Chapter 2: The Training

Angela smiled as she watched her child, Anne sleep. As she watched Anne, she remembered the four elementals. She still can’t believe she is a guardian. It’s so surreal.

“What are you doing?” Tory asked as she came in.

Angela shrugged. “Just watching Anne sleep”, she replied. “Do you want anything?”

Tory’s stomach was already big as the pregnancy is already five months and the pack doctor said she was having twins. A boy and a girl. Werewolves’ pregnancy takes only seven months but pups of an alpha takes only five months which mean Tory will give birth anytime soon. 

“Nothing. Just felt like walking around. I’ve been curled up in the room all day and I’m bored”, she said.

Angela smiled. “Come, let’s go to the field outside and we’ll chat.”

“Finally! Something to do. I was beginning to think I’ll die of boredom”, she said as Angela put an arm around her.

They laughed all the way to the field as they chatted among themselves. 

“I want to ask you a question”, Tory asked, suddenly becoming serious as they sat on the bench. 

“Why are you serious all of a sudden?”

She shook her head. “Nothing.”

“Okay. Go ahead and ask.”

She sighed before asking. “Do you think I will be able to take care of my children?”

Angela raised an eyebrow as she looked at her. “What makes you think you will not be able to raise the kids?”

“You know these kids or one of them will be an elemental. I’m scared I can’t take care of them, Angela.”

“What makes you think you can’t take care of them?” Angela repeated her question.

Tory sighed. “Because I’m not a strong wolf like you all are. I can’t even shift even as a Luna and the Queen of the werewolf kingdom, I’m a weakling.”

“Stop saying that, Victoria”, Angela said with a little harsh tone. “You are not a weakling. You are a very strong female wolf even though you can’t shift. I’ve told you numerous times, don’t you ever think a dominant wolf is not as strong as a normal wolf. You’ll end up hurting yourself”, she said and took Tory’s hand in hers. “You will be a great mother, babe. And besides, Dwight, Derek and I will be here with you. Together will protect these kids from harm. I promise you.”

Tory smiled now and her worries seem to wash away. “Thanks, Angie. I don’t know what I’ll do without you.”

Angela smiled and hugged her. “Damn, your stomach is too big that I can’t really hug you.”

Tory pouted and hit her. “Shut up”, she said and they both laughed. 

“Hey, ladies”, Dwight said as he came closer to them and gave his mate a sweet kiss on her cheek. “What are you doing?”

“We were just chatting”, Tory replied. “I was bored so we came here. What’s up?”

He shrugged and looked at Angela. “Do you mind if I borrow my lovely mate for some time?”

Angela shook her head. “Not at all. She’s all yours. And besides, I think it’s time for my lessons”, she said and stood up.

“Oh! And say hello to the moon goddess for us”, Dwight said and she rolled her eyes.

“You talk like she’s a human or maybe a werewolf like us.”

“Whatever”, he said and turned to Tory. “Let’s go, babe. I made some apple pie and I want you to try it.”

“Really?”

“Really. So, let’s go”, he said and they walked away while Angela just smiled. Dwight is so eager to see his babies and he’s been doing lesser work so he could take care of his wife, leaving the work to his beta and third.

She smiled as she walked further to the woods so she could meditate with the moon goddess and take her lessons on how to wield the elements. 

She found her usual spot near the lake and sat down. She crossed her legs and closed her eyes. She breathe out and didn’t focus on anything than trying to reach out to the goddess. She still find it hard to do but the moon goddess assured her that with time, she will be do that easily and she trusted the goddess completely.

She opened her eyes and closed it again. This time with more determination. She imagined everything was silent and she couldn’t hear the rusting of leaves or the movement of the water. She focused only on her breathing for some time then she felt the familiar power she feels every time she’s with the goddess and opened her eyes.

She found herself in the familiar garden and the goddess was standing just some feet away from her. 

Selena smiled and turned to look at Angela. “You’re improving. That’s impressive.”

Angela smiled and moved closer. 

“Are you ready for today’s lessons?” Selene asked.

“Yes, goddess”, Angela said and Selene chuckled.

“Watch this”, she said and held out her hand. Just immediately, a ball of water danced gracefully in her hand. 

“Woah!” Angela said as she watched.

Selena chuckled again and changed the ball of water to a figure of a woman. “How about this?”

“So beautiful”, Angela said as she watched with awe. 

Immediately she changed the water from a woman’s figure to the figure of a monster and it hovered and snarled at Angela making her scream.

“What the fuck is that?” she shouted and Selene couldn’t help but laugh out loud and dropped her hand making the water spill.

“That, my child is how to control water and make it take shape of anything you want”, she said.

“I know. But what was THAT creature. It looks very scary even to a powerful werewolf like me”, she said. 

Selene chuckled again. “That was an Afanc. A creature made from water and clay and birth by magic.”

“That sounds scary. I just hope there’s no Afanc out there.”

“Maybe there is”, Selene said and Angela’s eyes went wide.

“Are you saying there is actually one of this creatures out there?”

“I’m not saying anything, child. Let’s get started on our lessons.”

Angela sighed. “Okay.”

“Alright. Can you wield the air properly now?”

“Yes. Let me show you”, she said and let her power channel through her veins. She felt the familiar charge as she used her hand to summon a large amount of wind and threw it in the opposite direction. “How about that?”

“Impressive”, Selene said. “Now let’s move to water. Before you can summon water, there needs to be a source of water close by. But for an elemental, it’s going to be much easier. Even if there is no source of water nearby, the elemental can summon water from underground. Is that clear?”

Angela nodded. 

“Okay. Watch this. See that river over there?” she asked as she pointed to the river and Angela nodded. “I’ll summon water from there just like you’ll be able to.”

The goddess held out her hand as Angela watched carefully. A large amount of water began to move from the water according to the way Selene moved her hand. 

She moved her hand to the right and the water followed and in just a blink of an eye, she moved the water away from the river and threw it at a tree, making the tree collapse and fall. 

“Did you see that?” she asked and Angela nodded. “Think you can do it?”

Angela nodded and moved closer so she can get better access to the water. She inhaled and tried to summon that power from within her. She felt the power at her fingertips and channeled it towards the river. She felt her hand becoming heavy, meaning she was doing it.

With a smile, she raised a large amount from the river and threw it against a tree. She smiled. “I did it”, she said.

Selena chuckled. “That’s very impressive. I knew I chose the right person”, she said and gave Angela a light pat on her shoulder. “Now, look at how an elemental will be able to summon water from underground”, she said and held out her hand again.

Angela heard voices from underneath her and immediately water started oozing out from the floor. “Amazing”, she said.

“Very.”

Angela smiled. “Can I ask a question?” she said.

“Sure.”

“Why can’t I see your face? Your hair is always covering your face and I don’t even know how you look.”

Selena chuckled. “Because I’m not human or a werewolf like you. I’m a goddess and seeing my face is not a very good idea.”

“So how do I know what you look like?”

Selena chuckled again and placed a hand on Angela’s shoulder. “Just picture me anyway you want to, child. Let your imagination do the work”, she said and walked away. “Since you are a very fast learner, that will be all for today. Make sure you practice more when you get back to your world”, she said and suddenly turned back. “I almost forgot. By our next meeting, I want you to be able to wield fire.”

Angela’s eyes went wide as saucers. “Fire? But you haven’t taught me how to do it. And I remembered you saying it is the hardest to control.”

“I said that. And that’s why I want to see you do it.”

“but-“

“No time for buts, child. You can leave.”

“But-“, she wanted to say again but she felt the familiar invisible pull, taking her away from there. The pull stopped and she could hear the rustling of leaves and the movement of water. Meaning she is back.

She opened her eyes and indeed she was. She stood up and dusted her clothes and faced the lake. She tried summoning the water and she was able to do that perfectly. 

She tried to summon fire and practice just like the goddess asked her to but she couldn’t.

“How does she expect me to do this?” she asked no one in particular and tried to summon fire again.

“Ugh! This hard”, she groaned and walked back to the pack house since it was getting dark.

She was almost at the pack house when she smelt that foul and threatening smell. “Rogues”, she said and ran faster. 

She got to the pack house and saw Dwight, Evan his beta and Frank, his third. She also saw Derek and he was gathering the wolves that can fight.

She moved closer and stood in front to Dwight. “Rogues”, she said and he nodded.

“They’ve been spotted at the northern border and we need to get there ASAP.”

“I’m coming with you”, she said and was getting ready to shift.

“No. I need you to stay with Tory. I have a feeling these rogues are really dangerous”, he said and faced his Evan and Frank. “You guys should get everything we need. Frank, you’re staying here with Angela. We’re moving out now”, he said and faced Angela back. 

“Yes, alpha”, the two said and walked closer to Derek.

“Angela, you’ll be here to protect Tory and the other pack members that are not fighting.”

She nodded. “Okay. I will do that”, she said and ran into the pack house. “Where are you?” she mind linked Tory.

“In Dwight’s office”, Tory mind linked back and she ran towards Dwight’s office and indeed Tory was sitting there eating burger. As Angela saw Tory, she sighed in relief and smiled as she moved closer to her.

“You don’t look worried”, Angela stated.

“I’m worried but I’m hungry too”, she said and stood up. “Let’s go. We need to keep the other pack members safe.”

“Not we. But me. You need to rest, Tory. I can’t let you stress yourself. You are carrying two important lives in your belly”, Angela said.

“But I’m the Luna of this pack and also the Queen and it’s right if I make sure the members of my pack are safe.”

“I know you are the Luna but you I won’t let you stress yourself. I was given an order from my brother and alpha that I should take good care of you.”

“But-“

“No buts. Let’s go to your room. While you sleep, there will be guards in front of your door. It’s everyone’s duty to keep our Luna Queen safe from harm.”

Tory sighed and accepted because she knew that there was no way Angela will let her go downstairs to the other pack members. “Okay.”

“Good. Now let’s go to your room”, she said and they both walked to Tory’s room.

She went to Anne’s room too and carried her to Tory’s room. “Can she please stay here with you?” she asked Tory.

“Of course, bring her here”, Tory said and stretched her hand to take the little girl. 

“Thanks, babe. Don’t worry about anything and go to bed. You need it.”

“Okay. I’ll try to.”

 When she was sure that Tory was safe, she went downstairs and all the women and children of the Pack are in the hall and they all looked worried. 

“You don’t have to worry”, she said and they all turned to her. “I know they will all be safe. We just need to pray to the moon goddess and I’m sure she will listen and protect the men”, she said and they nodded with hope.

“Hope the Luna Queen is safe?” someone asked.

“She is. She wanted to come here too but I asked her to stay and rest.”

“Yes, she needs to rest”, another said. “She’s carrying our future alpha.”

Angela smiled and nodded. “She will rest. You all should not worry. Our family members will be safe and here soon.”

They all smiled and she felt herself smiling too. The members of the royal pack are always positive and she’s always happy to be a royal. She took her seat and tried mind linking Derek but his mind link was blocked.

She was worried but she tried to assure herself that they will be fine.

¶¶¶

It’s been almost two hours since they went to fight the rouges and they still aren’t back.

Angela tried mind linking Derek again and his mind link was still blocked, she tried to mind link Dwight too and it was the same. 

Tory came downstairs now with her heavy stomach. “They are not here yet?” she asked.

“Not yet. Hope you aren’t feeling any pain from the mate bond?”

“No, he totally blocked me out.”

“He doesn’t want you to be worried but I’m sure they’ll be fine”, she said and just immediate voices were heard from far way and everyone stood up. 

“Everyone stay calm”, Angela said. “Don’t leave this place and don’t panic. I’ll check what’s going on”, she said and was about walking towards the door of the hall but Tory stopped her.

“Are you crazy? What if it’s the rogues?”

“We still have to check, don’t we? Don’t worry, I’ll be fine”, she said and turned to Frank. “Stay here. I’ll just check and come”, she said and tiptoed towards the door.

She got out and looked but there was no one. “Dwight? Derek?” she called and later saw some figures coming towards her. All she could smell was blood and she wondered whose it was.  She could smell her mate and brother faintly and some members of the Pack.

“Derek?” she called again and this time there was a response.

“I’m here, babe”, she heard him say from the figures approaching her and she saw them clearly now. 

Her pack members, her brother, her mate and her friends and she smiled. They are safe after all. She made a broadcast mind link to all the Pack members. “They are here!” she said and she could hear voices of jubilation in her head before blocking them all out. 

She smiled and ran towards her mate. “I’m so glad you are safe”, she said as she hugged him. “I was worried.”

He smiled and hugged back. 

Just then, the remaining pack members joined them and they all went to either their mates or brothers or friends.

Tory also walked out and moved towards her mate. “I’m glad you are safe”, she said and hugged him even though he was covered in blood and sweat. 

“We need to get the injured wolves to the pack hospital”, Dwight said. “Angela, Jean and Bella should tend to the injured”, he said.

“Yes, alpha”, Jean, the beta female and Bella, the third female said as they moved closer to the injured wolves and Angela joined them.

“You should be resting”, Dwight told his mate.

“How can I do that? I was worried about you”, she said.

“I’m sorry I make you worry, love. Let’s go to our room. We’ll have a refreshing bath and we’ll sleep. Deal?”

“Deal?” he said and they made their way to the room but was interrupted by his Beta, Evan.

“Alpha?” Evan called as he moved closer to them.

“Yes? What’s wrong?” Dwight asked.

“We have some rouges in custody. We just need permission from you before we find out who sent them.”

Dwight nodded with interest. “You should go ahead and find out. Torture them very hard. I must know why they came to me territory and attacked my pack.

“Yes, alpha”, Evan said with a little nod and walked away.

Dwight turned to his wife and held out his hand to her, which she took and led her to their wing in the pack house.

“Now, all I want to do is sleep peacefully”, Tory said as Dwight came out of the bathroom after having a refreshing bath and getting rid of all the bloodstains on his body.

“Me too”, Dwight said and got into bed beside her. “Let’s sleep, love”, he said and put his arms around her as she had her back to him and they closed their eyes to sleep.

But Dwight’s sleep was interrupted when he felt someone was trying to mind link. He wondered who it could be but he opened his mind link.

“Alpha”, it was Evan. “I’m sorry for disturbing your sleep but you need to hear this.”

“What is so important that it can’t wait till daybreak?”

“I’m sorry, alpha. But urgent situations calls for urgent actions.”

Dwight sighed. “Okay. Give me two minutes”, he said and cut off the mind link. He looked at Tory and she was sound asleep and climbed out of bed, careful not to make a sound and wake her up. 

He gave her a slight kiss on her head and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him. 

He went straight to the basement where the prisons were. 

“Welcome, alpha”, a guard said and opened the door to where Evan is.

“So, what’s that important thing I need to hear?” he asked immediately he got in.

“This”, Evan said and turned to a rogue that was tied to a chair. “Who sent you to launch an attack on the royal pack?”

The rogue groaned. “How many times do you want me to tell you? Its Alpha Reid.”

Dwight’s eyes went wide like saucers. “Alpha Reid?” he asked. “The Alpha of the War pack?”

“Yes. He sent us and paid a huge sum of money for it.”

Dwight scoffed. “I can’t believe this. Who knows, this might be a cooked story”, he said.

“He has proof”, frank said and passed a paper to Dwight. “That is the contract they signed.”

Dwight looked at the contract and indeed the seal of the War Pack was there alongside alpha Reid’s signature.

¶¶¶

Ps: 

Mind link: a way wolves communicate with themselves with their mind.

Rogues: they are wolves without a pack and they are considered very dangerous.