Alpha Eric's Promise, Protecting those he loves

 Aria wiped the sweat from her brow, her muscles aching from the relentless drills Alex had pushed her through. Despite the physical exhaustion, a fire burned in her eyes—an unyielding determination to grow stronger.

"Again," Alex said, his voice calm but firm. He stood a few feet away, his stance relaxed but ready, like a predator waiting to strike.

Aria groaned. "Do you ever take a break?"

"Rogues don't," Alex replied, twirling his short blade in his hand. "And neither should we. Now come at me."

She gritted her teeth, adjusting her grip on her dagger. Lunging forward, she aimed for his side, but Alex sidestepped effortlessly, catching her wrist mid-swing. In one swift motion, he flipped her onto the ground.

"Too slow," he remarked, offering her a hand to get up.

Aria swatted it away, standing on her own. "You're impossible."

"I'm preparing you," Alex countered. "You need to stop relying on brute strength and start using your instincts. Trust your senses, Aria. They'll keep you alive when nothing else can."

The secret training sessions had started weeks ago, born out of Aria's frustration with being sidelined during pack defenses. Alex, one of the pack's most skilled warriors, had agreed to train her in secret, understanding her desperation to contribute meaningfully.

Each night, they ventured deep into the forest, away from prying eyes. The training was brutal—combat drills, stealth exercises, and stamina tests that pushed Aria to her limits.

"Why are you so hard on me?" she asked during a break, leaning against a tree as she caught her breath.

Alex handed her a flask of water, his expression serious. "Because I know you can handle it. And because out there," he gestured toward the forest beyond, "the rogues won't go easy on you. Neither will anyone else."

Aria took a sip, nodding. She knew he was right. The recent rogue attacks had shaken the pack to its core, and rumors of betrayal within their ranks only added to the tension.

One night, Alex decided it was time to test Aria's ability to move undetected.

"Tonight, we're playing a game," he said with a mischievous grin.

Aria raised an eyebrow. "What kind of game?"

"You're going to try to track me," Alex explained. "If you can catch me, you win. If you don't… well, let's just say you'll be running laps tomorrow."

Aria smirked. "You're on."

As Alex disappeared into the shadows, Aria closed her eyes, focusing on the sounds around her. She listened for the crunch of leaves, the snap of twigs, anything that might give away his position.

After a few minutes, she caught a faint rustle to her left. Moving silently, she crept through the underbrush, her eyes scanning the darkness. She spotted a flash of movement ahead and lunged, only to find herself tackling empty air.

"Too obvious," Alex's voice came from behind her, his tone laced with amusement.

Aria turned, glaring at him. "I hate you."

"No, you hate losing," he teased. "Now, try again."

Discovering Hidden Strengths

Despite the challenges, Aria began to notice subtle improvements in her skills. Her reactions were faster, her strikes more precise, and her senses sharper.

During one sparring session, Alex lunged at her with his blade, aiming for her shoulder. Instead of dodging backward as she usually did, Aria stepped into his attack, deflecting his blade with her own and landing a solid punch to his ribs.

Alex stumbled back, laughing. "Now that's what I'm talking about! You're finally thinking on your feet."

Aria couldn't help but smile, pride swelling in her chest.

"Don't get cocky," he added, rubbing his side. "You still have a long way to go."

Unspoken Bonds

As the weeks went by, the bond between Alex and Aria deepened. Their training sessions weren't just about combat; they were also a refuge from the chaos of pack life.

One night, as they sat by a small fire, Alex opened up about his past.

"I wasn't always this skilled," he admitted, staring into the flames. "When I was younger, I lost someone because I wasn't strong enough to protect them. I promised myself I'd never let that happen again."

Aria looked at him, her expression softening. "That's why you're so hard on me, isn't it? You don't want me to make the same mistakes."

Alex nodded. "Exactly. You have potential, Aria. More than you realize. I just want to make sure you're ready for whatever comes."

Touched by his honesty, Aria placed a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, Alex. For everything."

He glanced at her, a faint smile on his lips. "Don't thank me yet. We're just getting started."

Facing Real Danger

One evening, as they were wrapping up their session, the sound of distant howls reached their ears.

"Rogues," Alex said, his voice tense.

Aria's heart raced. "What do we do?"

"We check it out," he replied, already moving toward the source of the noise.

They arrived at the scene to find a group of pack warriors engaged in a fierce battle with a rogue attack squad. Without hesitation, Alex and Aria joined the fray.

Aria's training kicked in as she fought alongside the warriors, her movements swift and calculated. She parried a rogue's attack, slashing at his leg and bringing him to the ground.

Nearby, Alex was a whirlwind of precision, taking down rogue after rogue with deadly efficiency.

When the battle finally ended, the rogues had either fled or been subdued.

"Good work," Alex said, clapping Aria on the shoulder. "You held your own out there."

Aria nodded, adrenaline still coursing through her veins. She felt a mix of pride and relief, knowing she had proven herself.

Despite their efforts to keep the training sessions a secret, it was only a matter of time before someone noticed.

One evening, as Aria returned home, she found her father, Alpha Eric, waiting for her in the living room.

"Where have you been?" he asked, his tone sharp.

Aria froze, her mind racing for an excuse. "I was… out for a walk."

Eric's eyes narrowed. "Don't lie to me, Aria. I know you've been training with Alex."

Aria sighed, realizing there was no point in denying it. "I just wanted to help, Dad. I can't stand sitting on the sidelines while everyone else fights to protect the pack."

Eric's expression softened slightly, though his concern was still evident. "I understand your desire to contribute, but you should have come to me. It's dangerous out there, especially with the rogues targeting us."

"I needed to do this my way," Aria said, her voice firm. "And Alex has been an amazing teacher. I'm stronger now because of him."

Eric studied her for a moment before nodding. "Very well. But from now on, you train under my supervision. No more secrets."

Aria hesitated but eventually agreed. "Okay. But I want Alex to stay involved. He's been a big part of my progress."

Eric reluctantly agreed, realizing the bond between his daughter and Alex was an asset rather than a liability.

With her father's approval, Aria continued her training, now with the added support of the pack's resources. Alex remained by her side, pushing her to new heights.

As the days turned into weeks, Aria's confidence grew. She knew the road ahead would be difficult, but she also knew she was ready to face whatever challenges came her way.

The rogues might have underestimated her before, but they wouldn't make that mistake again.

And if they did, they would pay dearly for it.