Patience.

I resumed training the next morning, the training grounds were bathed in morning dew, the air crisp and cool. I stood in the center of the field, my breath visible in the early morning chill. Marcus stood across from me, his arms crossed and his expression serious. He had been pushing me harder than ever these past few weeks, and though my body ached from the relentless training, I could feel myself growing stronger, faster, sharper, more in tune with my wolf.

“Again,” Marcus said, his voice firm. “And this time, don’t hold back. Your wolf is stronger than you think. Trust her.”

I nodded, shifting my weight as I prepared to attack. My wolf stirred within me, her presence a steady, grounding force. I charged forward, my movements fluid and precise, but Marcus sidestepped me with ease, his reflexes as sharp as ever. He countered with a swift strike, and I barely managed to block it, the impact sending a shovk through my arms.

“Good,” Marcus said, a hint of approval in his voice. “But you’re still thinking too much, I've told you to stop thinking too much. Stop trying to control every move and let your wolf take the lead.”

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes for a moment to focus. My wolf surged forward, her energy blending with mine until it was hard to tell where I ended and she began. When I opened my eyes, the world seemed sharper, clearer. I could hear the rustle of leaves in the distance, smell the faint scent of dew on the grass, and feel the pulse of power coursing through my veins.

This time, when I attacked, it was different. My movements were faster, more instinctive, and Marcus had to work harder to keep up. I feinted left, then spun to the right, catching him off guard and landing a solid hit to his side. He grunted, stumbling back, but there was a look of pride in his eyes.

“That’s it,” he said, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “You’re starting to get it.”

We continued training for hours, pushing my limits until my muscles burned and my breath came in gasps. But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. There was something inside me, something powerful and untapped. That I was only beginning to understand. My wolf was different from other omegas. She wasn’t just a companion, she was a part of me, a force that could be harnessed in ways I had never imagined.

By the time we finished, the sun was high in the sky, and I was drenched in sweat. But I felt alive, more connected to my wolf than ever before. Marcus clapped a hand on my shoulder, his expression one of quiet pride.

“You’ve come a long way, Yolanda,” he said. “But this is just the beginning. Your wolf has abilities that set you apart, I can feel it, abilities that could make you one of the most valuable assets to the Lycan kingdom. Don’t ever doubt that.”

I nodded, a sense of determination settling over me. I wasn’t just training to protect myself anymore. I was training to protect Alejandro, to face Clarice, to protect the kingdom, and to prove that I was more than just an omega. I was a fighter.

That evening, I found Alejandro in the study, his brow furrowed as usual, he was gazing over a stack of reports. He looked up as I entered, his expression softening when he saw me.

“Yolanda,” he said, his voice warm. “I heard you were training with Marcus today. How did it go?”

I smiled, a sense of pride swelling in my chest. “It went well. I’m starting to understand my wolf better, her strength, her instincts. Marcus says I have abilities that set me apart.”

Alejandro’s eyes lit up, and he stood, crossing the room to pull me into his arms. “I never doubted you,” he said, his voice filled with pride. “You’re stronger than you realize, Yolanda. And every day, you prove that to me.”

I leaned into him, breathing in his scent, letting it calm the storm inside me. “I just want to be someone you can rely on,” I said softly. “Someone who can stand by your side, no matter what.”

Alejandro cupped my face in his hands, his look steady and full of love. “You already are,” he said. “You’ve always been. And I couldn’t be prouder of the woman you’re becoming.”

He kissed me then, his lips soft and warm against mine. It was a kiss filled with promise, with pride, and with a love that burned brighter than ever. In that moment, I felt invincible.

But unknown to us, Clarice had been watching from the shadows. She stood in the corridor outside the study, her sharp eyes narrowed as she listened to our conversation. Her lips curled into a sneer, and she turned away, her mind racing.

Yolanda was becoming stronger, stronger than she had anticipated. And that was a problem.

Clarice moved swiftly through the palace, her steps silent and deliberate. When she reached her chambers, she locked the door behind her and pulled out a small mirror. She whispered a few words, and the surface of the mirror rippled like water before clearing to reveal Lucian’s face.

His red eyes glowed with malice, and his lips curled into a cruel smile. “Clarice,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “What news do you bring me?”

“Yolanda,” Clarice said, her voice sharp and urgent. “She’s growing stronger. Her wolf has abilities that set her apart, abilities that could make her a threat to our plans.”

Lucian’s expression darkened, and his growl rumbled through the mirror. “Then we’ll deal with her,” he said. “But not yet. Let her grow, let her think she’s safe. And when the time is right, I’ll destroy her and my brother once and for all.”

Clarice nodded, a sly smile spreading across her face. “As you wish, my lord.”

The mirror went dark, and Clarice set it aside, her mind already working on her next move. Yolanda might be growing stronger, but she was still just an omega. And omegas, no matter how powerful, always had a weakness.