Forge ahead.

The training grounds were quiet in the early morning, the air crisp and cool as the first rays of sunlight started to shine. I stood in the center of the ring, my hands tightened, my breath visible in the chilly air. Marcus stood across from me, his expression unreadable as he adjusted the straps on his gloves. He was a mountain of a man, his presence commanding and his movements precise. Today, he wasn’t just my trainer—he was my opponent.

“You’re holding back,” Marcus said, his voice gruff. “Again.”

I nodded, my heart pounding as I lunged at him, my movements quick but hesitant. He sidestepped me easily, his hand coming down on my shoulder with enough force to send me stumbling. I caught myself before I fell, my cheeks burning with frustration.

“I’m trying,” I said, my voice trembling. “But I’m not like you. I’m not a warrior.”

Marcus stepped closer, his expression softening slightly. “You’re not just an omega,” he said, his voice firm. “You’re the queen. And whether you believe it or not, you have the strength to lead. You just need to find it.”

His words echoed in my mind as I straightened. I wanted to believe him, but the doubt in my heart was hard to shake. I had spent my entire life being told I was weak, that I didn’t belong. It was hard to imagine that anything had changed.

We sparred for what felt like hours, as Marcus pushed me harder than ever before. My body ached, my muscles screaming in protest, but I refused to give up. I couldn’t afford to be weak, not anymore, I had Clarice on my mind during my training session. I have to be strong enough to face her no matter what!

“Again,” Marcus said, his voice sharp as he dodged another one of my attacks. “You’re still holding back. Stop thinking and just move.”

I gritted my teeth, my frustration boiling over as I charged at him again. This time, I didn’t hesitate. My movements were quick, my body moving on instinct as I aimed a blow at his side. He blocked it easily, but I didn’t stop. I pressed forward, my attacks coming faster and harder until he was forced to take a step back.

For a moment, I felt a flicker of something I hadn’t felt in a long time—confidence. But it was short-lived. Marcus countered with a blow that sent me sprawling to the ground, the air rushing out of my lungs when I hit the dirt.

“Better,” he said, his voice approving as he reached down to help me up. “But you’re still too predictable. You need to think ahead, anticipate your opponent’s moves.”

I nodded, my chest heaving as I struggled to catch my breath. “I’m trying,” I said, my voice strained. “But it’s hard.”

Marcus’s expression softened, and he placed a hand on my shoulder. “I know,” he said, his voice low. “But you’re stronger than you think. You just need to believe it.”

“Why are you doing this?” I asked, my voice quiet. “Why are you helping me?”

Marcus was silent for a moment, his gaze distant as he stared out at the horizon. “Because I’ve seen what happens when people underestimate you,” he said finally. “And I’ve seen what happens when they don’t. You’re stronger than you think, Yolanda. You just need to believe it.”

Marcus stepped back, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. “You’re improving,” he said, his voice gruff but approving. “But you’re still holding back. Why?”

I hesitated, my hands trembling as I wiped the sweat from my brow. “I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice quiet. “I guess… I’m afraid.”

“Afraid of what?” he asked, his tone sharp but not unkind.

“Afraid of failing,” I said, my voice breaking. “Afraid of letting everyone down. Alejandro, the kingdom… myself.”

Marcus was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he stepped closer, his gaze intense. “You think you’re the only one who’s afraid?” he asked, his voice low. “You think Alejandro isn’t afraid? That I’m not afraid? Fear doesn’t make you weak, Yolanda. It’s what you do with it that matters.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and for a moment, I couldn’t speak. I had never thought of it that way before. Fear wasn’t something to be ashamed of, it was something to overcome.

We took a short break, the silence between us comfortable as I sipped water from a canteen. Marcus leaned against the training ring’s wooden post, his arms crossed as he watched me.

“You’ve changed him, you know,” he said suddenly, his voice quiet.

I looked up, surprised. “Changed who?”

“Alejandro,” he said, his tone softening. “Before you came along, he was… different. He was always brooding, always angry. He carried the weight of the kingdom on his shoulders, and it was killing him.”

I frowned, my heart aching at the thought. “What do you mean?”

Marcus sighed, his gaze distant. “He was lonely,” he said simply. “For over a century, he’s been alone. No mate, no one to share the burden with. He put on a brave face, but I could see it, the emptiness in his eyes, the way he’d shut himself off from everyone. He was drowning, Yolanda. And then you came along.”

I felt a lump form in my throat, my chest tightening with emotion. “I didn’t do anything,” I said, my voice trembling.

“You did,” Marcus said firmly. “You gave him something to fight for. Something to live for. You made him… happy. And that’s not something I ever thought I’d see.”

His words stayed with me as we resumed our training, my movements becoming more confident with every passing minute.

Marcus stepped back, his expression serious. “One last round,” he said, his voice gruff as usual. “Show me what you’ve got.”

I nodded, my heart pounding as I stepped into the ring. I took a deep breath, my body moving on instinct as I charged at him again. My attacks were fast, my movements were like fluid as I moved forward. Marcus countered with ease, but I didn’t stop. I pressed forward, my determination growing with every blow.

I nodded, my chest heaving as I struggled to catch my breath. “I’m trying,” I said, my voice strained. “But it’s hard.”

Marcus’s expression softened, and he placed a hand on my shoulder. “I know,” he said, his voice soft. “But we’ll get past it”

As the sun set, casting long shadows across the training grounds, I stood there, my body aching but my spirit lighter than it had been in weeks. Marcus’s words echoed in my mind, a reminder that I wasn’t alone in this. I had Alejandro, I had Marcus, and I had the strength to keep going. The day ended well.

“You were incredible my queen” Marcus said, his voice filled with sweetness as he bowed and walked away and I was proud of myself.