The Journey

Chapter 2

Rosa's POV:
My legs burned as I finished my final lap around the lake, the wolves behind me panting with effort as I beat them with ease in human form. I liked being in wolf form better, but I needed to ensure that both of my forms were properly trained and being in human form needed work. It had been 8 months since I joined alpha Richard's pack, everyone hadn't understood me at first but with his help, I found my place by his side, as his student and his adopted daughter. "Really Rosa? You just had to prove you were faster didn't you?" Anthony teased me, I looked at him, puffing slightly but still happy and energetic. "Of course I had to Tony. How else could I prove that I'm better than the pack's only beta?" I teased back. He huffed and glared at me but still smiled jokingly. Anthony was the wolf who had originally found me in the woods that day and brought me to Richard. He may have been mean at first but we were really close friends now, he was like a brother to me. We laughed and joked as we finished training, working on our combat and combat shifting. Combat shifting is a skill every wolf in Richard's pack had to have, including myself. For me it was simple, I only struggled at the start, but Richard explained that I had to focus on my wolf and our connection to each other.

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When training was finished, Anthony and I headed back to the pack house to get ready for the briefing meeting that was going to be held in an hour. "I'm going to go have a shower Tony, I'll be back in time for the briefing." He smiled at me and jokingly said, "what if I just joined you princess? It would be saving water." I winked and told him, "better luck next time Tony, I like cold showers and I know you hate them." I walked up the steps to my room and opened the door, walking in before locking it behind me.

I shook my hair out of its loose bun then walked up to the mirror. I took in my appearance, noting my deep, ocean-blue eyes and my chocolate brown wavy hair. I had a curvy figure now that I was training everyday but I also had more muscles than before.

I focused my attention to my scar, the bite from the alpha who bit and turned me. It was the only scar I had, but it still hurt every time I looked at it. We are stronger because of it, you know this Rosa. My wolf was right, we were stronger. Thanks, Kieera. No problem, Rosa. I smiled at my wolf, then undressed for my shower. Stepping in under the cold water I let it relax my muscles. Feeling the tension leave me I calmed down and started to think about the briefing. I had no idea what it was about but I did have some ideas.

After half an hour, I stepped out of the shower and dried myself off. Creeping into my room covered by my towel to find some suitable clothes for the briefing before I decided to ask Richard if I could go in wolf form.

Hey, dad? Is it okay if I come to the briefing as Kieera? I mindlinked him because it was faster, but his response took a little bit. I guess so, but bring a change of nice clothes because you will have to shift at some point. Please be aware that this briefing isn't just another pack meeting to discuss profits. What is it about then dad? I asked worriedly. I felt him smile through the link as he said, it's about you, Rosa.

I stood still, curious, but he cut off the link before I could ask anything else. I shrugged at his weird behaviour before shifting into Kieera's form, shaking out my fur happily and pushing through my door which I had unlocked.

As I headed down to the meeting room, I noticed the whole pack was there. Starting to get a little nervous, I took my seat next to Richard and sat patiently. Waiting for ten minutes before the pack had settled down and Richard had finished speaking to Anthony.

"So, ShadowPaws. I called this meeting today for a special occasion. I am going to announce my retirement in four months and I will need to begin training my successor." Hushed murmurs filled the crowds as they all wondered who the successor might be. I looked up at Richard curiously, but didn't dare speak. He looked down at me and winked, smiling before turning back to face the rest of the pack. "Now, I know you are all curious as to who my successor will be, which is why I have decided to create a festival out of it."

Everyone cheered and smiled at him, laughing between friends about who the winner might be and what the challenges were going to call for.

I wagged my tail slightly before standing up and shifting back. The pack turned their heads out of respect as i quickly put my clothes on. I looked to Richard and smiled at him, happy he was finally going to be able to relax. He gave me an award winning smile then turned to the crowd. "I will now name the challenges and the competitors who will fight to claim my alpha title!" The cheers were louder this time, as everyone was extremely excited for the festival to come.

"First, I will set a challenge on hunting abilities. Whoever can find me before the sun sets, wins the first challenge. As for the competitors, I wish to challenge beta Anthony, Rosa Lee, Timothy Andrews and finally, my third in command, William Fince!" Everyone cheered and screamed at the competitors but I just looked at Richard with shock and fear. He walked up to me, signalling that the meeting was over and the festival was about to begin. "Dad, I can't do this. why did you have to make me fight for this?" My voice shook but I held his gaze. He looked down into my eyes, whispering his answer so that only I could hear. "Because, my dear. I want you to win and prove to everyone who might dare to oppose you, that you are strong and brave, and you won't give up." I gave him a weak smile but nodded. Trusting him was all I had left, so I was going to win the festival for him.

"Let the hunt, begin!" Richard yelled before sprinting off into the forest. The counter that had been set up counting down the two minutes that he had been given to hide himself properly.