Chapter 33: Awakening Instincts

The next morning, Eira’s whole body ached. She had trained until exhaustion claimed her, pushing past her limits, consumed by the weight of frustration.

She turned onto her side, her breath shallow, and saw Nyx resting comfortably beside her. His presence was unwavering, constant—a quiet reminder that unlike everyone else in her life, he had never abandoned her.

She reached out, running her fingers softly across his head. Guilt crept in.

She had taken her frustrations out on him yesterday, snapping at the one creature that asked for nothing from her. She had been so focused on getting stronger—on Kael—that she had neglected her wolf entirely.

Nyx stirred, his glowing eyes locking onto hers.

He cocked his head to the side. "What's on your mind, Eira?" Then, realizing his slip, he corrected himself quickly. “I mean—Frostborn.”

He turned away, seemingly flustered.

Eira studied him for a moment before speaking. “You said we are connected, right, Nyx?”

He nodded in response, his piercing blue gaze steady.

She hesitated. "So… since we are connected, do I have any powers tied to you? Anything I need to unlock?"

Nyx paused. He didn’t know how to explain it.

When Eira had been born, so had he. They had always been bound, though the depth of their connection still remained shrouded in mystery. He had fleeting memories—remnants of another life, glimpses of something far older than himself. But something was missing.

Nyx remained silent for a while.

Eira’s gaze lingered on him, searching his crystal-blue eyes as if she had seen them before in another time, another place.

Finally, Nyx spoke. “There are powers beyond my knowledge, Frostborn. I have yet to unlock these secrets myself. But I do know one thing—you can sense danger and intruders from afar by reading their auras.”

Eira sighed, pressing her hands against her forehead. "I completely forgot about that, Nyx. I'm sorry."

Her wolf studied her carefully, sensing an opportunity. A lesson needed to be taught.

“It is not an ability you simply ‘use,’ Frostborn. It must be trained, sharpened. You must master patience and discipline.”**** He inwardly smiled—this would be the perfect chance to teach her both.

Eira nodded, eager to begin. "How do we train for that?"

Nyx’s tail flicked. "Through meditation. You must quiet your thoughts, conquer your negative emotions. Only when your mind is still—focused—can you fully harness this power."

She absorbed his words, determination flickering in her gaze. She stood from the bed and went to freshen up, ready to start.

But before she reached the wash basin, a sensation gripped her chest.

A presence.

Something—someone—was nearby.

She turned sharply to Nyx, meeting his gaze before she walked to the door. Opening it swiftly, she stepped outside, scanning the area.

Nothing.

Frowning, she stepped back inside, shutting the door and shaking off the feeling.

Nyx, however, saw the truth. She had sensed Callen’s aura.

Even without a peaceful mind, without full mastery of her training, her instincts were beginning to awaken.

A spark of pride swelled in his chest. She was stronger than she realized.

Laying back down, Nyx let out a quiet breath. But even as he tried to push the thought away, a strange feeling stirred inside him—deeper than just pride.

Little wolf.

The phrase had come to him so naturally, yet it felt… important.

He stiffened. Why did those words resonate so deeply?

He shook his head, dismissing the thought.

She is the Frostborn. That is all.

But deep down, his mind couldn’t help but drift to the possibility that maybe… just maybe… she was something more.

--

Eira finished her meal in silence, the warmth of the fire crackling beside her providing little comfort. Her body was sore, her mind restless.

She glanced at Nyx, who watched her carefully, waiting for her to begin the training she had agreed to. Meditation. Discipline. Unlocking the ability to sense auras fully.

It was strange, thinking back to earlier when she had felt something—or someone—lurking outside the villa. Had that been Callen? Had she truly sensed him?

She wasn’t sure. Her mind wasn’t settled enough.

Standing, she inhaled deeply. She needed to let go of everything clouding her mind—the rejection from her father, the betrayal of her brother, the silence from her mother.

Eira sat cross-legged before the fire, her eyes closed, her breathing slow.

It had been three days since she began training with Nyx, attempting to quiet her mind enough to sense auras with precision.

And it wasn’t going well.

Every time she tried to focus, her thoughts wouldn’t stay still. They rushed at her—memories of her father’s rejection, of Callen’s betrayal, of the mother who remained silent. She couldn’t escape them.

Nyx watched from his place by the window, observing her struggle but offering no words of encouragement. This was something she had to overcome on her own.

"Again," Nyx said simply.

Eira took a deep breath and tried once more.

One breath. Then another.

Stillness.

Silence.

For a moment—just a moment—she felt something.

Then anger flared in her chest, breaking her concentration instantly.

Her eyes snapped open, frustration burning through her veins. "It’s impossible!"

Nyx sighed. “It is difficult because you refuse to let go of your emotions.”

Eira scowled, pushing herself to her feet. "How can I? They’ve defined everything in my life! My fire, my frost, my battles—they all stem from my emotions!"

Nyx cocked his head. “And yet, if you do not control them, they will control you.”

Eira clenched her fists, her flames flickering against her fingertips. He was right.

She hated that he was right.

She sat back down with a sharp exhale, determined to try again.

She sat cross-legged by the fire, Nyx settling beside her.

“Close your eyes, Frostborn,” he instructed. “Your mind must be still, your heart calm.”

She obeyed, shutting her eyes, forcing her breathing to slow.

One breath.

Then another.

She tried to clear her thoughts, but frustration tightened in her chest. Her emotions were too loud.

Nyx sensed it. “You are resisting your own mind. Let the thoughts come, but do not hold onto them.”

Eira clenched her fists against her knees. How could she not hold onto them?

Her father had tried to erase her. Her brother had betrayed her. Her mother had abandoned her.

Her fire stirred within her, making her temperature rise.

“Let them go, Frostborn.”

She swallowed, trying again.

The fire within dimmed, her pulse slowed, and for the first time… she felt something else.

A presence.

Not Nyx. Something beyond him. Beyond this room.

Her eyes snapped open.

“There’s someone nearby,” she murmured.

Nyx’s ears flicked. “Good. Now, tell me—who?”

Eira furrowed her brows, focusing again, trying to chase the aura. It was familiar. Distant. Lingering.

And then she knew.

Callen.

Her body tensed. Her brother was still watching her.

The anger she had buried rose within her, threatening to consume her training.

But she exhaled, controlling it.

She had found him without even stepping outside.

She was learning.