Testing Her Strength

Testing Her Strength

A few days had passed since Nicole left the cave, but the chaos caused by the phoenix's release had only grown worse.
She had managed to return home without being seen, which was fortunate considering what happened afterward.
The entire Golden Shine Pack had fallen into panic.
People whispered on the streets. Warriors patrolled constantly. The elders held meeting after meeting, looking more frightened each time.
Even Nicole's father, who rarely cared about anything unless it benefited him, attended every meeting.
Once they confirmed that the strange light over the mountains had come from the sealed phoenix, the panic spread far beyond Golden Shine.
Alphas across the world began holding emergency meetings.
Their ancestors had taken part in the battle that sealed the phoenix centuries ago.
Now they feared he had returned for revenge.
The temple was just as frightened.
For the past two days, everyone had been strengthening barriers, preparing purification circles, and reviewing evacuation plans.
After all, the Moonborn had been responsible for sealing the phoenix.
If he wanted revenge, the temple would be one of the most obvious places to attack.
Warriors now patrolled day and night.
The temple was practically barricaded.
Even the elders seemed ready to jump at every unexpected sound.
Nicole had struggled more than once to keep herself from laughing.
If they knew the terrifying creature they feared was currently wandering around in human form, probably annoying some unfortunate person, they might faint.
And if they discovered Nicole was the one who had freed him?
Even worse, that she had made a pact with him?
That would cause a completely different kind of chaos.
The alphas would fear her.
The elders would panic.
Her father would try to control her.
And Alicia would probably start scheming harder than ever.
So Nicole was perfectly happy to keep quiet.
Let them prepare for an attack that wasn't coming.
But whenever her thoughts returned to that mountain, they didn't stay on the phoenix for long.
They went back to the cave.
To Ace Carter.
To his hands on her.
To his lips.
Nicole's lips tingled at the memory, and heat immediately spread across her face.
“Lady Nicole?”
Nadine's voice snapped her back to reality.
Nicole looked up.
Both Nadine and Silas were staring at her.
“Your face is red,” Nadine said worriedly.
She stepped closer, looking ready to check Nicole's temperature.
“Are you sick? Maybe we should go inside. It's been snowing since yesterday, and you've been standing out here without a proper coat.”
“I'm fine.”
Nadine didn't look convinced.
“A-are you sure?”
Nicole cleared her throat, desperately pushing the memory of Ace out of her mind.
“I'm sure. It's nothing.”
Nadine looked over Nicole's clothes.
She wore only a simple shirt and pants. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, with small flakes of snow already settling on it.
Compared to Nadine, who was wrapped in a thick winter coat, boots, gloves, and a scarf, Nicole probably looked ridiculous.
“My lady,” Nadine tried again, “at least wear a coat. What you're wearing is far too thin for this weather.”
Nicole shook her head.
Then she raised the sword in her hand.
“How am I supposed to train with Silas if I'm buried under a huge coat? I won't be able to move properly.”
Nadine and Silas exchanged a look.
Nicole almost smiled.
They were clearly trying to find a respectful way to tell her she was insane.
Nadine spoke first.
“Are you certain you want to do this? Silas is a trained warrior. You've never used a real sword before. What if you get hurt?”
She glanced at the weapon.
“Maybe you should use a wooden sword first.”
Silas immediately nodded.
“I agree, my lady. I don't want to injure you.”
Nicole's lips curved.
“It's funny that you think you could even scratch me.”
Silas stiffened.
His expression immediately reminded Nicole that he hadn't forgotten what happened in the courtyard.
She had forced everyone there to their knees.
“I understand why you're worried,” Nicole said. “But don't underestimate me.”
She lifted her sword.
“Let's spar. Then we'll find out whether you can beat me.”
Silas hesitated before bowing his head.
“Yes, my lady.”
Nicole stepped backward.
Snow crunched beneath her boots as she created distance between them.
Nadine turned toward Silas.
She didn't say anything, but her expression changed.
Nicole immediately caught the thought in her mind.
'Don't forget what we planned. Go easy on her.'
Silas gave Nadine a small nod.
Nicole almost laughed.
They really did care about her.
Even if they were currently planning behind her back.
Zirah's amused voice came from inside Nicole's mind.
'You should be the one going easy on him.'
Nicole raised an eyebrow.
'I know you,' Zirah continued. 'You're ruthless when you train soldiers. Don't break him.'
Nicole smiled.
“We'll see.”
During the days of chaos following the phoenix's release, Zirah had finally awakened and recovered her strength.
And Nicole hadn't asked Silas to spar simply because she was bored.
She had two reasons.
The first was Silas himself.
He was a good fighter, but Nicole had noticed weaknesses during his fight with Arthur.
Small mistakes in his stance.
Most people wouldn't notice them.
Nicole did.
And in a real battle, those small mistakes could get him killed.
Silas had his wolf to rely on, but Nicole knew better than most how dangerous that dependence could become.
In her past lives, Zirah had been poisoned.
Nicole had suddenly lost access to her wolf and had been forced to survive using her own fighting skills.
Without those skills, she would have died much sooner.
She didn't want Silas making the same mistake.
But there was another reason she had called him here.
Nicole needed to test herself.
Her memories had returned.
Zirah was awake again.
And the white wolf's power inside her was stronger than before.
Nicole could feel the difference.
What she didn't know was exactly how much stronger she had become.
Today, she intended to find out.
Her fingers tightened around the sword.
Across from her, Silas took his position.
Nicole studied his stance.
He thought he needed to go easy on her.
Nadine thought Nicole needed protection.
Neither of them understood what this sparring match was really about.
Nicole wasn't here to learn how to use a sword.
She was here to discover just how dangerous she had become.