Nov

es, and the impossible presence of an Alpha watching me. I couldn't let myself get distracted. Not by fear, not by curiosity, and definitely not by the strange pull I felt toward him. I didn't have time for feelings that could ge

train here without anyone watching me or judging my every move, like Betas do. I crouched down low and listened to the beat of my own heart. I let out a small, almost unnotice

. Muscles tightened and loosened, limbs hit their targets perfectly, and every move had a purpose. I pictured a Beta in front of me, a threat to me or my fello

routes, good terrain, the weight of a weapon, the angle of a strike, and how anyone who thought I was weak might react. I had learned that intelligence was just as important

myself, tested my limits, and was alive and capable. I took a short break, crouched down on the forest floor, wiped the sweat off my forehead, and looked around the clearing. I had a mental map of every tree, shadow, and uneven patch

told me to hide in the shadows. A Beta. One of the patrols. They were moving through the woods, way too close for comfort, looking around as if they

e Beta walked by within a few meters, not knowing I was there. They were too sure of themselves and thought that Omegas were weak, su

ntrating. I realized that even my secret training wasn't without risk. Every step I took and every skill I practiced could have been discovered. One mistake could

hat I was fighting more than one person at a time and thinking about how to protect myself and others. I imagined situations in which Betas would try to take control, a rival pack might

st floor and saw things I had never seen before, like the pattern of the moss, the way the roots twisted and made natural barriers, and th

ing underfoot, and then the quiet crunch of leaves that shouldn't have been disturbed. My body tensed up right away, and I froze, ready to move

ings. This time they were much closer, too close for comfort, and I could feel the panic rising in my chest even though I tried to keep it down.

my hiding place, and their heads tilted as if they were listening for something or sensing something they couldn't name. I couldn't even blink. I coul

ps faded into the distance again. As I let out my breath, my knees shook a little bit, and I felt both relief and excitement. I had lived, stayed hidde

itself was pushing me to be better, faster, and smarter with every strike, move, and tactical choice. And maybe it was. Maybe the forest, the

nd planned in a way that made my heart race. I could feel that someone else was here, watching and waiting, even before I saw them. Somethin

Then I saw him move between the trees, and my heart raced. The First. Kael. Looking. Watching. Not making a sound. Not moving. But his presence

fire inside me, the anger that had gotten me this far, wouldn't go away. I wouldn't go away. I wou

tten closer and stepped into the clearing just enough for me to feel the strength of his gaze. He didn't say anything or act aggressively, but I knew f

und echoed loudly through the clearing, and I froze, knowing right away that he had heard it. He narrowed his eyes a

mmanding voice that easily

e not s

uld sense me, and that the game had begun. I didn't say anything; I just held my breath and waited to see what t

was a Beta from my own pack, walking straight toward my hiding spot with narrowed eyes. I pushed myself

had f