COMMENT
Chapter 25
Noelle
When I get to the training grounds, I notice I’m not with the same group of teenagers as last time. There are more experienced werewolves surrounding me now. Some of them are huge, definitely pack warriors.
All of a sudden, I’m hit with a severe case of nervous nerves. It seems my mischievous mate upgraded me to a higher level of training. The worst part? He did so without telling me.
I am the only female here, and the older male wolves look at me with disdain and skepticistn. It’s making me nervous. I’ve never been one of those girls who like to be the center of attention, yet I try my hardest to ignore their stares, knowing that I have to prove myself here.
“What is the future Luna doing here?”
“I could be asking you the same thing…”
“Lucian must be losing his mind to let a female into our ranks,” one of them jeers loudly, earning a round of laughter from his companions.
“Yeah, a woman has never trained with us, and an Omega at that? Jesus Christ, that cute little thing is going to die during the first exercise.”
Even though I want to snap at the men for making fun of their future Luna, I keep my expression neutral, not bothering to respond to the taunt. It’s not about proving them wrong right now; it’s about proving to myself that I can do this.
Lucian steps forward, shirtless like always, with a long stick in his hand as his gaze travels from one werewolf to another. When he sees me, his face breaks out into a smile.
“It seems my future Luna has decided to join us,” he says and looks at the other werewolves. “Don’t go easy on her just because she is a female. She defeated my brother fair and square in a duel.”
All the other wolves turn stiff and I shiver when I feel their eyes survey me as if they can’t believe their Beta was defeated by someone of my stance.
“Wow, did she really beat Sebastian?” someone whispers.
“Seems like it. Our Alpha wouldn’t lie–I’ve heard fae people hurt when they do.”
“Which means that little Omega is way stronger than she looks and smells…shit. Do we even want to know how she defeated Beta Sebastian?”
“Must have been quite the duel,” there’s a sigh from one of the wolves. “Never mind that, though, and look who is here…”
Surprise fills my chest when I notice the men turn around to sneer at another woman. She is blonde, green–eyed, and very tall, with freckles covering her entire face.
“Serena,” the guy who sighed addresses her, “Didn’t I tell you not to come here?”
The girl, Serena, crosses her arms over her chest. “You did, brother, but Alpha Lucian told me I was very welcome to come here and train since he believes in me.”
Serena’s brother rolls his eyes. “You’re a woman.”
“And?” Serena challenges, something which makes her brother growl in frustration.
“And that’s the only explanation you will need!” He exclaims in frustration. “You know that no female has ever managed to become a warrior wolf, and that’s why you don’t belong here with us!”
“Is that right, Joakim?” Serena challenges.
Joakim narrows his eyes before repeating himself, “There has never been a female warrior wolf in the Midnight pack, and you know it.”
“Then what is she doing here?” Serena nods at me. “If females can’t become warriors, why is Alpha Lucian letting her train with you guys? And how did she defeat Beta Sebastian if women are supposedly so weak?”
1/3
8:15 PM
Chapter 25
Joakim is silent for a moment, reddening slightly. “That’s different. She… She’s the Alpha’s mate.”
“And what makes you think that the Alpha’s mate can’t be a warrior?” Serena shoots back, her voice steady, “Or are you simply afraid of being defeated by a girl?”
The jeering crowd falls silent at this. For a moment, there is nothing but the sound of the wind rustling through the grass and trees. Then, finally, Joakim breaks the silence.
“I’m not afraid of anything.”
He steps forward with an air of bravado, faking confidence as he walks toward me. “In fact, I would like to spar against the Alpha’s mate to see just how strong she really is.”
Lucian’s eyes narrow, and I can feel his growl vibrating in the air, but I step forward, holding my hand up to silence my overprotective mate.
“I accept,” I say, my voice ringing out clearly in the sudden quiet of the training grounds.
Joakim meets my gaze head–on. “We will see who gets defeated.”
A murmur of surprise ripples through the gathered crowd, but Joakim simply grins, convinced that victory is already his. I’m about to invite him to a sparring session, but that’s when Lucian clears his throat.
“You two can spar against each other after the training session but not before.”
“And why is that?” I ask.
“Because you will be training with Serena,” Lucian answers with a smile tugging on his lips.
For a second, I’m taken aback. Training with Serena? A part of me is relieved; at least I won’t be the only female in the camp. However, I can see Serena’s eyes widen in surprise and even a hint of worry.
“But Alpha Lucian,” she protests, “I’ve never trained anyone before.”
Lucian snorts. “Who said you would be the one to train my mate?” His eyes look me up and down. “I think it’s the other way around, Serena.”
Serena looks dumbfounded. She looks at me, then at Lucian, and then back at me again. I give her a small nod. But before Serena can say anything, the crowd bursts into laughter.
“You must be joking, Alpha!” Joakim roars through his guffaws. “This Omega training my sister, who has been a fighter since the day she could walk!”
Lucian’s voice is deadly calm when he responds. “I don’t remember asking for your opinion, Joakim.”
The laughter dies down immediately at the threatening tone of the Alpha’s voice. Joakim gulps visibly and nods his head in
submission.
“Very well, Serena and Noelle,” Lucian continues, turning his attention back to us. “You two will be training together until you are capable of defeating any male in this pack.”
The crowd is silent, and I look around, something which I regret when I realize the pack’s eyes are all on me. It’s like they can tell something new is taking place, a shift from the ancient tradition, and while it’s met with mostly skepticism that two women are training to become warrior wolves, there’s also anticipation.
Serena looks at me, uncertainty flickering in her green eyes. “I… Alright.” She finally says.
“Good,” Lucian replies with a nod of appreciation. “Training starts immediately, and today, we will be focusing on hand–to- hand combat.”
Serena visibly relaxes a bit at that while I grimace. The only reason I beat Sebastian is because I had Lucian’s help, but without my Alpha to guide me, I’m completely useless.
“I’m not exactly trained in hand–to–hand combat,” I confess, a sheepish grin crossing my lips. “I’m more about running and hiding.”
Serena chuckles at that and steps closer to me. “We all start somewhere, don’t we?”
2/8
- PAT
“Defely.” I respond, my voce a little shaky as I square my shoulders and prepare for the challenge ahead.
The hard lines on Serena’s face soften as she looks at me. “Don’t worry. Noelle. I will take it easy on you since I know you can’t conext with your wolf”
My eyes widen “You’ve heard about that, huh
“I have,” she grins. “But, with my help. I think we can easily change that.”
“Is that so?”
