Chapter 04

Xara stood outside the big stone hall, arms securely wrapped about herself, attempting to calm the constant thrumming of her heart.

The door behind her creaked open, and she turned to see Luka stroll out, his customary grin already in place. His dark eyes traveled over her, appraising, but the smile never reached his gaze. "You ready for today, little omega?" he questioned, his voice flowing with fun.

Xara stiffened at his words. She had no idea what they had in store for her, but she knew it would not be easy. Nothing in this location was. "What's going to happen?" she queried, her voice gentle but steady.

Luka's grin deepened as he moved closer, his manner a mix of amused threat and curiosity. "You will see soon enough. But don't worry, Xara; we won't let you get lost out there. Maybe."

She swallowed hard, seeking to suppress the rush of worry that threatened to overwhelm her. Luka's tone always made her skin shiver, as if he liked seeing her squirm under the weight of his words. He was always trying her, stretching her limitations to see how far she could go before snapping.

A slight growl from behind Luka grabbed Xara's attention, and she looked up to see Zayne emerge from the hallway, his expression as dark and inscrutable as ever. Rowan followed, his silent, somber presence contributing to the tangible tension between them all. They were all so different—Zayne with his frigid authority, Luka with his deadly charm, and Rowan with his deep silence—but united, they were a force that left her reeling.

"Enough games, Luka," Zayne replied firmly, his amber gaze sweeping across his brother before falling on Xara. "She needs to focus."

Luka shrugged, but the grin stayed on his face. "Just trying to loosen her up a little, brother. There's no need to get overly serious.

Zayne ignored him and shifted his whole focus to Xara. "We're going to the training grounds," he said, his tone leaving no place for debate. "It's time you learned how to survive in our world."

Xara felt her heart skip a beat. The training ground. She'd heard about them—rumors spread throughout the packs about the awful trials that took place there, and the warriors who emerged stronger, or not. She never expected to find herself there, but she also never anticipated to be tethered to three Alphas.

"Follow us," Zayne shouted, his voice slicing the icy air like a blade. Without waiting for a response, he turned and started walking toward the village's outskirts, his strides long and resolute. Luka and Rowan flanked him, their gazes shifting between Xara and the way ahead, as if they were studying her and waiting to see whether she would falter.

Xara hesitated briefly before following, her heart pounding in her chest. She needed to keep up. She needed to prove she was strong enough to survive here, even if it meant pushing herself to her limits.

The path they chose was tiny, snaking through the dense woodlands that surrounding the village. The fog made it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead, but Zayne led them with the assurance of someone who has been through these woods several times. Xara concentrated her sight on his back, using him as an anchor while the deep forest threatened to engulf her whole.

Luka, the talker, shattered the silence as they proceeded. "You ever trained before, Xara?" he said, his voice light, as if they were discussing something as inconsequential as the weather.

Xara shook her head, feeling the burden of her inexperience fall hard on her shoulders. "No. I was not authorized."

Luka hummed thoughtfully. "I figured as much. The Moonstone Pack was never known for producing formidable warriors, was it? More like... what is the word, Rowan?

"Fragile," Rowan muttered, his deep voice sending thrills down Xara's spine.

Luka laughed quietly. "Right. Fragile."

Xara's jaw clenched, and her pulse sped at their words. Fragile. It was a word she'd heard all her life, murmured behind her back and spoken with scorn by those who saw her as nothing more than a weak omega. But something inside her snapped at the notion of being regarded in that manner by these people, these Alphas who required strength.

"I'm not fragile," she said gently yet firmly, shocking even herself.

Luka gazed at her, one eyebrow lifted in amusement. "Is that true?" "Well, today is the day to prove it, little omega."

They arrived at the training grounds not long after, and Xara's breath caught in her throat as she took in the scene before her. The grounds were large, a place ringed by high trees with several barriers and armament strewn about. The air was thick with the smells of earth and perspiration, and she could hear wolves exercising in the distance—growls, groans, and the clang of metals.

Zayne hesitated at the edge of the clearing, examining the surroundings before turning to meet Xara. "Today, we're going to see what you're capable of," he declared, his tone as harsh and demanding as ever. "You're going to fight."

Xara blinked, her stomach twisting with nervousness. "Fight? "But I've never—"

Zayne cut her off with a severe gaze. "You will learn. "We all did."

Her pulse accelerated, and her hands trembled slightly as she imagined what lied ahead. She had never fought or trained in battle. The Moonstone Pack had hidden her away since she was too weak and fragile to be of much use. But now, standing in the midst of the Savage Blood Pack's domain, she had no option.

Luka went forward, his smile gone and replaced by a more serious look. "Do not worry, Xara. We'll go easy on you. "For now."

She wasn't sure if his statements were intended to console her, but they merely increased her anxiety. Her heart pounded in her breast as Zayne handed her a tiny dagger, the blade glistening in the early light. The weight of the weapon in her hand felt weird, but there was something wonderfully relaxing about holding it. She wasn't helpless any more.

"Your opponent is one of our best fighters," Zayne replied, pointing to the far end of the clearing. "There is a warrior named Kael. "You will spar with him."

Xara followed his gaze, her eyes widening as she noticed the wolf approach. Kael was massive, with muscles vibrating beneath his skin and gliding with the grace of a predator. His eyes, sparkling gently from the light of his wolf, latched on Xara as he approached, his face equivocal.

"I'm not ready for this," Xara whispered, terror building in her breast. The prospect of confronting someone like Kael, who was substantially stronger and more experienced, filled her with dread.

"You'll never be ready," Zayne replied, his tone harsh. "But you have no option. "If you can't protect yourself here, you won't make it out there."

His words struck her hard, the weight of them pouring into her bones. He was correct. She had no choice. This was her life now, and if she didn't learn to survive, she would be consumed by the wrath of the pack. She tightened her grasp on the dagger, striving to stop her hands from shaking.

Kael went to the center of the clearing, his attention never leaving hers. His sheer stature was terrifying, but he carried himself quietly, almost patiently. He wasn't looking at her as prey, but as someone to be tested.

Zayne stepped back and nodded at Kael. "Begin."

Before Xara could adequately process the command, Kael sprang toward her, moving quicker than she could have imagined. She hardly had time to raise her dagger before he was on her, his movements flawless and controlled. He wasn't attempting to hurt her, but simply to test her reflexes—and she was failing.

The initial stroke was hard and quick, knocking the blade from her fingers and sending her flying backward. Kael did not stop, racing at her with a speed that made her breathless. Xara scrambled for the dagger, but Kael's foot landed on her wrist, pinning her to the ground.

"Too slow," Kael commented, his tone low but not angry. He lifted his foot, allowing her regain her equilibrium.

Xara's chest heaved with effort, and her pulse hammered in her ears. She could feel the triplets' eyes on her, examining her, waiting to see if she would stand or fall beneath the pressure. Her body screamed at her to give up, declare defeat, and accept her fate as the weak omega that everyone thought she was.

But something deep within her resisted.

Xara clinched her teeth, grasped the dagger, and surged toward Kael with fresh determination. She lacked his might and talent, but she did have something else: desperation. She needed to prove herself, to show them she wasn't weak.

Kael easily ducked her strike, but he seemed astonished when she came closer, unwilling to back down. She did not care whether she failed. She didn't care if she got beaten. She needed to fight.

For the first time in her life, Xara felt a burst of power rush through her veins—a strength she had no knew she possessed. She swung the dagger repeatedly, each time with more determination than the last. Kael blocked each one, but he didn't respond, letting her to push herself and feel the weight of her own potential.

Finally, after what seemed like an hour, Kael took a step back and lowered his posture. "That's enough."

Xara stood there, her chest heaving and her body shaking from the exertion. Her hands were rough, and her arms ached, but she'd done it. She'd fought. She had survived.

Zayne moved forward, his countenance inscrutable. "Not bad," he said, his tone gruff. "For a first attempt."

Luka smiled, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "You've got more fight in you than I thought, little omega."

Rowan remained silent as usual, but there was something in his gaze that hadn't been there before—a hint of respect.