The Wolf'sRose

þrettán

Rose walked into the training yard the next morning. Standing across the yard, gathered in a small group, were her soon-to-be trainers. She recognized them all from the previous evening. All of them, except one man. He  stood head and shoulders above the rest of them. He was larger than even Arne, who was the tallest among them. As she neared the group, she noticed the same smell from the dragon den. It couldn't possibly be he, could it? Surely not, she thought to herself. His eyes, when he turned toward her as if hearing her approach, were a startling shade of lavender.

He smiled at her confused look. When she reached the group, she counted 7 people. Arne, she knew was wolf. She recognized a bear shifter from the Great Hall, Bjorn, she thought was his name. The cat shifter was a female, Her pupils were elliptical like that of a cat. She was very surprised to see Gilgamesh. Her father was present. The only one she didn't recognize was the tall man with orange hair and lavender eyes.

Cocking her head to the side, she looked at the man wonderingly. "Moorwyn?" She asked in astonishment.

Bowing, the dragon acknowledged her greeting with a smile and nodded. "Indeed, Your Majesty. It will be a pleasure to be of service."

Mikkel chose that moment to walk up to the group. "Good morning. I hope everyone is ready to begin." It was not a question, but a statement. The group knew by now whom it was they were training. They also understood the importance of her training. Her ability to defend herself would help set the pack and Moorwyn at ease. With Mikkel at ease, gave him the ability to focus on other things.

MIkkel gave instructions and, as much as it pained him, he left the group. Not staying to oversee his beautiful mate's training, was causing him no ending amount of torment. But he knew that she was in good hands and that the individuals chosen would see to her training to the upmost of their abilities. She was a survivor, of that he had little doubt. Her strength was incredible and her understanding undeniable. 

Thinking about how she looked this morning as she was getting dressed caused his body to stir and his heart to pound. She had sat up in their bed with her hair disheveled for their lovemaking and sleep. When she had realized that it was training day, she had tried to jump up and out of bed and promptly stumbled and fell. After gently helping her up while trying not to laugh, he had helped her to dress in the unfamiliar clothing. Once dressed all Mikkel could think about was hustling her back into bed and not letting her back out. He especially didn't want her going out of their quarters dressed in youth's britches. They were made of soft leather and cupped the shape of her lovely backside and lovingly molded to her thighs, wrapping around her hips like a lover. He was actually jealous of that leather, being wrapped around her for so many hours. Her top was a tunic over crisscrossed bits of fabric used to hold her generous breast in place while she was training. 

"Oooowwwfff." Rose landed in the dirt once again on her already sore bum.

"Get up! You will never learn to defend yourself or this pack if you can't stay upright." The werecat female, a cheetah name Ashanti, after the tribe in African she was from.

Rose felt power pulsing through her body and centering in the palms of her hands, which she raised and aimed at her cheetah trainer. Out of her hands came a powerful wind that carried the werecat back several feet. Landing on her back against the wall of the keep.  Rose looked down at her hands stupified. Gilgamesh and Artur were also surprised. Moorwyn merely smiled indulgently. 

"Did you not think that her natural ability toward magik would not present itself. Deep down, you knew it would activate it. Her heritage will not let her be mistreated.  She is Seelie royalty, and a Druid priest's offspring. What did you think was going to happen when she started her training. Artur, I am surprised that you of all people did not think of this yourself." Moorwyn said as he walked to the cheetah female and helped her up. Then he walked over to Rose who was dripping sweat. "You have worked very hard today, and I know that all of are tired. Let's call it a day and bath and eat." Dropping a kiss on her forehead, he turned and entered a tunnel that obviously led to his liar under the keep.

Just as Rose was turning to go in, Mikkel appeared and wrapped his arms around Rose and held her tightly in his arms. Leaning down he kissed her and led her up to their quarters to help her undress and bathe in the tub of hot water that was waiting on her. Hissing as she got in, then moaning in pleasure and relief as she sank down into it. 

Later, upon entering the Great Hall, all gathered  stood and bowed. Rose was sure by now that word of her heritage had spread through the pack. As one of the omegas were serving, the small girl looked at Rose in wonderment. Her open curiosity did not bother Rose. In fact, it was a welcome surprise to all of the thoughts of subterfuge. "Can I help you, young miss?" Rose asked the young girl.

Realizing that she had committed a very big no-no, her faced flushed with shame and tears welled in her eyes. She opened her mouth to beg. Rose instead raised her hand for the girl to hold her silence. "You are obviously curious about me. I am just as curious about you and every one else. I am new to pack life, so I often feel out of place. My question to you is this, I am told that as a Lady of the Keep I am supposed to have a Lady-in-Waiting. I do not have one. Would you do me the honor of being my first Lady-in-Waiting." The young omega almost fainted with awe. The Lady Luna had asked her to be her very first Lady-in-Waiting! The honor for her and her family will surely elevate their status from omega to pack wolf. Bowing to her Lady Luna, she finished serving and ran from the room in tears to tell her parents the great news.

Mikkel looked over at his mate and again marveled at her generosity. Her lover for her people knew no bounds and how she treated them showed that. Iona called out softly to her, "She is a wonderful choice for your first Lady-in-Waiting, my dear. I will have the housekeeper meet with the two of you tomorrow morning and send the tailor to you so that she can be fitted for clothing befitting her station."

"Thank you, Mother. I had not thought of that. That's exactly why I look to you for everything." That being said, everyone began to eat their meal.