Chapter 07

The next morning, Xara awakened to a faint light streaming through the tiny windows of her modest chamber.

Xara stroked her fingers over the bandage on her palm, where Zayne had cut her. The relationship between them was established in blood, but what precisely did it mean? Will she ever have control over her own life again, or has she given it up completely?

The thought made her anxious, but she put it aside. She didn't have the time to dwell on it now. The Alphas had made it plain that the link was just the start. More challenges loomed, and she had no choice but to meet them. She couldn't afford to be weak—not in this world.

After a few seconds of thinking, Xara stood and approached the door. The stone hall was silent, with the normal chill of the air brushing against her skin as she stepped out into the main room. The fire from the night before had burned down to coals, leaving a pale glow on the stone floor.

Zayne, Luka, and Rowan had already gathered around the table, filling the atmosphere with an unstated tension. Even before she saw them, Xara could feel their connection, which buzzed like a second heartbeat.

Luka was the first to see her, and his eyes lit up with a familiar, taunting sparkle. "Well, look who's finally up," he commented, reclining back in his seat. "Thought you'd sleep the whole day away."

Xara gave a tiny smile, but the pressure in her shoulders had not totally dissipated. "I didn't sleep much."

"Understandable," Zayne explained, his voice low but firm. His amber eyes met hers with a piercing glance. "You've been through a lot."

She nodded, her head still racing with questions. "What happens now?"

Rowan, who had stayed silent as usual, soon spoke, his booming voice resounding throughout the room. "Now, you train."

Xara's stomach constricted. Of course. The fight with Kael was simply the first test. She still hadn't entirely proven herself. She wasn't merely expected to survive; she was supposed to battle for herself and, by implication, the Savage Blood Pack.

Zayne stood, his powerful body creating a broad shadow across the table. "We need to know you're ready for what's coming. "The relationship has made you stronger, yet strength alone is insufficient."

"Your body may be weak," Luka remarked, smirking again, "but that doesn't mean your mind has to be."

Xara's eyes flickered between them, and her heart quickened. She had no choice. If she wanted to survive in this pack, she needed to learn to fight. She needed to become more than the omega they imagined she was.

"When do we start?" she queried, her voice strong despite the fear that clutched her gut.

Zayne's eyes tightened, and a flicker of approval touched his lips. "Now."

Without saying anything further, they escorted her out of the stone hall and back to the training grounds. The air was cold, and the morning fog still hung over the trees like a ghostly veil. As they journeyed, Xara's heart hammered in her chest and her mind raced with anticipation of what lay ahead.

When they reached the clearing, the sight of the training grounds sent shivers down her spine. The domain was large, complete with obstacles, armament, and wolves at varying stages of training. The environment was packed with excitement, with growls and metal collisions resonating about.

Zayne looked at her with a harsh frown. "You will train with us today. We'll see what you've learned thus far—and how much further you need to go."

Xara gulped hard, her body clenched with expectation. She had never been schooled in battle. The Moonstone Pack had kept her in the shadows, never allowing her to develop the essential fighting ability. But the Savage Blood Pack was unusual. Here, strength was everything, and weakness meant death.

Luka handed her a wooden training sword, his eyes shining with joy. "Let's see what you've got, little omega."

As she went into the clearing, Xara clutched the sword tightly as her heart raced. She could feel their gazes on her—Zayne's attentive, Luka's humorous, and Rowan's quiet seriousness. They were all trying her to see whether she would break under tension.

But she refused.

She could not.

Zayne took the first step forward, his moves being precise and controlled. He circled her warily, like a predator inspecting its prey. "Defend yourself," he said, his voice calm yet commanding.

Xara tightened her grasp on the sword as she watched him, her muscles stiffened with expectation. She'd seen him fight before, and she knew how much raw force he wielded with ease. There was no way she could compete with him, but she had to try. She needed to prove that she was worth more than just an omega.

Zayne attacked, and Xara only had time to raise her sword and avoid the strike. The power of the strike sent a tremor through her arms, almost knocking the weapon from her hold. But she hung on, gritting her teeth as she lurched backward.

Zayne did not allow her the time to heal. He pressed forward, each stroke stronger than the last. Xara was on the defensive, her heart hammering in her chest as she fought to parry his punches. Sweat flowed down her brow, and her muscles protested, but she refused to give up.

"Come on, Xara," Zayne growled, his eyes blazing with determination. "Fight back."

Xara's pulse quickened, and something within her snapped. She swung the blade with her whole power, aiming for Zayne's side. He deftly blocked it, but his eyes twitched with shock.

"That's more like it," he remarked, stepping back slightly.

Xara's chest heaved with effort as she stared at him, her body shaking from the strain. She wasn't winning—far from it—but she did fight back. She'd taken the first step.

Luka stepped in next, his moves faster and more fluent than Zayne's. He circled her like a predator seeking its prey, his sneer never leaving. "You've got potential," he added, his tone light. "But you're not there yet."

He lunged, and Xara had little time to react. His fists were quick and precise, testing her reflexes. She blocked one after another, but Luka was unstoppable. He moved like the wind, with assaults coming from all directions, and Xara was struggling to keep up.

But she kept up.

Rowan peered from the sidelines, his black eyes following her every step. He didn't communicate, didn't offer any words of encouragement or criticism, but Xara could feel his presence, firm and strong, like an anchor grounding her in the pandemonium.

After what seemed like hours, Luka stepped back and lowered his blade with a grin. "That's not bad, little Omega. "You are tougher than I expected."

Xara collapsed to her knees, her chest heaving from exhaustion. Her muscles hurt, and her body called out for rest, but she had accomplished it. She had survived.

Zayne took a step forward, eyeing her with the same piercing focus. "You've proven you can hold your own in a fight," he stated quietly. "But this is only the beginning." If you wish to survive in this pack, you'll need to be faster and stronger.

Xara nodded, too exhausted to talk. She knew he was correct. She had passed one test, but there would be more. There'd always be more.

Luka extended his hand, bringing her to her feet. His grin was softer and less challenging. "You did great, Xara. But you have a long way to go.

Rowan eventually spoke, his voice low and measured. "You will become stronger. We'll make certain of it.