Chapter 11: The First Day

Luna’s POV

The first rays of dawn were just peeking through the curtains when I jolted awake, my heart racing with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Today was the day. The day I would begin my training to become the warrior I'd always dreamed of being.

I sat up in bed, wincing slightly at the lingering soreness from my time in the forest. Despite the comfortable accommodations Pack B had provided, sleep had been elusive. My mind had been a whirlwind of thoughts—about the prophecy, about my father's secret life, and about ash.

Ash. Even thinking his name sent a shiver down my spine. My true mate, yet so distant. The memory of our conversation last night, of the secrets revealed and the challenges ahead, was still fresh in my mind.

Shaking off these distracting thoughts, I forced myself out of bed. I had no idea what to expect from this training, but I was determined to give it my all. I wouldn't let Ash, Rowan, or myself down.

As I made my way to the training grounds, my stomach churned with nerves. The Pack B wolves I passed gave me curious looks, some friendly, others wary. I couldn't blame them. I was an outsider, after all, and one wrapped up in prophecy and danger.

Ash was waiting for me at the edge of a large, open field. Even in the early morning light, he cut an impressive figure. Tall, strong, commanding. Our eyes met, and for a moment, I felt that undeniable pull between us. But then his expression shuttered, becoming neutral and distant.

"Good morning, Luna," he said, his voice formal. "Are you ready to begin?"

I straightened my shoulders, meeting his gaze steadily. "I'm ready."

He nodded, then turned to gesture to a woman standing nearby. She was tall and lean, with short-cropped hair and eyes that seemed to see right through me. Every inch of her radiated strength and capability.

"This is Kira," Ash introduced. "She's Pack B's head warrior and will be overseeing your training."

Kira's eyes raked over me, assessing. I fought the urge to fidget under her intense gaze.

"So," she said, her voice gruff, "you're the one everyone's been talking about. Let's see what you're made of, pup."

Without further ado, she launched into a series of exercises that pushed me to my limits. Sprints across the field, push-ups, squats, and exercises I didn't even have names for. My muscles screamed in protest, sweat pouring down my face.

Throughout it all, I was acutely aware of Ash's presence. He stood at the edge of the field, watching silently. A few times, when I stumbled or faltered, I saw him take a half-step forward, as if to intervene. But each time, he held himself back, his jaw clenching visibly.

Part of me longed for him to step in, to offer encouragement or support. But a larger part was grateful for his restraint. I needed to do this on my own. I needed to prove to myself, to Kira, to everyone, that I was capable.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Kira finally called a halt to the physical exercises. I bent over, hands on my knees, gasping for breath.

"Not bad, pup," Kira said, and I felt a spark of pride at the hint of approval in her voice. "But we're just getting started. Now we move on to combat training."

My eyes widened. Combat training? In my current state, I could barely stand, let alone fight.

But Kira was already moving, demonstrating basic fighting stances and strikes. I did my best to mimic her movements, my tired muscles protesting every step of the way.

"You need to be able to defend yourself in both human and wolf form," Kira explained as she corrected my stance. "Since you can't shift yet, we'll focus on human combat for now."

The reminder of my inability to shift stung, but I pushed the feeling aside. One step at a time, I reminded myself.

As Kira began to spar with me, I quickly realized how much I had to learn. She moved with a grace and power that seemed almost supernatural, easily dodging my clumsy attempts at strikes and taking me down again and again.

I could feel Ash's eyes on me. Each time I hit the ground, I pushed myself back up, determined to keep going.

By the time the sun was setting, every inch of my body ached. I was covered in dirt and bruises, my muscles trembling with exhaustion. But beneath the pain and fatigue, there was a spark of something else. Pride. I had made it through the day. I hadn't given up.

"That's enough for today," Kira announced. "Get some rest. We start again at dawn tomorrow."

As Kira walked away, Ash approached. His expression was unreadable, but I thought I detected a hint of pride in his eyes.

"You did well today, Luna," he said softly.

"Thanks," I managed, too tired to say more.

For a moment, he looked like he wanted to say something else. His hand twitched as if he was about to reach out to me. But then he seemed to think better of it, his expression closing off once more.

"Make sure you eat and rest," he said, his tone business-like once more. "You'll need your strength for tomorrow."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in the fading light.

As I made my way back to my room, my body protesting every step, I found myself reflecting on the day. It had been brutal, pushing me to my limits and beyond. But I had survived. More than that, I had proven to myself that I could handle whatever challenges lay ahead.

Ash's distance still hurt, a constant ache beneath my physical exhaustion. But I wouldn't let it deter me. I was here to train, to become stronger, to uncover the truth about my father and my destiny. Whatever complicated feelings existed between Ash and me, they would have to wait.

As I collapsed into bed that night, every muscle screaming, I felt a sense of accomplishment wash over me. This was just the beginning, I knew. The road ahead would be long and difficult. But for the first time since learning about the prophecy, I felt a glimmer of hope.

I was Luna Evernight, and I was on my way to becoming a warrior. Whatever challenges tomorrow brought, I would face them head-on.

With that thought, I drifted off into an exhausted but satisfied sleep, ready to face whatever the new day would bring.