Chapter 15

Chapter 15

The day after the fight with Leah, I could feel the shift in the way the pack looked at me. Respect from some, lack of trust or uncertainty from others, but no one was no longer ignoring me. Leah’s defeat left a mark, and while I hadn’t come here to prove myself, it was clear that everyone was watching, waiting to see if I really belonged.

I went to the training grounds before anyone else, motivated by the desire to keep moving. I understood that respect was tenuous and would be earned daily, fresh.

As I reached the edge of the grounds, Ronald’s voice called out to me. “Freya,” he said, stepping forward, his expression thoughtful. He pointed me in the direction to go and led me to a secluded area under the shade of some heavy branches. I could tell he had something important to say.

“You were impressive yesterday,” he began, his gaze serious. “But not everyone is convinced. You have shown their effectiveness, but effectiveness by itself will not gain the approval of everybody. Some think your presence might disrupt things.”

I raised my chin, meeting his gaze evenly. “And what do you think, Ronald? Do you trust me?”

His expression softened, just for a moment. “I hope that I have made the good decision in placing you here. But trust… it’s earned with more than one fight.”

I understood what he was asking. Proving myself as a warrior was one thing; earning their trust was quite another. I'd have to make sure they knew I was not just coming to demonstrate my power, but to defend them, to be a member of the pack.

Before I could reply, a sound from the trees drew our attention. Leah stepped into view, her expression guarded, as if unsure of what to make of me.

“Alpha, Freya,” she said, bowing politely though keeping mine at a distance. “The patrols discovered a threat of a disorganized encampment near the northern border. There were two, maybe three of them. They weren’t really look organized but they were near enough to be a hazard.”

Ronald’s gaze sharpened. “Then we’ll check it out. Leah, put a team together. Freya," he replied turning to me, "you're with us.”

I nodded, experiencing the usual buzz of a mission while down playing my excitement. This was my chance to show more than strength—I could prove I understood what it meant to protect this pack.

By sunset, we were moving through the forest, everyone silent, senses on high alert. As we approached the clearing where the rogues had camped, I could see traces of their presence—a few scattered belongings, footprints leading away from the site.

Ronald told us to scatter, and I crept along, every pace deliberate. Then I heard it—a twig snapping just a few yards to my left.

I stopped and turned towards the sound signaling Ronald. I saw a person scurrying in the foliage. Instincts took over and I set off in pursuit, steps heavy and silent. The rogue was a good runner, but awkward to the point of being frighteningly quick. Instantly, I brought myself up to the distance and made a leap, bringing him to the ground.

He struggled, his eyes wide with terror. “Please,” he gasped, “we’re just trying to survive. We mean no harm.”

I held him steady, wary but willing to listen. “You’re on our borders. You don’t get that close without a reason.”

Ronald and Leah arrived, and I felt the rogue tense beneath me, his fear intensifying.

“Why are you here?” Ronald demanded, his tone commanding. “Speak honestly, or we’ll assume the worst.”

The rogue swallowed hard, his voice shaking. “We were cast out of our pack, just looking for a place to rest, somewhere safe. We didn’t know this was your territory.”

Leah’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, but something in the rogue’s voice struck me. I spoke up, glancing at Ronald. “It could be the truth. We could ask them some more questions instead of immediately treating them as an enemy.”

Ronald considered my words, his gaze steady but thoughtful. Finally, he nodded. “We'll go get them and see if their account is true. If not, they’ll be dealt with. But if they are telling the truth… he did not finish the sentence, but the decision was obvious.”

The journey back was tense. A few of the fighters looked at me, perhaps with surprise, maybe even admiration. I knew that intervening in defense of the rogue might seem reckless to some, but I trusted my instincts.

When we arrived back at the pack grounds, Ronald ordered the rogue to be held under guard until his story could be verified. The other warriors dispersed, but Leah lingered, her gaze cautious but less hostile than before.

“You didn’t go for the kill,” she said, almost as if testing my reasoning. “Most newcomers would have used the opportunity to show off.”

I met her eyes, steady and sure. “I’m not here to show off. Sometimes, strength means knowing when not to use it.”

A flicker of respect crossed her face before she gave a brief nod and left without another word. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

But later that night I got to the edge of the woods and my mind wandered as I watched the sky turn a shade of dark blue. Footsteps approached, and I turned to see Ronald coming toward me, his expression unreadable.

“You did well today,” he said, his voice quiet. “It’s not easy to balance strength with restraint. Most warriors wouldn’t have considered the rogue’s story.”

I shrugged, feeling a faint warmth at his praise. “I didn’t come here just to fight. I came to be part of this pack. But it also means both the guarding of it and the understanding in that not all threats have to be resisted with force.

His lips curled up slightly, and his eyes settled upon me. “You’re showing them that strength can take many forms. That’s what this pack needs.”

I experienced an odd feeling of warmth to his words and of growing feeling of belonging.