Return to Seven Fountain

Victory reported

The day was quiet, save for the faint rustling of the leaves under the watchful gaze of the full sun. Deep in the heart of the forest, the Alpha, Keenan, stood alone on a ridge overlooking the vast expanse of the territory. His piercing green eyes scanned the horizon, but his mind was elsewhere—focused, waiting.

A sudden spark of energy pulsed in his mind, a familiar sensation that brought a faint smirk to his lips. His Beta, Duncan, was reaching out through the mind-link.

"Alpha, we need to talk," Duncan's voice echoed smoothly in Keenan's thoughts, clear and urgent.

Keenan didn't move, his stance still as stone, but his response was instant.
"I'm listening. What's happened?"

There was a moment of silence as Duncan gathered his thoughts, but Keenan could feel the excitement pulsing through their connection.
"It's about Simoné. She just defeated Rupert in a sparring match."

Keenan's eyebrow raised slightly, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. His voice was calm, but there was an edge of interest.
"The Gamma? Rupert lost?"
He hadn't expected to hear those words, especially not with Rupert's reputation for dominance in the training field.

"Yes, Alpha. It was a fight like none other," Duncan's mental voice was charged with energy. "Rupert didn't go easy on her. He threw everything at her—his strength, his speed—but Simoné... she was incredible."

Keenan could feel Duncan's pride in Simoné, but his analytical mind needed more.
"Tell me how it happened. What did she do to take him down?"

Duncan wasted no time, recounting the fight through the mental link, his thoughts flowing like water.
"At first, Rupert dominated the field. His usual tactics—overwhelming force and raw power. He went at Simoné hard and fast, wanting to press her with heavy blows, trying to break her defenses. But Simoné was calm. She stayed light on her feet, kept her distance, reading his movements."

Keenan's expression remained neutral, though his mind was racing, analyzing the information.
"And Rupert? How did he react to her strategy?"

"Frustrated," Duncan replied, a hint of amusement in his thoughts. "The more she slipped out of his grasp, the more reckless he became. He's not used to opponents who don't engage him directly. Simoné kept baiting him, forcing him into mistakes. He charged at her, overcommitting, and she made him pay for it."

Keenan's eyes narrowed as he imagined the scene, he felt a bit of aggression rising from his wolf.
"So she used his aggression against him. Clever."
He could see it now—Rupert, the brute, relying on strength, and Simoné, the strategist, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

"Exactly," Duncan continued. "Simoné shifted mid-fight, catching Rupert off-guard. She moved faster than I've ever seen someone move before, and when Rupert lunged for her, she didn't retreat. She met him head-on, using his momentum to bring him down. She shifted back to wolf and had him pinned before he could recover."

A faint smile tugged at Keenan's lips, though his tone remained measured.
"She's been learning. Rupert is no easy opponent, and for her to take him down like that... it speaks to her growth."
His thoughts were filled with a mixture of pride and curiosity. Simoné was more than just a talented fighter; she was showing the qualities of a leader.

Duncan's mental voice softened slightly.
"She's earned her place, Alpha. After Rupert submitted, she didn't gloat or rub it in. She helped him up, like the warrior she is. The pack was watching, and they respect her for it. Even Rupert... he may not like losing, but he respects her now."

Keenan took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the situation. This was more than just a training match. It was a shift in the dynamics of the pack.
"And Rupert? How is he handling the loss?"

There was a pause before Duncan responded.
"He was angry, as expected, but not at Simoné. More at himself. He knows he underestimated her. I'll speak with him, make sure he understands this is a lesson, not a failure."

Keenan's voice in the link was firm.
"Do that. Rupert's pride is important to the pack's balance, but so is his humility. Losing to Simoné will make him stronger if he handles it right."

He could sense Duncan's agreement, but there was more to address.
"And Simoné? How did she take her victory?"

Duncan's mental voice was warm, filled with pride.
"Humble. She knows this win was important, but she didn't make a scene. She stood tall, but not arrogant. The pack is starting to see her as more than just a new pack member."

Keenan's eyes flicked toward the horizon, the light of the sun reflecting in his gaze.
"Good. She's earned their respect, but there's more to leadership than victory in the training field. Keep an eye on her, Duncan. Push her, but don't let her get comfortable. She needs to keep growing."

"Understood, Alpha." Duncan's voice was steady, filled with loyalty. "I'll make sure she's ready for whatever comes next."

Keenan nodded silently, though his mind was already drifting toward the future. The pack was growing stronger, and with wolves like Simoné, their strength would only increase.

"Anything else?" Keenan asked, sensing Duncan's readiness to leave the link.

"No, Alpha. That's the main update. The pack is in good hands."

"Good. Let the pack know about the fight but keep the details to a minimum. They need to know that Simoné's earned her victory, but we don't need to stir unnecessary tension."

"Understood. I'll handle it."

With that, the link began to fade, but before it disappeared completely, Keenan's voice came through one last time, soft but commanding.
"And Duncan... let Simoné know that I'm watching. Her time may come sooner than she thinks."

Duncan's mental acknowledgment was brief, but filled with understanding.

As the link finally dissolved, Keenan stood alone under the sky, his mind filled with the possibilities of what lay ahead. Simoné had proven herself today, not just in battle, but in character. And as Alpha, he knew one thing—this victory was only the beginning for her. The pack was evolving, and soon, the real challenges would come.

But for now, Keenan allowed himself a moment of quiet satisfaction. The future of the pack was in capable hands. Maybe he will check in with his "Blue-eyes" tonight.

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