P.o.V. Annie/Jewel
Moira took off into the foliage, and we followed as quickly as we could. Sarah’s call was so loud, there was no way the other groups didn’t know exactly where we were. Moira and Trajan shifted mid-run as they made their way into the woods. Trajan began changing our path more towards the river where Moira had said Rich’s or Chris’s group may be located. Jewel focuses on keeping us running while listening for pursuers so that I can try and figure out what Trajan could be thinking. Maybe he is expecting this group to come after us so is going to try and circle around them? Maybe he’s trying to make two groups collide, but that’d put us in the middle.
“Someone’s coming,” Jewel gasped. I couldn’t tell if any of the others noticed, so I urged her to the front of the group to warn
P.o.V. MoiraRich and Chris’s wolves were the first to emerge from the woods. Claud and Otto walked side-by-side with great menace and purpose. Clearly they had come to an agreement to deal with us before ending the brawl between themselves. Only four wolves followed so maybe it took a few minutes to realize what happened and some had gotten too excited in the collision.I pulled myself up to my full height and stood as haughtily as I could manage before letting Trajan have control enough to bellow in our cockiest voice, “Who wants to play King of the Mountain with me?” I smirked at his taunt and hoped it was effective. We needed all eyes on us while the others scattered and maybe we could goad someone to act rashly. I spread my arms wide and Trajan let out a humming sound that was incredibly grating.
P.o.V. PatrickI am so excited I can’t concentrate at all. The dreaded training days are finally over. I can feel the joy of freedom coursing through my veins as I think about no longer having to wrestle with smelly classmates or get hit or kicked or slammed on the ground. All I can think about, as I sit warm and cozy in the plushest armchair in the library, is how much I will be able to do with this extra time. No more leaving school early or struggling to get homework and projects done. I can finally join clubs, work on group projects with other students, and go to after school events.The first thing I plan on doing is spending more time with my peers. Some of my classmates have begun practicing for the debate team and I will finally be able to join them. Calpernia, a vampire from the High Top clan whose father is second to their sire, invites
NarratorAs the final group of trainees emerged from the treeline, those waiting to greet them clapped and cheered in celebration. All of the competitors, warriors, and even some family members were excited to hear the final results. The leadership and refereeing members had kept the events within the forest quiet to allow the participants to tell their own tales. A great feast to celebrate the end of training would be held the next evening so everyone would have plenty of time to tell their tales and could enjoy a fine meal with family and friends.Alpha Darren stepped forward as the group neared the crowd. A respectful bow bobbed through the wolves in attendance as they acknowledged his presence. Smiling at the emerging wolves, he paused as he took in their appearance. This set of combatants looked far worse for wear than those who had exited before.
P.o.V. Luna FallonThis feast was more work to plan than even the traditional presentation ceremony and run. They were going to combine the Harvest Moon celebration with the end of training dinner so almost all of the pack members would be in attendance. The only ones who would not be there were the unmated wolves and their escorts who went a few hours away to attend the closest Maben Ball. With any luck they would be returning in a few days with mates and the next celebration would be welcoming the new pack members.Because of the size of the event, it was going to have to be held outside and, with the weather rapidly turning from winter to fall, would require a periphery of bonfires to keep the worst of the chill out of the area. It was great luck werewolves ran hot to begin with or they would have had to find a way to hold this massive event indoors
P.o.V. Moira/Trajan"Do you think she realized what we did?""No. She was too busy doing our hair and trying to figure out why we wanted her to fix it so suddenly, I think. Did you manage to contact Zira?"“Yes. She confirmed what we thought. Our mother is teaching Patrick how to subdue and quash his wolf. Zira says it has been years since she has been let out. They can still mindlink pack members and the bond with father is unchanged, but Zira is a little worried that shifting may be an issue should they need to.”&
P.o.V. NarratorMoira and Trajan decided not to speak with their dad about their mother’s wolf. Since Zira hadn’t asked for any assistance for herself or really made any complaints besides mentioning not having shifted in some time, they thought it best to leave the situation for now. Perhaps, with more time, they could convince their mother to shift or find more excuses to speak with Zira without her noticing.Lessons with their father and the leaders continued, Moira got training moved to the morning and weekends so that they were able to stay the full day at school. Some of the sports teams were beginning to recruit for the spring and they were thinking of trying out for the track team. There was also a cultural club Miss En asked her students to join if they were going to be majors. It wasn’t required but they would be having gues
P.o.V. NarratorMoira felt as if she had mentally hit a wall with the about-face the day had taken. Trajan was immediately on alert and pushing forward to scent the air and try and see if there was a trace of a rogue anywhere nearby. It had only been a few minutes ago when the only concern for the weekend on Moira’s mind was how to convince Alpha Gerald to let them go to the coffee shop. Now they were walking straight into a meeting about pack security from rogues.Grey Peak’s isolated location meant they almost never had a rogue incursion. When they did it was usually a sickly or injured one who managed to fight their way through other territories and thought they’d finally escaped pursuit. By the relaxed looks of the other leaders as they proceeded inside the pack house, this must have been a more normal occurrence. They were all ch
P.o.V. TrajanMoira and I weighed the question. She knew our dad would be furious at us for getting into any danger when we were supposed to just be here to learn, but rogues… I can’t abide the thought of them being anywhere near any territory anywhere. We are strong enough to fight. We should be able to join in the defense here as well. Moira and I had just come to the consensus to offer to join in with one of the squads on standby when the older wolf who was updating the group on the tracker let out a huff that carried vague tones I could feel were a suppressed growl.“As the official Grey Peak ambassador,” he said in an even but grave tone, “I cannot sit aside while you put the daughter of our Alpha in harm's way. Especially since she is only fourteen and a recruit. If I have to, I'll use my authority over our warriors