Chapter 4:

POV: Lena

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes suddenly, but I had to close them again because of the light.

“Calm down, relax.”

That voice... I recognised it, but where from?

I slowly opened my eyes and turned to see a familiar face.

His features were very similar to my father's. Next to him was a beautiful blonde woman with honey-coloured eyes.

She was stunning.

'I'm glad to see you're okay, Lena. Welcome to the Moon Shadow Pack — your new home from now on.”

'Uncle?' I asked, still incredulous, looking at the man who looked so much like my father.

Seeing my tears, he came to hug me, and I curled up in his arms, letting out all my pain.

*****

I stood silently, watching the man as he looked at my hand, saying nothing.

My uncle Benjamin and his partner Sarah stood silently to one side.

The man was clean-cut with a perfectly trimmed grey beard, and he wore a dark blue cape with red embroidery draped over his shoulders.

High-ranking werewolves tend to live longer than anyone else, but he didn't quite look like a wolf.

'I'm not ancient; it's just that ancient magic runs through my blood. I could easily say that I'm older than you think.'

He didn't look directly at me, but instead let go of my hand and looked straight at my uncle.

'You'd better keep this a secret. I'm sure you already know that she's a moon wolf, also known as a blessed wolf.'

A moon wolf? What's that?

'Yes, I recognised her when her wolf got out of control the other day and destroyed the entire room.'

It gave me a sharp look and I just looked away, not knowing what to say.

She hasn't woken up since then. She's still there; I just don't know how to reach her.

The Alphas were the first to recognise her. It will be very dangerous for her to transform in public, so it's best to keep this as quiet as possible and only tell the people closest to her.”

Everyone now focused their attention on me, which made me feel uncomfortable.

'Her destined mate could protect her, but since he rejected her...'

I lowered my head without saying anything. Everyone knows that rejecting a mate means living in solitude, and that second chances are almost impossible.

“Lena, I know you're confused, but you must understand that you have to be more careful now.

I can't even talk to her. She supposedly didn't wake up that night. I was expelled, imprisoned and sentenced to death. At least I would like an explanation for that.'

I stared at the man, who kept his gaze serious and distant.

‘She came to you even before you were born, Lena. Only her connection to you was closed until that night...’

'Don't worry. When she's ready, she'll come back to you. Let her mourn; you both need it.'

Mourn her loss? The only thing I'm going to mourn is not being able to see my father anymore. Ryner can go to hell for all I care.

I heard my uncle dismiss the man before turning his attention to me.

'All right, Lena. Now tell me: do you want time alone to get over your grief, or do you want to train? You'll need it; you and your wolf both need to train in order to protect yourselves.'

'For today, I just want to rest. Do you know anything about the blessed wolves?” I asked him, hoping he could answer my questions.

‘I don't know much, Lena. They're supposed to be a myth, a legend. But if our history mentions them, it's because our goddess created them. All I know is that they're special and highly coveted. It's best to keep them hidden until you find your chosen mate.”

'You know that's not going to happen.'

'Maybe it will. Someone who has been rejected and meets your standards could be your chosen partner, so there'd be no risk of their destined partner showing up.”

I just smiled without saying anything. I'm not so sure I want a partner anymore.

'Come on, I want you to meet the pack and get used to it. Tomorrow, we'll train so you can become a relentless woman.'

I laughed when I heard him, but I followed him anyway.

This pack is more open than the one I used to live near; I would say it's more modern. Where I used to live, there were dirt roads, whereas here there are stone roads.

The young women wear ostentatious, elegant dresses, while I... well... I wear a rather simple one.

“Where are my cousins?”

'In their packs. Evelyn found her partner at the ball held at the palace two years ago; they mated and marked each other that same night. Eder found his mate some time ago in a small pack...”

I saw his expression harden. It seemed there was more to it, but I wasn't going to press him.

‘Maybe I’ll have more cubs in the future.’

'Forget it, Benjamin. We're too old for that now.'

'My beautiful Luna, we're still young.'

I laughed as I watched them play and flirt in front of me. I would have liked a love like that, but it's all about winning and losing.

I lost a partner and gained a rather bitter she-wolf.

The next day, I put on a pair of loose-fitting trousers, a white shirt and, over that, a fairly tight corset to make my breasts more comfortable.

Heading to the training ground, I felt old-fashioned when I saw several women training practically naked.

Nudity is common among us, but I was still embarrassed.

"All right, since you're ready, let's start with the basics: defence."

'When will we move on to weapons?' I asked, watching enthusiastically as the other group moved their swords and knives.

'When your wolf wants to wake up. Now, on guard.'

The first blow she threw left my arm immobile.

‘Come on, Lena, concentrate,’ she said, throwing another blow. I successfully dodged it and grabbed her hand, bending her wrist upwards to apply the necessary pressure.

'Very good, you're a quick learner.'

I smiled, feeling my confidence slowly return.

I had never wanted to train before because I hadn't seen the need; I had always thought that my father and Ryner would be there for me.

I had been carrying cockroaches on my head.

I've just realised that I want to be a warrior, and I'm going to achieve it.

******

Narrator's POV:

Everyone steps aside to make way for the woman who walks confidently forward to meet her leader.

She is wearing white clothes, her fingers are adorned with rings and around her neck is a necklace with three blue stones.

She arrives at the largest tent in the camp and observes the man hiding in the darkness, barely illuminated by the almost extinguished candlelight.

“It seems you have found her.”

The man remains silent, caressing the necklace with great care and longing.

'As you can see, she is not here.'

'It is not her destiny to be in your path now. Only the Goddess can decide.'

'All right. I have waited for her for more than five hundred years, and I can wait a few more.'