The word 'Choose' still glowed intensely on the wooden floorboards, but I couldn't focus solely on it. The sound of movement outside my window sent me trembling with fear." I wasn't alone anymore. My heart raced as I turned slowly, my body taut."
"The darkness filling one corner of my room shifted, and then the figure lunged forward - Tall, strong, exuding confidence, and completely inscrutable."
"You again," I exhaled as I released my breath."
"The same man from the thick forest.The one who had been studying everything about me.The one who, in my most vulnerable state, had murmured promises of vengeance. His golden, yet piercing eyes sparkled with unknown mischief."
"Took you a while to figure it out."
"Who exactly are you?" I asked again, though my voice trembled slightly, lacking the confidence that comes with a name."
"A grin spread across his lips. 'Cassian is the name."
"Cassian.
The name seemed strange, yet somehow… familiar.
"What do you desire from me?" I inquired, fists tight, ready for a fight.
He tilted his head, shaking it slightly while examining me like a hunter assessing its prey. "I earnestly want nothing from you, Mira. I'd rather want He tilted his head, shaking it vigorously while examining me like a hunter assessing its prey. "I earnestly want nothing from you, Mira. I rather offer you something beneficial.'
I swallowed hard, unable to comprehend him. "And what could that be?"
"Just strength."
I almost chuckled at his joke. Strength? I was nothing, everyone knew that. An ordinary Omega. A spurned and exiled mate. A shattered and homeless girl. Cassian took another step rather forward, and all at once, the atmosphere changed, radiating with a different energy. something benefiting for you."
I swallowed hard, unable to comprehend him. "And what could that be?"
'Just strength.'
I almost chuckled at his joke. Strength? I was nothing, everyone knew that. An ordinary Omega. A spurned and exiled mate. A shattered and homeless girl. Cassian took another step forward, and all at once, the atmosphere changed, radiating with a different energy.
"You concluded you're weak because he made you believe so,' he said, voice holding a strange conviction, with something very sharp. 'But I will let you in on something, there's more within you, Mira. Something even Ryker is too blind to perceive."
"My breath caught at his revelation. 'Why should I believe a stranger over my pack?'
His smirk faded instantly, replaced by seriousness. "Because I did my best to save your life."
I blinked in doubt. "What?"
"You don't recall anything of that, do you?" he said thoughtfully "The rogue attack. The night you fled without direction into the woods."
The memory rushed out like a tide. Yes, the razor-sharp claws, the terrified growls. I had been too numb from heartache to even defend myself. I should have been long gone. But I wasn't. Because someone had risked his life to save me from the abyss.
Cassian.
My stomach twisted in disbelief. 'That was you, Really?"'
He nodded in affirmation. 'And here I am, offering you something beyond mere survival now. I'm eager to see you operate in supreme power.'
I hesitated confused. "Why that?"
His golden eyes gleamed. "Because,in my experience, vengeance is most potent when wielded by those who have passed through a lot."
An eerie chill crawled down my spine. He was strangely right. Ryker had broken me, shamed me, made me feel insignificant before my pack. But what if I had the opportunity to show him he was mistaken?
"What must I do to reclaim my dignity?" I whispered.
Cassian's grin returned, but much wider. "Train."
Weeks Later, I was consumed by relentless training.
Pain. Sweat. Blood.Training with Cassian wasn't what i expected, it was pure torment. Every muscle in my body protested in disagreement, but I considered it not, but pushed on. Ignoring the pain. I had to. I fought tirelessly with all I had, learning to move faster than before, strike harder, hit more precisely.
Cassian didn't consider taking it any easy on me. He broke me down, only to rebuild me into something stronger. But it wasn't just the training. I noticed that something within me was transforming greatly, adjusting to the new version of myself.
One night, as I stood in the clearing, lost in thought and barely able to catch my breath, the air around me changed all of a sudden. Cassian had moved closer, eyes narrowing to observe.
"You feel something, don't you?" I did. A heat blossomed deep in my chest, swirling through my veins like flames in my blood. Great strength. Primal, unrestrained, and completely timeless. Cassian's voice was soft, almost reverent.
"Your great heritage… it's truly extraordinary, Mira."
I frowned at his statement. "What do you mean by that?"
He stared at me intently, then sighed as if confirming an undeniable truth. "You have the rare blood of the ancient Luna spirits in you."
The ground shifted, changing the atmosphere. I shook my head vigorously. "That can't possibly be true."
"It is," Cassian affirmed strongly. "And Ryker was just too foolish not to have recognize it."
A flicker of something dangerous- something potent - ignited in my chest. The mate bond between us might have weakened and gone, but something more powerful had stirred within me.
Cassian stepped back, a sly grin curling at his lips. "Now… let's focus on discovering what unfolds when you cease to hold back your power."
A breeze swept through the clearing,stirring the ground beneath my feet. And for the very first time, I felt the flame within me roar to life.