Chapter 16: The Training Begins

Elara

The next two days passed in a blur of rest and healing in the medical wing. I was grateful when the healers told me they'd convinced Alpha Acheron to delay my training. Just the thought of facing those intense silver eyes again made my heart race. Though, if I was being honest with myself, I wasn't sure if it was from fear anymore or... something else.

Dawn, the head healer, had been especially kind to me. She brought me three meals a day, various herbal teas "good for the baby," and checked on my recovery progress regularly. But despite the care, I couldn't ignore the fact that I was essentially a prisoner here. Sure, the room was comfortable, and no one had hurt me, but I hadn't been allowed to leave once. Not that I could have gotten far if I tried – my body was still recovering, and I had no idea where I'd go anyway.

"Your wolf is regaining strength nicely," Dawn on the morning of my training, her gentle hands checking my vital signs. "The rest has done you both good."

*Both of us.* I still couldn't quite wrap my head around having a baby and a wolf. After twenty-two years of being told I was wolfless, finding out I had one – and a silver one at that – was overwhelming. I reached inside myself, trying to feel Snow's presence.

*I am here, little one,* came her soft reply. Her voice in my mind was like windchimes in a gentle breeze. *We are stronger now.*

A knock at the door interrupted our connection. Dawn opened it to reveal another healer carrying a stack of clothes.

"Training gear from Alpha Acheron," the younger healer explained, setting them on my bed. "He wants you properly equipped."

I fingered the fabric – soft but durable black leggings, a loose-fitting gray tank top, and a light jacket. Everything looked new and expensive. The clothes even included proper training shoes and... I felt my cheeks heat up... new underwear in my exact size. How did he know?

After I changed, a guard appeared at my door. "Alpha Acheron requests your presence at the training grounds."

As we walked through the Blackmoon Pack, I couldn't help but stare. All the stories I'd heard about this place painted it as a dark, forbidden pack where rogues and baished wolves gathered. But what I saw was... completely normal. Modern, even. The buildings were well-maintained, paved roads wound between them, and pack members went about their daily business. Children played in yards, shops were open for business, and everything looked cleaner and more organized than many smaller packs I'd visited.

The guard led me to a secluded area behind the main pack house. The training ground was unlike anything I'd seen before – it looked private, almost personal, with various equipment and a large open space surrounded by dense trees.

And there he was.

Alpha Acheron stood in the center of the training ground, his black hair pulled back in a low ponytail that emphasized his sharp jawline. He'd traded his usual all-black outfit for dark gray training pants and a black sleeveless shirt that did nothing to hide his muscular arms. My mouth went dry at the sight.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, those silver eyes studying me carefully.

"Better," I managed to say, proud that my voice didn't shake this time.

He nodded once. "Good. We'll start with the basics today. The first thing you need to understand is that having a wolf isn't just about shifting forms – it's about partnership. Your wolf isn't just a tool or a weapon; she's part of you."

I listened intently as he explained the fundamentals of wolf handling. His voice was deep but patient, and he demonstrated each concept clearly. Sometimes I found myself getting lost in the way he moved – all fluid grace despite his massive size – but I tried to stay focused.

"Try calling your wolf forward," he instructed. "Don't force it. Just... reach for her."

I closed my eyes and searched for that connection I'd felt earlier with Snow. But where before she'd been right there, now she felt distant, hazy. Panic started to build in my chest.

"I can't," I whispered. "She won't come. What if last time was just a fluke? What if—"

"Stop." His voice was firm but not unkind. "This is normal. Your first shift was triggered by survival instinct – your wolf emerged to protect you and your pup. Learning to shift at will takes practice and patience."

We spent the next hour working on combat basics – proper stance, how to fall safely, simple blocking moves. My body felt clumsy and uncoordinated compared to his graceful demonstrations, but he never showed frustration.

"That's enough for today," he finally said, grabbing a water bottle and wiping sweat from his forehead with a towel. "You did well for your first session."

I tried not to show how relieved I was. Everything ached, and I was pretty sure I'd have some impressive bruises tomorrow. He gestured to a waiting guard.

"Take her to her new quarters," he ordered. "She's healed enough to leave the medical wing."

I had just turned to follow the guard when a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Well, well... so this is the Alpha's new pet!"

I turned to see a stunning woman stalking toward us. She moved like a runway model in skin-tight training clothes, her long red hair swinging behind her. But her beautiful face was twisted with contempt as she looked me up and down.

I sighed internally. Drama was the last thing I needed right now. But something in her tone made Snow stir restlessly inside me.

Be careful with this one,Snow whispered in my mind. She is jealousy of you. What ? Me ?