Alpha Studo

The journey home felt like an eternity, the weight of her victory mingling with the pain that radiated from her wounds.

Christina's body ached, each step sending jolts of discomfort through her. But with every stride, the adrenaline began to fade, replaced by the reality of her encounter.

As she approached the edge of the pack's territory, the familiar scent of home filled her lungs, a bittersweet reminder of both safety and the uncertainty that lay ahead.

She could see their cabin in the distance, and her heart swelled with a mix of relief and trepidation.

"Papa!" she called out, forcing her weary body to move faster.

Jack emerged from the cabin, concern etched on his face. "Christina!" he shouted, rushing toward her. "What happened? Are you alright?"

She staggered forward, the dead deer dragging behind her, a testament to her struggle. "I…I was hunting, and then I got lost… and I encountered some rogues," she panted, her voice trembling.

"Rogues?" Jack's expression darkened, his protective instincts kicking in as he scanned her for injuries. "Are you hurt? Did they..."

"I fought them, Papa!" she interrupted, a flicker of pride lighting her eyes despite the exhaustion. "I used my powers! I thought I was going to die, but I didn't! I drove them away!"

Jack's gaze softened, pride swelling within him even amidst the fear. "You fought them off?" he whispered, disbelief mingling with admiration. "You're so brave, Christina."

But as she stood before him, the weight of the encounter began to settle in. "But I'm hurt, Papa. I didn't escape unscathed."

Jack's expression shifted to one of urgency as he took in the sight of her wounds, the bruises forming on her skin. "Come inside. We need to tend to those injuries."

As she stepped into the cabin, the warmth enveloped her, a stark contrast to the chill of the forest. Christina felt her body trembling, the adrenaline waning, replaced by the exhaustion of battle.

"Sit here," Jack instructed gently, guiding her to a chair by the hearth. He moved with purpose, gliding through with his cart, gathering supplies to clean and dress her wounds.

"I'm sorry I worried you," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to go so far…"

"You did what you had to do," he reassured her, his hands steady as he cleaned the cuts and bruises on her arms.

"You showed incredible strength today, Christina. But you must be more careful. The world is dangerous, and I can't always be there to protect you."

"I know," she replied, her heart heavy with the weight of his words. "But I felt… powerful. I didn't know I could do that."

Jack paused, meeting her gaze with solemn understanding. "You have a gift, my daughter. But with that gift comes a responsibility to use it wisely. There will be others who will want to exploit your powers, and you must be prepared for that."

"I will be," she promised, determination filling her voice. "I won't let anyone take advantage of me."

As he finished tending to her wounds, Christina felt a sense of resolve settle within her. She had faced danger and emerged stronger, and with every challenge, she was becoming more attuned to her true self.

"Remember, Christina," Jack said, his voice steady as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "You are not alone in this. I will always be here to guide you, to help you navigate this world."

"I know, Papa," she replied, a smile breaking through the exhaustion. "And I'm grateful for you. You've always believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself."

With her wounds bandaged and her spirit reignited, Christina felt a sense of hope blossom within her.

She was not just a girl lost in the woods; she was a warrior in her own right, capable of facing whatever challenges lay ahead.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the cabin, Christina knew that she was ready for whatever awaited her in the days to come.

Armed with her newfound strength, the guidance of her father, and the unwavering support of Amelia, she would forge her own path in a world filled with uncertainty.

And for the first time in a long while, she felt ready to embrace the future.