Chapter 7

Aurora's POV

Sweat poured down my face, mingling with the dust that rose from the ground with each strike. My muscles strained, my mind sharpened, and yet I felt the pull of something wild beneath my skin, the power that was still new and unpredictable. Noel was across from me, his fists clenched, his stance ready—each move more precise than the last as we circled each other.

Noel’s energy crackled in the air between us, raw and explosive, and I could see his wolf just beneath the surface, eager to break free.

“Again,” he growled, his voice edged with the rumble of his wolf. “You’re hesitating.”

I took a breath and readied myself, gripping the hilt of my dagger tightly. My powers surged beneath my skin, but they felt like an untamed flame, sparking in random bursts rather than the steady flow of control I wanted. Inhaling deeply, I steadied my thoughts, but with each pass, the energy flickered, stubborn and evasive.

Noel’s shadow loomed closer, his eyes narrowing as he sensed my distraction. In an instant, he lunged, fast as a whip, and his fist collided with my side, knocking the breath out of me. I stumbled, catching myself just in time.

“Stay focused, Aurora,” he said, a glimmer of worry breaking through his frustration. “You’re letting the power control you instead of using it.”

“I’m trying!” I snapped, but even as the words left my mouth, I felt a pang of guilt. This was just as hard on Noel as it was on me. I knew he was fighting his own battle with his powers, the edges of his control fraying as his wolf grew stronger by the day.

With a nod, he softened his stance. “Then try again. We don’t have the luxury of time.”

I took a steadying breath, holding onto the spark inside me, willing it to become a steady flame. Focus, I reminded myself, steadying the erratic pulses of energy.

When Noel moved again, I was ready. This time, instead of lunging forward, I held my ground, feeling the energy rise and settle into my veins. I pushed out with my mind, sending a burst of force toward him. He staggered, and for a moment, triumph flared within me.

But it was short-lived. The surge of power flared beyond my control, and I felt it spiral, wild and unpredictable. A gust of wind erupted around me, pushing Noel further back than I’d intended, nearly slamming him into the rock wall of the cave.

“Damn it,” I cursed under my breath, the control slipping again.

“Better,” Noel said with a wry smile, brushing himself off. “But it’s like holding back a storm. We need more time.”

As we resumed our stance, footsteps echoed from the cave entrance, and I turned to see Aaron, Landon, and Oliver observing from the shadows. Landon gave a small nod of encouragement, while Aaron’s eyes glinted with admiration. But Oliver’s face was serious, calculating.

They watched as Noel and I trained, each attempt a struggle to contain the raw power that surged within us. Aaron and Landon whispered to each other, but Oliver’s gaze stayed fixed on Noel, a furrow deepening on his brow.

Finally, after another round of sparring, Oliver stepped forward, his voice steady. “This is too much power for one pack to handle,” he said, his eyes never leaving Noel’s. “The balance has to be maintained. And this… this is dangerous.”

Noel straightened, understanding the weight behind Oliver’s words. “What are you saying?”

Oliver exhaled slowly, his face grim. “You need to leave, Noel. At least until you can learn to control this. One slip, one moment of lost control, and you could tear through this pack.” He looked at me, his expression unreadable. “Both of you could.”

The words hit like a physical blow, and I felt the sting of betrayal, a raw ache forming in my chest. But I could see the strain in Oliver’s face, the weight of the decision he carried as Alpha.

“Are you serious?” My voice trembled. “Noel and I just got our powers, our memories… You can’t ask him to leave now.”

But Noel stepped forward, his face set with determination. “If it’s what’s best for the pack, then I’ll go.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but the look in his eyes silenced me. This wasn’t just about power—it was about control, safety, and a responsibility we couldn’t ignore. Noel gave me a steady look, and I felt the weight of his decision settle into my bones.

The goodbye was quick, a quiet exchange of words between Noel and the others. He turned to me last, his hand resting on my shoulder. “You can do this, Aurora. I know you can.”

And with a final look, he was gone, his figure disappearing into the shadows of the forest.

The following days were a blur of frustration and emptiness. Training without Noel felt hollow. Each time I tried to summon the power, it resisted, slipping out of my grasp like sand through my fingers. My anger boiled beneath the surface, and I could feel the tension growing between me and the others.

Aaron and Landon tried to support me, offering encouraging words and sparring sessions, but it wasn’t the same. Every time I looked at Oliver, resentment surged within me, the bitter sting of his decision to send Noel away festering in my chest. Our conversations were terse, strained, and I couldn’t bring myself to forgive him for what felt like a betrayal.

One afternoon, Aaron caught me as I stumbled, my control slipping yet again. His eyes were kind, his voice soft. “You’re stronger than this, Aurora. You just need to focus.”

But my patience snapped. “Stop saying that! You think it’s so easy? You have no idea what this feels like!”

Aaron recoiled, hurt flashing in his eyes, but I turned away before he could say anything. My frustration was growing unbearable, the loneliness gnawing at me.

When I was finally alone, the walls of the cave felt too close, too confining. A wave of helplessness crashed over me, and I sank to my knees, the weight of Noel’s absence pressing on my shoulders.

How am I supposed to do this alone?

The silent cave gave no answer, only the hollow echo of my own thoughts. But somewhere in the depths of my mind, I felt the faintest spark—a reminder that I wasn’t alone. Not really. Noel was out there, somewhere, and we were bound by more than just memories. The thought brought me a flicker of strength, a reminder of the power that lay within, waiting to be mastered.

For him. For all of us.

I rose, my fists clenched, and prepared to train alone