Chapter 69 Chapter 69
AILSA’S POV
The next day, I woke up with a smile on my face. I had slept peacefully and I didn’t worry about anything. Lucian had to leave early from dinner last night because Aiden came for something urgent. I was going to ask him later today what Aiden’s visit was all about.
I laid in bed for a while, just staring at the ceiling and feeling light. Something inside me had finally settled into place after days of unease. It seemed like I had gained clarity from everything and that’s why I felt more at peace. Even the soreness in my muscles had gone. My wolf stirred.
‘I feel like taking a run’ she murmured. I nodded. I couldn’t even remember the last time we had taken a run.
I let out a quiet breath. It felt strange to wake up and not immediately get an ache. The healer came later that morning, she took her time today. She always did but today her hands were firmer, as she checked my ribs, my shoulder and my pulse. She asked me to stand, stretch and to breathe deeply. I obeyed, my heart pounded with anticipation.
“Well?” I asked when she straightened. She studied me for a moment longer and then she nodded once.
“You are cleared” I jumped in happiness.
“Really?” I asked with excitement.
“Yes. Your ribs are fully healed and your shoulders too so you are good to go” the words sent a rush of heat through my chest.
“So I can go back to training?” I asked quickly, afraid that she might take it back.
“Light training” she corrected. “Just hand drills, no swords or planks and no pushing” I smiled anyways.
“Thank you. I’m so happy to hear that. I’ve been cooped up in this room for long and I’m tired. The Alpha said he won’t allow me do anything until you’ve cleared me. So can you help me tell him that you’ve cleared me for training so he wouldn’t get upset when he sees me” she nodded.
“I’ll do just that but make sure you follow my instructions” i nodded quickly.
“I’ll do all you have said”
The moment the door shut behind her, I was already moving. I dressed faster than I had in days, pulling on my training clothes like it was an armor. When I stepped into the corridor, heads bowed as I passed but servants and the guards stationed at the different corners.
Some had smiles on their faces when I passed, others nodded at me but no one looked away when I passed. For the first time since I arrived, I didn’t feel invisible because everyone acknowledged me. What had changed overnight?
When I stepped into the training grounds, it was alive just like always. The sound of metal clanking together hit me first, the boots of warriors marching to the field, sharp calls and laughters all woven together. The scent of sweat and determination followed and I smiled. I didn’t realize how much I had missed training till I came to the field. I paused at the edge for just a moment, letting it all sink in.
This was where I belonged. I said to myself before the others.
I joined the warm ups, I was careful at first then loosened as my muscles remembered what to do. Each movement felt like reclaiming something that had been taken from me. No one questioned my presence or looked at me like I didn’t belong here.
When we were told to pair, I paired with a random person. When we started sparring, my reactions were quick which was fueled by my instincts. My wolf surged eagerly, delighted by the familiar rhythm. I wasn’t the best neither was I the strongest but I was solid. My partner was also good at sparring, I learnt one or two new things from her. We even got talking as we sparred. She was a nice person.
During our break, someone approached me. He was tall and broad, with dark hair and a grin that sat easily on his face.
“Hi, I’m Ronan” he said, extending his hand. “I’m a third rank warrior” I shook it. His grip was strong.
“Ailsa” his smile widened.
“I know who you are. Everyone knows who you are” I raised an eyebrow.
“You survived poisoning and also an attack” he continued “You still stood strong. That takes strength” heat crept onto my cheeks.
“I just survived. That’s the only thing I could do”
“That’s enough” he said easily. Then he dipped his head, respectful and deliberate.
“Luna” he said softly and my smile faltered.
“I’m not…”
“I know” he said quickly. “I didn’t mean it like that. Just respect” I nodded slowly.
“Thank you but I’m not Luna”
“Not yet official but that’s what is going to happen” he replied smiling and I all I could do was nod my head.
“I’m impressed by you. And I’ll like to be your friend” he asked and I smiled.
“Sure, I would love that”
“See you later” he smiled moving away.
I paused for a while thinking about all he said. He called me Luna. That was so out of the blue. And how come I had never seen him also? Or had he been stationed another place? He didn’t look and bad, it wouldn’t be bad to have him as a friend too.
‘I don’t trust him’ my wolf murmured and I scoffed.
“You don’t trust anybody” I whispered.
I was still watching the sparring circle and my thoughts rubbing haywire when I felt the air around me shift. I didn’t have to turn around to know who stood behind me.
Dahlia’s presence always changed the atmosphere and it carried tension. It also brought bad luck to me. There was no day I encountered Dahlia and something didn’t happen.
“So, you’re back” she said coolly. I faced her meeting her gaze evenly.
“I am. Does it affect you?” She chuckled and her eyes flickered towards Ronan’s direction and then back at me.
“Enjoying the attention?” I shrugged.
“Is there a reason I shouldn’t?” I answered back. Her lips curled.
“Don’t mistake politeness for acceptance. He’s just been polite to you to get in the Alpha’s good book” I smiled slowly and unbothered.
“Funny, I was thinking the same about you” her jaw tightened.
“You’re trying to get pity from these people so they’ll accept you. I know what you are but I’ll never let you win” I laughed.
“Why is everything a competition to you? I don’t care about you or anyone’s pity. I don’t need it. I have never needed it, not when I first arrived here and certainly not now”
“You’ll never be Luna of this pack” she snapped. “And I’ll make sure of it, even if it’s the last thing I do before I die”
What was happening with everyone referring to me as Luna. Was there something I didn’t know? Something loosened inside me, some knot of fear I hadn’t realized I was still carrying. I laughed. It wasn’t loud or cruel. It was just like I had finally realized something.
“I haven’t even been officially pronounced as the Luna and yet you are already feeling insecure so what about when I finally am?” I devised to playing her game with her. I saw her tense up.
“You think it’s a play right?” She demanded.
“I think that if you were truly sure of yourself, you wouldn’t need to threaten me” I said calmly. Her anger flared, sharp and ugly.
“You don’t belong here. It’s better for you to go back to wherever you came from and be the Luna”
“This same old talk every time, can’t you find something new? I know where I belong and you don’t have a say in it” I replied softly.
For a moment, I thought she was going to strike me. I was prepared for her anyways, I wanted to try the new steps I had learnt. It wouldn’t be bad if I tried it on her.
“Whenever I see you, I just want to hasten up the process to permanently get you out of here. I’m preparing a nice surprise for you and I know you’ll definitely like it” her lips curved into a smirk and I scoffed.
“I just hope you don’t end up being the surprised one, it would be a disappointment” I whispered and I saw fury in her eyes. I knew if she had a way she would have me killed on the spot.
“We shall see” she whispered
“I know and I’m waiting patiently” I answered. She walked away angrily.
My hands shook but not from fear.
‘She’s afraid’ my wolf murmured.
That was good. The realization grounded me more than anything else. I walked back to the pack house and I bumped into Lina.
“There you are! I went to your room and I didn’t see you there. I was just coming to the training field”
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothing is wrong” she said brightly. “But I think the Alpha is planning a party”
“A party?” My heart skipped. She nodded eagerly.
“For what?”
“For you”