Moonbound

Chapter 1: Awakening

"Freya! Pay attention! Listen to your wolf, hear your surroundings... Where am I? Hit me."

I focus, straining to tune into the sounds around me, but Athena, my wolf, won't stop whining. Her constant ache for Ares distracts me, clouding my focus. Then, I catch a faint rustle to my left. I swing, but I'm too slow—a solid hit lands on my right side, sending me sprawling to the ground.

"Freya! Come on, what is going on?" My father's voice is stern, his frustration tangible. "It's been over three months since the rejection. You have to keep up your strength and build your skills."

"I know, Dad," I snap back, frustration bubbling up inside me. "Athena won't stop whining. She keeps reminding me of Ares. She still wants him back, and it makes me feel... I don't know, worthless."

"Enough of that," he says, his tone softening just slightly. "You're not worthless, Freya. You're stronger than you realize. You should have died from the rejection, yet here you are. It's proof of your strength. Let Athena come forward—maybe training will distract her, help her let go."

I nod slowly, summoning Athena forward. Her senses are sharper than mine, flooding me with information I can't usually detect. She hears the almost imperceptible shift in my dad's stance, the way his muscles tense just before he moves. When he strikes, she's ready, ducking and countering with a powerful swipe. He dodges and strikes back, moving faster than I can keep up with, landing another blow that sends us off-balance.

"You can't fight effectively when you're clouded by anger or fear," he says, his voice steady. "A clear mind is key. Learn to focus, and you'll be able to harness your true power."

Athena growls but retreats, allowing me to regain control. I'm breathless, the familiar frustration gnawing at me. "You're right," I admit, though it's hard to accept. My father has been pushing me harder than ever, hoping to build my strength, but Ares's rejection still feels like a raw wound. I've been training since I was a child, yet every session since the rejection has been harder to get through.

My father touches my shoulder, his tone gentler now. "Go to the waterfall. Practice your yoga and meditate. You need to strengthen your focus if you're going to get anywhere. Your other senses will become sharper, but only if you learn to center yourself."

I walk to the waterfall, finding solace in the familiar sound of water cascading over rocks. The air is thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, grounding me. I sink into my poses, feeling the tension ease from my muscles as I focus on my breathing. Athena stirs, restless at first, but she gradually quiets, retreating into the background.

As I settle into the crane pose, I feel a small surge of triumph. My balance has improved, and for the first time in weeks, I feel truly steady. "Tomorrow, I'll be even stronger," I whisper, letting a flicker of determination seep through the doubts. If I can master this, I can master anything.

(Dinner that Night)

Over dinner, my father breaks the silence. "Freya, next month is the yearly Alpha meetings. I want you to come with me. I have a friend who can help you with some new techniques."

A knot of anxiety twists in my stomach. "Dad, I don't know if that's a good idea. What if Ares is there? He's a Beta, so he'll be with his Alpha."

"We'll avoid him if we can," he replies, his voice calm. "But you can't hide from him forever. You need to be able to protect yourself. I won't always be here, Freya."

My mother, sitting beside me, places a gentle hand on my arm. "Your father's right, honey. You need this training. We won't always be around, but we want to know you can stand on your own."

I take a deep breath, turning their words over in my mind. "Alright," I say finally. "I'll go, but I don't want him to know I'm there."

My father's tone softens. "Good. You're going to get through this. And remember, the Moon Goddess may have more in store for you than you realize."

A strange sense of hope rises within me. I retreat to my room after dinner, my mind buzzing with a mixture of anticipation and fear. As I lie in bed, I try to imagine a future where I am strong, where I can fight and win. I focus on the sound of the waterfall, its rhythm steady and unchanging, until it lulls me to sleep.

For the first time in a long while, I dream of a different future—one where I am truly free.