"That was not Aria's leadership, neither. That represented instinct.
Luca walked in front of me, his voice piercing the quiet of the pack house, his tone keen but not cruel. I tightened my hands, the weight of his comments squarely falling on my shoulders.
My voice quivering with irritation, I continued, "I saved us." What then counts? The "
He fired back, pausing to face me, saying, "What counts is what occurs next. You made a choice in the heat of the moment and it worked. But you need more than instinct if you are going to lead this group. You need a plan. Control:
"I'm trying," I said, the words empty even as I uttered them.
Luca's eyes softened, but his face remained austere. I am aware. These days, however, effort is insufficient. The group counts on you to be more.
As we entered the training yard, the words lingered with me. Although wolves sparred in pairs with crisp, precise motions, the tension in the air was difficult to overlook. The onslaught had left the group still in shock, erasing confidence.
"You're not just training to fight," Luca replied, pointing for me to meet him in the middle of the yard. You are preparing to be a leader.
That implies that every action you do needs to inspire confidence.
Show them that, even in non-performance, you are in charge.
Heart pumping, I entered the circle. And how may I do that?("")
Luca barely grinned, his grey eyes shining with challenge. "by beating me."
" What? My gut dropped as I asked.
Taking a defensive posture, he responded, "You heard me." "Show me what Beta's daughter has. Set the standard by example.
Around us, the pack gathered, their voices filling the air as I squared up against Luca. Under their examination, my chest constricted, but I pushed myself to concentrate.
This went beyond me as well. It was about demonstrating to them—and to myself—that I could accomplish this.
First Luca moved, his blow deliberate and quick. I avoided, my instincts guiding me to strike him sharply from his side. He effortlessly deflected it, his smile growing.
"Not bad," he said with a mocking tone. You will, however, need more than that.
I clenched my teeth, my irritation driving my motions as we exchanged punches. Every hit and every evasion seemed like a test—not just of my will but of my strength.
As the battle went on, the whispers of the audience got louder, their stress obvious. Their enquiries, unsaid and deeper than any strike, were crushing down on me.
Why is her?
Is she really leading us?
A reminder of the link tying me to Luca—and the pack—the small mark on my wrist burned. I focused that energy, pushing myself quicker, harder until at last I struck a hit that drove Luca staggered back.
As he straightened, the yard became quiet; a little grin pulled at his lips. "There it is," he remarked, his voice low. "That's the leader they should visit."
Luca drew me aside as the group scattered, his face gentler now.
His tone sincere, he replied, "You're stronger than you think."
I said, the emotion in my voice startling even me: "And yet, I still feel like I'm not enough."
"That's normal," he said. Leaders are not about feeling ready. It's about rising even in non-performance situations.
His comments warmed me and helped me to calm the doubt tempest in my chest. "Thank you," I said softly.
Later, Kael materialized, his golden eyes shining in the last of the sun, while I practiced on the edge of the forest alone.
Leant against a tree, he remarked, "You're not bad."
Is it meant to be seen as a complement? I arched an eyebrow and inquired.
"Take it any way you want," he responded, grinning. "But you will have to do more than spar with Luca if you truly want to lead."
" Like what? "My workers dropped as I requested.
"Like understanding the pack," he remarked, his tone becoming austere.
"What they want, what they worry about, what they will battle for? Leading calls for more than simply power. About connection.
His comments really connected with me; I nodded slowly. "I will remember that."
I went with the group to the campfire that evening; the warmth of the flames chased the cold from the air. The assault lately depressed the wolves' morale, so they were quieter than normal.
Standing with their weight on me, I cleared my throat. "I realize things seem unclear right now," I remarked, my voice firm despite my fears. Still, we are not just a pack. Families are what we are. Families also keep together no matter what.
The quiet was deafening, but suddenly Damon moved forward with an unusually austere look. "We trust you, Aria," he whispered, his voice carried over the flickering flames. "Every one of us."
The pack mumbled in agreement, their voices becoming louder with every syllable.
The brand on my wrist burned hotter than ever as the fire burnt downward; the necklace around my neck flashed with brightness. A murmur gentle yet forceful kept repeating in my head.
"The next exam is coming. Set yourself ready.
I looked at Luca; her grey eyes reflected my will. We would confront whatever was coming together.