ASHER
The sun barely peeked through the broken clouds as I stood beneath the towering trees, my legs trembling with each step.
The wind carried the scent of pine and damp earth, but I could barely focus on anything other than staying upright.
My balance wavered, my muscles ached, and every breath burned. It was as though my own body had become a prison.
I took another step forward and stumbled, catching myself before I hit the ground.
A soft laugh followed behind me, light and melodic. I turned my head to see her….the woman who had been nursing me back from death's door. Her name was Elira.
Elira had long auburn curls that shimmered like fire in the sunlight, and eyes as blue as a clear morning sky. She stood with her arms folded, watching me with a look of patient amusement.
"You're getting better," she said, walking towards me slowly.
"Barely," I muttered, trying again to walk straight. "I should be stronger. I'm... I'm an Alpha."
