Five months had passed, and the pack was thriving. Everything was going so well-great victories and a sense of camaraderie. Though there had been occasional rogue reports and a few tense discussions over business alliances, the pack had managed to keep peace, and the Leader of Reykholt had accepted Bryan and Aiden’s proposal. So far, businesses were doing great as well.
Day-to-day life was vibrant; markets bustled with activity, warriors and their families laughing, and exchanging cheerful banter. Training grounds filled with sounds of sparring, laughter, talks, and encouragement. The members of the pack seemed happier than ever.
Kira often found herself smiling at the sight of pups running through the fields, carefree and safe. She also thought of what it would be like if she were to have a pup of her own. She would smile at the idea and had even had the conversation with Bryan and Aiden, who also loved and enjoyed talking about it.
They never pressured her about giving them a child, but they all did want one, and when the time was right, they were certain they would be celebrating the birth of their pup or pups.
Kira had flourished during these months, finding her place not just as the Luna but as a strong individual within the pack. She had grown closer to some pack members and even made some friends.
Giving the pack a second chance was not what she had imagined initially, but now that she had given them that chance and taken that step, she could see the positive changes. She had forgiven the pack and was healing perfectly well.
To her surprise, individual pack members had also apologized, which, although not necessary, helped to further heal her wounds.
Her relationship with Bryan and Aiden had deepened, their love creating a balance that left her feeling more at home than ever. At meals, she laughed freely at their bickering, often taking sides just to stir the pot. It was so fun for Kira. Their affectionate moments were natural, as if they had been together for years and how much they loved it.
Kira also improved a lot in training after the kidnapping incident. Though she had fought back, she wanted to get better. She didn’t want to feel helpless again, and so she threw herself into training with Ryker, pushing harder each day positively. And as she trained more and harder, she also wanted to try new things like archery, knife throwing, swordplay and so on.
Ryker barked commands as she trained, her movements swift and precise. Sweat glistened on her brow, but her focus never wavered; she remained determined.
“Better,” Ryker said with a nod of approval. “But faster next time.” He would advise, and faster she got.
Bryan and Aiden often joined her sessions, testing her progress and teaching her advanced techniques. They supported her and wanted her to indeed get better at defending herself.
“Keep your center of gravity low,” Aiden instructed as he circled her.
When they trained her, there was no room for being soft. They trained her like they would train a warrior, while taking care not to hurt her.
Kira lunged at Aiden, surprising him with her speed. She landed a light blow to his ribs, grinning triumphantly.
From the sidelines, Bryan watched, clapping his hands. “She’s outpacing us, brother,” he said, pride clear in his voice.
Moving on from training, Kira, with guidance from Elara quickly mastered the responsibilities of being a Luna. At first, it became hard for her, and she had to reach out to Elara and as days turned into weeks, she picked up. Her natural charisma and sharp mind made her a favorite among the pack.
“You are a natural,” Elara would tell Kira during one of their meetings. She often marveled at Kira’s quick grasp of diplomatic matters.
Kira would smile but wave it off, “I just have an amazing teacher.”
The pack members respected her not just for her title, but for the genuine care and effort she showed in every decision.
As for the things she was learning, training and diplomatic matters, Kira didn’t rush or overwhelm herself. Even as it’s been five months, she has improved drastically, but still knew she had more to learn.
Today, a special day in the pack, had finally arrived. The Pack Games.
It was a time-honored tradition, and it was about to begin. Months of hard work and peace had led to this moment. It was a day of celebration and competition.
They had an area in the pack for it, since the pack grounds were large. The area was transformed into a lively arena, bustling with activity. Colorful banners adorned the clearing, fluttering in the wind; the excitement of the crowd was also evident.
Stalls lined the edges of the cleaning, offering everything from steaming mugs of spiced cider to platters of roasted meats and fresh fruits. The light breeze carried the faint sound of drums in the distance.
At the center of this lively arena, the ground had been marked with circles and lanes, each indicating the starting position for different contests and games.
Warriors of all ranks stood around the perimeter, some leaning casually against the stalls, others sitting on logs and folding chairs as their eyes scanned the makeshift battlefield with anticipation.
The elders of the pack, sat on a small raised platform just to the side, observing with pride and amusement. While Bryan, Aiden, Kira, Elara and Orion had staked out seats in the front row, close to the action. They cheered on the participants as they reviewed the day’s events with interested nods.
It was going to be an exciting day for them all, and everyone was looking forward to it.
Ryker, on the other hand, who was supposed to be seated with the Alpha twins and the family, stood at the edge of the clearing, overseeing the setup and ensuring that everything was running smoothly.
“Think you can keep up with us?” Bryan teased Kira, leaning back on his hands, his feet crossed casually in front of him. “Yeah, I think you are going to have a hard time out there,” Aiden added, smirking, as he joined Bryan to tease Kira, who was seated between them.
“Try not to cry when I beat you,” Kira shot back with a smirk, her confidence evident.
The gathering continued to swell as more pack members arrived, finding their spots among the seats and on the ground. There were families sitting together, children running between them with toy weapons or flags in hand, mimicking their older counterparts.
Some of the elderly warriors shared stories of past battles, their laughter echoing and mixing with the excited murmur of the crowd. It was a place where history met the present.
The games began as the sun reached its zenith. The first event was a series of friendly battles between pairs, using padded weapons and protective gear.
Each march was short, with a crowd of spectators cheering and groaning at every strike. There were arguments and betting, but the peace was still kept.
Kira watched as one of the top warriors in the pack squared off against a younger challenger. The fight was intense, with quick strikes and agile movements, but it ended with the top warrior winning, although the younger did put up a strong fight. The crowd erupted into applause, acknowledging the skill of both participants.
“How did you like that? Not bad, huh?” Aiden leaned closer to Kira. “Ready to give it a go?”
Kira nodded, her eyes still on the field, as the next pair stepped forward. “Just watch me,” she replied, her voice steady.
As the games progressed, the pack members continued to join in the friendly battles and team games-tug-of-war, archery contests, and relay races. Teams were marked by colored armbands, and the atmosphere was friendly, competitive and most importantly, fun.
Even Elara and Orion had moved from their seats to join in the games, their laughter joining the chorus of cheers as they competed and raced to the finish line.
It was no surprise that the pack games would last all day, as throughout the day, the arena was filled with sounds of laughter, talks, clinking of mugs, and the occasional shout of disagreement and encouragement.
Now, the sun had dipped below the horizon, and the final event of the day was one that was looked forward to the most.
It was a battle between Luna Kira and a top female warrior.