Selena's POV
The night air was thick with tension as the conflict with the rogues faded into the light, leaving behind a lingering residue of adrenaline and anxiety. I stood at the border of our area, the light rising over the trees, providing a soft brightness that felt almost surreal after the commotion. The relics of the conflict lay scattered, fading memories of how near we had come to calamity.
I held my spear, its weight a reminder of my battle and my survival. The wounds of combat were engraved into the dirt, but so were the victories of the pack. I felt a flush of pride, and yet, as the stillness sank, a creeping fear snaked through my consciousness. Would the pack continue to regard me as stronger, or would I revert to being simply an omega?
A familiar voice broke through my thoughts as Jaxon approached, his tone one of cautious excitement. "You held your own out there, Selena. We could need more soldiers like you." His praise took me off guard, sprouting warmth inside my chest amongst my anguish.
"Thanks, Jaxon. But I still… I still feel like I'm not enough," I admitted, the shadow of doubt encroaching on my newfound strength.
"Trust me, everyone sees it. Just don't let Raven twist your head," he restored a bit of my confidence, but as I glanced across the clearing, my gaze locked onto Maddox, standing isolated, scanning the horizon. There was something different about his attitude, something that lit a flame of hope and desire inside me.
With a determined step, I traversed the gap toward Maddox, heart hammering hard beneath my breast. He tilted his head subtly, his gorgeous blue eyes latching onto mine. For a minute, the world faded away, and I was lost in the depths of his gaze, the weight of unsaid words spinning in the air between us.
"Selena," he welcomed, a touch of relief softening the hard edges of his voice. "You fought well last night. I witnessed you confront your fears."
My heart raced, and shame stabbed at my insides. "I was just doing what needed to be done," I said, but even I could hear the trembling in my voice.
"No, you went beyond. You stood up when it mattered," he insisted, his tone firm but surprisingly gentle. There was something possessive in his stare, a spark of appreciation that sent goosebumps up my spine. "That takes more than just skill; it takes courage."
I wanted to luxuriate in that reassurance, to let it wrap around me like a blanket, but doubts resurfaced. "What if it's not enough? What if I fail to defend the pack when it counts?"
His countenance transformed, a ferocious passion flaring inside him. "We face every challenge together. You aren't alone, Selena." The intensity behind his words struck me with a mixture of warmth and anxiety, and as he drew closer, I felt an irresistible connection between us. But before I could linger on the moment, a startling ruckus erupted from the neighboring woods.
The sound of shattering trees and frantic voices slashed through the air, jolting me from my meditation. "What's happening?" I demanded, automatically leaning closer to Maddox.
A scout lurched into view, gasping with dread. "The rogues are regrouping! They're plotting another attack!"
The anxiety knotted in my gut as the knowledge struck in. "We need to prepare!" I yelled, my thoughts racing with the practicalities of our defense.
Maddox turned to the gathered pack, his strong presence taking the lead. "We need a solid plan. Jaxon, organize the scouts. I want everyone on alert."
As he commanded the pack, I could feel the weight of leadership falling heavily on his shoulders. It struck me that underneath his assurance was a smoldering worry for every wolf under his care, including me. The understanding shot a jolt down my spine.
"Are you alright?" Maddox inquired unexpectedly, turning back to me. The intensity in his stare seemed like a raw, electric electricity. "I mean, after everything that happened last night."
My heart swelled unexpectedly at his attentiveness, and the pandemonium around us receded. "I am," I said, although the truth of it was more difficult. I had survived a struggle, yet my value still seemed precarious.
"Good. You need to be ready for whatever happens next," he warned, but his expression softened, a hint of his vulnerability slipping through. I felt myself move closer, captivated by the link that appeared to flare between us. But the moment shattered as a deafening roar reverberated from the trees beyond, sending a new surge of terror washing over us.
The air sparked with tension, every wolf bristling with readiness. "Stay close," Maddox urged as he pulled his blade, determination engraved onto his keen face. "We've faced them before. This time, we're ready."
"Let's show them what we're made of!" Jaxon roared, flashing his spear, sparking the pack's spirits. The excitement coursed through me as the call to arms echoed, pushing aside my concerns.
As we lined up for war, I strained to look past my concerns. I couldn't allow the weight of my fears to pull me down; I had a part to play, and I wasn't going to run away from it. I hurried to take my place behind Maddox, the ferocious energy of the pack pouring around us.
With a sweep of his hand, Maddox indicated for us to proceed. My pulse raced; here was the moment I had been building towards, an opportunity to reaffirm my value not only to myself, but to him, to the entire pack.
But before we could leap into action, Raven came forward, her eyes sparkling with wicked purpose. "Are you really going to risk everything again, Maddox? We all know how that goes out."
The insult was a reminder of the fissures hiding behind our earlier victory. I could see Maddox's clenched teeth as he reined in his rage, and I felt the tension grow. Would Raven ruin our prospects or, worse, cause a rift within the pack?
The words lingered in the air, loaded with significance, and I braced myself as Maddox took a step forward to meet Raven. "Back off, Raven. This is greater than your little games," he warned, his voice low and dangerous.
But Raven merely grinned, unmoved by his fury. "You know Selena doesn't belong here. She's an omega. You're risking everything for nothing!"
With those words, the pack shuffled uneasily around us, staring at each other, uneasiness running between them like a ripple over water. I felt every ounce of uncertainty that had gathered crawling back to the surface as her insinuations soaked in.
"I have the same right to fight for this pack as you do!" I walked forward, my voice steadying as I met her boldness. "I've fought alongside all of you, and I won't be dismissed again!"
Maddox's eyes sparkled with appreciation, sparking a determination deep inside me. "We're stronger together," I added, locking eyes with him for a little while. "I won't let anyone tell me otherwise."
But before I could breathe, a wild growl rang from the edge of the trees. The rogues were closing in swiftly, eyes ravenous for our meat.
"Maddox!" I shouted, adrenaline flowing as my dread changed into sheer instinct. This was it, my proving ground. Leaping forward, spear held high, I rushed after the sound of the incoming danger, ready to meet both the combat ahead and the shadows of uncertainty lurking over me. Would I conquer my fears, or would they devour me whole?