Tyler is throwing heavy punches at me. His focus entirely on how I dodge his hands, whether that be with the way I deflect or jump on my toes. We've been sparring for almost an hour now and I'm impressed by his high stamina. No matter how much I try to tire him out, he just doesn't give.

"Come on Holms," He grins evilly. A humorless laugh escaping his lips with his heavy breathing, "You're going to have to attack sometime."

I know that he's right, but I'm taking my time. Even in Sparta, I wasn't the strongest wolf. We were pure power and strength whereas I have to rely more on using my enemy against me. I need to work them until I find a point of weakness.

I'm also breathing heavy and just as Tyler steps towards me, throwing another punch, I roll away. I quickly turn over my shoulder, trying to eye his body for any weakness. It only takes a split second for him to slow down and I'm instantly pouncing on him, hooking my foot along his leg and shifting on my hands quickly.

Tyler doesn't seem to see it coming, he instantly stumbles, falling on the ground. Without a single beat or moment of rest for me, he jumps back up. Hands positioned in front of his face, a cocky smile as we both breathe heavily.

"Dammit Holms," He shakes his head. "Always with those tackles."

"You should really see it coming by now," I reply with a smile. He wants me to advance and turn offensively, then that's what he's going to get. I start stepping towards him, throwing my arms at him as he blocks it. I let my wolf heighten my senses, showering me in adrenaline while I position my footing so I can kick quickly—aiming anywhere Tyler might forget. He's really good at defending—I have to admit that I've been teaching him well.

He's moving back at every advance I throw at him. I calculate how many steps he takes and when he blocks his view of me with his arms. A devious smile escapes me as I bend my body down, turning quickly so that my back leg is positioned just between Tyler's. With a swift movement, I have him lying on his back, but before he can jump back up this time, I let my knowledge of ju jitsu quickly put him in a lock.

Pulling his arm upwards, keeping my legs locked around his neck, I know if I just apply a little bit of pressure he'll be unconscious. And if I quickly snap his arm back it'll be broken for a few days.

Tyler struggles for a split second before shouting, "Forfeit!"

I let go of him, helping him stand up my stretching my hand out. I raise my eyebrow at him curiously as we both pant slightly. The air is starting to get colder, but I quite like how the fall breeze has been affecting the weather. Not to mention the colors of the trees are beautiful.

"What the hell Tyler?" I ask frowning, "That's the first time I beat you in a while."

It's true. As must as I would like to think I'm better than him, in reality, Tyler is one hell of a warrior...well, warrior in training. He spends countless hours on different exercise drills—his favorite is running every morning for a few hours in wolf form and then every night in human form. The man might as well be a robot.

Since I've been teaching him the ways of Spartan warriors, once he picked up on the main forms we use, it's mainly been me that has had to concede. Something must be going on for him to have lost his focus. Something so easy and stupid—always keep your eye on your enemy.

He lets out an aggravated sigh, fingers rustling through his hair. "I know," He lets out. We both walk over to the bleachers. The university training grounds are just at the edge of the pack territory.

We take a seat at the bleachers—Tyler pulling out two water bottles from his duffle bag. He kindly tosses one to me and for a few seconds we're just enjoying the light breeze. He finally sighs, "I'm just really nervous for the trials."

I can't help a small laugh, "Come on Tyler. You've been preparing for this basically your whole life."

"I just..." His nervousness is so evident on his face. The trials are going to be hosted soon by River, his warriors, Sage, and of course, Matthew. Apparently, civilians aren't allowed to attend or else I'd offer my support and go. I've already talked to Matthew about being too harsh on Tyler but deep down, Matthew knows that Tyler is going to perform well regardless of whatever curveballs get thrown at him.

"I just wouldn't know what to do with myself if I don't pass." He says honestly. His eyes meet mine and I can see the genuine worry and fear. "I've been wanting this my whole life, it's what I've always dreamed of. What if it doesn't work out?"

I give him a reassuring smile. My eyes shifting to the water bottle between my hands. Tyler knows I'm from Sparta, but he's never asked me why I came to the Valley. He also has never asked me why I'm with Matthew. Despite being well-liked, there are definitely rumors circulating about whether or not I had found my mate. Some wolves thinking that my mate has died tragically or something along those lines.

I think to all those moments growing up where I wanted a mate. And that didn't turn out how I expected, but when a door closes, something else opens. I turn to Tyler, "If you don't pass something better will come along. I know it."

"How do you know?" He questions innocently.

"Because I've been there," I shrug nonchalantly. "My mate in Sparta rejected me. I thought it was the end of the world. Lo and behold, I meet Matthew, who's a million times better. If you don't pass, something will appear. Everything happens for a reason."

Tyler stares at me with wide eyes, his mouth parting slightly. "Holms...I didn't know."

I wave my hand, "Doesn't matter. I'm with Matthew. And you shouldn't be so worried about passing. You're going to do amazing. Who knows, maybe I'll put in a good word with the Alpha."

I give him a wink that his him laughing slightly. The tension leaving his body as he relaxes against the bleacher. He finally looks at me with his usual playful gleam and I'm happy to see him unbothered.

"Speaking of Alpha," Tyler smirks. "How's that going?"

I lean back in the bleacher next to him, returning the smirk. If he's going to tease me, then I certainly am going to tease him. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're jealous that I take up Matthew's time."

"Oh, so jealous. I just know I could rock his world," Tyler rolls his eyes and shoves my shoulder. Both of us laughing. "No but be honest. Do you see yourself being Luna?"

I've had to think about this a lot over the last few days. Matthew has been meeting with Sage and River frequently to discuss what loopholes we can abide to that would keep me safe here and away from Bren. Matthew and I outlined a plan to present to Sparta that requests Clara and we're waiting to hear back from the council to see if she'll be allocated here.

Overall, my days have been filled with school and paperwork. And Matthew. A lot of Matthew. In fact, he's the best part about it. I love this pack and know that it's where I'm meant to be. But being with Matthew only intensifies the feeling. He'll let me read his books in his office, occasionally swopping in to give me kisses before returning to his work. He cooks dinner for me and in the evening, he walks me home. I've considered staying the night several times, but I know how carried away we would get. Something we can't risk now that we both know he can't mark me.

An embarrassing and somewhat juvenile smile appears on my face. I feel like a highschooler with their first love. Tyler pokes fun at me by pointing out my face. "You're so smitten, Holms." He laughs.

"I know." I reply honestly, "I...I would love to be Luna to be honest."

Tyler lights up, his body straightening and smile unwavering. "Really?"

I nod delightfully, my gaze shifting to him. "I can't imagine being anywhere else in the world."

"Holms," Tyler reaches over for a hug. He hesitates at first, knowing full well that Matthew will pick up his scent on me. But he pushes that away to pull me into a tight embrace. His arm is awkwardly positioned around my neck so the best way I can reciprocate is to squeeze his forearm.

"You have no idea how many of us want you to be our Luna." He says when he's pulled away.

I almost feel myself crying. "Really?"

Tyler nods enthusiastically, "I know for a fact our friend group wants it. But even in the mind link and just general word around town is that you'd be...sensational. You make Alpha so happy, and you make us so happy. I know I can't speak for the whole pack, but we'd be honored."

This time, I do let a small tear fall from the corner of my eye. I quickly brush it away and Tyler squeezes my hand with a grin. A warm feeling spreads through my body and my wolf is overjoyed. Wolves are always meant to function as packs—we always stick together. Knowing that the pack accepts me and is almost...looking forward to me ascending is unbelievable to me. Even though Bren was my mate and he rejected me, I know that Sparta rejected me too. They didn't want me. But the Valley does.

"It would actually be my honor." I smile at Tyler.

He's about to say something when we suddenly hear a piercing scream cut through the air—sounding like it's coming from the woods. Both of us instantly standing on our feet, the hairs on our necks perked up. I turn to Tyler, "What was that?"

His mind blanks for a second—I watch as he mind links and listens to the "werewolf" radio. A part of me is so excited to finally have the ability to mind link as soon as the initiation is completed. Tyler's eyes widen slightly, he pulls my arm and we start walking in the opposite direction of the scream.

"Tyler what's going on?" I ask harsher than intended.

"Rogues. Or Rebels. We don't know," he breathes heavily. "Someone at the edge of the pack is being attacked."

"What?" I plant my feet into the ground, turning back towards the scream. That means someone in the pack is being attacked. The thought making my wolf itch and claw.

"Mia no." Tyler stops me by grabbing my wrist. "The warriors will be here soon. Alpha instructed me to bring you home."

"We're probably closer than they are," I reply angrily. Who knows what that poor wolf is going through. What if they get hurt? I wouldn't be able to live with myself. "I'm going."

"Holms," Tyler's eyes are wide, and he seems unsure what to do.

"I'm going." I start running towards the sound that came from the woods, "If you want to protect me you better come along."

Before Tyler can say another word, I shift quickly into my wolf. I start running as fast as my paws will take me, my nose picking up on the scent of something unfamiliar and...dirty. In a few seconds, Tyler's wolf is running beside me. He eyes me through the corner of his eye, and I can tell he's going to try to stop me, until we hear the sounds of fighting.

Both our attention falls on the group of wolves. Two who smell like our territory and a solid four who look unfed and tattered. The male wolf from our pack is standing guard over a female body. She's unconscious and it looks like she might be bleeding from her head. He's trying his best to protect her while swatting away the advances of the rogues but they're circling him far too easily.

My eyesight turns red seeing how they're hurting my pack members. Seeing the way they're on our territory and threatening to hurt someone from here. My wolf growls angrily and I quickly launch myself at the biggest rogue wolf, tackling him to the ground. He seems incredibly surprised at first and as soon as we're both facing each other, snarling, it becomes much more of a contest to see who makes the first move.

I don't allow myself to hear what Tyler and the other wolf are doing. I let anger course through me, trying my best to keep myself levelheaded. The Rogue attacks first and I quickly dodge him, side stepping and sinking my teeth into his shoulders.

A yelp of pain catches the attention of one of his buddies, who manages to slam into my side, throwing me into one of the forest trees. I shake it off as fast I can, but not before I feel a swipe of claws across my neck—the stinging bringing me quickly back to reality.

I attack again but am briefly distracted when I hear the familiar sound of bones snapping—like someone's neck has just been broken apart. A quick spark of fear washes over me and I glance over my shoulder at Tyler. I'm relieved to see that he's okay, he just happened to snap the neck of one of the smaller wolves.

The larger wolf takes my distraction as cue. The most basic rule in the book—always keep your eyes on you enemy. He launches at me, pinning my body on the forest floor. His jaw snapping over and over my face while trying to get a good enough grip to make the most damage.

My wolf is trying so hard push more adrenaline through me. But we already spent so much of our energy training with Tyler. I quickly glance towards him, he's trying to get to me, but the other two wolves are stalling for time. His eyes meet mine very briefly, clouding in pure rage as he suddenly barrels through the two rogues, his body slamming into the wolf pinning me.

Tyler stands guard over me, snarling aggressively while I quickly jump to my feet. We stand next to each other while the three wolves encircle us. I check to the pack wolf who's preoccupied with taking care of the unconscious girl. That's fine, as long as these assholes have their attention on Tyler and me, I don't want them hurting those two.

I notice quickly that Tyler and I have each other's backs. Our countless hours of training and sparring making me realize we know very well who has which strength and which weakness. His brute strength pushes back attacks with a swipe of a claw whereas I focus on tiring them out.

The large wolf is about to pounce on us when I sense his aura. In a blink of an eye, the largest rogue is being pinned by a large black wolf. Matthew's Alpha aura pulsating and making the rogue whine in submission and fear. Matthew's mouth is drooling with hostility as he bares his teeth. Before I know it, his mouth wraps on the rogue's neck, a quick snap, and suddenly a limp body.

My wolf starts howling in my head. She's so excited to meet Matthew's wolf that if it weren't for the fact we were in the process of fighting, she'd probably jump his bones.

He's gorgeous, My wolf purrs staring at Matthew's midnight fur and dark green eyes.

A few of Matthew's pack warriors appear, I pick up some scents including Sage and River. Sage being the only person in human form. Her gaze hard on the smaller rogues who are quickly corralled by my pack. Frightened and unsure what to do. It seems that River is instructing for prisoners to be taken. Sage takes the opportunity to check on the two pack members who were attacked—giving direction to a few wolves and mind linking what I assume to be the pack doctor.

My attention is quickly turned towards Matthew. I don't need to have a mind link to know he's pissed. His aura is furious, and his gaze is trained heavily on myself and Tyler. He slowly struts towards me, I can see his mind link working behind his eyes. Tyler shrinks back beside me, a small whimper escaping his lips. His tail cowering between his legs as his head drops in submission.

I can't talk to Matthew—not without the mind link—but I don't appreciate the way he's making my friend feel so I step in front of Tyler, my head held high as I steal Matthew's attention. Matthew let's out a deep breath, the nostrils on his snout flaring. His eyes are intense as ever and he cocks his head like he's calling me to join his side.

I turn to Tyler, nuzzling him slightly in the side to get him to walk with us. He's completely subdued but he follows right behind. I take a spot next to Matthew, his aura the epitome of fury. As the three of us walk back to Matthew's castle, I just know I'm in for a scowling. 

***
A/N: Happy thanksgiving to all those who celebrate! :):):)<3