Chapter 4-Training through the Years

Fourteen Years Old:

I growl in frustration as my small frame falls into a snow drift, hating this training exercise while I dodge trees in wolf form with my white fur blending into the snow perfectly.

My body is only three feet tall in wolf form, my head barely able to see over a standard white picket fence.

But Matrix insisted on me training in this form in the forest.

Matrix is a pro at tracking and hunting, the sixteen year old already tracking wolves for days even though he is a Warrior.

With a nose like his, so strong that he can smell a Soulless before it can even cross the pack line, it takes everything in me to stay ahead of my friend.

Matrix has unfortunately made it his mission to train my speed and agility, something a runt like me could only inherit. Speed and agility will help me take down an enemy. Speed and agility will help protect myself, especially since father has made it his mission to make me seem weak in this pack. With speed and agility, I can take down my enemies and prove to be a strong Alpha Queen.

A yelp escapes my muzzle as I feel my paws slipping out from under me as a five-foot-six brown wolf tackles my small form. I can't help the sigh that escapes my lips as I stare at my friend who gives me a wolfish grin.

[You're easy to take down when distracted.] Matrix chuckles through our link, nuzzling me gently before licking my snout. I knew if a wolf could blush, I would be beet red right now.

[Sorry. But I will do better, I promise.] For some reason, I did not want to disappoint Matrix. He is my rock, the only person who knows I am a runt.

Sixteen Years Old:

The rush of wind through my fur has me excited for the first hunt. Matrix has been promising me this for over three years since I first shifted. I just turned sixteen today and the adrenaline of hunting my first kill deep in the forest is something I had dreamt of since I was a pup, when my mother first explained to me that eligible wolves can go for their first hunt and prove themselves to our pack. Of course, Father insisted I am too weak to go., claiming that only the strong should be allowed to go for their first hunt.

But Matrix as always stood up for me, stating my achievements in training, how I took down a group of Soulless while we were on the outskirts of the pack training my speed and agility, and how on the training grounds I can take down even the best of our Warriors. This and with the convincing of others stating that at thirteen I was the youngest in the pack to survive a first shift, and that joining the first hunt will help make me stronger and in turn provide strong pups to help rule the werewolf nation, my father was forced to finally agree to let me go for the first hunt.

[So, Crysta, do you want a blanket made of bear fur?] Trix asks with a laugh. I smirk, thinking of the pride hunting a bear comes with within the pack. Only Warriors and the strongest hunt bears. If I can bag one on my own, then respect will follow. Pack mates will understand that I am not as weak as father proclaims me to be, that I can hold my own against anyone.

[Yes. A bear will put that asshole and any other misogynistic wolf in their place for calling me weak. I am not a weak wolf!] I answer, a rumble of approval coming from my friend before we head off in the direction of bear country in neutral territory. Our aim is for seasoned bears that have lived long lives with expert fighting skills, ones without cubs. And I can’t wait to have that damned blanket as proof that I am not the weakest in this pack. They will learn to respect me as their future Queen or be beaten into submission.

Our journey through neutral territory takes four days in wolf form and leads us closer to the Alaskan borders where bears are easily found. I can smell other wolves, some from the royal pack, others from allied packs. All are here to join their first hunt.

[Should we shift into human form?] I am unsure whether or not it will be safe.

[No. I have a few friends from allied packs coming to join us. They know you are a runt but accept you as our future Queen.] Matrix answers, his brown wolf moving in front of my body and blocking me from view. I peer over his shoulder, spotting three wolves walking towards us, each with their head lowered in submission.

[Open your link, Crysta.] Matrix calls out. I sigh, closing my eyes and focusing on the link, allowing my mind to reach forward toward the three wolves whose stares are focused on my hidden body. I feel three pops in my mind, wincing when I connect to the three new wolves.

[Hello?] I call out tentatively.

[Hello, Princess.] A she-wolf replies, the middle of the three wolves stepping forward as her tail wags.

[I am Seria of the Harvest Willow, the other two are my cousins from the same back.] Seria introduces herself, the brown and tan wolf smiling at me. I am shocked to notice that she too is a runt, her wolf form smaller than me. I like her instantly, walking forward to rub my cheek against hers.

[It’s nice to meet you all.] I say cheerily, happy to have other wolves around. With introductions finished, we all form a plan, one that involves all five of us battling a bear and bringing home a bear pelt.

Seventeen years old:

I groan as I land in the dust of the training field, laughter from the male I am fighting in front of me causing my anger to flare. He can laugh now, but I will gladly take this beating until I can figure out his skills. I watch as he turns his back on me, his movement becoming sloppy as he cockily gloats to his friends. I bet gloating about putting the “weak little Princess”

on her ass is something to be proud about in this pack, but not for long.

Silently climbing to my feet, I creep towards the male who is already making plans on how to spend the money he “won”

from the bets. Odds are against me as I am the only female training with the Warriors. The males think I am weak thanks to my father’s propaganda against me all these years. But Matrix and I knew better. I will have the win and take all the money with Matrix.

With a grin, I stay in Narin’s blind spot. He may be my future Beta as per the heritage rule, but I will be Queen and his future Alpha. He will learn to show me respect today and know he is not better than me. Before he can sense me and while the others were already celebrating his win, I kick his feet out from beneath him and watch as he falls to the ground with a shrill shriek.

While silence reigns over the training field, I quickly straddle the twenty year old wolf’s torso and send a quick open palm thrust to his nose. A sickening crunch echoes in the quiet room, with blood gushing from the broken nose I had just given Narin. He tries to fight me off, but I send a quick punch to his jaw with another crunch sounding upon connection with my fist.

I am quickly thrown off of him as he lets his anger take control and releases a deafening snarl. Quickly rolling into a somersault upon landing, I stand to my feet gracefully and prepare my stance for a fight. An opponent clouded by anger is easy to defeat.

“You bitch!”

Narin roars, his anger-filled green eyes directed at me. I smirk, waving my hand in a come hither motion and waiting for his attack. This seems to have pissed him off further as he rushes me, his nails already turned into claws. Happy for the agility training that Matrix drilled into my brain, I dodge each swipe directed towards me, always one step ahead of Narin as I toy with him, laughing gleefully with each swipe he fails to land. Of course, every so often I step in range just to inflict my own damage. I quickly jab here and land a kick or two there, and Narin soon resembles a dishevelled madman sporting a bloodied and bruised face.

Bored of this cat and mouse chase, I dodge one final punch from Narin and use my momentum to send a roundhouse kick to his torso, hearing the crunch of more bones when my foot connects. Without losing stride, I send a punch to his shoulder, hard enough to inflict damage but not break any bones. He has enough bones to heal and will be out of commission for quite some time. Watching as he falls to his knees, I grab his hair, preventing this Beta wolf from falling further, and smirk.

“Check mate.”

I state triumphantly, releasing my grip on his locks and allow his fall to continue. His eyes hold fear before the pain of the match renders him unconscious. I just proved to all watching that I, Crystalline Thorn and future Queen, am not weak.

"Trix, you prick, you owe me fifty percent of the money!" I call out, making my way to my best friend and fist bumping him in triumph.

"You know what, it’s worth it seeing how all these high and mighty macho guys now fear you." He laughs, ruffling my hair. I turn and smirk at the now silent crowd. Of course their expectations of me were low. Now, they hold both fear and respect after taking down the strongest Warrior in the pack.

"Someone help my future Beta to the medical ward.”

I bark out the order, seeing the crowd standing there unmoving.

“And as soon as he is healed, make sure his training is increased. We can’t have a weak Beta in this pack.”

I continue, leaning against Matrix as he counts the money earned, happy that he and I made a bet for my victory as we had made a killing off of these idiotic wolves.

“Yes, Alpha!”

They shout in unison, some rushing to take Narin away on a stretcher while others slowly spread out around the training room to begin their own sparring. I have a feeling that what happened here will soon be spread amongst the pack.

“I almost forgot. Here is your necklace back.”

Matrix chuckles, his eyes soft as he looks at me. I smile as Matrix helps to place my silver chain with the moonstone orb around my neck. I am happy he kept it safe for me while Narin and I fought.

The two of us decide that we have trained enough for the day as he places his hand on the small of my back and we make our way to our usual river spot. We both could use some peace and quiet.