You have to step up, Aria.
The words of Luca lingered in the air, laden with expectancy. As we stood by ourselves in the training yard, the moon created a faint glimmer over the burned earth, and his keen grey eyes locked upon mine.
"I am stepping up," I shot back, anger exploding in my chest. "Or did you overlook the section in which I assisted to save your life?("")
"That was instinct," he said, his voice sharp but not nasty. "This is different. The pack needs more from you; the difficulties will only grow more difficult. More from you is what I need.
Though I couldn't refute the truth in his words stinging. The pack was observing me; their murmurs and uncertainties became louder with every step I made. They require more than simply a bonded mate or a Beta's daughter. They had to have a leader.
Driven to show myself, I joined the fighters in the training yard early the following morning. With his arms crossed, Damon stood on the brink of the group and studied me with a combination of doubt and interest.
You truly are going to attempt this. His voice almost condescending as he inquired.
Indeed, I replied with great conviction, staring at him. "Unless you would prefer keep questioning me from the sidelines."
Though he grinned, he had a flutter of reverence in his eyes. "Let's see what you have then.
Designed to stretch even the toughest wolves to their limits, the workouts were exhausting. My muscles protested, but I wouldn't back down; every stride, swing, and blow matched the speed of the warriors.
"Not bad," Damon said as I struck one of the dummies cleanly. But you still seem too predictable.
Then teach me how to be erratic, I said, moving towards him.
Not holding back was Damon, nor was I. The others watched our sparring; their whispers permeated the air as we collided. He was quicker and stronger; I was resolved. I avoided his blows and landed a strong blow on his side using every bit of concentration and planning
I had.
The audience muttered in appreciation, and for the first time I felt a flutter of something more than uncertainty in their eyes.
"Not bad," Damon muttered, laboring heavily. "Perhaps after all you have some fight in you."
"I have more than that," I answered, straightening with a thumping chest.
From the brink of the yard, Luca observed with crossed arms and a small grin pulling at the edges of his lips. Later, after the fighters scattered, he came up to me, his face inscrutable.
His voice quieter than before, he replied, "You're stronger than they give you credit for."
" About time someone noticed," I murmured, dabbing at my forehead to clear perspiration.
He laughed, then his eyes became focused. "Aria, strength goes beyond mere battle. It's about learning when to trust the people around you and when to ground yourself.
Quietly, I answered, "I'm working on it," the weight of his comments sinking over me.
That nightfall, the mark on my wrist started to glow weakly as I sat alone under the old oak at the edge of the woodland. The necklace around my neck pulsed in reply, its glow gentle and comforting.
"What from me would be of interest? I murmured, the query pointed at the Moon Goddess—or whatever had chosen to brand me with this unbreakable link.
The air surrounding me changed, and while no one else showed up, I sensed presence. "Your strength lies not in your power but in your heart," a quiet, musical voice gently resonated in my head. You will find the route, trust it.
The words made me shiver, and I gripped my hands as annoyance surfaced. "What exactly does that mean? "I stammered. Still, the voice did not respond.
Dawn arrived with the following trial. Gathering around the edge of the woodland, the pack had mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety.
The elderly gathered in a circle, their gloomy faces reflecting the absence of rules—or their explanation of them.
One of them continued, his voice sad, "This challenge will test your perseverance. "It will challenge your emotional and physical boundaries. You cannot achieve without teaming together.
Sounds familiar, Luca mumbled next to me.
Though my nerves were straining at the margins, I said, "Let's hope we've learned something by now."
The challenge started with a demanding ascent up a steep, rocky hill, the road narrow and dangerous. Higher we ascended, the thinner the air become, and every step scorched my muscles.
Luca advised, his voice firm as he kept near by: "Keep moving."
Gritting my teeth, I muttered, "I'm trying," pushing myself forward.
Halfway up, the road collapsed underfoot and I staggered, heart jumping into my throat. Luca's hand sprang out, snatching my arm and dragging me back to security.
You fine? His grey eyes looked at me for injuries when he inquired.
Though my hands still shook, I replied, "I'm fine." "thanks."
"Don't mention it," he murmured, his little but comforting smile.
At the summit, a large stone circle greeted us on a platform. The ascent stopped there. A pedestal in the middle lay a brilliant sphere whose light pulsed like a heartbeat.
Today?My voice full of both wonder and anxiety, I asked.
Luca stepped towards the podium and stated, "We find out."
He staggered back as he grabbed for the ball and a barrier of light burst around it. Deep and resonant, a voice rang across the air: "Only one may take the orb. One alone can demonstrate their power.
The whispers of the group became more loud, their stress obvious.
"What does this imply? With a beating heart, I asked.
"It means this one's on you," Luca remarked, staring straight at me.
With hands shaking, I moved forward towards the orb. My fingertips touching it sent a wave of energy through me, and the world around me broke apart into light.
I off the plateau now. Rather, I stood alone in the center of a huge forest. Shadows scuttled amid the trees, their brilliant eyes tracking me with predatory purpose.
The necklace around my neck blazed, its light guiding the road ahead. Burning on my wrist, the mark pushed me forward.
"You are stronger than you believe," the voice from past repeated in my head. Still, strength devoid of confidence is weakness.
The shadows surged, their bodies contorted into terrible forms.
With all I had, I battled them off; my motions now were more instinctive and quick than they had been. Every hit, every stride forward seemed like a declaration—a rejection to give up.
The trees vanished and I was back on the plateau as the final shadow melted into light; the orb still radiated in my palms.
The pack fixed me, their emotions a combination of horror and wonder. Luca moved closer, a little grin on his lips.
"Told you you're stronger than they think," he whispered softly.
The pedestal started to break as the brightness of the ball darkened, and the earth shook underfoot.
My wrist's brand burned hotter than it had ever done, and I felt a burst of vitality flood over me.
Looking at Luca, I added, "This isn't over."
"Not even close," he said, his face determined.
The next ordeal was waiting, and I knew it would test our bond's strength as much as my own.