Moon Falls

Chapter 7

I rub my temples, trying to keep myself relaxed. They're trying, I just need to remember that, they're trying. Looking at the groups again, I can see that they're not really trying to hurt each other, they're family, of course they're not going to fight properly. The sun's high in the sky now, heat beating down on us in waves. "Try and relax" Cole mumbles, close to me. I sigh, this isn't going anywhere.

"We could try offensive? Or defensive as wolves, actually, let me try something" I mumble, walking to another group weakly fighting. "Spread out" I tell them, they step back, giving me space. "Cole, can you shift please, and you" I point to the woman in front of me, she looks around nervously, then rushes into the forest, Cole following. A few minutes later, Cole's large black wolf walks out, a smaller, chocolate wolf quick on his tail. "Ok, now, I want all of you to attack me, and properly!" I order, watching them. None of them move, I look to Cole, pleading with him, but he doesn't move. Turning, I look to the alpha, he looks at the group around me, then at Cole and the girl curiously.

"You can fight all of them?" he asks, unsure.

"Yes, but I can't show you if they won't attack" I tell him, he stares at me for a moment, then nods his head. I turn slowly- a snarling wolf crashes into me, using the momentum, I roll onto my back and throw it off. Rolling back to my feet, I duck out of the way of a fist heading towards me. I swing my leg out, taking him off his feet, then stamp on his chest, winding him. I can hear growling from behind me, but ignore it as a woman rushes towards me, at the last moment, I duck, the wolf hits the girl and they go rolling away. My arms are grabbed and pulled behind me, a guy on each arm. I hook my foot on the taller guys leg and pull. He slips a little, loosing his grip, enough for me to free my arm, I slam my elbow down onto his neck, he hits the floor hard. I twist into the other guy, getting him close, he trips, confused, and we hit the floor. I punch him in the face once, twice, then pull off of him. A large black wolf lands on top of me, snapping for my shoulder. I thrust my knee into it's gut, ignoring the wolf's shocked bark. I push outward at it's front legs, stretching it's chest, I loop my leg over it's back and roll, landing on top of the wolf. I hold the wolf down by it's neck, waiting for submission.

"Enough" the alpha states, and I release Cole. Standing, I take a deep breath, trying to calm my breathing. Cole and the chocolate wolf pace back into the forest. "I think we have had enough training for today, I'll set up a schedule for training, everyone will be involved. Get some rest, the gathering is tonight and I expect everyone to be there, including you, Ria" he states, then turns to leave, disappearing into the house. Sighing, I wipe the sweat from my forehead, my hands shaking. The groups disperse, heading in different directions.

"Ria!" Kayla calls, I turn, spotting her coming from the trees, William close behind her.

"Hi" I mumble, giving a small wave.

"I saw some of your moves, I think you might be replacing Williams body guard duty!" she giggles, I give her a small smile. "Anyway, you have to come to the party tonight, come on, lets go and get ready!" she squeals, looping her arm through mine and pulling me towards the house. Walking through, I tense as the kids run through, glad that they stay the other side of Kayla and William. When we reach Cole's room, she stops abruptly, placing her hand on William's chest. He narrows his eyes at her. "This is girl time, if you dare to enter this room, I will paint your nails a bright pink!" she threatens, smiling brightly. Before he can reply, I'm pulled into the room and the door is slammed shut. Girl time, I can do girl time... I think. "So, where did you put the dress?" she asks, digging through the drawers.

"Bottom draw" I mumble, I head towards the sofa, ready to fall onto the soft cushions.

"No!" she squeals, I jump, glancing at the sofa, what could she be squealing about now? "Shower! You're all sweaty, go shower!" I hadn't even thought about it, being a wolf for so long really has it's effects on you. I head to the bathroom, placing the door against the doorframe, and jump in the shower, sighing as my muscles start to relax a little. I wash my hair and clean myself, then climb out, towel drying myself off. I wrap the towel tightly around myself, and exit the bathroom. "Here" Kayla holds out a pile of clothes to me. I take them and rush back to the bathroom. I rub my forehead, getting the feeling that this is going to be a long night. I dress quickly, avoiding the mirror. Once out of the bathroom again, Kayla grabs my arm and pulls me to the sofa, sitting me down.