Hailey felt the sting of her mother’s disapproval every day, a constant reminder that at twenty-three, she still hadn't found her mate.

It didn’t help that her younger sister, only nineteen, had already found her mate and left with him to support the pack as the beta’s partner. Feeling like an outsider in her own family, Hailey turned to the one person she believed still saw her potential: her father, the gamma of their pack.

Determined to earn her parents' pride in a different way, Hailey decided to train under her father’s guidance.

She threw herself into her training with relentless dedication, hoping that becoming a skilled fighter would finally earn her the respect and approval she longed for.

Every punch, every kick, every moment of pushing her limits was a step towards proving her worth—not just to her family, but to herself.

Hailey's decision to train with her father was not made lightly. The rejection she felt from her mother was a heavy burden, weighing on her every day.

Her mother's disdain was palpable, often expressed through sharp comments and cold indifference. Hailey's failure to find her mate was seen as a disgrace, especially in a pack where finding one's mate was considered a rite of passage into adulthood.

Her sister, Hannah, was the golden child. At nineteen, Hannah had already found her mate, the pack's beta, and they had left to fulfill their roles.

The pride and joy their mother showed for Hannah was a stark contrast to the disappointment she felt for Hailey. This disparity only fueled Hailey's determination to prove herself in other ways.

Hailey's father, though, was different. As the gamma, he was a respected warrior, and he saw potential in Hailey that her mother chose to ignore.

He agreed to train her, recognizing her need to find her place and prove her worth. The training was rigorous. Every morning at dawn, Hailey would meet her father in the training grounds. The early hours were cold, but Hailey welcomed the chill as it sharpened her focus.

Her father didn't go easy on her. The drills were intense: long runs through the forest to build stamina, weightlifting to increase strength, and sparring sessions that left her bruised and exhausted.

But Hailey thrived on the challenge. She pushed herself harder every day, driven by the desire to impress her father and, perhaps more importantly, to silence the voice in her head that echoed her mother’s criticism.

Training wasn't just about physical strength; it was about strategy and mental toughness.

Her father taught her how to anticipate an opponent's moves, how to stay calm under pressure, and how to use her smaller size to her advantage. Hailey soaked up every lesson, her confidence growing with each passing day.

Outside of training, Hailey's life was still lonely. She avoided her mother as much as possible, retreating to her room or spending time in the pack's library when she wasn’t training.

Books became her escape, and she found solace in stories of warriors and heroes who overcame great odds. Her father's praise during training sessions was like water in a desert, nourishing her spirit and keeping her going.

As months passed, Hailey’s hard work began to show. She became faster, stronger, and more skilled. Her father started to include her in the pack's defense drills, where she earned the respect of other pack members.

They began to see her not just as the alpha's disappointing daughter, but as a formidable fighter in her own right.

Despite her progress, Hailey's relationship with her mother remained strained. But she no longer let it define her. She had found a sense of purpose and belonging through her training.

She knew that she might never earn her mother’s approval, but she had earned her own respect, and that was enough.

Hailey stood in the training grounds, the early morning sun casting long shadows. Today was different; it was her first official sparring match against another pack member.

Her father watched from the sidelines, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and pride. She felt a knot of nerves in her stomach but pushed it down, focusing on the task at hand.

Her opponent, a seasoned fighter named Noel, stepped into the ring. He was larger and more experienced, but Hailey had trained relentlessly for this moment. They began circling each other, tension crackling in the air.

The signal to start was given, and Noel lunged first, his movements swift and calculated. Hailey dodged, her training kicking in.

She countered with a series of quick jabs, testing his defenses. Noel responded with a powerful kick that Hailey barely managed to block. The force of it sent her stumbling back, but she quickly regained her footing.

The sparring continued, each of them landing blows and dodging attacks. Hailey's heart pounded in her chest, the thrill of the fight energizing her. She could see the respect in Noel's eyes as he realized she was a formidable opponent.

Then it happened. In the heat of the moment, Hailey felt the shift within her.

It was a split second decision, driven by instinct and adrenaline. Her body transformed, muscles rippling and bones shifting as she took on her wolf form. Her senses heightened, and she felt a surge of power.

Noel was momentarily stunned by her transformation, and Hailey seized the opportunity. She lunged at him, her claws extended. But in her excitement and lack of control, she miscalculated her attack. Her claws raked across Noel's arm, leaving deep, bloody scratches.

The world seemed to slow down. Noel cried out in pain, and Hailey immediately shifted back to her human form, horrified by what she had done.

Blood dripped from her claws, and she felt a wave of guilt and shame crash over her. She had never meant to hurt him so badly.

Her father was at her side in an instant, checking on Noel and then turning to Hailey with a stern but understanding look.

"Hailey, control is just as important as strength," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "You must learn to harness your abilities without letting them overpower you."

Noel, despite his injury, gave her a reassuring nod. "It's okay, Hailey. We all make mistakes. Just learn from it."

Hailey swallowed hard, nodding as she fought back tears. The crowd that had gathered to watch the match was silent, their expressions a mix of shock and sympathy.

She knew she had a long way to go, but this incident had taught her a valuable lesson. Control and precision were just as important as strength and speed.

From that day on, Hailey redoubled her efforts in training, focusing not just on her physical abilities but also on mastering the transformation and controlling her instincts.

She knew she had to become a fighter who could be trusted, someone her pack could rely on without fear. And she was determined to prove herself, not just to her father or her pack, but to herself.