ed at her to fight, to prove she wasn't weak. But deep down, she knew the truth-this wasn't just a test of strength. This was a game, and the rules had

barely had time to react. His massive form slammed into hers, knocking the breath out of her.

f back to her feet. She couldn't affo

taunted, his voice laced with am

y affected her. She wasn't going to let him break her. Not after everything she had alread

nger about teaching her. This was about him asserting his dominance over her, remind

his first attack, the muscles in her legs propelling her with surprising speed. She wasn't as fast as he was, but she ha

teeth as the force of Garrick's attack pushed her back. But this time, she was ready. She countered with

but the Alpha's voice cut through

's en

he Alpha. His commanding tone was unmistakable, and

inued, his voice soft bu

had been ready to keep fighting until the very end, but hearing the Alpha's words felt like a weight

"What does that mean?" she asked, her vo

"It means you've earned a place here," he said, his tone stil

at his words. "What do yo

power. If you're going to survive here, you need to learn what it truly means to be part of this world. It's not jus

I didn't come here to bow down to anyone. Not to

nt smile, though it didn't reach h

itterness, but she didn't back down. "Or w

n, he stepped forward, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair fr

. It's about survival. Survival in a world that doesn't give a damn about you unless you've earned your place in

der than any blow Garrick had delivered. She had always fought for herself, but here, in this wor

r chest. But she couldn't ignore it. Not when the Alpha s

small, insidious voice in the back of her mind told her that maybe, just maybe, he was ri

re rigid with authority. "Tomorrow, we'll begin your real train

of everything the Alpha had just said. He was right. This wasn't just about proving streng

d the idea, she knew sh