Chapter 5 A Luna In Training

Maya’s POV… I followed Beta Evelyn through the Silverfang training grounds, my keen eyes assessing the warriors as they sparred. The sharp clash of blades and the scent of sweat filled the air. These wolves were strong, disciplined, and battle-hardened. But I had been raised by warriors, too. Iknew what it meant to fight for survival. “You seem unimpressed,” Evelyn noted, watching meclosely. “They’re skilled,” I admitted, crossing my arms. “But skill means nothing if they’re not prepared for the kind of war that’s coming.” Evelyn raised a brow. “And you believe you can help with that?” I met her gaze. “Yes.” A few warriors nearby had stopped to listen, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism. It was clear they respected James, but their Luna? I was still unproven. One of them, a tall warrior with a scar along his jaw, stepped forward. “With all due respect, Luna, we’ve been training for war long before you arrived. What makes you think we need your help?” I didn’t blink. Instead, I stepped onto the training field, rolling my shoulders. “Because war isn’t just about strength. It’s about strategy, adaptability.” I tilted myhead. “And if you don’t believe me, why don’t you test me?” The warrior smirked, glancing at Evelyn as if asking for permission. Evelyn merely folded her arms. “Go on, then,” she said, amusement flickering in her green eyes. The warrior grabbed a training sword, tossing another to me. I caught it with ease, testing the weight in my hands. “If you can land a single hit on me,” I said, my voice steady, “I’ll stay out of your training.” A low murmur rippled through the warriors. The man grinned. “Fair enough, Luna.” Then he attacked. He was fast—strong. But I was faster. I sidestepped his first strike, ducking low as his blade cut through the air above me. Spinning, I lashed out with a precise counterattack, forcing him to retreat. The crowd around us grew silent as the fight unfolded, a dance of speed and precision. The warrior pressed harder, trying to overpower me with sheer force. But brute strength was predictable. I feinted left, then moved right at the last second, sweeping his legs out from under him. He hit the ground with a grunt, and before he could recover, my sword was already at his throat. The entire training yard went still. I stepped back, tossing the blade to the ground. “Still think I have nothing to offer?” The warrior sat up, stunned, before shaking his head with a small, grudging smile. “No, Luna. I stand corrected.” Evelyn chuckled. “Well, that was entertaining.” She turned to the others. “Get used to it, boys. It looks like our Luna is staying.” I allowed myself a small smirk, but deep down, I knew this was only the beginning. *** I had spent days waiting for James’s return. Every time a scout arrived, every time the gates opened, I expected to see him riding in—bloodied, perhaps, but alive and whole. But he never came. Instead, a messenger arrived one evening with a single letter. The parchment was worn, sealed with the Silverfang crest, but my hands trembled as I broke it open. The words inside were written in James’s steady, firm handwriting. *** Maya, I know you expected me to return. I wanted to. But war is not yet over. The battle we fought was only the beginning. The rogues have allies we did not anticipate, and I have been called to join another front. I will not ask for your forgiveness for leaving you again. I made you no promises of love when we wed, but I did promise to protect my pack—and now, that duty keeps me away from you. I have heard whispers of how you have handled yourself in my absence. The warriors respect you. Even Evelyn, who trusts no one easily, speaks highly of you. I did not expect to have a Luna who would step into the role so seamlessly. You are stronger than I gave you credit for. That is why I must ask something of you now. Hold the Silverfang Pack together in my absence. I do not know how long I will be gone, but if the worst should happen, I need to know that my people—our people—will not fall. I will return. James. *** I read the letter twice, then a third time. My heart pounded in my chest, but it was not from sadness. It was from anger. James was supposed to come back. I had spent weeks preparing for it, imagining how things would change between us, how we might finally begin to understand each other. And now, he had simply chosen to stay away? I crushed the letter in my fist. Fine. If he wanted me to lead the pack in his absence, I would. But not because he had asked. I would do it because this was my home now. *** The journey back to the Blood Moon Pack was a blur. My thoughts were consumed by the letter I had received early that morning—a letter from the healer in the Blood Moon Pack informing me that my mother, Lady Elara, had slumped and fallen. The healer had suspected my mother was ill, but now it seemed that her condition had worsened to the point where she was bedridden. My heart tightened as I rode through the forest. When I arrived at the Blood Moon Pack’s main house, the air was thick with tension. The elders moved around in hushed tones, and a heavy silence hung in the air. Irushed into my mother’s chambers, my eyes taking in the sight of Lady Elara, pale and fragile in the bed. The proud, unyielding woman who had once held so much power now looked weak—vulnerable. “Maya,” my mother whispered, her voice frail but warm. “My daughter…” I kneeled beside my mother’s bed, taking her hand gently. “I’m here, Mother. I came as soon as I heard.” Lady Elara’s tired eyes softened. “I didn’t want to worry you… but I knew I couldn’t hide it from you forever.” She paused, catching her breath. “How are things in Silverfang? Have you seen James?” My heart twisted at the mention of my husband. I hadn’t seen him in three months. And though I had sent countless letters, none had returned with any news—just silence. “I… I haven’t seen him, Mother,” I said, my voice wavering for a moment. “I’ve sent letters, but there’s no word. The Silverfang Pack is fine, but…” My mother’s gaze turned sharp for a moment, her eyes narrowing. “But?” “But the war… it’s been going on for so long. He hasn’t written to me in weeks. And no one has heard from him.” My voice cracked, but I steeled myself. “I don’t know what’s happening. I fear something terrible has happened.” Lady Elara’s face softened. She reached up weakly to touch my face, her fingers trembling. “My dear Maya, you’ve been strong all this time. But remember, strength doesn’t mean enduring alone. You don’t have to do this by yourself.” I swallowed the lump in my throat, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. “I don’t know what to do, Mother. I’ve tried everything. I’ve kept the Silverfang Pack together. I’ve led them… but I can’t do this without him.” My mother squeezed my hand, her voice barely a whisper now. “You are not alone, Maya. You never were.” *** The days spent with my mother were bittersweet. I tried to put my worries aside, focusing on my mother’s care, but my mind was never far from James. I could only pray that the war would end soon, that my husband would return and we could begin anew—whatever that meant. On the journey back to Silverfang, the weight of everything that had happened over the past months felt heavier than ever. My heart ached with uncertainty. Had James truly abandoned me? Or had something happened to him? The not knowing was the hardest part.