Erik's POV
I am now at the office finishing some paperwork before going down to the training grounds to train my warriors myself. I was disappointed at what happened earlier at the hunting grounds. Moreover, how can they let rogues linger on our land giving the hunters a hard time? Is it intentional or is there some kind of trick that we can't even know that rogues are in the territory? Thinking about this is useless, I should prepare for the worst. I signed a document for the last time and slumped my back to my chair.
"Training grounds, now" I mind-linked Ian, ordering him to go to the training grounds. Ian is my gamma, the third in command, the general, and the one who is responsible for training the pack warriors. I don't want to blame him but it is his responsibility to see to it that the warriors are acting like warriors.
"Understood, Alpha" Ian replied. I stayed seated for a few more minutes and made my way to the training grounds. Clara was asleep when I changed but now I know that she is taking a shower. She is always this happy when taking a shower so I know.
Arriving at the training grounds, I saw my warriors train with the instructions of Ian. Seeing me approaching them, they all bowed, including Ian. I stood in front of them making them feel my authority. They avoided their eyes, knowing that I was angry.
"Now, tell me. What was that?" I started letting them feel my disappointment. "You all stayed there letting them encircle you?! Why?!" I shouted at them, walking to their sides and looking at them. "You should have fought your way out! You are my warriors, you are part of the strongest pack and you got intimidated just because of their number?!" I stopped walking and stood in the middle. My warriors are still bowing, not moving an inch.
"You, who are supposed to protect, got protected! Aren't you embarrassed! And you call yourselves the warriors of this pack?!" I added showing my authority to them. They backed away while their head was low, fearing to face my wrath.
"Ian!" I called. Ian immediately stepped forward to me. "How can the rogues linger inside our territory?!" I asked to make sure my Alpha tone is being used. "I have no excuses, Alpha," He said, crouching down on one knee in front of me.
"Shift, I will train you myself," I said looking down at him. Hearing that I would train them myself got them shaking, including Ian. Of all the members, Ian knows my training tactics since I trained him. Ian shifted and the others followed.
I was about to shift when I heard someone who has an angelic voice call me. "Erik" she called.
A beautiful lady who has long hair. Eyes that sparkle and move elegantly. She walked toward me and looked at me with her intense gaze. My mate, Clara. Seeing her made my anger subside. Hearing the voice of their Luna made the warrior's ears perk up.
She smiled and touched my arm. She looked at the warriors, "Sit, everyone and look at me properly" She said. Everyone was situated properly and looked at her while wagging their tail. Clara smiled at them, seeing their reaction.
She turned to me. "How about a fighting competition? All of our pack members can participate. What would you know? Maybe there is a hidden strong warrior among them" Clara suggested. I understood what she meant and honestly it is a good idea. The warriors can push themselves to do better knowing that anytime their rank could change.
"Yes, that would be great," I replied, smiling at Clara. My hands automatically found their way to Clara's hip. I faced the warriors and smirked. "Let the others know of this. Be prepared and join the competition, this is your chance to change your rank" I announced and turned to Ian. "Even the ranks of Beta and Gamma could be changed," I said. They all bowed and howled.
"Vincent, prepare for a fighting competition among our pack members. See to it that all members that wanted to join could join. You should also be prepared" I mind-linked Vincent and told him my order.
Clara’s POV
Erik and I went to his office, he sat on his chair while I sat in front of him beside his table. “What happened?” I asked, curious why he was so angry earlier. Thanks to the mate-link we feel each other's emotions unless we block the link. “Rogues keep on coming into our territory as they pleased and I sent the warriors to hunt instead of the hunters and they got intimidated by the numbers of the enemy,” He said, pinching the bridge of his nose. He slumped back in his chair and looked at me with tired eyes. I stood and walked around the table to go near him. I hugged him while standing and kissed his head. “After the competition, tell them you believe in their strength and just want them to be strong to be able to protect our family, our home” I whispered while resting my chin on his head.
“I can’t spoil them like that,” He replied, touching my arm. “It’s not like that, hearing their Alpha believe in them can be their inspiration to grow stronger,” I said, cupping both of his cheeks and looking straight into his eyes. Erik sighed and smiled at me knowing that he couldn't refuse me. His face became serious and I immediately knew that someone mind-linked him.
“The preparation is done, the competition will start now,” He said, informing me. “Let’s go?” I said and raised my hand for him to hold. Curious about why I still can’t feel his arm, I glanced back and saw him smiling at me. I gave him a questioning look. “Sorry but you will stay here,” He said.
“And why is that?” I asked, crossing my arms. He laughed at my reaction and stooped and walked towards me. “Do some paperwork instead of me and I’ll call you when the competition is done” He said, kissing my forehead. He said his goodbyes again and left the office while I stood with my mouth wide open, stunned. I looked at the paperwork and facepalmed. I can’t refuse because, I am the Luna of the pack, I too need to do some work.
Erik’s POV
I was laughing when I closed the door of my office. I don’t have any plans to let her do work, I want her to enjoy her life but I honestly need someone to back me up for today since all the members are joining the competition, of course only those who are willing and only the adults.
The weather is nice for our event today. I made my way towards the training grounds and some pups ran through me excited to watch the competition. I smiled and continued walking towards the training grounds. Vincent made a place for me to sit and observe. Everyone was cheering and I could also see ladies joining the competition. I stood and cleared my throat, everyone’s attention went to me and they bowed. Vincent gestured to the first set of fighters, I saw them stretching their bodies when stepping forward facing each other, I looked at the competitors and saw them ready to fight. “Start” I ordered.
The woman shifted faster and attacked the man but he kicked the woman to make a distance between them. Making sure that it was safe to shift, the man shifted and launched at the woman. She stood her ground and evaded the continuous attack of the man. This woman is a hunter, it makes sense why she is fast to react. They exchanged a few blows at each other, you can hear their pants and growl at each other. In the end, the woman was defeated, and the woman left the circle feeling dejected.
“Vincent” I mind-linked Vincent.
“Yes, Alpha,” Vincent replied instantly.
“See to it that she is trustworthy, if she is, make her our messenger” I ordered. I don’t want to waste her speed. “Understood,” He said. I blocked him after hearing his reply and focused on the second fight.
The fighting competition went on and it was a good result. Clara’s idea is good, some wolves can fight. The last competitors are Vincent versus Ian. Ian fought his way to the top, just to challenge the beta position. Their fights were fierce, both sustained some injuries but Vincent defeated Ian. Now the results are out, I ordered Vincent to give me the list of the winners.
“Babe?” I mind-linked at Clara, remembering what I said earlier to her at my office.
“I’m working” She stated, annoyance can be heard in her voice. I tried my best not to laugh. “Well, the competition is finished and I would love it when you come here and announce it for me,” I said. I felt happiness and excitement through our link, I shook my head at her reaction. In a matter of a few minutes, Clara arrived at the training grounds. You can see that she ran to arrive here faster.
Clara’s POV
I rushed to the training grounds, excited to see who won. I composed myself when I arrived and walked through the pack, towards Erik. Everyone bowed at me and I gave them my sweetest smile. Erik then stood up and his hand was automatically on my waist.
“Everyone!” Erik started. The pack gave their full attention to their Alpha. “I am pleased to know and sorry for not noticing that there are countless of you who are strong enough to be part of my warriors” He paused and removed his hand to my waist to hold my hand. He pulled me forward and smiled at me when I gave him a questioning look. “Your Luna, my mate, suggested this competition allowing every one of you to join and show your abilities to me,” He said and everyone bowed and cheered.
Erik fell silent and everyone stared at me, realizing that they were waiting for me to talk, I cleared my throat and stood properly. “Congratulations to all of you, I’m sure those who lost will be given something else besides joining the warriors. I felt through our mating link that the whole time, your Alpha felt nothing but proud.” All of them had surprised looks on their faces but later on, changed into confident looks. Satisfied with their reaction, I smiled again and let my emotion be shared through our pack link so they know that I am also proud of them all.
“Once again, congratulations to all of you, I don’t see defeated warriors. You are all winners, remember that” I said for the last time and stepped back. I glanced at Erik and saw him looking at me. I held his hand and squeezed it. “Don’t forget” I mind-linked him. His eyes grew and sighed. He stepped forward and looked at his pack.
“I am not scared of losing but I am scared of losing our home. I want you all to be strong enough to protect yourselves and protect our family, our home” He said with a serious look on his face. Some of the pack warriors lowered their heads, thinking about their failure earlier.
“This land is ours, this is our home and we are one,” Erik said. The full moon showed itself and the moonlight hit us. The pack shifted and howled. “I believe in you, always”
The pack howled and bowed, showing their respect to their Alpha.
Third Person’s POV
Klaus is feeling impatient and gathers all of his troops. He is growing more and more desperate as time goes on. He called all the rogues that he gathered just for achieving his desire, his desire for the throne. All the rogues came to him and he ordered them to march to the Silver Growlers pack. He ordered Merlin to cast a spell on him to make him stronger than before. He led the rogues and started marching to start a war with the strongest pack. Feeling confident that he would win, he began to imagine what he would do once he became the king of werewolves. He laughed devilishly at the thought of being the king.
The throne is mine alone. With that thought in mind, he continued to lead the rogues to where Clara is.