Shirley's POV
The only sounds in the chilly, hostile forest were the cries of wolves in the distance and my trembling breaths as shadows crept between the trees. I walked about in a daze, shivering and clinging to my arms. I only knew that I couldn't go back, but I didn't know where I was heading.
I was reminded of how long it had been since my last meal by the rumbling in my stomach. Exhaustion struck me hard, and I slumped down to the ground, leaning against a tree. Now I was alone, very alone. No friends, no family, no pack. Only me.
I muttered, "Shirley, pull yourself together," attempting to ignore the panic that was building inside of me. "You must possess strength."
Though, I didn't feel strong. I felt lost, afraid, and powerless. I wished that everything would simply vanish as I closed my eyes. Perhaps this would all be a bad dream and I would wake up back in my bed if I slept off. However, I knew in my heart that wasn't the case.
Then I heard a stir close by. With my heart racing, I sat up. As the noise intensified, I became immobile and froze.
"Who is present?" With a shaky voice, I screamed out.
One of the men I didn't recognize emerged from the shadows. He had dark, untamed hair, piercing eyes that seemed to see straight through me, and a towering, powerful build. With a flicker of panic, I immediately backed up. He didn't resemble any of the pack members.
He raised his hands as though to indicate that he meant no harm and whispered, "Calm down." "I don't come here to harm you."
"Who are you?" Trying to speak steadily, I asked.
He looked at me from head to toe and said, "Name's Ryder." "And you appear to be in some trouble."
I tried to straighten up by clenching my hands. "I don't require your assistance."
He gave a quiet laugh. "Really? Because you appear to be on the verge of passing out at any moment.
He was right, and I detested it. I was exhausted, my legs trembling from dread and hunger. However, I didn't want to tell a stranger about it.
I obstinately replied, "I'll be fine."
Ryder's eyebrow went up. "All well, then. I wish you luck in surviving alone out here. The woodland is not as hospitable as it appears. I briefly had a wave of panic as he turned to go.
"Hold on!" Before I could stop it, the word escaped. Ryder stopped and gave me a small smile in return.
He crossed his arms and answered, "Thought so." "You don't appear to be the kind of person who is accustomed to being by themselves out here."
With a groan, I conceded defeat. "I... I have no idea what I'm doing. This is my first time out here.
Ryder nodded as his eyes grew softer. "Well, stay with me for the time being. I am familiar with these woodlands.
After leading me to a little area a few hours later, Ryder gave me some water from his flask and a handful of berries.
He handed them to me and said, "Here." "It's not much, but it will sustain you."
Feeling a little less hungry, I accepted the berries with gratitude. "I'm grateful," I whispered.
Ryder watched me intently as he leaned back against a tree. "So, why are you out here alone, a pack wolf like you?"
With Eric and the rejection still fresh in my mind, I hesitated. I looked down at my hands and mutely confessed, "My pack... they cast me out."
Ryder's eyes flickered with astonishment as he arched an eyebrow. "Caught you? That is severe. What did you do?
"Nothing," I said sourly. "They simply didn't believe I had the strength to be one of them."
Ryder's face grew serious. They seem to be the weak ones, then. Cowards are the only ones who discard their own.
I was surprised by what he said, and I felt a glimmer of optimism as I gazed up at him. "You believe so?"
He shrugged. "I am aware of that. Being strong is more than just having strength and being able to yell. It's about perseverance, survival, and the determination to go on when others give up.
I nodded, attempting to process what he had said. Though I tried to be tough, my doubts persisted. Is it possible for me to live here? Would I be able to disprove them all?
Breaking the stillness, Ryder remarked, "Tell you what." "I could teach you some things if you'd like. How to fight, how to survive things that might be useful out here.
I gave him a startled look. "You'd help me with that?"
He grinned. "Don't misunderstand me. This is not something I'm doing out of charity. I simply believe that you have some untapped ability. And I could use some companionship out here.
After a moment of hesitation, I hesitantly nodded. "All right. I'll give it a shot.
He nodded at me in approval and said, "Good." "Training begins at sunrise tomorrow. And it won't be simple, I assure you.
Ryder was shaking my shoulder when I woke up the following morning. "Go for it, Shirley. You must work hard if you want to learn.
Despite my pain from lying on the ground, I moaned and made myself get up. After guiding me to a clearing, Ryder grabbed a big branch and held it in front of me like a weapon.
"Defense is the first lesson," he stated. There are no safety nets or packs to keep you safe out here. You must depend on yourself.
I was unclear about what to do and grasped the branch awkwardly. Ryder walked around me, correcting my stance and showing me how to hold it correctly.
"Remain grounded. "Pay attention to your balance," he said. "And use your strength without fear."
I tried to do what he said, swinging the branch as he demonstrated. It seemed awkward and incorrect at first, but I began to get the feel of it with every practice swing.
Ryder kept a careful eye on me, his eyes keen. "All right. You have a lot more strength than you realize.
His remarks filled me with a weird sense of pride, and I pushed myself even more, wanting to show that I was capable.
I learned more about the jungle from Ryder over the course of the following several days, including where to obtain food, how to move stealthily, and above all how to protect myself. We trained daily, and I gradually started to see a change in myself. I was more than the frightened, feeble girl her pack had thrown away.
While we were practising one evening, Ryder suddenly lunged with his branch at me. I responded instinctively, deflecting his blow with a strength I was unaware I possessed.
"Excellent!" he said, grinning proudly. You see? You are capable of it.
I felt a weird sensation surging through me as I stared at my hands in amazement. Something I had never experienced before seemed to have risen deep within me.
"Ryder..." I muttered as an odd heat began to rise within me. "I feel a little different."
He looked at me intently and arched an eyebrow. "In a different way?"
I attempted to explain, but my words fell short. I just knew that I had a power inside of me that I had never used before.
Ryder retreated a step and looked at me critically. "I believe you're stronger than you think, Shirley. You are more complex than you first appear to be.
Gazing down at my hands, I could feel the energy whirling within me. It was strong and uncontrollable, like a storm.
"Ryder... What's going on with me?
With a gleam of concern in his eyes, he shook his head. "I'm not sure. Whatever it is, though, you will have to learn to manage it.
A chill went through me as I gazed up at the fading sky. I had arrived here with a sense of emptiness and unworthiness. Now, though, something was different.
The power inside me was growing, a force I couldn't fully understand. And I knew, somehow, that this was only the beginning.