Capítulo 6: Chapter 6: First Steps

Consciousness returned slowly, like swimming up through layers of warm, thick honey. My eyelids felt heavy, but I forced them open, blinking against the soft light filtering through the windows. As the room came into focus, so did the figure seated beside my bed.

Asher.

He was slumped in a chair, his powerful frame somehow managing to look both imposing and vulnerable. His eyes were closed, dark lashes fanned against his cheeks, but the tension in his jaw told me he wasn't truly asleep. Even at rest, he radiated an aura of strength and authority that made my breath catch.

I shifted slightly, and his eyes snapped open, immediately alert. The intensity of his gaze pinned me in place.

"Lyra," he said, my name a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine. "How are you feeling?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but my throat was dry, the words catching. Asher was on his feet in an instant, pouring water from a pitcher on the bedside table. As he held the glass to my lips, I became acutely aware of how close he was. His scent enveloped me – pine, earth, and something uniquely Asher that made my head spin.

"Thank you," I managed after a few sips, my voice hoarse. "I feel... different."

Asher nodded, his expression a mixture of concern and something else I couldn't quite read. "You've been through a lot. Your body is adjusting to the awakening of your powers."

Powers. The word echoed in my mind, bringing with it flashes of memory – silver light, surging energy, a sense of connection that defied explanation. I looked down at my hands, half expecting to see them glowing.

"What's happening to me?" I whispered, fear and excitement warring within me.

Asher's hand covered mine, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through my body. "You're becoming who you were always meant to be," he said softly. "A True Luna."

The title hung in the air between us, heavy with meaning I didn't yet understand. I needed to move, to clear my head and process everything that had happened. Without thinking, I swung my legs over the side of the bed.

The moment my feet touched the floor, the room tilted dangerously. My knees buckled, and I braced myself for impact with the hard floor. But it never came.

In a blur of movement, Asher was there, his strong arms wrapping around me. I found myself pressed against his chest, my hands instinctively gripping his shoulders for support. The thin fabric of his shirt did little to hide the solid muscle beneath, and I felt the heat of his skin seeping into mine.

"Easy," Asher murmured, his breath warm against my ear. "I've got you."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. This close, his scent was overwhelming, making it hard to think. I could feel the steady thump of his heart, the rise and fall of his chest. Every point of contact between us seemed to burn with an intensity that both thrilled and terrified me.

Slowly, giving me time to find my balance, Asher loosened his hold. But he didn't step away, his hands settling on my waist to steady me. I looked up, meeting his eyes, and felt my breath catch. The concern in his gaze had been replaced by something darker, more primal.

"You need to be careful," he said, his voice low and rough. "Your body is still adjusting to the changes. You're stronger now, but also more... sensitive."

As if to prove his point, he slowly ran his hands up my sides, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. I shuddered, overwhelmed by the sensation.

"I... I don't understand," I managed to say, fighting to keep my voice steady. "Why does everything feel so... intense?"

Asher's lips quirked in a small smile. "It's part of being a Luna. Your senses are heightened, your connection to the pack – to me – is stronger."

To emphasize his words, he took one of my hands and placed it on his chest, over his heart. I could feel the steady, strong beat beneath my palm, and something more – a pull, an invisible thread connecting us.

"Do you feel that?" he asked softly.

I nodded, unable to look away from his intense gaze. "What is it?"

"Our bond," Asher replied. "It's always been there, from the moment I chose you as Luna. But now, with your awakening, it's grown stronger."

I closed my eyes, focusing on the sensation. It was like a warm current flowing between us, comforting and exhilarating at the same time. But as I concentrated, I became aware of something else – another thread, fainter but undeniably present, leading away from us.

My eyes snapped open. "Lucian," I breathed, the name falling from my lips before I could stop it.

Asher stiffened, his jaw clenching. For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of pain in his eyes, quickly masked by a neutral expression.

"Yes," he said, his tone carefully controlled. "It seems you have a connection to him as well. It's... unusual."

I bit my lip, uncertain how to respond. The memory of Lucian's touch, his presence during my awakening, was vivid in my mind. But so was the warmth of Asher's arms around me, the intensity of his gaze.

Asher must have sensed my confusion. He stepped back, putting a small distance between us, and I immediately missed his warmth.

"We have a lot to discuss," he said, his voice taking on the authoritative tone of an Alpha. "But first, we need to start your training. Your powers are awakening, and you need to learn to control them."

I nodded, grateful for the change of subject. "How do we start?"

Asher's expression softened slightly. "We'll begin with something simple. Close your eyes."

I obeyed, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness.

"Now," Asher continued, his voice low and soothing, "I want you to focus on your breathing. Feel the air entering your lungs, the beat of your heart."

I did as he instructed, becoming aware of the rhythm of my body. As I concentrated, I began to sense something more – a wellspring of energy deep within me, pulsing in time with my heartbeat.

"Do you feel it?" Asher asked. "The power inside you?"

"Yes," I whispered, awed by the sensation.

"Good. Now, very gently, try to draw on that power. Imagine it flowing through your body, down your arms, to your fingertips."

I focused, picturing the energy as a stream of silver light. At first, nothing happened. But then, slowly, I felt a tingling sensation in my hands.

"Asher," I gasped, my eyes flying open. "I think it's working!"

But Asher wasn't looking at my face. His gaze was fixed on my hands, his expression a mixture of awe and satisfaction. I followed his gaze and felt my breath catch.

My hands were glowing with a soft, silver light.

"That's incredible," I breathed, watching as the light pulsed in rhythm with my heartbeat.

Asher nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "You're a natural, Lyra. But this is just the beginning. With practice, you'll be able to channel that energy, to use it to strengthen the pack bonds, to heal, to protect."

The light faded as my concentration broke, leaving me feeling drained but exhilarated. I swayed slightly, and Asher was there in an instant, his arm around my waist to steady me.

"Easy," he murmured. "Using your powers takes energy. You'll need to build up your strength gradually."

I nodded, leaning into him more than was strictly necessary. "Will you teach me?" I asked, looking up at him through my lashes.

Something flickered in Asher's eyes – hunger, possessiveness, and a warmth that made my heart race. "Yes," he said, his voice husky. "I'll teach you everything you need to know. We'll train every day, starting tomorrow."

"Thank you," I said softly, meaning it with every fiber of my being. Despite the confusion, the overwhelming changes, I felt safe with Asher. Protected.

Asher's hand came up to cup my cheek, his thumb gently tracing my cheekbone. The touch sent shivers through me, and I found myself leaning into his hand.

"Lyra," he breathed, his face inching closer to mine. "I..."

A sharp knock at the door made us both jump. Asher stepped back, his expression closing off as he called out, "Enter."

The door opened to reveal Doctor Elena, her eyebrows raising slightly as she took in our proximity. "Alpha," she said, nodding respectfully to Asher before turning her attention to me. "Lyra, it's good to see you awake. How are you feeling?"

As Elena began her examination, peppering me with questions about my symptoms and energy levels, I couldn't help but steal glances at Asher. He had retreated to the window, his posture rigid, but his eyes never left me.