A lesson In Strength
594 Words
The sun had barely risen when Leah stepped onto the training grounds again.
Her ribs ached from yesterday’s fight with Garrett, but she refused to show weakness. Every step, every breath reminded her that she had survived the first test.
But today, there would be more.
She could feel the pack’s eyes on her, some still skeptical, some slightly impressed. And Logan—he was watching too. Always watching.
As she stretched, Garrett approached, his usual smirk in place. "Still standing, huh?"
Leah rolled her shoulders. "Disappointed?"
He chuckled. "Not really. Just surprised."
She wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or an insult, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it.
Another wolf, a woman with sharp green eyes and an athletic build, stepped forward. Leah had seen her watching yesterday’s fight with interest.
"If she’s staying, she needs more than just brute survival skills," the woman said, looking at Logan. "She needs proper training."
Garrett raised an eyebrow. "You volunteering, Mara?"
Mara smirked. "Why not? Unless she’s too scared to train with me."
Leah met her gaze, reading the challenge in her eyes.
Scared?
Leah was a lot of things, but she refused to be that.
"I can handle it."
Logan gave a slight nod. "Then let’s begin."
---
The Training Begins
Mara was fast.
Too fast.
Within the first five minutes, Leah had been knocked down twice.
She wasn’t being thrown around like she had been with Garrett, but Mara’s fighting style was different—precise, calculated.
Every move was meant to test her.
"You rely too much on instinct," Mara said, sidestepping another of Leah’s swings with ease. "That’s good for survival, but not for winning."
Leah clenched her teeth. "So teach me."
Mara’s eyes gleamed with approval. "Alright. First lesson—stop being predictable."
She moved in a blur, her leg sweeping toward Leah’s. Leah barely had time to react, but this time, instead of dodging backward, she stepped into the attack—catching Mara off guard.
Mara’s eyes widened as Leah countered with a sharp elbow strike. It wasn’t strong enough to hurt, but it was enough to surprise her.
"Better," Mara admitted, stepping back.
Leah exhaled, sweat dripping down her face. "Again."
They trained for hours. Mara was relentless, but she wasn’t cruel. She corrected Leah’s stances, forced her to react faster, and made her repeat movements until they were drilled into her body.
By midday, Leah was exhausted. Her muscles screamed, her breath came in ragged gasps, but she refused to stop.
She had never had proper training before.
And she wouldn’t waste this chance.
---
A Private Conversation
As the others dispersed for a break, Logan approached her.
"You’re improving," he said.
Leah wiped sweat from her brow. "You sound surprised."
Logan’s lips quirked slightly. "Maybe I am."
Leah folded her arms. "I thought you already decided I was weak."
His expression darkened slightly. "I decided you had a long way to go. There’s a difference."
Leah narrowed her eyes. "And now?"
Logan studied her for a moment. "You’re still weak."
Anger flared in Leah’s chest. But before she could snap at him, he added—
"But you’re learning. And that matters."
She stared at him, thrown off by the unexpected words.
Logan turned away before she could respond.
"Get cleaned up. Tomorrow will be harder."
Then he was gone.
Leah exhaled slowly.
Harder.
She didn’t doubt it.
But for the first time, she felt something new.
Not just fear. Not just survival.
Determination.
She would prove him wrong.
No matter what it took.
- Writer
