Moonbound

Chapter 5: The First Test

The morning air is sharp and cold, prickling against my skin as I make my way to the training grounds. Alpha Killian is waiting, his presence solid and commanding. I can sense him by the shift in the air, the energy he brings—a weight that presses lightly on my senses.

"Freya," he greets me, his voice steady and firm. "Today, we begin with endurance."

I nod, feeling the familiar tingle of anticipation spread through my limbs. I take a deep breath, centering myself.

{Ready, Athena?}

{Always. Let's show him we're not here to waste time.}

Killian's footsteps crunch against the forest path as he begins to move forward, and I fall into step beside him, matching his pace. The path beneath my feet is uneven but familiar, the cool earth and patches of damp leaves hinting at the morning's early dew.

"We'll start with a five-mile run, human form," he says. "Then we'll shift and continue another five in wolf form. This is just a warm-up. I want to gauge your stamina."

A ten-mile warm-up is exactly the kind of challenge I've been craving. "Understood, Alpha," I reply, setting my jaw.

The rhythm of the run quickly takes over. Each step resonates in my bones, grounding me. I can feel Athena stirring, lending me her strength as we push forward. The scents of pine, rich soil, and cool morning air sharpen my focus, and I let them guide me through the winding forest paths.

{Steady, Freya. Conserve energy. This is just the start,} Athena reminds me, her voice a reassuring presence in my mind.

The world narrows down to the thudding of our feet, the rush of my breath, and the cool morning air filling my lungs.

We finish the first five miles, and I drop to my knees, ready for the shift. I let Athena take over, feeling the familiar sensation as my muscles stretch and my bones realign. In seconds, we are in our wolf form, and the world around me comes alive in a new way.

{It's our turn,} I think, and I feel her eager agreement.

Running in wolf form is different—more instinctual, more primal. I pick up the faint traces of other wolves and the lingering scents of night creatures that have passed through. The forest is a symphony of sounds: birds rustling, leaves brushing, the distant ripple of water. I tune into each sensation, feeling the earth shift beneath my paws as we pick up speed.

We finish the second five miles, skidding to a halt beside Killian. I shift back, rolling my shoulders to release the tension. My body hums with energy, and I'm ready for more.

Killian shifts to his human form and faces me. "Your stamina is strong, but today's training has only just begun," he says. "Follow me."

He leads me to a clearing. I catch the scent of oiled leather and steel, sharp and familiar. He moves toward a table, and I hear the faint clang of metal—a dagger, a sword, a staff. The distinct sounds tell me what he's laid out, each one a tool of combat, a weapon I've trained with in the past.

"Weapons training," he explains. "You'll be blindfolded, relying on your other senses. Your father has taught you well, but I want to push your instincts even further."

Blindfolded or not, this exercise feels like second nature. "Understood."

He hands me a blindfold, and I tie it securely. The world around me plunges into an even deeper darkness, but I feel Athena settle, sharpening my awareness of the space around me.

"Listen to my voice," Killian says. "When I say move, you strike. Rely on what you sense, not what you think you should see."

I grip the dagger, feeling the familiar weight in my hand. Its balance is perfect, the cool metal grounding me. I stand still, waiting for his command, my breaths shallow and controlled.

"Move."

I step forward, feeling the space with every shift of air. The faint smell of straw fills my senses—one of the training dummies. I strike, the blade slicing cleanly. There's a satisfying thud as the dagger meets its mark.

"Good," he says. "Again. This time, follow my voice and attack each target as you approach it."

His commands come quickly, and I respond without hesitation, twisting, lunging, and delivering blows. I feel each strike as a ripple of power through my body, each movement an extension of Athena's instinct and my own training. The darkness heightens my focus, and I can almost feel the air parting around me as I move.

The morning passes in a blur of commands, each one pushing me to move faster, to react more fluidly. By the time Killian calls a halt, my muscles are trembling, and I'm coated in a thin layer of sweat. I pull off the blindfold, breathing heavily as I turn my face toward him.

"You did well," he says, his tone approving. "Your instincts are sharp, and you adapt quickly. But I want you to work on your speed. In a real battle, you need to anticipate attacks, not just react to them."

I nod, absorbing his feedback. "Understood, Alpha."

He pauses, and I can feel a shift in his tone. "You have potential, Freya. I see why the Moon Goddess chose you."

His words settle over me, and I feel a spark of determination. This is about more than proving myself. It's about honoring the gifts I've been given.

"Take a short break," he instructs. "After lunch, we'll move into hand-to-hand combat. I want to see how you handle yourself without a weapon."

Grateful for the moment to rest, I sit on the cool earth, feeling the slight breeze as it brushes my skin. I close my eyes, centering myself.

{Athena, how are you holding up?}

{We're just getting started,} she replies, a fierce pride tinging her voice.

I smile, feeling our connection strengthen. Together, we are more than just a wolf and her spirit; we are Moonbound, and we are ready for whatever comes next.

After lunch, I return to the clearing where Killian and his Beta, Max, are waiting. I catch the scent of Max's musk and leather, his presence steady and solid. I step into the space between them, feeling the challenge ahead.

"Freya, you'll spar with Max," Killian instructs. "He's one of the best fighters in the pack. Use every skill you have. Do not hold back."

I roll my shoulders, loosening the tension in my muscles. "Understood."

Max approaches, his movements deliberate. I can feel his intent as he circles me, the air shifting with each step. I match his stance, sensing his every move, waiting for the subtle changes that signal his next action.

"Begin," Killian commands.

Max moves in fast, but I sense him before he reaches me. I sidestep, catching his arm and twisting it to throw him off balance. He recovers quickly, coming at me with a series of rapid punches. I block, duck, and counter, my body responding with a fluid grace honed by years of training.

Each strike is calculated, each move a test of my strength and reflexes. I feel the burn in my muscles, the fire in my veins, and I push through, driven by the knowledge that this is only the beginning.

Finally, Killian calls a halt. "Enough. Freya, you have shown remarkable skill. You're ready for the next level."

I catch my breath, feeling a sense of accomplishment settle over me. This is what I was meant to do, what the Moon Goddess prepared me for. And as I stand there, surrounded by the fading light and the forest's quiet strength, I know that my journey is just beginning.