Chapter 153: Life of a Warrior

NATALIA

Xavi's babbling wakes us at dawn every morning, as the little man demands our attention.

I can hardly believe how big he’s getting!

It feels like he was still a newborn just yesterday! But now he is one year old.

Chuck and I are still staying in the palace with Ariel, but recently we’re discussing the possibility of finding our own place to settle down.

“We should decide where we want to stay before worrying about building a house,” Chuck suggests.

“I don’t know if I want to return to Crescent Moon... I know it’s Xavi’s birthright to take the Alpha title when he’s old enough, but that is still so far away. I finally have a good relationship with my sister and I don’t want the distance to come between us,” I sigh, bringing Xavi over to the bed.

“Then we stay here until Xavi is older,” Chuck shrugs, tickling Xavi’s tummy.

“But where do ~you~ want to live? I want you to be happy with where we settle. We can’t choose a pack solely because of my preferences...”

“I’m happy wherever you are, my moon. You and Xavi are my home. Anything else is just four walls and a roof.”

“Goddess, you are just the sweetest,” I lean over to kiss him, but we’re quickly interrupted by Xavi pulling on our hair and wailing.

“Our sincerest apologies, buddy. Did we not give you our full attention?” Chuck laughs.

“So, we’re in agreement to stay here for the time being?”

“Yes. I'll talk to Alex and find out what we need to do to join their pack and find a piece of land to build a house for us.”

“At least two bedrooms, please. I would very much love for there to be no interruptions when we want some private time,” I tease him.

“Maybe a couple more bedrooms if the Goddess blesses us with another baby or two,” Chuck says softly.

We've never discussed having children together and he’s never treated Xavi as anything but his son.

I think of those early days when Ariel and I were growing up…I don’t want Xavi growing up alone.

“Then you should start on that house for us, my love. I think Xavi would make an excellent big brother.”

Chuck kisses me tenderly before getting out of bed to get ready for the day. I stare at his toned body and hope that we’ll have loads of private time together soon.

ARIEL

There are now three towers of papers on my desk. Not one, not two – THREE!

“I thought it would be less once you sorted it, not more,” I pout at Viv.

“Not exactly how it works, Ari,” Viv laughs at my misery. “The first pile needs your attention immediately. The middle pile needs to be done within the month and the last one isn’t as important.”

“How immediate is that first pile? Because I have training scheduled in an hour...”

“You really need to get it done by Friday, Ariel. I tried not to look too closely if it seemed confidential, but they all have deadlines that are coming up soon.”

“Okay, so I have two days to get them done. I can handle that. I hope.”

“If there is anything I can do to help, just call. After everything you and Alex have done for me, it’s the least I can do.”

“Sure. Listen, did Jo leave for the training yet? I wanted to catch her before we started.”

“Yeah, she left early...”

I jump up before she can finish, “Okay, I'll see you later, Viv. Thanks for sorting the papers for me!”

I jog to the training field and spot Jo and Steve standing near a group of teenagers.

We’re hosting a training camp for kids who want to become pack warriors.

The groups all start whispering as I pass them, and I wave at them in greeting.

“Hi guys. Sorry I’m running late... Again,” I laugh.

“No problem, General. We’re about to divide them into groups and then do the introductions,” Steve says.

“Yes, I’m so excited! I wish we had camps like this when I was their age. We just trained within our pack.”

“It’s a great idea,” Jo agrees. “I’m honored to help out.”

“I couldn’t do this without my two best warriors. Remind me that I want to talk to you after this session, Jo. Now, let’s give these kids an idea of what it really takes to be a warrior.”

I let out a loud whistle and two of our patrol teams run into the clearing in our standard formation until they have all the kids surrounded.

A few of the teens drop into defensive positions.

Another whistle and our patrols retreat, shifting in the treeline before falling into rank.

“Stand down,” I tell the group of trainees that are still alert. “Welcome to the first of hopefully many training camps for potential pack warriors. I’m Ariel, General and Luna of this pack. Steve over there is our main trainer and Jo is my second-in-command.

“Together we’ll give you an inside look at what it takes to be a pack warrior. Steve will divide you into groups and that will be your squad for the week.”

“With all due respect, General, but some of us are already in training squads in our packs. Will we be separated?” one of the boys asks.

“You’ll be divided regardless of pack affiliation as a way to learn how to fight alongside any fellow warrior. Some packs only send a couple of trainees and not full squads,” Steve answers for me.

“With that settled, step closer and listen up,” Jo calls.

The groups are divided with a minimal amount of complaints from the kids. This is what I know…what I'm good at. Paperwork is the farthest thing from my mind as Steve explains the first training exercise.

This is the life of a warrior.