The Gift chronicles

Chapter 36

Book 1 Chapter 36

Despite my opposition to being Luna when I first arrived at Blood Moon, after spending time with Cain

learning about his Alpha duties, I realized that it actually would be kind of fun. I knew Lunas typically

weren't involved in any of the decision making or battle strategizing, but Cain was willing to make an

exception for me, unable to doubt my prowess when it came to war. My former position as Gamma

certainly came in handy. I can't imagine Cain would have let me be involved if I didn't already have

experience.

I grabbed the fur pelt I slept with every night off of the bed and wrapped it around me. "Do you want to

be carried?" Cain asked hopefully.

I shook my head no, I want to warm up my legs before training.

Cain looked disappointed by my response, but didn't press the matter. We left the pack house after

Cain forced me to eat an apple. I hadn't been taking my daily dose of wolfsbane, not wanting to

compromise my immune system so close after my poisoning.

We stepped into the wintery outside as wind violently shook the surrounding trees as we headed to the

training center. Cain was right. The winter was no joke in Blood Lake. Snow covered everything in

sight, and temperatures at night often went below zero. Werewolves were more resistant to the cold

than humans, but I wasn't as resistant as Cain or other Blood Lake members, who grew up in these

harsh winters.

I shivered as we trudged through the snow, even noticing it lightly snowing as we walked. Suddenly, my

skin started feeling warmer, as I were sitting next to a fire.

How did you do that? I asked Cain, knowing he was responsible.

Cain smirked, "I don't only just start fires. I can make things warmer too. Do you remember when I, ah,

escorted you from Red Crescent to Blood Lake and you burnt your hand on the car handle when you

tried making a run for it?"

I snorted, Escorted is not the word I would use for what happened, Alpha.

Cain chucked. "It would have been a more pleasant experience if you weren't so resistant." I rolled my

eyes. I certainly put up quite the fight. I wondered if other Alphas have similar problems with their

mates.

Finally, we reached the training center and I whined when Cain walked me inside. I felt like I was being

dropped off at kindergarten by my parents. "Don't worry, pup. I'll leave as soon as I make sure you're

situated and talk to Gamma Axel."

If he called me pup in front of the pack, we would have serious problems, regardless of the loving

undertone beneath his words. He had continued to use the affectionate nickname, and eventually I

stopped complaining about it.

A few wolves were already warming up individually, but for the most part we were early. I handed my

pelt to Cain once we were inside, not wanting to carry it. There are a lot of things I hate about Cain, but

at least he always carries shit when I don't want to.

We approached Axel, who was beating the shit out of a punching bag. Since werewolves were stronger

than the average person, the punching bags were often reinforced with stronger materials than just a

cloth bag.

Axel also had a penchant for not wearing shirts, his muscular back glistening with sweat as he

continued throwing powerful punches. Despite having a mate, even I could appreciate the

attractiveness of this male. It had been far too long since I had sex, and I could feel too much pent—up Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

energy. I nearly jumped Cain last night when he got out of the shower with a towel slung lowly on his

hips. My wolf was incredibly frustrated.

Cain growled lowly at me, "Watch yourself, pup. I won't hesitate to take you on the floor in front of all of

these people." My eyes widened. I wouldn't put it past him to do that, and in this moment, I don't think I

would have stopped him if he tried. A girl has needs, you know?

Axel heard Cain's voice, and turned around at the sound. He smiled and greeted us, wiping the sweat

from his brow.

"She is allowed to fight males, but do not let the injuries get too out of hand," Cain commanded, and

Axel nodded. "I won't hesitate to kill you if she is mortally wounded on your watch, Axel." Again, Axel

nodded. I didn't doubt Cain's threat.

Cain turned towards me and bent down to place a tender kiss on my forehead. "Behave, pup. And

please don't kill any pack members," Cain requested jokingly.

No promises, I responded, and Cain took it as a joke even though there was truth behind what I said.

Cain turned away and left the training center, leaving Axel and I standing alone as a few more wolves

poured in. Much to my dismay, females weren't allowed to be pack warriors in Blood Lake, their sole

responsibility being to raise pups. As soon as I officially took the Luna title, I would change that

standard.

I began stretching with Axel accompanying me. His eyes almost popped out of my head when I sat on

the ground and touched past my toes, my nose pressed to my legs.

Axel tried touching his toes, but he could barely reach past his knees. What are you, made of stone? I

teased him.

Axel grinned wickedly. "Something like that."

After we finished stretching, we waited for a few more wolves to come. In the meantime, we went back

to the punching bags, each using our own.

I punched and kicked slightly less intense at the beginning, until I felt like my body was fully warmed

up. Using all of my strength, I sent a powerful punch directly in the center of the reinforced bag.

Immediately, I broke the bag and the sand poured out. Whoops, I mindlinked Axel. Someone broke

your punching bag.

Axel's mouth dropped open. "Are you made from stone?"

I laughed. I knew I was a strong wolf. Cain loves reminding me, and I liked hearing it. Who says men

have to always be the violent and tough ones?

Finally, 50 pack warriors arrived. 1/2 trained at the beginning of the day, and the other 1/2 trained at

night, so there were about 100 total. Cain's pack was huge, and I understood why Alpha Wilson had

wanted Cain's support in a war.

Axel clapped his hands loudly, and everyone gathered in front of him. "We will be sparing in hand to

hand combat today, so I will assign everyone a partner based on skill level, and I will switch you after

one of you gets pinned. Remember, no lethal blows. Everything else is allowed." My lips turned up

viciously.

Axel walked around, putting people together. Finally, he matched me with one of the smaller warriors. I

scowled at him. This is what you think my skill level is at?

No offense to the person he matched me with, but he certainly did not look as formidable as some of

the other warriors.

Axel shrugged. "Take him down and you can fight whoever you want."

I flashed my canines maliciously, already knowing who I wanted to take on next.