Alison’s POV
“Get up, Alison,” came the clipped, frosty voice from across the room. My eyes snapped open, and there stood Katherine, already dressed in full training gear, her arms crossed and her gaze drilling into me with impatient distaste. “Daylight is burning, and half the pack is already out and about. Five minutes to join us outside or there will be consequences.”
She spun on her heel and left, her footsteps echoing down the hall, leaving me scrambling. Heart pounding, I jumped out of bed, feeling a swell of frustration and determination collide within me. I knew Katherine had no real intention of making this easy. She’d do everything in her power to make me feel inadequate, to test my patience, and above all, to make me question my worthiness as Luna. But if this was a battle she wanted, I’d give her one.
Quickly freshening up, I threw on my training clothes and bolted out the door, the cool morning air biting at my face. As I reached the training grounds, I slowed, taking in the setup Katherine had arranged. My heart sank. She had designed one of the most grueling obstacle courses I’d ever seen. A towering wall loomed over me, ropes twisted and knotted in treacherous patterns, and jagged logs lined up with only inches between them, demanding balance and skill.
Katherine stood in the center, her face blank but her eyes glinting with something akin to satisfaction. And, of course, Caitlyn was already there, looking composed and completely at ease as if she’d already conquered this course a dozen times. I could see what was going on here; this wasn’t just training, it was a test to make me fail, a trap to showcase Caitlyn’s superiority.
“Finally decided to join us,” Katherine remarked, barely looking in my direction. “Today, we’ll begin with the basics. Caitlyn has graciously agreed to participate to demonstrate how a true Luna candidate should approach these exercises.”
Caitlyn flashed me a smirk, her eyes glinting with mischief and the confidence of someone who knew she was in her element. As we started, she moved with practiced grace, navigating the course with effortless precision. It was as though she was dancing, each movement smooth and calculated, her confidence unshakable. My heart sank further with each obstacle she cleared.
Then it was my turn.
I took a deep breath, gathering my focus, but my body felt sluggish, and my nerves were frayed by the pressure. Katherine’s eyes followed my every move, her expression icy and unreadable. The first obstacle, a low crawl through mud and tangled ropes, went poorly. My arms strained, and my knees scraped against the uneven ground. I struggled to stay focused, but I could feel Katherine’s gaze boring into me, her disappointment practically tangible.
“Pick up the pace, Alison,” she called, her voice sharp. “A Luna doesn’t hesitate.”
I gritted my teeth and pushed forward, determined not to let her see me falter. As I reached the wall, I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I’d even make it halfway up. Caitlyn had cleared it in mere seconds, her feet barely making a sound as she leapt and climbed. But I didn’t have the luxury of doubt. Taking a deep breath, I grasped the edge of the wall and began to haul myself up. My arms burned, and my legs ached, but I managed to reach the top, throwing myself over with a triumphant grunt.
It wasn’t pretty, but I’d done it.
The rest of the course went in much the same way, slow, clumsy, and exhausting. Each step was harder than the last, but I refused to stop. As the final obstacle drew near, I could barely stand, but a small cheer from a distant corner of the training grounds caught my attention. Squinting, I saw a group of maids huddled together, watching intently. They weren’t cheering for Caitlyn, they were cheering for me. Their quiet support lit a spark within me, and I pushed through, finishing the course, even if it wasn’t with Caitlyn’s elegance.
A short break was called, and I stumbled to the shade, still catching my breath. I hadn’t noticed Xander approach until he was right in front of me, his eyes filled with pride and warmth.
“Hey,” he murmured, pulling me into a hug. “You’re doing great, Alison. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
I sagged against him, feeling a rush of relief and strength fill me. “Thank you. I…I needed to hear that.”
He pulled back slightly, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. “You’re stronger than you think. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. But if this is what you want…well, I’ll be here, cheering you on.”
I smiled up at him, feeling my courage swell again. “I won’t let her win, Xander.”
He gestured towards the corner of the grounds where the maids were watching. “You’re not alone in this, Alison. They’re all rooting for you too.”
His words echoed in my mind as we returned to training. When the second session began, something inside me shifted. My body found a rhythm, my mind steadied, and I managed to navigate each obstacle with renewed energy. Katherine’s stare remained cold, but I knew I’d proven to myself that I could rise to the challenge.
After the physical training, Katherine led us into her private study, a dark room lined with thick books, ancient maps, and symbols I barely recognized. Caitlyn and I took our seats, and Katherine stood before us, her face unreadable.
“The Luna’s role,” she began, her tone commanding, “is more than just a title. It is a responsibility to the pack, a burden that requires strength, wisdom, and resilience. A Luna must command respect, but more importantly, she must understand the ways of the pack, the rituals, the laws, the ties that bind us together.”
Her eyes drifted to Caitlyn, and she asked her a question about pack rituals, one that seemed overly simple. Caitlyn’s answer flowed smoothly, almost rehearsed. Katherine nodded approvingly, a faint smile on her lips.
Then she turned to me, her gaze sharp and unforgiving. “Alison, tell me about the historical significance of the Red Moon ritual.”
I racked my brain, mentally flipping through the pages of every text Andrew had drilled me on. “It’s…a ritual to honor the ancestors, invoking their protection during times of conflict,” I managed, hoping I’d remembered correctly.
Her eyebrows lifted, her expression critical. “Correct. But not complete.” She glanced at Caitlyn. “Perhaps Caitlyn can expand?”
Caitlyn launched into a detailed explanation, her tone smug. She covered every aspect I’d missed, and Katherine nodded, clearly pleased.
As the questions continued, it became painfully obvious that Katherine was favoring Caitlyn, asking her simpler questions and then praising her every response. My attempts were either criticized or dismissed, and with each passing moment, my frustration grew. I felt like a child in the principal’s office, constantly falling short of her impossible standards.
Finally, Katherine closed her notes, a thin smile playing on her lips. “That will be all for today. Tomorrow, we’ll meet again at dawn. Hopefully, you’ll both come prepared.” Her eyes lingered on me, the implication clear.
We stood to leave, and as Caitlyn smirked at me, I forced myself to meet her gaze, refusing to back down. I could feel the fatigue dragging at me, but beneath that, a fierce determination blazed.
When I returned to my room, I collapsed onto the bed, my body aching, but my resolve stronger than ever. Katherine’s trials had been grueling, and Caitlyn’s ease through each challenge stung, yet I refused to let either of them break me. Xander’s encouragement and the subtle support of the pack maids had given me a spark of hope. Katherine might test every ounce of my strength and patience, but I was determined to prove her wrong and show her, and the pack, that I was more than capable of becoming their Luna. I took a deep breath, already bracing myself for tomorrow.