Chapter 7:The weight of strength

Selena's limbs felt like lead as she pushed through another round of training. Sweat dripped down her brow, her muscles burning from exhaustion. Kade was relentless, forcing her to dodge, counter, and strike without hesitation.

"Faster," he barked, stepping back as she lunged forward.

She gritted her teeth, swinging with all her strength. He easily deflected her attack, his movements precise and effortless. The impact sent her stumbling, but she quickly recovered, refusing to let frustration get the best of her.

Kade tilted his head. "Not bad. But not good enough, either."

Selena exhaled sharply. "You're impossible to fight."

"You're not supposed to fight me." His voice was calm, but firm. "I'm teaching you how to fight them."

"Them?"

His gaze darkened. "The real threats. The ones who won't go easy on you. You think I'm harsh? You haven't faced true killers yet."

Something about his tone sent a chill down her spine. She wasn't just training to survive in this pack—there was more. A bigger fight.

Raven approached, arms crossed. "She's improving."

Selena wasn't sure if that was a compliment or just an observation, but before she could respond, a loud howl echoed through the trees.

Kade stiffened, exchanging a look with Raven.

"What was that?" Selena asked, her pulse quickening.

Raven's lips curled into a smirk, but there was no amusement in her eyes. "Looks like you'll find out soon enough

Selena followed Kade and Raven as they rushed toward the sound of the howl. Her heart pounded, every instinct screaming at her to be prepared.

They stopped at the edge of the pack's territory. A group of wolves—outsiders—stood in the clearing, their presence sending waves of tension through the air.

One of them stepped forward, a scar running down his left cheek. "You've been keeping something that doesn't belong to you."

Selena's breath hitched as his eyes landed on her.

Selena followed Kade and Raven as they rushed toward the sound of the howl. Her heart pounded, every instinct screaming at her to be prepared.

They stopped at the edge of the pack's territory. A group of wolves—outsiders—stood in the clearing, their presence sending waves of tension through the air.

One of them stepped forward, a scar running down his left cheek. "You've been keeping something that doesn't belong to you."

Selena's breath hitched as his eyes landed on her.

"Her."

Kade's stance remained unreadable, but Selena saw the slight shift in his weight, the way his hands curled just slightly—a silent sign that he was ready for a fight.

"She's one of us now," Kade said coldly.

The scarred wolf chuckled darkly. "She was never meant to be one of you."

His smirk widened. "You don't remember, do you?" He tilted his head. "Your parents never told you the truth?"

Something deep inside her stirred—something unfamiliar yet eerily familiar.

"I don't know you," she said, but doubt crept into her voice.

"Not yet," he replied. "But you will."

Without another word, he turned, his pack disappearing into the shadows.

Selena exhaled shakily, her mind racing.

What truth was he talking about?

Kade placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "Forget him."

But she couldn't.

Because for the first time, she realized there was something about herself she didn't fully understand.