Alpha Studo

The sun rose slowly over the horizon, casting a warm glow through the trees and illuminating the small cabin that Christina and her father called home.

Inside, Jack was already awake, his thoughts heavy as he prepared for another training session with his daughter. He had been reflecting on her recent encounter with the rogues, the raw power she had unleashed, and the fear that had gripped him when he had seen her return with injuries.

As he poured himself a cup of tea, he couldn't shake the feeling of dread that loomed over him. He knew that while Christina needed to harness her abilities, she couldn't rely on them as a crutch. "Never use your powers unless absolutely necessary," he had warned her repeatedly. "You must learn to defend yourself without them. In this world, you can't always count on magic."

Christina's journey was just beginning, and he was proud of her. But he also feared for her. The world was filled with dangers...dangers that could exploit her gifts.

When Christina entered the room, the determination in her eyes was unmistakable. "Papa, I want to train harder today," she declared, her voice resolute.

"Good," he replied, setting the cup down. "But remember, strength comes from within, not just from power. We'll focus on your physical combat skills today."

As they trained, Jack pushed her to her limits, guiding her through movements and techniques. They practiced for hours, the sun rising higher in the sky until Christina's muscles burned and her breath came in ragged gasps.

"Again!" Jack called his voice a steady source of motivation. "You're stronger than this, Christina. Dig deep!"

But the truth was that Christina felt the weight of her father's expectations. She had faced danger and emerged victorious, but it wasn't enough. She needed to prove herself not just to her father, but to herself. She needed to train like never before.

Once their session ended, Christina found herself drawn to the pack's training grounds, a place she had avoided since they had been shunned. The thought of watching the other young wolves train filled her with longing. She wanted to be part of that world, to feel the camaraderie and strength that came from belonging.

Stealthily, she made her way to the training grounds, her heart racing with anticipation. As she approached, the sounds of combat filled the air—the rhythmic sounds of claws scraping against packed earth, bodies colliding in bursts of raw power.

But her focus wasn't on just anyone.

It was on him.

Dev.

Dev Blackwood.

The Alpha's son.

The future leader of the pack.

Every movement of his was fluid, effortless like he had been born for battle. Power coiled beneath his skin, his muscles shifting like a well-oiled machine as he dodged a strike and countered in a heartbeat.

He was faster than the others.

Stronger.

And he knew it.

The young warriors around him barely stood a chance. One by one, they fell beneath his claws, and their defeat met with laughter from the crowd.

Christina clenched her fists, a fire igniting within her. This was the gap, the space between weakness and strength, between those who were admired and those who were nothing.

As Dev delivered a final strike, sending his opponent sprawling onto the ground, a cheer erupted from the crowd.

And Dev?

He simply smirked.

Like it had all been too easy.

Christina's heart pounded against her ribs. She wasn't afraid of him. No, fear wasn't what she felt. It was something else—something hotter, something dangerous.

She wanted to be like him.

No, she wanted to surpass him.

"Dev, that was a pathetic excuse for a fight," one of the warriors scoffed as Dev brushed the dust from his hands. His confidence radiated, and the others laughed, their admiration palpable.

Christina felt a surge of determination, her heart racing as she stepped forward. "Maybe you should fight someone stronger," she challenged, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

The laughter stopped. Every eye turned to her, surprise etched on their faces.

Dev's golden gaze flicked toward her, unreadable. "Are you offering?" he asked, tilting his head, a smirk tugging at his lips.

The warriors around him grinned, sensing the tension. Christina's heart thundered in her chest. This was reckless. Stupid. But she refused to back down.

"Yes," she said, a fire igniting within her.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd, and Dev's smirk widened. "This should be fun," he replied, stepping back to give her space as the circle cleared.

Christina stood at the edge of the makeshift arena, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. This was it, her chance to prove that she was more than just the weak outcast. More than just a burden.

Dev stood lazily across from her, his expression bored. "You can have the first move," he said, waving a hand.

The others laughed, their amusement echoing in the air. Dev thought this was a joke.

Christina gritted her teeth and lunged.

She was fast.

But he was faster.

He dodged with a blink-and-miss-it ease, twisting away like she had never even moved.

Her claws swiped at empty air, and before she could react, a sharp pain exploded in her side. Dev's fist slammed into her ribs with terrifying force, sending her skidding across the dirt.

The warriors howled with laughter as Christina gasped, struggling to breathe. But she pushed herself up, refusing to fall. She wouldn't give in—not now. Not ever.

"Get up!" Dev taunted as she struggled to rise, his dark eyes gleaming with mischief. "You're pathetic!"

But Christina was fueled by a fire deep within her. She charged again, faster this time.

But Dev was always ahead.

His movements were unreadable, his speed inhuman. When his claws raked across her shoulder, drawing blood, she understood: this wasn't a battle; it was a lesson. A reminder that no matter how hard she fought, she would never be his equal, not like this. Not yet.

The pain was distant, drowned out by the deafening sound of her own heartbeat. Dev crouched beside her, his expression one of bored amusement. "You're not ready," he said simply.

Christina gritted her teeth, forcing herself to sit up. "I will be."

His smirk returned, a cruel twist of his lips. "We'll see."

Then he walked away, the crowd dispersing with him, leaving her alone in the dust.

As Christina wiped the blood from her mouth, a single thought burned in her mind. She had lost today.

But one day...one day, she would win.

And when she did...

Even Dev wouldn't be able to stop her.