Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 323

Aurora’s P.O.V

Alice’s eyes softened as she looked at me, and she gave a small nod. “I understand, Aurora. You’re not the first to feel this way, and you won’t be the last. But learning to fight, to protect, it’s not just about physical strength—it’s about mindset. And you have to be sure, really sure, that this is what you want."

"I’m sure," I said, the weight of the words grounding me. "I can’t keep waiting for Caleb to come back and keep thinking I’m not strong enough to stand by him." I didn’t realize how much I needed to say that until the words were out.

Before Alice could respond, though, Ashton’s voice cut through the moment, laced with concern. “Alice, what happened to the rogues? Did they manage to kill them all? Or did they escape?” His voice was sharp, his eyes intense, and I could tell he was still on edge.

I blinked, surprised by the question. I hadn’t asked Caleb about that yet—hadn’t even thought to ask, honestly. I had been so relieved when he came back to me, safe and sound, that the details of the fight had completely slipped my mind. But Ashton’s question lingered, heavy in the air.

Alice turned to face him, her expression unwavering. "All of the rogues are dead," she said, her tone cold, final. "We wiped them out, but there was a large group, and it’s likely that more are out there. This isn’t over. There’s always a chance that they’ll regroup and come for us again. We need to be ready. We need to be prepared for whatever comes next."

Her words sent a chill through me. The urgency in her voice was a stark reminder that our lives, our safety, were always at risk. This wasn’t just about training or defending myself; this was about survival. I nodded, as if agreeing to this new reality, even though a part of me still wanted to bury my head in the sand and pretend that everything was okay.

Ashton’s expression softened, though he didn’t look entirely relieved. "We’ll be ready," he muttered, more to himself than to anyone else. "But what if more shows up before we’re ready? What then?"

Alice met his gaze, her eyes unflinching. “Then we fight. We fight until there’s nothing left of them. We’ve trained for this, and we’ll keep training. No one gets left behind.”

I couldn’t help but feel the fire in her words, and it was that fire that made me even more determined. I wasn’t going to sit on the sidelines anymore. I wasn’t going to let Caleb or anyone else fight alone if I could help it. I looked back at Alice, my voice stronger now, filled with conviction.

“I’ll train, Alice. I’ll do whatever it takes to help. I’m ready.”

Her gaze softened again, and for a moment, she seemed to take me in, as if weighing my resolve. Then, with a nod, she finally spoke. “Alright, Aurora. Let’s get started.”

The tension in the room lessened, and I knew this was just the beginning. But one thing was clear: I wasn’t going to be helpless anymore. Not while Caleb, not while the pack, needed me.

I watched as Ashton nodded, signaling the start of another round of training. The air around us hummed with anticipation, as Ashton and Maggie moved, each of them channeling their inner energy. Ashton was focused on the wind, while Maggie on earth, but I could see the same intense concentration in their eyes. I stood a little apart from them, unsure of where to even begin. I had tried before, but everything had felt so chaotic inside me, like there were too many forces fighting for control. I clenched my fists, feeling the heat that had sparked within me earlier.

Alice moved beside me, her quiet presence a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me. She watched the others for a moment, then turned her gaze back to me, her eyes soft but knowing. “Your strength lies with fire, Aurora,” she said, her voice calm but firm. “That’s the first element you called forth when you began your training. It’s why you feel the heat inside you so strongly. Fire is your affinity.”

I felt a flicker of frustration rise in my chest. “But why? I don’t even understand it. One moment, I’m trying to focus on something else, and then... It's fire. How do I control it?”

She nodded slowly, as though she had anticipated my question. “Fire is both a defense and an offense, Aurora. It’s powerful, unpredictable, and dangerous. It’s a reflection of your inner turmoil, your drive, your need to protect what you love. But if you don’t learn to harness it, it will consume you.”

“So, how do I control it?” I asked again, the question now feeling even more urgent.

Alice smiled, a touch of mischief in her eyes. “We’ll start with focusing. Close your eyes.” I hesitated but then compiled, shutting out the world around me. I could feel the heat in my chest, the way it pulsed with every breath, like a flame ready to burst out. “Now, imagine that flame, small and contained, just at the center of your chest,” she instructed. “It’s yours, Aurora. No one else can control it unless you allow them to.”

I focused, as Alice had instructed. I imagined the flame, small and steady, like a match igniting in the dark. It flickered, but it was contained, and the warmth it gave off felt... different. Less chaotic, less wild. I felt a shift inside me, a subtle hum in my body as the fire aligned with my will instead of overwhelming me.

Alice’s voice was steady, guiding me. “You’re doing it, Aurora. Now, take that flame and direct it outward. Focus on something in front of you. Let the fire flow into it, control it, don’t let it burn everything down.”

I opened my eyes, locking my gaze on a nearby stone. I could feel the heat rising in my chest again, but this time, I didn’t resist it. I channeled the fire into my hands, slowly, carefully. The warmth spread across my skin, and I focused it on the stone. The stone began to glow faintly, the heat warping the air around it. I could feel the fire inside me, a wild beast, but it was mine to command now.

The others were still training, but I could hear the soft approval in Alice’s voice. “That’s it. You’re starting to understand. Fire doesn’t have to be reckless, Aurora. It can be controlled, a tool, not a weapon of destruction. And as you learn to master it, you’ll become even stronger. Trust in yourself.”

Her words echoed in my mind as I looked at the glowing stone, the fire simmering in my palms. Maybe I wasn’t as lost as I thought.