Bella
As night fell on us, we packed everything up and prepared to conduct combat training. As news of war reaches us in rapid succession, combat lessons are more important than ever.
I left for my bedroom to change into my training outfit. Needing some comfort today, I chose my favourite outfit - olive green tank top and matching leggings.
I jogged towards the sports complex round the back of the pack house. It's a multilevel building where pack members can play any type of sports they want plus a basement where we conduct stealth and tactical training.
We've recently added firearms to our new armory and added firearm training into the syllabus too. We need everything we can use if we're to get ahead of this war. Firearm training and usage needed prior approval from the Lycan Overlord Office so we've only been able to start the firearms training a month ago. I don't really like it though, preferring to fight with close combat weapons or my bare hands.
Once I opened the doors to the combat training level, I felt right at home and my body eased up. I walked towards the training area, smiling and nodding at the 13 year olds who are training. Werewolves are tough, so we start young. I started training at 8 years old since my dad was a warrior himself. As I made my way to the senior warrior section, Laxton's Beta Wyatt came to me holding a clipboard.
"Bella, today's patrol schedule. There were some disturbance on the north side last night so we've arranged extra patrol shifts tonight. Our trackers did not find anything last night so we gotta be extra vigilant tonight." he said grimly and we started running down the numbers. We have to keep an eye on the neighbouring packs as the war draws nearer. By the time it is done, I've reached the senior section.
"Wyatt, where's Laxton? Does he know of this new patrol arrangement?" I asked quietly. I knew that Wyatt disapproves the way Laxton treats me but his loyalty is still with Laxton; it's not something he can turn his back on so he tries to avoid having these conversations unless necessary.
"He's been busy today, I have not been able to brief him about the patrol arrangements."
I nodded and gestured for him to go on his way. The patrol arrangements are normally overseen by the Alpha but Wyatt and the rest of them in the council have long looked to me for leadership now.
As I watched Wyatt's retreating back, I wonder if he has given up protecting Laxton as betas were always never too far from the Alpha. I shook myself out of my reverie and turned to the waiting warriors. I smiled and picked up a spear. Time to get my muscles moving.
*****
Alex
I woke up with a start, feeling someone knocking in my mind to open the mind link. I groaned and sat up, opening the mind link.
"Alex, we're ready to move. Where are you?" my Beta, Caleb sneered. He knew where I was and yet decided to annoy me.
"I'm on my way."
"Make it quick."
I closed the mind link and looked around the bed. Her long slim legs were on me. The blanket covered only her upper body. Her thick brown wavy hair covered her head and shoulders.
I sighed. Last night was a blur. The Lycans drank and fought among ourselves as usual. She approached me as she's done in the past and I've decided to take her proposal up on a whim.
What's her name again? Damn.
This bloody war is starting to put a strain on me. I rubbed my face and ran a hand over the top of my dark brown wavy hair. My hair has grown slightly longer than my usual crisp crew cut.
Damn, I want my mate.
My beast growls, vocalising his displeasure on my lifestyle choices and my chest visibly rumbles due to his intensity.
Fuck, I want her too ok! But I haven't found her yet!
For someone to love and be loved, accepted for who I am and me to provide her with everything she ever needs. That's a wish I've kept hidden deep in my heart.
My beast is different even in Lycan's standards so I'm not sure how the mate bond with me will be different compared to other Lycans.
So far, the difference in my beast has given me the upper hand since the Lycans hierarchy work differently from werewolf packs.
For us Lycans, being born into royalty does guarantee you the throne. We do not follow the hereditary line of succession like the werewolves since we believe that only the strongest are capable of leading the Lycans and the werewolves.
But of course being born into royalty gives you a headstart. As of now, the 3 sons of the Lycan Overlord are commanders of their own military army.
Then there is me, a warrior Lycan who fought my way to leading my own military army. The Overlord is indeed fair to all. I took over the military army previously headed by the eldest son of the Lycan Overlord. Before he died in battle, he had recommended that I take his place. This was years in planning unbeknownst to me. Upon his death, the Lycan Overlord took his recommendation and promoted me.
Now, the war has intensified and I have been tasked to manage the northern side of the country. We are still at the strategic and planning side of things. This means a lot of meeting the Alphas of all the packs in the Northern region. We're heading to one of the most important packs - the Blood Diamond pack.
My hands ran through my hard muscled body and 8 packs before as I yawned. As I wondered if I should wake her up, she stirred in her sleep and saw that I was awake. She smiled and wrapped her arms around my waist.
"Do we have to leave already?"
We? This woman really has no shame... Or does she really have feelings towards me?
I narrowed my eyes, pondering this as I tried to read her.
"They're waiting for me. You're welcome to join us if you wish." My voice low.
She sat up and gave me a kiss. Then she jumped up and started to get ready. I sighed, picking up my clothes from the floor and left the room without turning back.
******
Bella
I felt so good after going a few rounds of combat training when I suddenly felt a tingle on my lips. I froze a while, giving my opponent the opening he had been waiting the whole night to land a punch on me. I took the hit and grabbed his arm, using his momentum against him to swing him down with me. Then I locked my legs around his neck till he slapped the mat to yield.
"You need to get used to the pain, Matt." I let him go and smiled.
I flipped myself upright and got ready for the next round as goosebumps raised on my arms, slight pricks of pain ran through my legs. It's bearable so I pushed the uncomfortable sensation aside and continued the fight.
That night, I laid on my empty bed. It's cold as usual because Laxton isn't there. I have not seen him for close to 3 days now. I knew he would not be back tonight, the pain I felt during training had prepared me for it. But I still hoped that he would come back as I hoped for it every night.
Sometimes during my low moments, I wonder if I'd ever stop hoping - whether Rue would be right all along, that I'll be able to reject him once I am over the "hoping phase" of this relationship. As of now though, the thought of him rejecting me or I him, gives me a pounding heartache.
Suddenly, I felt tingles of pain at the right side of my body. I covered myself with the thick duvet and tried to sleep. Now hoping that he'd at least let me sleep first so I have a slim chance to escape the torment.