Chapter 3 A fresh partnership

Melissa POV I was consumed by thoughts of what the elders had shared with me. The demise of my parents wasn't an accident. There was only one person I could ask for more information, and that someone was Lucas. He was the one who understood more about my parents than anyone else, and he had always supported me. He was reclining against a tree on the forest's edge when I discovered him, his expression thoughtful. He gave me a half-smile that didn't quite reach his eyes as I approached. "Melissa," he whispered as he moved in closer. "What is happening? You observe... concerned.

I bit my lip, not knowing where to begin. I have a question for you, Lucas. It concerns my parents. Lucas's eyebrows immediately furrowed as his expression shifted. "Your folks? Why this time?" "I learned something from the elders... something that is illogical. They claimed that my parents were embroiled in a risky situation. Are you familiar with that?" Lucas paused, glancing at the floor before responding. "Young Melissa, your folks were... intricate. Although they were decent people, they became entangled in matters that went beyond simple pack politics. I felt my heart rate increase as I moved in closer. "What are you trying to say? What activities did they engage in?" He raised his head, sorrow in his eyes. Rumors abounded. Some claimed they belonged to an old group that was attempting to defend a significant object. Others claimed to be aware of danger-posing mysteries concerning the Moonvalley and Storm Packs. I blinked as his words began to register. "Cryptos? Like what?" "I'm not entirely sure. However, he looked away and said, "But whatever it was, it was dangerous enough to get them killed." "I attempted to be impartial, but... I wished I had had more time. I felt a knot in my gut start to grow as I swallowed hard. Why didn't you ever tell me this, Lucas?" Gently, extending his hand to grasp mine, he whispered, "I didn't want to hurt you." Melissa, you've always been important to me. You are aware of that. I gave him a tight embrace, feeling the comfort, yet my thoughts were racing. My parents had been involved in a risky situation that might still have an impact on me. I was suddenly trapped during it all. Later that day, my mind was racing as I strolled close to the training fields. It was then that I noticed him, Damon. I could tell he had been waiting for me as his black eyes met mine. "Melissa," he began in a quiet, serious voice as he drew near. "We must have a conversation." Curious but also cautious, I crossed my arms. "Damon, what do you want?" Leaning closer, he looked around to make sure no one was listening. I'm aware that you're trying to find information about your parents. However, more significant activity is taking place here. I scowled. Greater? What topic are you discussing?" "Raven," he stated frankly. Dennis is blind to the fact that he is becoming more and more strong every day. Raven is a power-hungry person who uses Dennis to further his agenda. He is going to take charge of the pack if you don't stop him. A beat skipped in my heart. "Raven? However... Why would he desire authority?" Damon's eyes grew gloomy. "Because he is aware of your threat." Melissa, your power is real and not simply an act. He's scared because you're stronger than you think. You could alter everything if you could access that power. Someone like you might combine the two packs. I looked at him, not sure what to think. Do you believe I could stop him?" Damon gave a nod. "I'm sure you're capable. To reach your greatest potential, though, you must train. I can assist you. I wavered, averting my eyes. Damon, why would you want to assist me?" A tiny smile crossed his lips. "Because I think highly of you. Additionally, I don't want Raven to demolish everything we've accomplished. Melissa, we need to band together. Me and you both. My mind was racing. Damon was now volunteering his assistance, Dennis was starting to distance himself from me, and Raven was planning something. Could I put my trust in him? Before I could respond, Damon said, "Consider it. Dennis won't be able to stop Raven from moving forward if we don't take action quickly. I inhaled deeply. Okay, Damon. With you, I will train. However, I'm looking for clarification. I'll find out if you're concealing anything from me as well. Damon gave a serious glance as he nodded. "Acquire." Dennis, meanwhile, was distracted by something else as he sat in his office and stared at the documents in front of him. Despite his best efforts to concentrate on the mounting conflict with the Moonvalley Pack, his mind kept returning to me, Melissa. Why was he unable to put me out of his mind? He had turned me down and shoved me aside. It was meant to be finished. However, he couldn't control something that surged inside of him every time he saw me. Frustrated, he tightened his fists. He owed his pack an obligation. He was unable to let his emotions get in the way. Still, though... He felt the tug of the mate bond and saw my face each time he closed his eyes. To ignore the ideas, he shook his head. The future of the pack was at risk, and Raven was becoming more and more ambitious. He had no time to get sidetracked. Dennis, though, understood deep down that it wasn't that easy. He was changing because of something about me, and the relationship, and he was unsure of how to stop it. I met Damon the following evening at the edge of the training fields, out of the pack's scrutinizing gaze. As the sun sank below the trees, the sky grew darker and the air grew chilly. "Are you set? With a serious tone, Damon questioned. I nodded, unsure of what to anticipate. "Let's get going." We started with basic exercises, like learning to manage my strength, concentrate on my senses, and learn how to direct my energy. While he patiently led me through each step, Damon's eyes were constantly on the lookout, as if he was waiting for something to happen. And it did after that. Something inside of me changed during one of the exercises. I felt a raw, powerful sensation flow through my veins. The ground appeared to quake beneath me, and my hands gleamed dimly. "Whoa," I exclaimed, stammering backward. "What?" This is what?" Damon's surprised eyes grew wider. You're done, Melissa. You are awakening to your actual potential. But it must be under your control. I made an effort to steady myself, but the force was too great. It seemed like I was using my bare hands to try and stop a river. I began, "I can't-," but before I could say anything more, I heard a well-known voice behind me. "What about Melissa?" I froze, slowly turning to see Dennis staring at Damon and me from the edge of the clearing. His face was a mixture of surprise and... resentment. "Why are you in this place? He commanded, his tone acerbic. Between the electrical surge inside of me and the stress in Dennis's voice, my heart pounded. He moved a step nearer, his gaze shifting from me to Damon. "Education? With a suspicious tone, he questioned. "With him?" I bit my lip hard, not sure what to say. I could feel the tension between us, the rage simmering beneath Dennis's cool veneer. I began, "It's not what it looks like," but Dennis tensed his jaw. Do you believe I'm blind to what's going on? Dennis uttered the words in a menacingly low voice. "Damon and you..." I felt Damon move next to me, ready to answer, but I cut him off before he could say anything. My breath stuck in my throat. "Dennis, don't focus on him." This relates to me. Regarding my authority. This cannot be stopped. I could see the struggle inside Dennis, as confusion and jealousy blazed in his eyes. Before I could say anything more, there was another surge of strength coursing through me, causing the ground to tremor and my eyesight to go blurry. What was it that I was experiencing? The ground trembled under my feet as the power surged again. Dennis stared at me, his eyes wide with shock, as the tension between us thickened. What would happen now?