Chapter 3 3

Alfred's presence lingered in the packhouse, an unshakable force that seemed to shape the air around her. Evelyn spent most of her time alone in the small room she had been given, her thoughts consumed by everything that had happened. She tried to process the weight of Alfred's words, but they only seemed to make her confusion grow deeper. You're the key to something bigger. You have the potential to change everything.

She didn't understand it. She didn't want to understand it. But she couldn't ignore the flickers of power she sometimes felt within her, especially in moments when her emotions ran high. It was as though a part of her-some dormant piece of herself-was waking up, and the more she ignored it, the more it demanded attention.

The night was the worst. Every time she closed her eyes, the nightmares came, vivid and suffocating. They were always the same: a faceless figure, chasing her through a forest of shadows, his breath hot on her heels. No matter how fast she ran, she could never escape. She would always feel his presence closing in, and the fear that surged within her was unlike anything she had ever felt before.

When she woke, her body would be drenched in sweat, her heart pounding, as if she had truly been running for her life.

But in the morning, when the sun finally broke through the trees and filtered into her room, things felt... different. The weight of the night seemed lighter, though still pressing down on her.

Today, however, would be different. Alfred had insisted on starting her training. She had no idea what that entailed, but she knew it wasn't something she could avoid.

After a breakfast of bread and fruit-simple and unassuming-she was escorted through the packhouse grounds by one of Alfred's betas, a tall, dark-haired wolf named Jace. He didn't speak much, his eyes scanning the area constantly, as if always on alert. He was clearly more than just an ordinary wolf in the pack. A trusted ally, perhaps.

"Training begins at the clearing by the river," Jace said as they walked, his voice low and practical. "Alpha wants you to be prepared for anything."

Evelyn nodded, unsure of what to expect. The cold morning air bit at her skin as they walked through the pack's territory. She noticed the wolves that patrolled the perimeter, their eyes watchful, their movements swift and silent. There was no doubt in her mind now-this was a dangerous place, and she was deeply entrenched in it.

When they reached the clearing, Evelyn was surprised by how peaceful it seemed. The river flowed quietly nearby, its waters sparkling in the early light. The trees surrounding the area were tall and sturdy, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. But even in the calm, there was an undercurrent of tension, a reminder that nothing here was truly safe.

Alfred stood at the edge of the clearing, his posture relaxed but alert, as if waiting for her arrival. His eyes flicked toward her as she stepped into the clearing, and for a moment, their gazes locked. There was a strange, undeniable pull between them, one that she couldn't explain and didn't want to. But she couldn't ignore it, no matter how hard she tried.

"Evelyn," Alfred greeted her with a nod, his voice calm but firm. "It's time."

She wasn't sure what to say. She had expected something grander, something more intimidating, but instead, Alfred simply stood there, as though he were waiting for her to take the first step.

"Time for what?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"For your training," Alfred replied, his tone clipped, almost like he was holding back something. "The sooner we start, the better."

"And what exactly are you going to teach me?" Evelyn raised an eyebrow, trying to maintain some semblance of control in the face of the uncertainty that loomed over her.

"You're a hybrid," Alfred said, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. "That means you have a connection to both the human world and the wolf world. But that doesn't mean you're fully in control of either. Your power, your instincts-they're there, but you haven't tapped into them fully."

Evelyn shifted uncomfortably, feeling as though he could see straight through her. "And what makes you think I want to tap into them?"

Alfred's lips twitched, a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Because you don't have a choice. You think you can survive this world by running away, but you can't. You have power, Evelyn. And with it, you can either protect yourself or destroy everything you hold dear."

Her chest tightened at his words. He made it sound so simple, as if everything came down to a choice she wasn't ready to make. She hadn't chosen this life, but it seemed like it was already choosing her.

"You want me to fight?" Evelyn asked, her voice low.

"I want you to learn to defend yourself," Alfred corrected her. "We're not at war yet, but we will be. And when the time comes, you'll need to be prepared."

Evelyn exhaled sharply, frustration rising within her. "I'm not a fighter, Alfred. I don't even know what I'm supposed to be."

"That's what we're going to find out," Alfred replied calmly. "We start small. Get a feel for your abilities."

Without warning, he stepped forward, closing the distance between them in a matter of seconds. His movements were fluid, graceful, but there was nothing tentative about him. Everything about him screamed power and control.

"Your instincts will guide you," Alfred said, his voice steady. "Trust them."

Evelyn's breath caught as he stopped mere inches from her. His golden eyes were fixed on hers, and for a moment, she felt like she could drown in the intensity of his gaze. She didn't understand the connection between them, but it was undeniable.

"Focus," he instructed. "Feel the power inside you. Let it surface."

She swallowed hard, her body tense. She didn't know how to do that. She didn't even know where to start. But somehow, she couldn't shake the feeling that if she didn't listen, if she didn't try, she'd be swallowed by the very darkness she was running from.

"Let go of your fear," Alfred said, his voice cutting through the confusion in her mind. "Embrace it. Use it."

Evelyn's heart thudded in her chest, but she tried to focus on his words. She had been running for so long, trying to outrun her past, trying to outrun what she was. But here, in this moment, she realized that she couldn't escape anymore. She had to face whatever was inside her.

With a deep breath, Evelyn closed her eyes, trying to block out everything around her. She could feel the energy in the air, the coolness of the river, the warmth of the sun on her skin. But beneath it all, there was something else-a pulse, a beat, almost like the rhythm of her own heart. It was there, just beneath the surface, waiting for her to acknowledge it.

She focused on that rhythm, letting it settle in her bones, letting it expand until she could feel it in every fiber of her being. For a moment, everything was still. And then-

A spark.

A surge of heat coursed through her, rising from deep within her chest. She gasped, her body trembling as the power inside her surged forward, unbidden. The air around her crackled, and for the first time, she felt it-truly felt it-the power that had been dormant inside her all along.

Alfred's eyes widened slightly as he watched her, his expression unreadable. But he didn't speak. He simply watched her, waiting.

Evelyn opened her eyes, her chest heaving with the effort of controlling the newfound power. It was still there, like a storm waiting to break free, but for now, she kept it contained. Barely.

"I didn't know I could..." she whispered, her voice shaking. "What is this?"

"This is you," Alfred said, his tone quiet but full of understanding. "This is the beginning of what you can become. And it's only the start."

Evelyn's breath came in shallow gasps as she stood in the clearing, her entire body alight with energy. It was like a floodgate had been opened inside her, and she had no idea how to control it. The power thrummed beneath her skin, wild and untamed, making her feel alive in a way she had never known before. Yet, with it came a sense of fear-a fear of losing control, of letting the storm inside her break free and destroy everything in its path.

For a moment, she thought she would collapse from the weight of the power, but she gritted her teeth, fighting against the panic that threatened to overwhelm her. She had to control it. She had to learn how.

Alfred watched her closely, his gaze intense, as if studying her every move. He made no attempt to help, no words of encouragement or warning-just a silent observer, waiting to see what she would do.

"Focus," he said, his voice low and steady, like a grounding force in the storm raging inside her. "Don't let the power control you. You control it."

Evelyn clenched her fists at her sides, her heart pounding in her chest. Control it. The words echoed in her mind as she tried to steady herself. Her eyes flicked to the ground, watching as the earth beneath her feet seemed to shimmer with the energy that flowed through her.

She had never felt anything like this before-this raw, untapped force. It was so much more than just strength. It was a connection to something deeper, something primal.

"Take a step," Alfred instructed. "You need to use that energy. Not just feel it."

Evelyn hesitated, but she obeyed. She took a tentative step forward, her legs shaky under the weight of the power still surging through her. As her foot touched the ground, she felt the energy pulse beneath her, like a living thing responding to her movements. It was disorienting, but she didn't let it stop her.

Another step.

The power grew with every movement she made, the air around her humming as if alive with her energy. She was barely in control, but she was moving. Her heartbeat matched the rhythm of the power inside her-strong, steady, a drumbeat that pushed her forward.

"Good," Alfred's voice came again, and this time, there was a flicker of approval in his tone. "Now, move faster."

Evelyn's instincts kicked in, and before she could even think about it, her body obeyed. She moved quicker, faster, the power in her feet driving her forward like an invisible force propelling her. Her body responded in ways she didn't fully understand, but somehow, it felt natural. The connection between her movements and the energy inside her was undeniable.

She didn't stop. She kept running, pushing herself, feeling the wind whip past her as the clearing blurred into motion. She had no plan, no strategy-just the raw need to move, to test the limits of her new strength. She felt the world around her shift, the trees bending with the energy she released as she passed them.

Her breath was ragged now, her legs burning, but she didn't slow down. She couldn't.

Then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the energy began to fade. The overwhelming power in her veins slowly receded, and with it, the speed, the intensity. Her steps grew heavier, and the clearing around her seemed to return to its original calm.

She stumbled to a halt, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. For a moment, all she could do was stand there, hands on her knees, as the remnants of power fizzled away. It was as though the air itself had been drained, and she was left with nothing but her own exhaustion.

Alfred walked toward her, his steps steady and sure, and she straightened up, wiping the sweat from her brow. Her body felt like it was made of lead, her muscles sore from the exertion, but there was a strange sense of accomplishment in her.

"You're stronger than you realize," Alfred said, his eyes scanning her. "That was a good first step."

Evelyn shook her head, her mind still spinning. "I don't know how I did that. I didn't even -"

"That's the point," Alfred interrupted, his gaze softening slightly. "You didn't think about it. That's what makes you dangerous."

Evelyn looked at him, her heart still racing. "Dangerous? I don't want to be dangerous."

Alfred's gaze softened further, but there was a sharp edge to his words. "You already are. You've always been. You just didn't know how to control it." He paused, his voice lowering. "You're not just a hybrid. You're the daughter of two powerful bloodlines- one human, one wolf. The potential inside you is unlike anything I've ever seen. And it's why the Crescent Pack is coming for you."

Evelyn clenched her fists, the power inside her flaring up again, though it was weaker this time. "I don't want to be part of this war. I don't want to be hunted. I just want to be left alone."

Alfred's eyes darkened, and he stepped closer, his presence imposing yet oddly comforting. "I understand that. But the Crescent Pack won't stop until they have you. And when they come, you won't have the luxury of running away. You have to be ready."

She wanted to argue. She wanted to scream at him, to tell him she didn't ask for any of this. But instead, she just nodded, her thoughts swirling with confusion. Her mind was racing, and yet, she knew one thing for certain- Alfred was right. No matter how hard she fought it, no matter how much she resisted, she was a part of this now. And there was no escaping it.

"You'll need to learn to fight," Alfred said, his voice calm again. "Not just for yourself, but for the people you care about. If you don't learn to control your power, it will consume you."

Evelyn didn't respond, but the weight of his words sank in. She didn't want to fight. She didn't want to be a weapon. But she couldn't ignore the truth of it: if she didn't learn, if she didn't embrace the power inside her, she would be vulnerable-exposed.

"I'll train you," Alfred continued. "But it won't be easy. There are no shortcuts in this world."

"I know," Evelyn replied quietly, her voice steady but filled with uncertainty. "I know there's no easy way out."

Alfred studied her for a moment, his golden eyes searching. "You're stronger than you think. But strength is not just about power. It's about control. And that's what we'll focus on- teaching you how to control it, how to use it when it matters."

Evelyn nodded, though the weight of what was to come hung heavy in her chest. She didn't want to be part of this war, didn't want to be trained to fight. But she had no choice. She was already caught in the middle.