Chapter 8

• Garrick quickly stepped forward to Torin's rescue, his eyes glowing with satisfaction and approval. "Well done work, Liora," he had said, obviously impressed. "Your improvement rate has skyrocketed to a very high level; that's very impressive; keep it up."
• Torin managed to stand to his feet, and messaging the portion of his chest that my blow had landed. "Not bad at all," he finally admitted, even though he was trying hard to withhold paying his respect to me. "Truthfully, you’ve got something usual; an unquenchable fire is in you; I give you your flowers."
• I smiled while still maintaining eye contact with him. "Thank you, so much," I replied softly, proud of myself and the confidence I displayed.
• As we continued to train, I noticed a pair of eyes steadily focused on me. It was Alpha Rhys. He wore an unreadable expression, something more than admiration. At that point, I knew within me that he was evaluating me, carefully assessing my progress in the pack. He had generously given me a place in the pack, even a chance to prove my worth when no one else dimmed it fit to do. And more than anything in the world, I resolved to show him appreciation by standing out.
• After we finished the first section, which was the sparring session with Torin, Garrick, our trainer, pulled me aside, away from the prying eyes of other warriors. "I am more than impressed today, you’ve got great and rare potential in you, Liora," he complimented, but with a serious tone. "A very rare kind of potential. But my advice to you is to keep focusing on your reason for being here; don't deviate an inch. Turn your pain, the anger boiling up in you, the humiliation, channel them all into your training."
• I smiled, nodded, and thanked him for his encouragement. I had been focusing my energy on all he said since the day I stepped my feet into Night Howlers. I made sure to project the rejection, the betrayal from my pack, and the humiliation before me each time I threw a punch, a kick, or even a blow, making sure to strike with precision.
• "I promise to keep pushing myself to do better," I promised him. "I won't stop until I become the best."
• Garrick gave out a smile which hardly reached his teeth. "Good then. Because, right from this moment, we won't go easy on you again."
• As we walked back to the training ground, I caught sight of Alpha Rhys’s eye. He made a gesture with his head, a demonstration of his approval of my hard work. It was the cutest thing to see, it shows he wasn't disappointed after all for taking me in, and that was more than enough.
• I had transformed for good, stronger, faster, and even a better person in carriage and demeanor. The once timid and weak Omega was nowhere to be found, the one that was once rejected and thrown out of her pack, and she's now replaced by a confident, daring, spirited warrior, ready to defend her pack and prove her worth.
• And as one of the goals, I must one day, stand face to face with the only man that was supposed to love and protect him, but instead, he threw away to the mercy of the wild animals. I would show him my worth, and all that he missed. But till then, I need to hone my skills more through continuous training.
• Growing Interest in Alpha
• From days to weeks and eventually months, I kept transforming since my arrival in this pack. Every bit of it was astonishing. I never stayed a day without training, relentlessly honing my skills. The highlight of it all was my dedication being acknowledged by my trainers and the whole of Night Howler warriors; surprisingly, the Alpha also noticed.
• At first, the Alpha was skeptical about taking me in, but he changed his mind later, believing everyone should be given an equal opportunity to prove themselves.
• On a bright afternoon, after an exhausting training session, Alpha Rys had approached me. "You've done so well for yourself these days," he said as he smiled, something very hard for him to do. "But, you know you can still do more than this, right? There is lots more to learn."
• I looked up to meet his gaze, "Thank you so much, Alpha. I'm more than ready, and I am willing to learn and embark on any training you would love to subject me to."
• He locked his eyes with mine, carefully studying me and looking right into my soul. "Very well, then, Liora," he said finally. "Tomorrow, I would like us to train together, it may become a routine."
• The next day, the whole pack gathered in numbers at the training ground. I was surprised at who informed them of my training with the Alpha. The eagerness to be spectacular and witness the great sparring with their Alpha, and I was great. The Alpha, according to the story, hardly trains anyone, making everyone raise an eyebrow and be determined to see the training. Everywhere was filled with anticipation. I felt excited and somehow special. I was a rare opportunity to learn from the best.
• The fight finally began, and as expected, it was nothing like other training. The Alpha showed a great, relentless spirit, knowingly pushing her to a tight corner, nodding her to her limit. It was obvious he wanted the very best for her, testing her speed, her stamina, and even her ability to think fast while on her feet. When the fight started, it appeared like the Alpha was developing a soft spot for her, taking it easy on her, but eventually adjusted, increasing the intensity bit by bit.
• I fought with the Alpha, putting in my all. I blocked and equally dodged Alpha's strikes, making sure to counterattack gracefully. It was skills from relentless and rigorous training. The training was a tough one as the Alpha kept on bringing different strategies, defying my efforts, effortlessly.
• After practicing for many hours, he finally allowed us to rest. We stood panting heavily, and raising his head, he smiled at me while we were still standing at the center of the training ground. The pack cheered greatly at how well we displayed our skills.
• "I must give it to you; you're incredibly skilled," the Alpha admitted truthfully while smiling. "But I noticed something unique, you didn't just have the skill. You have both the skill and the spirit."
• I felt my head swelling at his praises. "Thank you, so much, Alpha. I owe everything to you and Night Howlers."
• He simply nodded, but his gaze at her was still unwavering. There seemed to be more to this new gaze, a softness had replaced his usual Alpha self, something not seen regularly. The softness appeared all of a sudden, like he was beginning to see me beyond a warrior.
• As the days went by, I noticed a total change in Alpha Rhys' demeanor when around me. Even during training, I would occasionally get a glimpse of him watching or staring at me. His facial expressions became unreadable most times, but he had a lot to say. Maybe it's the look of affection or admiration.
• I did my best not to take things to heart by dismissing them at first and labeling them as imagination; I know so well that it wasn't, but I still believed them to be so. Most times, his words flatter me and also make me uneasy.
• At the close of training one particular evening, Alpha Rhys followed me to the forest for my time alone. I go everywhere and know everywhere that nature calls to watch and admire its beauty.
• "I must confess, you're different from anyone that our path has crossed," he confessed out of the blue.
• I turned sharply to look at him, shocked at the vulnerability he displayed. "I... don't have an idea of what to reply to you," I told him honestly.
• "You mustn't say anything; it's okay to just listen," he replied with a serious face. "I just want to bring it to your knowledge that I see you, Liora. You are a different species, very resilient, entirely different from your mates. I see strength, the spirit beyond normal eyes. And I am not ashamed to admire it."
• At this point, my heart started pacing uncontrollably; funny enough, my heartbeats did not just increase but skipped a beat as the Alpha continued sweet-talking me. I only came to the Night Howlers to discover myself and hone my skills, but it seemed a lot was looking for me lately. Alpha Rhys' stares were always different from the others, always unique, and gave her goose pimples.
• Indeed, night howlers don't just give hope to the hopeless and everyone around, but they also train and hone your skills till you come out the best. And for Alpha Rhys, sooner or later, he will make his intentions known.