First Strike.

The days after my introduction to the Lycan court were full of activity and overwhelming expectations. Alejandro was determined to prepare me for my role as queen, and while I appreciated his efforts, the weight of it all felt depressing and suffocating. Everywhere I went, I was followed by servants, guards, and advisors, their eyes constantly watching, waiting for me to falter. It was as if they were all silently questioning whether I, a weak Omega from a small pack, truly belonged in this world of power and prestige.

Alejandro, however, seemed ignorant to my struggles or perhaps he chose to ignore them. He was always by my side, guiding me through the intricacies of Lycan politics and introducing me to the various sections within the court. His confidence in me was unwavering, but no matter how much he reassured me, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was an outsider. The court was a labyrinth of alliances and rivalries, and I was stumbling through it blindfolded.

One morning, Alejandro took me to the palace’s training grounds, a vast open space where Lycan warriors honed their skills. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and earth, and the sound of clashing swords echoed in the distance. My stomach churned as I realized why we were here.

“You need to learn to defend yourself,” Alejandro said, his voice firm but gentle. “I won’t always be there to protect you, and I need to know that you can handle yourself if something happens.”

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. “But I’ve never fought before. I don’t even know how to shift into my wolf.”

He placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding me. “You’re stronger than you think, Yolanda. Your wolf is there, you just need to learn to trust her.”

Before I could protest, he called over one of the trainers, a tall, muscular Lycan with a stern expression. “This is Marcus,” Alejandro said. “He’ll be working with you.”

Marcus bowed his head slightly, but I could see the skepticism in his eyes. “My queen,” he said, his tone polite but distant. “Shall we begin?”

I nodded, though my hands were trembling. Marcus led me to a cleared area and began to explain the basics of combat. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t seem to get the hang of it. My movements were clumsy, and I stumbled more times than I cared to admit.

“Focus,” Marcus said, his voice sharp. “You’re not just an omega anymore. You’re the queen. Act like it.”

His words stung, but they also ignited something within me. I clenched my fists, determined to prove him wrong. As I lunged forward, I felt a surge of energy course through my body. My vision blurred, and for a moment, I thought I saw the outline of a wolf, MY WOLF!!!

But just as quickly as it came, the feeling vanished, leaving me breathless and disoriented. Marcus raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “Again,” he said.

The training session left me physically and emotionally drained. My body ached, and my pride was bruised. As I made my way back to the palace, I couldn’t shake the feeling of inadequacy. I was supposed to be the queen, yet I couldn’t even land a single blow in training. How was I supposed to lead an entire kingdom?

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind me. I turned to see Clarice approaching, her arms crossed and a sly smile on her lips.

“Well, well,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery. “If it isn’t the little omega queen. How was your first day of training?”

I straightened my posture, refusing to let her see how much her words affected me. “It was fine,” I said, my voice steady. “Thank you for asking.”

Clarice chuckled, stepping closer. “You know, it’s adorable how hard you’re trying. But let’s be honest you’ll never be one of us. You’re just a weak little omega playing dress-up.”

Her words cut deep, but I refused to back down. “I may be an omega,” I said, meeting her gaze, “but I’m also Alejandro’s mate. And that makes me your queen.”

For a moment, Clarice looked taken aback, but she quickly recovered, her smile turning venomous. “We’ll see how long that lasts,” she said before turning on her heel and walking away.

I watched her go, my heart racing. I knew Clarice was a threat, but I also knew I couldn’t let her intimidate me. If I was going to survive in this world, I needed to find my strength and fast.

That night, as I lay in bed, I couldn’t stop thinking about the surge of energy I had felt during training. Was it possible that my wolf was finally awakening? I closed my eyes, focusing on the feeling, and to my surprise, I heard her voice, clear and strong.

“I’m here,” she said. “And I’m ready.”

Tears welled in my eyes as a sense of relief washed over me. For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel weak. I felt powerful.

But before I could fully process what was happening, a sharp pain shot through my body. I gasped, clutching my chest as my vision blurred. When it cleared, I was no longer in my room. Instead, I was standing in a dark forest, the air thick with the scent of pine and blood.

In the distance, I saw a figure—a man with piercing red eyes and a cruel smile. It was Lucian, Alejandro’s twin. He was surrounded by a group of Lycans, their faces twisted with malice.

“You think you can take my throne?” Lucian sneered. “You’re nothing but a weak little omega. And when I’m done with you, no one will even remember your name.”

I tried to speak, but no sound came out. Instead, I felt a surge of energy, and suddenly, I was no longer afraid. I stepped forward, my eyes glowing with a fierce light.

“You’re wrong,” I said, my voice echoing with power. “I am Yolanda Edwards, mate of the Lycan King. And I will not be defeated.”

I woke with a start, my heart pounding and my body drenched in sweat. Alejandro was by my side in an instant, his arms wrapping around me.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.

I shook my head, trying to calm my racing thoughts. “It was just a dream,” I said. “But it felt so real.”

Alejandro held me tighter, his presence soothing my frayed nerves. “You’re safe,” he said. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

I wanted to believe him, but the memory of Lucian’s cruel smile lingered in my mind. I knew the threats were real, and I couldn’t rely on Alejandro to protect me forever. If I was going to survive in this world, I needed to find my own strength.

The next morning, I woke with a renewed sense of determination. I dressed quickly and made my way to the training grounds, where Marcus was already waiting. He raised an eyebrow as I approached, clearly surprised to see me.

“I’m ready,” I said, my voice steady. “Let’s try again.”

Marcus nodded, a hint of respect flickering in his eyes. “Alright, my queen. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

As we began to spar, I focused on the energy I had felt the day before. It was faint at first, but as I moved, it grew stronger, filling me with a sense of power I had never known. My movements became more fluid, more precise, and for the first time, I managed to land a blow on Marcus.

He stumbled back, a look of surprise on his face. “Not bad,” he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Not bad at all.”

I smiled back, feeling a sense of accomplishment I hadn’t felt in years. For the first time, I felt like I might actually belong in this world. And as I looked out at the palace, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, I would face them head-on. I was Yolanda Edwards, mate of the Lycan King, and I would not be defeated.