Chapter Twelve

"Let's begin," Lila encouraged, "These aren't just weights; they're Opportunities to discover your strength." Her expression, a mix of encouragement and scrutiny

Ariana nodded, absorbing Lila's words as she lifted. Lila's watchful gaze studied the dance of her muscles, acknowledging not just the physical effort but the intention behind each movement.

"Patience!" Her voice, a gentle ripple in the early morning air, reached Ariana's ears as she gestured towards a set of heavy wooden logs arranged in a challenging pattern.

"Strength is not just about muscle power, Ariana," her voice, a gentle guide.

"It's about understanding your body's limits and pushing beyond them. Let's start with these logs. Lift them, one by one, and place them in a line."

Ariana turned to face her mentor, the lines of determination etched on her face, she eyed the logs, their rough surfaces hinting at the countless hands that had grappled with them before.

The two women had forged an unexpected bond, and Ariana had discovered an unlikely ally in Lila. The dark of the night and the veil of early morning hours had been culprits to mischief, from time to time, providing Lila the perfect opportunity to break Ariana free from the jail of her room, defying the alpha.

Lila's story about the Alpha's past had left a profound impact on Ariana, she no longer saw him as a mere tormentor but as a complex man shaped by tragedy. She had resolved to ease the burdens of his past, no matter how daunting the task may seem. In the quiet hush of dawn, She began working hard to learn the pack's customs, started studying their traditions, and trained to perfect her role.

Her journey was not confined to the intellectual aspects alone. Within the courtyard, Lila, ever patient, stood near a set of exercise equipment, ready to guide Ariana through sessions aimed at enhancing her physical strength.

It was another day of strenuous, physical training between mentor and apprentice.

Taking a deep breath, Ariana approached the first log. With a grunt, she lifted it,

"It's heavier than it looks," she remarked, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. the strain evident on her face, and carefully set it down in line.

Lila smiled, "Strength is deceptive, Ariana. It often resides where we least expect it. Now, Move the logs into a staggered pattern. This will engage not only your strength but also your agility."

As Ariana adjusted the logs, Lila continued, "In strength, there should be a balance between power and control. It's not just about moving forcefully but with precision. Feel the ground beneath you, and let it support your every move."

"Good. Now, let's integrate balance. Stand on one leg as you lift. Engage your core; it's not just your arms at work, but your entire body in harmony." Lila suggested, guiding Ariana to a one-legged position. "This isn't just about lifting; it's about grounding yourself, finding stability amid movement."

As Ariana balanced on one leg, the courtyard echoed with her measured breaths and the subtle strains of her muscles. Her movements resonated with purpose.

Moving to a set of resistance bands, Lila explained, "Resistance training challenges your muscles differently. It's not about the weight alone; it's about the resistance you encounter and overcome. Pull with purpose, Ariana."

Ariana pulled against the bands, her muscles responding to the call for effort. Lila's guidance wasn't just about the physical strain; it was an acknowledgment that strength isn't built in comfort but in facing resistance with unwavering resolve. She worked through the exercises, and Lila provided guidance.

"Now, the medicine ball," Lila handed it to Ariana. "Squats are more than an exercise; they're a reflection of your ability to rise against the weight. It's not just a ball; it's a symbol of your power to lift yourself."

Ariana's squats were slow and steady, a testament to more than just physical strength. The courtyard witnessed the intense physical engagement, as the medicine ball became a companion in Ariana's journey.

Lila followed suit, showing her how it's done, the medicine ball becoming an extension of understanding of strength. "Feel the connection between your muscles and the movement. It's not just about completing the exercise; it's about doing it with intention."

As the session drew to a close, Lila summarized, "What you've done today is not just a workout; It's an embodiment of resilience, an acknowledgment that challenges are not obstacles but opportunities."

Ariana, though physically exhausted, felt a surge of energy coursing through her veins. "Thank you, Lila. This goes beyond physical training. It's about facing the weight of challenges head-on." Her subtle smile, showed appreciation as she spoke.

Lila nodded satisfactorily, her eyes reflecting pride.

Ariana's days were marked by diligent practice, a harmonious blend of commitment and determination. Each day, she grew stronger, more knowledgeable, and more determined. She was on a mission to show Ethan that she could be an asset to the pack, and perhaps, in the process, find a way to soften the heart of the formidable Alpha.

Etiquette sessions were a daily ritual, each movement refined under Lila's watchful eye.

From the simple etiquette of communication to the formalities of ceremonies, Ariana embraced the pack's way of life with a determination that echoed through the palace halls.

"It's not just about memorizing rituals; it is about feeling the heartbeat of the pack, resonating with the spirit that unites us," Lila remarked, her voice carrying the weight of experience.

Ariana's spirit remained undeterred. "Then teach me, Lila, not just with words but with the very essence that binds this pack. I want to embody their traditions, not merely recite them."

Lila, with a nod that spoke volumes, agreed.

Ariana's hunger for knowledge grew by the day as she learned from Lila. It extended to the history of the pack, the tales of their ancestors echoing in her ears like the soft rustle of leaves, seizing each moment to learn about the way of life in Crescent Moon Pack

It is in one of these transformative moments that Ariana stumbled upon a concealed chamber within the palace. Among the relics in the chamber, a dusty journal caught her eye. Its pages yellowed in time.

She delicately flipped through the worn-out pages, the journal unfolding the untold struggles of a woman's life, her threads of tragedy and sacrifice. Identified only as the alpha's breeder, the entries narrate her journey, starting as a werewolf with a divine gift, chosen as the Alpha's breeder, and ultimately meeting a tragic fate.

Initially distant, Ariana's emotional barriers crumble as she senses a shared grief documented in the journal,—a werewolf forced into a tragedy; life as the Alpha's worthless breeder.

She immediately felt an urge—to make it her duty to find out the story of this woman who penned these words.

Her eyes flickered through the first page of the journal,

*Journal Entry - Full Moon, Silver Haven, 3rd of March

The Alpha's decree hangs over me like a dark cloud, a suffocating weight that stifles any hope of escape. I am nothing more than a breeding machine, a vessel for his insatiable desire for power.

Each night, as the moon waxes and wanes, I find solace in stolen moments of solitude. This journal, my confidante, bears witness to the silent screams that echo within my soul. I pen these words hoping they find a sympathetic ear*