Jake
“Get your head out of your ass, Haley!” Jamie yelled. She sat to my right perched on top of the ledge for the box for higher-ranked pack members. The sun was high in the sky and I hadn’t talked to Luna since last night. I knew she would ask them today about her gift.
I focused on the two women fighting in the middle of the field. They had our undivided attention. Luna’s fist had just connected with Haley’s belly and the smile on her face expressed how she felt knowing she’d landed a painful blow. Her hair was tied up in a loose ponytail and her shirt stuck to her tight form underneath. The fire I knew lay under the surface burned brightly in her eyes.
Haley’s shirt was soaked from sweat and her eyes never left her opponent as she took turns jabbing with her right and left. Her eyes filled with determination; she was taking her opponent seriously after the last practice.
Upon hearing Jamie’s voice, Haley straightened her back and put more strength into attacks. Luna took every hit and swung back but I could see the exhaustion seeping into her eyes. I’m not sure why she wasn’t holding up like she normally does. Luna recovered from another hit but as Haley began moving faster than before I wasn’t sure she would be able to last for much longer.
“We’ve been at it for hours now,” I started, “Maybe we should stop.” The urge to protect my Luna was overpowering and I struggled to stay in my seat. The looks from the unmated males on the field told me we were of like mind. My grip on the rail tightened as I fought my wolf from darting into the field like an idiot.
No one had asked about what happened during the last session. Training had started almost two hours ago and I didn’t miss the way a number of pack members snuck side glances at Luna before pairing off with their usual partners.
Luna held up a good fight in the beginning but she was slowly tiring. She didn’t have the stamina to match a warrior who had been training since she came of age. I should have sparred with Declan but after what happened last time, I needed to keep an eye on Luna. I was barely able to focus on Declan sparring or anyone else for that matter.
Jamie had turned her head back to stare at me. Her eyes watching me searched for something I hoped she wouldn’t find. I was about to ask her what the hell she wanted when I remembered I’d asked her a question.
“Why does it sound like you’re worried?” She asked. My brows furrowed in frustration. One of my pet peeves was when someone answered my question with a question of their own.
“Uh, hello, do you not remember what happened earlier this week?” I asked.
“I was here,” she said coolly, her head still turned to watch me. She was reading my attitude, expression, and response.
“You don’t think we should intervene?” I asked. “Definitely not,” she said, disapproval lacing her tone.
“And why not?” I asked. I didn’t bother hiding the anger that was making its way into my voice.
“Why should we step in?” She started. “Are you going to step in for everyone else who isn’t winning?”
“That doesn—,” I said but she cut me off.
“That’s what you’re asking. Why would you interfere with your Luna’s training? She can handle it or do you think she can’t?”
I swallowed, my eyes returned to the field to look at her.
“There is no reason for you to step in. Is she in any real danger out there? Would Haley inflict that kind of harm on her?” She asked, shaking her head. “If our Luna can’t handle a sparring partner, how will she handle outside threats? How can she protect herself and her pack if you go running in whenever she doesn’t have the upper hand?” She asked coolly.
I nodded my head. She was right, of course, I knew that but that didn’t change the way I felt. My gaze turned back to my Luna and I watched as she strong-armed Haley. Her small hand pushed up and lifted Haley into the air before slamming her down onto the ground. Haley hit the ground with a thud and I knew by the way her chest moved that she was winded. Luna’s heel pressed into her throat as she waited for Haley to catch her breath.
Haley stayed down and didn’t bother to fight; she knew she lost. Luna was damn mesmerizing and I knew I thought about her way more than I should. I needed to get my attention off of her.
“Do we know when we’ll hear from the elders?” Jamie asked. My eyes found hers and I knew she’d seen something in my gaze. Thankful for the interruption; I told her we should hear back from them when Viktor got back on Monday.
Kacie offered Haley a hand and she took it. After Kacie pulled her to her feet, she watched Haley dust herself off. “I’m sorry for what happened,” Kacie said.
Luna Kacie frowned, chewing on her thumb nervously as she thought about what she would say. “I’m just going to come out and say it,” she started, raising her voice to address the members on the field. “I won’t avoid the elephant in the room and I want to be open and honest with all of you.”
All eyes turned to her, “Many of you witnessed what happened during the last practice, and those who didn’t, I’m sure have heard of it by now.” She lifted a hand in front of her and fire sparked and slowly breathed up from her outstretched palm. “I have the gift of fire, we don’t know much about it right now but we do know it is something I need to control. I wanted to train alone but your Alpha wants me to train alongside you; with it.”
It was silent only for a second before many started nodding and voicing their agreement. The shock on Kacie’s face made it clear she wasn’t expecting their approval. Her jaw tightened and she nodded.
“Thank you,” she said as she let out a deep breath.