The day after Lucianโs birth celebration was a different ball game in the pack house. There was a noise of warriors warming up for training, and with it came great expectation. Nobody was oblivious to the current rogue threat, and the enjoyment experienced from the earlier party wore off and solemnity reigned.โRuby! Are you ready for training?โ Timothy shouted as I walked into the common area still drowsy, trying to shake off sleep.โReady as Iโll ever be, Tim,โ I said, smiling at him. โLetโs see if I can catch up with you today.โTimothy smiled widely, showing how he was feeling. โYou will! Just donโt forget what I said last time โ we have to work on your footwork!โโFootwork, check. I shall do my best to keep moving my feet,โ I said, playfully bouncing on my feet. โYou are not going to allow me to lag behind, are you?โ โNever! I will make sure you are the best fighter in the pack!โ he declared, proudly puffing his chest.I chuckled and appreciated the bond that had formed between
The following days flew by like the sands in an hourglass as the Blood Moon pack prepared for the upcoming strategy meeting. There was a strong sense of vigilance in the atmosphere; everyone understood the menace posed by rogues who encircled us and it became rather obvious that a pack welfare strategy had to be put in place.โHey Ruby! Iโm sure youโre all geared up for the meeting?โ Sierra yelled out while I was entering the common room with a heap of paper files chewing on my lip.โAlmost! Just one more go through my notes,โ I said shaking my head and paging through the notes nervously. โI just want to make sure that I cover all the bases.โโYou are going to be okay! Everyone thinks highly of you,โ she said a lot more encouragingly as her smile broke on her face, more light spilled on her figure.โThanks, Sierra. I hope so. I am just soโฆโ I began and retraced my steps again, not pressed to finish that thought. Excited? Caesar was Brutus billing himself as a saint.โJust keep in mind
โI believe in you! Just keep on training and you will reach that level,โ I said feeling proud of him.But not so long after, Lucian walked over to us and watched for a while. โYouโre both progressing quite well. Ruby, your footwork is much better than it was before.โโThanks! I have been trying to improve it,โ I said with a blush on my face.โTimothy, youโre nailing down the techniques. Thatโs good,โ Lucian appreciated this and Timothy adored the praise.Anyway, as it went on, I sensed a bond between us strengthening as well. We were a pack, and we aided each other in meeting the challenges that lay before us.Later that evening, when I was already in bed, I felt apprehensive, like we were about to enter into something. The rogue threat was still very fresh in my mind, and I wanted to be ready for it.***The following day, there was a strange sort of tension in the pack house. The warriors were getting ready for an evening patrol along the borders, and I could feel the pressure in th
โAnd what sort of thing did you hear?โ I queried, feeling my pulse increase at her sudden outburst.โOn the next full moon, theyโattacks the pack!โ they, foolishly, making sure to pronounce the words like they were dancing, giving up โfool her,โ meaning all along โ scheming against them, completed the rogueโs tale, sounding somewhat hysterical.Lucian, looking grim, met my gaze. โLook, I donโt think we can afford to ignore this. If this rogue isnโt lying, we have to get ready.โโI will inform the rest,โ I said, shaking out of it and preparing to share the information.โStay beside me,โ Lucian said and his voice brooked no argument.On the way back to the rest, a strong kink of insistence engulfed me. There was no time to lose in assisting the pack.As soon as we brought edged the warriors, Lucian turned to them and explained the content of the message received from the rogue. โWe have been informed that the rabid pack plans an assault towards the next full moon. We must now make arran
โRuby! Are you set?โ Timothy asked me, looking over his shoulder with a hint of joy, as he rushed towards me in the common area.โAs ready as I can be, Tim,โ I said hoping my smile would convince him that I wasnโt scared. โJust remember to remain around the warriors.โโI will! I want to assist in guarding the pack!โ he vowed, determination evident in his voice.โGood. Remember, we are all in this together,โ I said and affectionately ruffled his hair.Back in the common area, Lucian was at the helm of the warriors addressing the rest. โTonight against the attacking rogues we have a plan. Weโve reinforced the walls and built cagings. Be alert, and lean on one another.โThe warriors nodded in response, serious looks on their faces. Pride overwhelmed me in equal measure. I was part of this pack, ready to take on all the dangers that tomorrow holds.โTim, you need to be in my line of sight at all times,โ Lucian said with his eyes on the small boy. โI want you to learn how we perform our st
โI shall be right behind you,โ I answered, still breathless from the zeal of battle.I felt more resolute, perhaps more purposeful, as we journeyed back towards the pack. We were a pack, working towards the same goal, and we would overcome whatever stood in the way.The calm after the rogue attack was more tensioned than relaxed, yet intentional more than careless. The Blood Moon pack had come together once again with a mission of making the pack ready and alert more than ever before in case of an attack. While I passed across the pack grounds, I could sense the atmosphere โ a mixture of eager anticipation and tension. You look after me mom, I got this.โRuby! This way! Encyclia Timothy, workout!โ I heard Timothy and turned to him waving his hands. I found him in the training arena practicing his moves.โHey, Tim! Howโs the training?โ I asked nearing him with a grin.โGreat! I am practicing my footwork just as you taught me!โ he said, showing a quick sidestep.โNice! You are way bette
I told them. I told them that Jonathan would be the doom of this pack but no one listened to me. Everyone in the pack always used to sing praises of their future Alpha and how he would bring prosperity to the Blue Sky pack.Whenever I tried to get them to see that the fool could never amount to anything successful in this life, they would gang up against me and chastise me for being jealous of my adoptive brother.Now, everyone was going to reap the seed that Jonathan sowed.โTheyโre in the building! Everyone, run! Theyโre killing everyone in their path!โSomeone was shouting loudly, warning people who already knew they were doomed to die today. My heartbeat raced as I opened the first door to my right and ran in. I ran straight toward the grand closet and hid myself inside. My breathing was so heavy and loud that I had to use my hand to cover my mouth. The Black Moon pack were the ones attacking us. They were the strongest pack in the Werewolf Realm. They only raided and usurped pac
I was cold. And hungry. And angry.Some people would think that being captured and made a prisoner would be better than death, but I was not some people. I had thought death would be the worst case scenario for me, but thisโฆ This was the worst case scenario. Being in this cold dungeon cell with only one small source of light to serve as a window, having nothing to eat and do for two days, but swallow my spit and think till I pass out. Oh no, cancel out that part about me having nothing to do. I glanced at the small window to see that it was sundown.Anytime from now, Alpha Lucian would come in here to mentally torture me by asking me the same questions over and over again, then going ahead to tease and annoy me till he was satisfied. I have reason to believe that torturing me was his new favourite pastime.I doubt he was treating the other hostages from the Blue Sky pack the same way he was treating me. No, I was his only special prisoner.Gaun!I heard the main door of the dungeon o
โI shall be right behind you,โ I answered, still breathless from the zeal of battle.I felt more resolute, perhaps more purposeful, as we journeyed back towards the pack. We were a pack, working towards the same goal, and we would overcome whatever stood in the way.The calm after the rogue attack was more tensioned than relaxed, yet intentional more than careless. The Blood Moon pack had come together once again with a mission of making the pack ready and alert more than ever before in case of an attack. While I passed across the pack grounds, I could sense the atmosphere โ a mixture of eager anticipation and tension. You look after me mom, I got this.โRuby! This way! Encyclia Timothy, workout!โ I heard Timothy and turned to him waving his hands. I found him in the training arena practicing his moves.โHey, Tim! Howโs the training?โ I asked nearing him with a grin.โGreat! I am practicing my footwork just as you taught me!โ he said, showing a quick sidestep.โNice! You are way bette
โRuby! Are you set?โ Timothy asked me, looking over his shoulder with a hint of joy, as he rushed towards me in the common area.โAs ready as I can be, Tim,โ I said hoping my smile would convince him that I wasnโt scared. โJust remember to remain around the warriors.โโI will! I want to assist in guarding the pack!โ he vowed, determination evident in his voice.โGood. Remember, we are all in this together,โ I said and affectionately ruffled his hair.Back in the common area, Lucian was at the helm of the warriors addressing the rest. โTonight against the attacking rogues we have a plan. Weโve reinforced the walls and built cagings. Be alert, and lean on one another.โThe warriors nodded in response, serious looks on their faces. Pride overwhelmed me in equal measure. I was part of this pack, ready to take on all the dangers that tomorrow holds.โTim, you need to be in my line of sight at all times,โ Lucian said with his eyes on the small boy. โI want you to learn how we perform our st
โAnd what sort of thing did you hear?โ I queried, feeling my pulse increase at her sudden outburst.โOn the next full moon, theyโattacks the pack!โ they, foolishly, making sure to pronounce the words like they were dancing, giving up โfool her,โ meaning all along โ scheming against them, completed the rogueโs tale, sounding somewhat hysterical.Lucian, looking grim, met my gaze. โLook, I donโt think we can afford to ignore this. If this rogue isnโt lying, we have to get ready.โโI will inform the rest,โ I said, shaking out of it and preparing to share the information.โStay beside me,โ Lucian said and his voice brooked no argument.On the way back to the rest, a strong kink of insistence engulfed me. There was no time to lose in assisting the pack.As soon as we brought edged the warriors, Lucian turned to them and explained the content of the message received from the rogue. โWe have been informed that the rabid pack plans an assault towards the next full moon. We must now make arran
โI believe in you! Just keep on training and you will reach that level,โ I said feeling proud of him.But not so long after, Lucian walked over to us and watched for a while. โYouโre both progressing quite well. Ruby, your footwork is much better than it was before.โโThanks! I have been trying to improve it,โ I said with a blush on my face.โTimothy, youโre nailing down the techniques. Thatโs good,โ Lucian appreciated this and Timothy adored the praise.Anyway, as it went on, I sensed a bond between us strengthening as well. We were a pack, and we aided each other in meeting the challenges that lay before us.Later that evening, when I was already in bed, I felt apprehensive, like we were about to enter into something. The rogue threat was still very fresh in my mind, and I wanted to be ready for it.***The following day, there was a strange sort of tension in the pack house. The warriors were getting ready for an evening patrol along the borders, and I could feel the pressure in th
The following days flew by like the sands in an hourglass as the Blood Moon pack prepared for the upcoming strategy meeting. There was a strong sense of vigilance in the atmosphere; everyone understood the menace posed by rogues who encircled us and it became rather obvious that a pack welfare strategy had to be put in place.โHey Ruby! Iโm sure youโre all geared up for the meeting?โ Sierra yelled out while I was entering the common room with a heap of paper files chewing on my lip.โAlmost! Just one more go through my notes,โ I said shaking my head and paging through the notes nervously. โI just want to make sure that I cover all the bases.โโYou are going to be okay! Everyone thinks highly of you,โ she said a lot more encouragingly as her smile broke on her face, more light spilled on her figure.โThanks, Sierra. I hope so. I am just soโฆโ I began and retraced my steps again, not pressed to finish that thought. Excited? Caesar was Brutus billing himself as a saint.โJust keep in mind
The day after Lucianโs birth celebration was a different ball game in the pack house. There was a noise of warriors warming up for training, and with it came great expectation. Nobody was oblivious to the current rogue threat, and the enjoyment experienced from the earlier party wore off and solemnity reigned.โRuby! Are you ready for training?โ Timothy shouted as I walked into the common area still drowsy, trying to shake off sleep.โReady as Iโll ever be, Tim,โ I said, smiling at him. โLetโs see if I can catch up with you today.โTimothy smiled widely, showing how he was feeling. โYou will! Just donโt forget what I said last time โ we have to work on your footwork!โโFootwork, check. I shall do my best to keep moving my feet,โ I said, playfully bouncing on my feet. โYou are not going to allow me to lag behind, are you?โ โNever! I will make sure you are the best fighter in the pack!โ he declared, proudly puffing his chest.I chuckled and appreciated the bond that had formed between
In the subsequent days, there was training after training on a different strategy, and interaction with the fighters. I was beginning to feel that I belong to the Blood Moon pack, and I was ready to show myself to be worth it.One of those boring afternoons, I was in the family area skimming through some combat strategies. Just when I was about to deeply engross myself into the book, Lucian appeared, beaming from ear to ear.โYou do seem to be busy,โ he remarked lazily, as he casually positioned himself against the door frame.โJust trying to read as much as possible,โ I answered, my eyes not leaving the book. โWhy are you here?โโThought Iโd check in on you. Howโs the training going?โ he inquired while moving a little closer to me.โGreat! Iโve been training with the warriors, and theyโve really helped me. I think I Am beginning to figure things out,โ I said with a sense of pride that made even my chest swell.โThat is good news. You have come very far from when you first came,โ Luci
In the subsequent days, there was training after training on a different strategy, and interaction with the fighters. I was beginning to feel that I belong to the Blood Moon pack, and I was ready to show myself to be worth it.One of those boring afternoons, I was in the family area skimming through some combat strategies. Just when I was about to deeply engross myself into the book, Lucian appeared, beaming from ear to ear.โYou do seem to be busy,โ he remarked lazily, as he casually positioned himself against the door frame.โJust trying to read as much as possible,โ I answered, my eyes not leaving the book. โWhy are you here?โโThought Iโd check in on you. Howโs the training going?โ he inquired while moving a little closer to me.โGreat! Iโve been training with the warriors, and theyโve really helped me. I think I Am beginning to figure things out,โ I said with a sense of pride that made even my chest swell.โThat is good news. You have come very far from when you first came,โ Luci
In the next few days, there was too much activity orientated towards the birthday celebration of Lucian. The pack was too busy and I was also on the whirlwind. Everyboody was very happy to help out with the preparation and I also wanted to do my part.โRuby, I need help with these decorations,โ Sierra called me over as I passed the common room.โSure! Iโm always up for helping with decorations,โ I said, rushing toward her. The woman was quite surrounded with women. Moreover, I could see streamers and banners ready to be fixed.โPerfect! I need a spare pair of hands,โ Sierra said gleefully. โWe have to make sure that everything is perfect for Lucian.โโBring it on!โ I responded and reached for some of the flowers. โWhat is the mission?โโWe are going to place these flowers at the entrance, like along the door and arrange some of the tables for the snacks,โ Sierra said excitedly. โI want everything to be good.โโGood it is! Letโs begin,โ I answered, filled with the zeal to do the work.