, but what about the rest of her skills?"
"She talks too much, but can she keep up with the rest of us?"
I ignored the comments, doing my best to keep my head high, but doubt slowly started to creep in.
Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe I was trying too hard, changing too much of myself. And maybe that only made me look weaker.
I was lost in thought, casually talking to one of the pack members while holding my son, when Ryker's voice broke through my thoughts.
"Linah!" He was striding fast toward me. I straightened myself trying to hide my surprise.
"Yes, your Highness?" I responded casually.
"You're coming to training with us today."
I blinked, caught off guard. "Training?"
"Yes, training. Here, everyone learns how to fight. No exceptions," he said, crossing his arms. "I won't have anyone in my pack who can't defend themselves, or others, for that matter."
I opened my mouth to argue, but he held up a hand, cutting me off. Yesterday, when he had talked about the training, I had thought that it was just watching that I had to do.
In my previous pack, I had also enjoyed watching the training sessions so it was something that wasn't going to be new to me, but the fighting part was going to be totally something else!
"Don't even try to argue your way out of this," he warned. "You want to stay here for a while? You train. End of story."
I grinded my teeth, fighting the urge to snap back. "Fine. But don't expect much. I'm not exactly warrior material," I muttered, feeling the familiar resentment of Ryker, slowly rising beneath the surface.
He gave me a cool look. "Let's go."
As we walked to the training grounds, I found myself just talking, unable to resist. "You know your Highness, I'm more of a 'fix you up after a fight' type of person, not a 'punch people in the face' type. But sure, why not? Sounds like fun."
Ryker cast me an unimpressed glance. "Your mouth is going to get you in trouble one day, you know that?"
"Oh, I know," I softly responded, unable to control myself. "But hey, it's gotten me this far. Maybe I'll talk my way out of the next fight too."
He just shook his head, clearly not amused. But as we reached the training grounds, I felt a strange feeling of excitement. I'd spent some time running, hiding, feeling like I could barely protect myself, let alone my son.
Maybe… just maybe, this would be good for us.
Ryker took me through some basic stances and defensive moves, his expression critical as he watched me fumble my way through the drills.
I could feel his impatience rising, but I forced myself to focus. Every time I felt myself slipping, I remembered why I was doing this, for the safety and freedom my son and I deserved.
"All right, let's see if you can handle a mock fight," he said after a while, stepping back and motioning me forward.
"A mock fight?" I responded with a faint voice.
He smirked, "Consider it a test. If you can hold your own, then maybe you'll be worth keeping around."
The challenge in his eyes was unmistakable, I felt my spine stiffen in response.
"Fine," I said, "Let's see what you've got."
We squared off, and he moved first, a quick jab aimed at my shoulder. I sidestepped, barely missing the blow, and tried to remember the moves he'd shown me. I managed a clumsy block, throwing him off balance just enough to duck away.
He raised an eyebrow. "Not bad."
"Oh, don't get used to it," I muttered, shifting my weight from foot to foot, trying to look more confident than I felt.
We traded very light blows, each one a test of my reflexes and creativity. Every time he tried to anticipate my moves, I switched things up, using my smaller frame to slip out of his reach.
At one point, he lunged, and I managed to dodge just in time, grabbing his arm and using his momentum against him. He stumbled, regaining his balance just in time, but his expression shifted slightly, like maybe, just maybe, he didn't see me as completely helpless.
After a few more rounds, he finally held up a hand, signaling the end of the sparring session. We were both breathing hard, and I could feel the sting of a few bruises forming, but there was a strange sense of satisfaction bubbling up in me.
"You're tougher than you look," he admitted, his tone almost respectful.
Unable to resist the satisfactory feeling, I grinned. "Was that a compliment? From the great Ryker himself?"
"Don't get ahead of yourself," he muttered, though there was a faint smirk visible at the corner of his mouth.
Over the next few days, our sparring sessions became more regular. He pushed me, challenging me in ways I'd never expected. And slowly, grudgingly, I could feel some bit of respect growing between us.
One evening after training, I was sitting on the edge of the training ground, catching my breath, when Ryker and Xander approached me.
"You've been making quite an impression on Ryker," he remarked, smiling warmly. "Not an easy feat."
I laughed, "Impression? I think he's more likely just tolerating me."
Xander chuckled. "He doesn't let many people in, Linah. So for him to keep training you… it means something."
I looked away, unsure how to respond. It was strange, this sense of acceptance I was beginning to feel, even if only a little. But it was a dangerous feeling, one that made me wonder if I was letting my guard down too soon.
As if reading my thoughts, Xander lowered his voice. "Linah, I know you're carrying some… burdens with you. You don't have to talk about it, but just know that Ryker and I are here to help if you need it."
My heart skipped a beat, and I forced a smile. "Thank you very much for the offer. But I can handle it."
He hesitated, as though debating whether to push further. Finally, he nodded. "All right. But just remember, you're not alone here."
I watched him walk away, a knot of anxiety forming in my stomach. I'd spent so long depending on myself, on my own skills and instincts, that the thought of relying on someone else was… terrifying.
But at the same time, there was a part of me that yearned for it. For that feeling of safety, of being valued not just as a healer but as… me.
The problem was, I didn't know how to let down my guard without risking everything. And then there was the constant fear, the one I tried to bury, but that always lingered at the edges of my mind.
What if he found us?
What if the Zakes found his way here? The thought of putting my son at risk again made my blood run cold, and I clenched my fists, pushing down the wave of fear. No. I wouldn't let that happen. Not again.
I stood up, determined to keep my focus, to keep building something stable here. But even as I headed back toward the pack's main area, I caught sight of Xander again, speaking quietly with one of the senior pack members. He glanced in my direction, his expression troubled.
And that's when I heard a faint snippet of their conversation that made my blood freeze...
"...father of her child, you say?"