The cold dawn seeped into the cracks of the stone fortress, painting the walls in shades of gray and silver. Alison sat on the edge of the wooden cot in her new room, her arms wrapped around her knees. The room was small and barren, save for a thin mattress and a single torch flickering weakly in the corner. Her mind was still reeling from Kane's words.
The last of your kind. A white tiger.
It sounded ridiculous. Impossible. Yet the memory of the vision she'd had—the woman with silver hair, the shadows that swallowed everything—made her stomach churn. She hated that it felt real, more real than anything she'd ever experienced.
A soft knock at the door startled her from her thoughts. Before she could answer, it creaked open, and Lyra stepped inside, carrying a bundle of clothes.
"You need to get dressed," Lyra said curtly, placing the bundle on the cot beside Alison.
"For what?" Alison asked, her voice sharp with lingering anger.
"Kane wants to see you," Lyra replied, her green eyes scanning Alison with a mix of impatience and curiosity. "He's waiting in the main hall."
Alison's jaw tightened. She was tired of being dragged around like a pawn in a game she didn't even understand. But the thought of defying Kane sent a shiver down her spine. Reluctantly, she grabbed the clothes—a simple tunic and pants—and started changing as Lyra turned her back.
When she was done, Lyra glanced over her shoulder and nodded. "Follow me."
The fortress was a maze of cold stone corridors and shadowed corners. Lyra walked ahead, her boots clicking softly against the floor. Alison kept close, her gaze darting to every flickering shadow, every distant sound. The faint scent of damp earth and smoke clung to the air.
"What's this about?" Alison asked after a while, breaking the silence.
"You'll find out soon enough," Lyra replied, her tone clipped.
"Of course," Alison muttered under her breath. "More cryptic nonsense."
Lyra didn't respond. They turned a corner and entered a large hall. The space was cavernous, the high ceilings supported by thick stone columns. A massive fireplace roared at the far end, casting warm light across the room. Kane stood in front of it, his back to them, his posture rigid.
"You're late," he said without turning around.
"She's here now," Lyra said, stepping aside to let Alison pass. "Try not to scare her off this time."
Kane shot Lyra a cold look, and she smirked before walking out of the room. The heavy door closed behind her with a thud, leaving Alison alone with Kane. The tension in the air was palpable.
"What do you want now?" Alison asked, crossing her arms. She wasn't in the mood for more lectures or vague warnings.
Kane turned to face her, his icy blue eyes locking onto hers. "You're going to train."
Alison blinked. "Train? For what? I'm not some soldier you can just order around."
"No," Kane said, his voice calm but firm. "You're something far more important. And if you want to survive, you'll need to learn how to defend yourself."
"I've made it this far without your help," Alison snapped. "I think I'll manage."
Kane's gaze darkened. "You were nearly killed last night. If I hadn't been there, you'd be dead."
Alison flinched but quickly masked it with defiance. "Maybe I wouldn't have been in danger if you hadn't kidnapped me in the first place."
"You don't understand what's at stake," Kane said, his voice dropping. "This isn't just about you. It's about everyone."
Alison rolled her eyes. "Oh, great. More speeches about destiny and responsibility. Spare me."
Kane stepped closer, his expression hardening. "This isn't a debate. You have no idea what's coming, Alison. The hunters won't stop until they find you. And if they do, they'll tear this world apart."
"Then let them," Alison said, her voice trembling. "I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask to be part of your war."
Kane's jaw tightened, and for a moment, he said nothing. Then, his voice softened. "No one asks for destiny, Alison. It chooses you. The only question is whether you'll face it… or run from it."
Alison stared at him, her anger wavering under the weight of his words. She wanted to argue, to yell, but deep down, she knew he was right. The vision she'd seen, the power she'd felt—it wasn't something she could ignore. Whether she liked it or not, her life had changed forever.
"What kind of training?" she asked finally, her voice quieter now.
Kane's expression softened slightly, though his tone remained firm. "Combat. Defense. Control. If you're going to survive, you'll need to learn to fight."
"Fine," Alison said, though her stomach twisted at the thought. "When do we start?"
"Now," Kane replied, gesturing for her to follow him.
They exited the hall and made their way to an open courtyard. The morning light filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the stone ground. A few members of the pack were already there, sparring and practicing with weapons. They paused as Kane and Alison entered, their gazes wary.
"This is Alison," Kane said, his voice carrying across the courtyard. "She'll be training with us."
The murmurs that followed were far from welcoming. Alison felt their eyes on her, their judgment heavy and unspoken. She squared her shoulders, refusing to show weakness.
"Why don't you start by sparring with Lyra?" Kane suggested, his tone almost amused.
Lyra stepped forward, a sly smile on her lips. "With pleasure."
Alison frowned. "You've got to be kidding me."
"No," Kane said, his gaze steady. "You wanted to prove yourself. Here's your chance."
Lyra tossed a wooden staff to Alison, who barely caught it in time. She turned it over in her hands, her grip awkward and unsure. Lyra twirled her own staff effortlessly, her confidence only making Alison more nervous.
"Ready?" Lyra asked, her tone teasing.
"Not really," Alison muttered, adjusting her grip.
Lyra didn't wait for a better answer. She lunged forward, her staff striking out with surprising speed. Alison barely managed to block, the impact jolting through her arms. She stumbled back, her breath quickening.
"Focus," Kane called from the sidelines. "Stop hesitating."
Alison gritted her teeth, her frustration boiling over. She stepped forward, swinging her staff with all the strength she could muster. Lyra dodged easily, countering with a swift strike that knocked the staff from Alison's hands.
"Pathetic," Lyra said, shaking her head. "She's not ready for this."
Alison's cheeks burned with embarrassment, but she refused to back down. She picked up the staff, her grip tightening. "Again."
Kane's gaze lingered on her, a flicker of approval crossing his face. "Good. Let's see what you're made of."