Chapter 30

The next day I woke early and joined Liam at the training area to observe the new training routine that would be put into effect. I felt like my world had been completely turned around, and my feet had not quite hit the floor yet, but I did my best to not show it. I woke up this morning asking Anaya to give me some of her confidence so that I would be able to show the pack that I was ready to lead them.
‘It is ok to feel uneasy, you have had only a short before taking on the roll of Luna and you weren’t given any training. You are not alone, I will help you every step of the way.’ She assured me.
Since I had finally accepted her as my wolf and given her the ability to shift freely, our relationship has changed. She no longer sees me as the thing that traps her in darkness, and I no longer see her as a parasite that tries to take over me. Now more than ever I have had to depend on her confidence and knowledge to get me through the last few days.
I had slept at the hospital next to Owen the whole night and left early this morning to shower and change into my work out clothes. I hoped to not only observe the training but also take part. If I expected the entire pack to grow stronger, I needed to as well. I had no intention of standing on the side in safety as the rest of the pack fought.
When we arrived, I could hear the sound of bodies pounding into each other and being thrown to the ground along with growls loud enough to vibrate through my body. As we drew closer I could see pack members paired off sparing. I could see right away which warriors and which ones were not. The warriors had a look about them, and many sported scars that never healed properly giving them a more intimidating look. Liam and I took a position outside of the training arena and watched as the pairs took turns instigating and defending against their partner’s attacks. It all look very savage and scary watching both human and wolf forms crash into each other aggressively and fighting until the other taps out.
My eye caught sight of two young men sparing in human form and my heart clenched. They look barely 15, and as much as I could see they had the skill to fight along side the older members, there was no way I would let young ones like them fight in battle yet. They were still children, and they should never be asked to take a life or even come close to it at that age. I would let them train, but they would not fight, not yet. The trainer caught sight of us and walked over to where me and my brother were observing. When he reached us, he bowed his head to me, and I couldn’t help the blush that came over me. I was still not used to such treatment and as much as I wish I could be cooler about it, I blushed every time.
“Luna, Beta Liam. Welcome!” He said smiling proudly. “We have incorporated the moves you suggested Beta, and we are happy to say the non-experienced wolfs are picking up the training well. I am confident that we will be ready for anything that gets thrown at us!” He says full of confidence and pride.
‘Over confidence is dangerous in battle. Walking in expecting to win can only lead to failure.’ Anaya says almost to herself.
I thought about her words carefully. Sometimes she would say these deep things, but it was never directed to me more like she was remembering something she had read. Often though, it gave me the right words needing to be said at that exact moment.
“I am happy you feel confident, but in battle we need to be prepared to change strategy and adjust as we face different challenges. So please be sure to cover training for as many possible outcomes as you can.” I tell him firmly.
“Yes Luna!” He says bowing once again and returning to training the members.
“Well said sis!” Liam says wrapping his arm around my shoulder. “Who would have thought that my shy and quiet little sister would become such a confident Luna.”
“Trust me on the inside I am a mess, but I want to be strong for them. They need to feel like they have strong leadership, someone they can look to for direction. If I let my doubts about myself out, then they would feel like I am too unstable. Until Owen wakes up, I need to be strong. As soon as he takes over I will happily give the responsibilities over to him. Even though Anaya is tough, she is a fighter and prefers it over being a leader and I think I agree.” I tell him.
“You have changed so much; I am really proud of you sis! I was so worried that I would never convince you to join the pack, that everything mom said when we were growing up would hold you back.” He says with slight sadness in his voice.
The subject of our mother was tough for both of us to talk about, so we tried to avoid it if we could. Now that I thought about it, it had been so long since she even last reached out to me. I wondered what she would say if she found out that not only did I find my mate but that he was an alpha. What she say if she knew that I was no ordinary wolf? I had hoped she would change her mind about how she hated our kind, but then I would remind myself that would never happen. She had too much hate and resentment to give in that easily. As much as it hurt, I was sure she was happy we had left. She never had to think about us or see us ever again, because as Luna I would never leave the pack now.
A loud growl grabbed my attention and I lifted my eyes to see two wolves attacking each other, and one had a deep gash on his side. I gasped and moved away from Liam and opened the fence to get inside. As soon as I stepped into the circle I rushed toward the pair, and I could hear several people screaming at me not to interfere because they could hurt me, but I didn’t listen. I walked up them and yelled at them to stop and back down, but their wolves had lost control and they were not listening.
‘Idiots!’ Anaya said before coming forward and standing between them.
She had the amazing ability to shift in an instant and there we stood, white fur shimmering in the sunlight. She opened the link to the two wolves and with a deep growl she yelled at them to stop as she stepped in between them.
One of the wolves had been in a full charge before Anaya stepped in and had not stopped himself soon enough. His claw slashed along my side and I howled in pain making the wolves around me jump back in fear. The wolf who had hurt me whimpers and drops to the floor begging for forgiveness. I stand tall with blood trickling down my back leg.
‘You can not let your wolves lose control! You need to be aware every move you make, because if all you do is see what’s right in front of you then an enemy can cut you down by your heels. Now real in your wolves and keep yourselves in control!’ She says firmly through the link so every wolf near her could hear her warning.
Once her point was made, the pain began to vibrate along her body making her drop to the floor weak from blood loss. Not having the strength to remain in wolf form she releases control and I shift back into human form. Liam is by my side instantly covering me in someone’s shirt and lifting me up into his arms.
“Out of the way! The Luna is injured!” he yells making his way through the small crowed around me.
He ran as fast as he could to the pack hospital yelling for the nurses to help him as soon as we were inside. I groaned as he laid me down on a gurney and the nurses and a doctor quickly surrounded me taking vitals and examining the wound.
“We need to stop the bleeding, bring me some gauze!” The doctor yelled at one of the nurses.
As soon as he had what he needed he put pressure on my wound and pressed firmly causing me to growl at him.
“I am so sorry Luna, please endure a little longer.” He says with an apologetic look. “I need a reading on her heart rate quick!” he yells.
A nurse rushes over with a stethoscope and another begins to connect some wires to me. The nurse with the stethoscope lowers it to my abdomen and froze.
“Doctor!” She says turning and handing him the instrument.
He takes her place listening to my heart first and then lowering to listen to my abdomen.
“Get me an ultrasound machine quick!” he yells sending the nurse running from the room.
“What’s going on?” I ask wincing from the pain.
“We need to see how far the injury has penetrated and make sure you have no internal bleeding.” He says turning quickly as soon as the machine was in the room.
Everything around me is moving so fast that I cannot keep track of all the words being exchanged. I can feel myself drifting in and out of consciousness as my adrenaline falls and the severity of my injury takes hold. Soon I feel a cold gel being put on my stomach and something hard being moved along my skin. My eyes flutter with my vison moving from clear to blurry every so often.
“What is that?” I hear Liam say and I turn to look at the monitor too, but my eyes are getting so heavy.
“What…what’s wrong?” I ask with a weak whisper.
“We need to stabilizer he quickly, the injury was thankful not deep enough to cause any harm. We need to stitch up the wound and get her calm or she could lose it.” I hear the doctor say.
Lose it? Lose what?
He looks at me with concern and places his hand of my stomach pressing down on it firmly.
“Luna we need you to try and calm down ok? I know you are in a lot of pain, but you will heal. Right now we need to try and keep your heart rate low so as not to cause the pup any distress.” He says in warning to me.
Did he just say PUP?!