Chapter 33 Starting Training

(Hope POV)

I took a shower and got into my pajamas. Tomorrow I have to start training and I wasn't looking forward to it. I'd rather study spells, charms, runes and incantations. This magic stuff comes natural to me, but to actually train in combat and hurt someone? I don't know if I have the guts to physically harm someone.

Well, I have to at least learn how to defend myself. According to Oliver, all the young pups undergo training while in high school so, I am far behind in that arena. Plus, I don't always want to rely on Alexander, Oliver or David. I have to do what needs to be done. I don't want another incident where The Rogue Lord hurts my father or my mother and I couldn't do anything to help them.

I lie down on the bed and look at the empty space beside me. Alexander must be still busy. Poor him. He meets me and his world turns upside down. I need to start doing my part as his Luna. After training tomorrow, I'll put the territory under my own protection charm. I hope it works and I hope I don't get too weak from doing it. I haven't gotten around with invisibility. I'll start that after I get the territory under lock and key.

For now, I have to sleep. Good night Alexander! "He wishes you a good night too Hope!" Opal assures me as I fall asleep.

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I wake up to my alarm. 4:45AM. I jump out of bed and notice Alexander's side lay untouched. Where is he? No time for that now, I have to brush my teeth and get into my running gear.

I was trying my shoelaces when I hear someone come into the bedroom. "Hope, my love, Kit's waiting for you." Alexander!

I run towards him and jump into his arms. He laughs. "Aw, did you miss me?"

"Yes. Have you had any sleep?"

"A little. In the office. I didn't want to wake you so, I slept there." He looks at me. "Nice. You are already ready. Here's a power bar and some water. You'll have breakfast after some of your training. You eat and I'll go change."

I downed the power bar and drank some water. I did some stretching exercises. Alexander comes out in running gear too.

"You're coming with?" I ask, not hiding my surprise.

"For today. You don't know Kit as well as I do. Tomorrow, you can start training on your own...when I say "on your own", I mean with Oliver and David."

"Just admit it. You missed me too." I laugh.

"Fine. I missed you." He kisses me. "You ready? Let's see how long you can run."

We go downstairs where a tall man in athletic clothing was waiting. He had olive skin and coffee colored eyes. He was all smiles when we came down.

"Luna Hope." He bows. "I am Kit MacAlistair. I am a good friend of Alpha Alexander. I am most honored to meet you."

"Hi Kit." I shake his hands. "Guys, can I ask you a small favor? Can you just call me Hope? Please? Luna when we need to be formal, but when school is in session...Hope will be fine." I smile.

"Ok then. Hope it is." Kit smiles. "So part of our training is endurance. So we will run until your legs tire out. I want to know how long you can last in human form. Usually, what you can endure as a human translates to how strong or weak your wolf is."

"That won't be too hard. I just finished a marathon. Alexander, remember? For Ulrich and Hemming Foundation? You handed me a medal for the third spot. Of course, you weren't looking at me so, I doubt you even remember me. You were busy looking at Miss Washington who graced the event."

All of them stopped to look at Alexander with shock on their faces. Alexander also had a surprised look. "You remember me?"

"Kind of. I was just happy I landed in the top three of the marathon. Another achievement I could list for my application to college," I said, smiling.

"Hope, love, I wasn't looking at Miss Washington. I just had my eyes in her direction."

"Nice try, Alexander." I laugh at his outright lie. "Come on. Let's run. I hope you guys did your stretching exercises. We'll be running towards the village. That's about eight miles give or take." I showed them my hip bag. "I have my phone, money and a small towel. We can have breakfast at Angela's after our run."

Kit was impressed at my enthusiasm while the other three groaned. Wolves can run long distances in a day so, this shouldn't be hard to do. Right?

"Can I just follow in a car? Eight miles as a wolf is nothing. Eight miles in human form is exhausting," Oliver said.

"Fine. You two eggheads drive. If Alexander or Kit needs to ride, then I'll just meet you guys at Angela's."

Kit, Alexander and I walk towards the gate of the territory then we start to jog. The sun was already rising. It was still cool and the air smelled wonderful.

At five miles, Kit and Alexander beg off and start walking. I keep my pace. Oliver and David who have been driving behind us, stopped to pick up the two and handed me some water. Now all of them were following me in the car. I could see the village. I was almost there. The wind suddenly picks up and I hear a woman's voice whisper in my ear.

"Daughter of Lupa, a war is brewing in the north. Learn to use the elements as your defense. Learn to channel your emotions to control the weather. Search deep within yourself. Through sadness, rain. Through anger, hail and lightning. Through happiness, sunshine. All these can help you, my child. Blessed be." What was that all about?

I stop running to find myself in front of Angela's. The car stops behind me. Alexander comes out. "Wow, Hope, I'm impressed. You outran us."

I was so busy listening to the voice I didn't notice that I had entered the village. Then it just hit me...sadness. I remember the pain I felt when my father was shot by an arrow. I was so overcome with sorrow. Tears started to form making my vision blurry. The sky suddenly filled with gray clouds and it started to rain.

"Quick. Into the diner. It's starting to rain." Alexander instructed.

I walk into Angela's absentmindedly wondering why all of a sudden I felt the sadness, pain and worry of my father's life-threatening injury. I have never felt such anguish. The sky reflected what I felt.

"Are you ok, Hope?" Alexander lifted my chin. "You look so sad. Come here."

I walk into his arms and he gives me a comforting embrace. The misery I felt moments ago changed to happiness as I felt the warmth of his chest. I remember when he knelt down and proposed. It was the happiest I have ever felt. Alexander Ulrich asked me to marry him when a couple of months before, he didn't even know that I existed.

I first saw Alexander Ulrich when I was student body president of our high school. He was donating computers to our school. I admired his generosity and I pledged to be like him when I went out to make my own mark in the world. I'd help those in need.

Then during Spring Break, the Ulrich-Hemming Foundation had this marathon for a cause wherein all proceeds were to go to orphanages and help children who have lost their parents. Of course, being adopted myself, the cause is something I empathize with so, I participated in the event. I came in third and I was so happy I could include the marathon to my list of accolades in my application to University.

I remember standing on the podium with the other winners and quite irritated with the smell of heavy perfume. I looked to my side and saw Miss Washington all beautiful and glamorous, waving at the people. Then a man came up to her, stood by her side and I heard the name Alexander Ulrich. He said his sister was instructed by her doctor to take it easy during her pregnancy so, for now, he will be overseeing all of his sister's commitments. As he was awarding our prizes, he never once looked at any of us, his eyes were solely on Miss Washington.

Then, he was at our house during the sunset of the night of the Summer Solstice, with eyes only for me. This rich man from an affluent family suddenly only wanted to be with me. He's mine now. Husband and mate.

We hear a cough from behind us. A perky Elle greets us, smiling and bowing. "Alpha and Luna, welcome again. If I could show you to your seats. Big Mama Angela has taken the liberty of making her special breakfast for all of you."

He lets me go to escort me to a booth and I see the sun shining bright. Hold on. I was sad, it rained. I am happy now and the sun is shining. Is this how I'm suppose to control the elements? Through my emotions? Let me see. I take the salt shaker so, I can focus. I block the sounds of TV showing a dead man being wheeled out from a local pub. I stare at the shaker and I picture my father telling me to take care of my mother as his blood gushes out, I felt the constriction in my chest, the tears welling up in my eyes. I look out through the window as a tear starts to fall...it's raining!

"What's with the weather today? It's sunny then it rains." A motherly voice breaks my concentration. I look up to see a big woman with blonde hair and emerald eyes with stacks of plates. "Oh my dear heavens. Alexander did you hurt this girl? She's crying. Oh now, child, Big Mama Angela got a plate of happiness just for you." She puts a plate with toast, eggs, bacon and her amazing apple pie in front of me. I smile. Yes! Apple pie! I grab a fork and put some pie in my mouth. Oh, yes, so good!

The sun starts to shine again. I give all of them a smile and I start eating.

"There comes the sun again. I hope it stays that way. I need to start preparations for the 4th of July Festival. A big birthday party this year because we got ourselves a Luna! So sad though Marty passed away. Them police said it was a heart attack. I don't know Alexander, but something don't sit right. I hope you and your boys can fix what needs fixin' before the festival begins." Big Mama Angela gives Alexander a telling look.

"Angela, I know what you mean. Don't worry. I'm increasing security around our borders and have asked the local school to give combat training a priority. Hope here has also started training. She ran from the mansion to here. I'll get her started with Mark later today."

"You tell Mark to come by the diner when he can. I have a piece of steak with his name on it."

"Sure, " She gives Alexander one last look and walks back to the kitchen.

"Who's Mark? And what are we planning for your birthday?"

"Mark is one of my trusted men. Military. He is in charge of training you in combat. He trained me and now, he'll be training you. Don't remind me of my birthday. I'm getting old."

"Gosh, you're only in your late 20's and you're successful. I wish I can be you."

He looks at me and smiles. "And you are barely in your 20's and so special. I wish I were you."

"Special? You wanna do something like this?" I snap my fingers and the sky becomes cloudy and thunder can be heard. I snap my fingers the sun comes out.

Kit looked at me, stunned. "You can do that?"

"Yeah, I learned that while running."

"To control the weather? You learned that while running?" Alexander looked at Kit asking him what did he do. Kit shrugged his shoulders saying it wasn't me.

"I heard a voice while I was running. Told me to channel my emotions. I need to practice on one emotion though."

"Which one?" Alexander asked with a scared look on his face.

"Anger."

"Oh, that's easy. I can invite one of Alpha's ex-girlfriends over," Oliver said, laughing. Alexander gave him a murderous look. "Ouch." Oliver and David howled with laughter.

"You guys still want to breathe, right?" Alexander said.

"Aw, Alpha. You're no fun. Remember, this is for training purposes and we all want to help Luna Hope," Oliver said. He looks up at the ceiling thinking. "I got it, but Alpha, we need your permission though."

"What is it?" Alexander asked.

"I'd like to ask your permission to bring Luna Hope to the dungeons."