Mal’s lips tightened as she dropped her gaze to the dirt, her knuckles whitening around the canteen in her hands. “But it’s not enough,” she said, barely above a whisper. “I want to do more. Be more. Every time something goes wrong, I feel like I’m just standing on the sidelines while everyone else does the real work.”
Her words hit me harder than I expected. I understood the frustration of feeling powerless, of wanting to step up when the odds felt insurmountable. But she didn’t realize what she was asking for.
“You’re already doing more than enough,” I said, trying to keep my tone gentle but firm. “Mal, you’ve improved so much. You’re not the same person who couldn’t land a punch when we started. What you bring to the group-it’s more than just fighting.”
She shook her head, her expression still clouded with doubt. “You say that, but what happens when things get real? When the stakes are life or death? Will I be able to hold my own? Or will I just be someone you all have to protect?”
“You’re not just someone we protect,” Logan chimed in, his voice unusually calm and serious. “You’re part of this team. You’re part of the reason we’ve gotten this far. Don’t sell yourself short.”
“Logan’s right,” Liam added, sitting forward from where he lounged under the tree. “You think having claws or sharp teeth is what makes you strong? Nah, it’s what’s up here.” He tapped his temple with a grin. “And you’ve got plenty of that.”
Mal let out a frustrated sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly. “It’s easy for you guys to say. You’re already-well, different. I don’t have that edge.”
“Being ‘different’ isn’t what makes us strong,” I said, stepping closer to her. “It’s knowing when to push through and when to ask for help. It’s about trust, and teamwork, and not letting your fear or frustration make decisions for you.”
Mal looked up at me, her expression softening just enough for me to know my words were starting to sink in. “You mean that?” she asked quietly.
“Every word,” I said. “Mal, you’ve got what it takes, but it’s not in being like me, or Logan, or Liam. It’s in being you. That’s what we need on this team.”
The tension in her shoulders eased, and she gave a small nod, though the doubt hadn’t completely faded from her eyes. “Okay,” she said finally.
Logan stepped forward, leaning casually against the porch railing but with a sincerity in his gaze that I wasn’t used to seeing. “For what it’s worth, Mal, I’ve seen plenty of people who were stronger or faster, but they didn’t last long because they relied on that too much. Strength without strategy, speed without caution-it doesn’t get you far. You’ve got heart, and that’s what’s going to keep you standing when it matters.”
Mal blinked at him, her expression caught somewhere between surprise and gratitude. “Thanks,” she said softly, the tension in her voice easing just a bit.
Liam clapped his hands together, breaking the moment. “Alright, enough with the pep talk. Who’s ready for another round? Or are we calling it a day?”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re just itching to get knocked down again, aren’t you?”
He grinned, stretching his arms. “What can I say? I’m a sucker for punishment.”
“Careful, Liam,” Logan said with a smirk. “At this rate, Mal might be the one taking you down soon.”
Mal glanced at him, and for the first time all day, a genuine smile tugged at her lips. “Don’t count me out just yet,” she said, a flicker of determination returning to her tone.
I watched her carefully, noting the change in her posture, the way she stood a little straighter now. The doubt was still there, buried beneath the surface, but the spark had returned. For now, that was enough.
“Alright,” I said, pushing off the railing. “We’ll run through a few more drills, but let’s not overdo it. We’ve still got a long week ahead, and I don’t want anyone too sore to fight if something happens.”
The group murmured their agreement, each of us moving back toward the training area. I caught Mal’s gaze as we walked, giving her a small nod of encouragement. She returned it, and though it was subtle, I could see the fire in her eyes reigniting.