Chapter 27 : The Challenge LIRA Falling for Caius came with consequences .
One : His pack finally stopped looking at me like I was the enemy .
Two : Elias and Ronan now smirked at me whenever I was near Caius , as if they had been expecting this all along .
And three ? I wanted to wipe that smug look off his face .
Which is exactly why I found myself in the training fields at dawn , stretching my arms over my head as the morning chill settled into my bones .
The sky was streaked with hues of pink and orange , the sun slowly rising over the treetops as the pack gathered for their daily training .
I had been training with the general pack for a while now , and while it had been helpful in rebuilding my strength , I was growing restless .
The sessions were structured , repetitive , and focused more on endurance and discipline than actual combat .
While the other wolves seemed content , I found myself wanting more .
Todays session started with a long run through the forest .
The cold air burned my lungs as my feet pounded against the frost- covered ground , my muscles warming as I pushed forward .
The pack moved as a unit , our breaths creating puffs of mist in the crisp morning air .
We wove through the trees in a steady rhythm , the only sound the crunch of earth beneath our boots and the occasional shout from the trainer to keep up the pace .
After the run , we moved into agility drills .
I dodged through a series of wooden posts , weaving left and right , focusing on precision and speed .
My body responded naturally , my instincts sharper than they had been weeks ago .
It felt good to move , to test my limits , but it still wasnt enough .
The exercises felt like practice , not like a challenge .
When we transitioned to partnered sparring , my frustration only grew .

The wolves I was paired with hesitated , their movements careful , holding back as if afraid to actually push me .
Even when I landed solid strikes , they never retaliated with full force .
It was infuriating .
I had had enough .
Breathing heavily, I stepped back , rolling my shoulders before catching sight of something in the distance .
Across the training grounds , past the lighter drills , the warriors were engaged in a very different kind of training .
Their sparring was brutal , unrelenting .
The sound of fists hitting flesh , bodies hitting the dirt , and the growls of exertion filled the air .
And at the center of it all- Caius .
He moved like a force of nature , precise and calculated , every movement efficient and deadly .
His opponents didnt hold back , and neither did he .
I watched as he deflected a blow with ease before countering with a brutal strike that sent his sparring partner sprawling .
Now this this was what I wanted .
1/3 Chapter 27 The Challenge +15 Bonus Without hesitation , I stepped away from the pack training grounds and made my way toward the warriors .
Some of them noticed my approach , their eyes flicking to me with curiosity , but none of them questioned it .
As I drew closer , Caius caught sight of me , his silver eyes locking onto mine as he straightened from his stance .
He lifted a brow .
Bored already ? I shrugged .
If you call what the pack did training , then yes .

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Elias , standing nearby , let out a low whistle .
Careful , Caius .
She looks like she wants trouble .
Caius wiped his forearm with a cloth , unconcerned .
Lira always wants trouble .
I smirked .
And you always avoid it .
He sighed , tossing the cloth aside .
What do you want , Lira ? I stepped forward , feeling the eyes of the warriors on me .
A real fight .
A real challenge .
You and me .
Right here .
Silence .
Then Ronan let out a loud laugh .
Oh , this is going to be good .
Caius tilted his head , studying me .
Youre serious ? Completely .
His silver eyes flickered with something unreadable before he exhaled .

Lira- Whats the matter , Alpha ? Afraid Ill make you look bad in front of your warriors ? A few warriors chuckled .
Elias muttered , Oh , she knows exactly what shes doing .
Ronan clapped his hands together .
Ill grab the healer .
Just in case .
I shot him a glare , but he only grinned wider .
Caius rolled his shoulders and stepped onto the training mat .
Weapons or hand to hand ? I smirked .
Hand to hand .
A few murmurs of disbelief rang out from the onlookers .
I ignored them , rolling my wrists and shifting my stance .
This wasnt my first fight , and it certainly wouldnt be my last .
Caius ran a hand down his face , but I didnt miss the small twitch of his lips .
He stepped closer , his presence towering over me .
Fine , he murmured , his voice just low enough for me to hear .
But dont say I didnt warn you .
A thrill shot through me .
This was exactly what I had been waiting for .
And I had no intention of losing .