Aria’s Fate

Chapter3

The forest floor was bathed in a pale golden light as the first rays of morning peaked through the trees. Aria waited for Zane's order while standing in the clearing, breathing steadily and maintaining a composed state of mind. Her mind was racing with possibilities and doubts, and she had hardly slept. However, she felt a calm power descend upon her as the dawn light warmed her skin—a reassurance she hadn't anticipated.

Zane was a few steps away, his face composed but intent. He appeared nearly timeless in the dawn light, his presence as rooted as the trees that surrounded them. After examining her for a while, as though assessing her level of preparation, he motioned for her to approach.

"Today, we will start with focus," he stated steadily. "Control and an understanding of the energy that flows within you are the sources of true power, not brute force."

Aria nodded, taking in what he had to say. She was expecting him to show her how to summon strength through spells, but he took a different tack. Before she ever tried to use her power, it seemed as though he wanted her to grasp its fundamentals.

"Close your eyes," he said in a soft but forceful voice. "Discover your inner vitality. It is there, awaiting acknowledgment."

She closed her eyes and allowed her breathing to relax as she tried to find the warmth she had experienced the previous evening. It started off as a dim flicker at the corners of her senses, but as she concentrated, it grew stronger and extended outward from her chest, giving her a reassuring warmth. Every heartbeat caused it to pulsate, a rhythm that was both strange and incredibly familiar to her.

"All right," Zane whispered. “Imagine that energy now as a concentrated, living flame. Feel its warmth and strength. This power has always existed and is a part of you.”.

Aria concentrated, imagining the warmth inside her as a tiny fire. She had a mental image of it, steady and flickering, waiting for her to direct it. The potential of the flame, a force that she thought could develop and become something enormous and untamed if she allowed it, made her heart race.

Zane's voice was hardly audible above a whisper when he whispered, "Hold it there." "Avoid pushing it. As water flows downstream, let it happen naturally."

She released her breath softly, allowing the energy to stay in her body without pushing or tugging. It seemed like a delicate dance between restraint and strength, a balancing act. As she concentrated, she felt a connection that went beyond herself, a pulse that echoed with the old trees all about her and the ground beneath her feet. There seemed to be a silent understanding between them, as though the forest itself recognized her strength.

She opened her eyes a few moments later, blinking against the light. She felt as if she had a new perspective on the world, and it appeared clearer and more vibrant. Her face was a mixture of wonder and interest as she turned to see Zane.

"This... it's more than I expected," she said quietly.

With a slight smile on his lips, Zane nodded. “Power frequently is. And that authority comes with accountability. It should not be used carelessly or coerced in any way. It needs to be valued, cared for, and given the freedom to develop at its own pace.”

He pointed to a big rock that was at the edge of the open space. "Now direct your energy outward," he said. “Allow it to flow to that stone from within you. Don't push—just steer it.”

Aria inhaled deeply, her eyes fixed on the stone. She felt the warmth inside her build up and collect in her palms as she grasped for it. As the energy increased, her fingers tingled, and her palms began to feel a light pressure. Willing the warmth to transfer from her fingertips to the stone, she held out her hand. Nothing happened for a moment, and she began to mistrust herself. However, she ignored it and concentrated on her breathing's steady rhythm instead.

Then there was a shudder, and the stone moved a little, then settled again. When Aria realized what she had done, she gasped and felt a thrill ignite in her chest. Though there was only a slight movement, it was more than she had ever imagined.

"You performed admirably," Zane stated with pride in his voice. "This may not seem like much, but it's just the beginning. You will eventually be able to fully control this energy with practice and patience.”

A glimmer of enthusiasm ignited inside her. The humiliation of her family's past had dominated her sense of helplessness for a long time. She felt a glimmer of hope now, though, as this new strength began to awaken inside her. She was not the helpless wolf Lukas had written off. There was more to her.

Zane taught her other methods to harness her energy as they continued their training. They spent hours practicing, emphasizing comprehension, discipline, and control. She discovered how to feel the minute changes in the air, the earth's vibrations, and the pulse of life all around her by expanding her senses. With every workout, she discovered a side of herself that felt as old as the forest itself, a side she had never known before. Aria was both tired and excited by the time the sun started to set and deep shadows covered the area. She had pushed herself throughout the day and found strength she didn't know she had. Each breath and every movement had taught us something new.

Aria was both tired and excited by the time the sun started to set and deep shadows covered the area. She had pushed herself throughout the day and found strength she didn't know she had. Every breath and every movement had taught her something new and brought her one step closer to the strength Zane had claimed was her inheritance.

Zane's face became contemplative as they packed up their things and got ready to head back to their camp, his eyes averted.

"Ariana, there's something you have to comprehend," he remarked in a solemn tone. "Your power is more than just a personal tool. It is an obligation and a heritage connected to the preservation of the pack and the harmony of nature.”

Glancing at him, she was intrigued. With a tone of incredulity, she repeated, "A duty to the pack?" However, they ignored me. Lukas made it apparent that I wasn't welcome.

With an understanding look on his face, Zane put a hand on her shoulder. Aria, it's not about their approval. This has to do with your personal choices. The fact is that you have the ability to keep them safe, regardless of whether they recognize your value. And that authority comes with a responsibility to exercise it sensibly.

His words lingered in the atmosphere, laden with a meaning she was just starting to realize. She recalled the wolves she had formerly referred to her family, the pack she had grown up in. She had been shunned, humiliated, and left to carry the burden of a legacy they didn't value. But as she stood there, with the energy pulsing through her, she understood that her connection to them went beyond their contempt.

"Selena," she whispered as a flash of insight came to her. "She's not only pursuing Lukas's favor, is she?”

With a gloomy grimace, Zane nodded as his eyes darkened. "Selena's aspirations extend beyond her need for prestige." She has allied herself with forces that aim to upset the natural equilibrium and distort the pack's strength for their own benefit. She poses a threat to the pack's survival as well as to you.

When Aria remembered Selena's icy smile and her possessive hold on Lukas, her heart raced and her rage simmered. She had been happy to walk away from the agony and rejection, to abandon the pack. Now that she was aware of Selena's true nature, however, she felt an intense resolve growing within her, an innate desire to defend the house that had once belonged to her.

Aria answered steadily, "Then I'll stop her." "I'll do whatever it takes to keep the pack safe from her.

"With a twinge of pride in his eyes, Zane nodded. "All right. But keep in mind that power has two sides, Aria. Make good use of it, or it might devour you.

She looked him in the eye, her determination unwavering. She had been hiding beneath a mask of rejection and guilt for far too long. It was time to face whatever darkness lay ahead, to take back her strength, to move into the light.

Aria realized that she was no longer the defenseless young woman she had been as the last of the sunshine slipped below the trees. She was prepared to face her history, tak

e back her future, and defend the pack that had abandoned her.