CHAPTER 11

"So that was his reason?" Korra asked. I was sitting at the kitchen counter between the dining room and the kitchen with Kara beside me while Korra was standing on the other side of it. We were all drinking tea. I returned from my wolf run and told them everything that had transpired between me and Nick when we were in the forest.

"That's what he told me." I replied Korra.

"Can't say I blame him much for thinking that. As stupid as his reasons were, I understand his insecurities. It doesn't vindicate his actions totally but it's kinda 20 percent legit." Kara said.

"Excuse me?" I asked, bringing my cup from my lips to the counter top and turning to look at Kara.

"Kiara, you may not see it yourself, but to most people around you, you're perfect. And I'm not talking about just your physical appearance. I'm also talking about the inside you. Sis, you're smart, beautiful, kind, fun, brave and loyal. And let's not forget you're a badass. You have qualities that most guys, both human and werewolf, look for in a woman. But it always makes them a bit insecure about being right for women like you." Kara explained.

"I have to agree with Kara on this one. That however doesn't make up for the stupid decision he made because of these reasons. But it somehow how doesn't make us hate him. If he was willing to ask for a chance to prove him, I say give it to him. No playing hard to get, let him do what he can to win you back." Korra said.

"I'm gonna have to sleep on this. I'm tired and sleepy and according to the schedule you two cooked up, training's 5am. I'm gonna have to be clear headed and bright eyed for it. I'm going to bed. Thanks for the tea and the talk. Goodnight." I got up and went up to my room. I showered then fell onto my bed in my bathrobe, falling asleep immediately.

Kara's P.O.V

After our talk with Kiara, Korra and I also decided to call it a night and went to bed after we locked up. I woke up next morning to the sound of my phone vibrating with a message. I reached for my phone on the nightstand to check who it was. It was Kiara.

"I'm out on a run. I'll meet you and Korra in the training yard. When I come, I'm probably gonna need someone to spar with, so choose between yourself and Korra. –KK."

Well, today's her lucky day since we had decided to do hand to hand sparring today. I got out of bed and went to change into workout clothes, a blue sports bra and a pair of grey sweat pants and put on a pair of blue and pink sneakers. I put my hair into a ponytail and pulled a black hoodie over my sports bra. I stepped out of my room to find Korra leaning against the wall opposite my door, waiting for me. She was in a pink sports bra, grey sweat pants, a black hoodie pulled over the sports bra and a pair of pink and grey sneakers.

"You looked in through my eyes to see if I was ready, didn't you?"

"Yep."

"You know I sometimes hate it. Did you do it to Kiara too?"

"Yep, she's running in the forest behind the pack house."

"Oh, you are so gonna get it when she meets us for training. She wants someone to spar with so I told her I would take over training the Shadow pups while you spar with her."

"Uh-oh, stress sparring. Well, fortunately for her, I'm actually itching for it. I haven't sparred against her in a long time and I could use the challenge. Works in your favor too."

"How does this work in my favor?"

"You get to show those pups a demonstration as to how to fight like real Shadow wolf. They don't know that mom used to be a Shadow wolf making us Shadow wolves by default."

"True. Come on, let's go wake them up."

We went to the pack house and found only Rae, Alec and the head warrior up. We asked why no one else was up.

"We were actually waiting for you to come and wake 'em up." Alana, the head warrior said, sipping from her glass of juice. Rae handed us a glass each.

"Where's Nick?" I asked.

"In his office, sleeping."

"Excuse me?" Korra asked.

"He fell asleep while doing some paperwork. He hasn't been getting enough of late. We figured we should let him sleep and allow him to sit today's training out." Alec informed. I nodded in understanding.

"Well then, we'll leave him to Kiara. So exactly how do we wake up your lazy pack mates without waking Nick up?" I asked.

"Well, actually we were hoping you had an idea." Alana said sheepishly.

"We do but it will still wake Nick up. We'll need access to the P.A system that you use to make announcements or call for pack meetings." Korra said.

The three of them showed us where the system was. 10 minutes later, every pack member, minus those who could not fight or weren't fit enough, joined Korra, Alec, Rae, Alana and I in the training yard. Before they could catch their breath from rushing to meet us, I sent them running around the whole training yard which was as large as two stadiums. Kiara arrived a minute later.

"Hey. Something tells me, you just started." She said.

"That's because we just did, sister. We got here and these lazy asses, minus the Betas and head warrior, were still asleep."

"I guess you'll have to change the schedule from sparring to endurance training today. I mean look at how pathetically most of them are running." She commented. Korra giggled.

"You do realize that they can hear you, right?" I asked.

"You do realize that I don't care, right? They rely too much on their wolf sense and abilities. It's time they hone their human abilities as well. Alright, Everybody! Line up! (They all stopped running and came to stand in front of us most of them panting even though they had only run half-way.) I'm sure most of you heard me. Your ability to endure is poor, pathetic. You rely too much on your heightened abilities. You might be wolves but you're also humans. You could be shot with wolfsbane which pushes your wolf to the furthest part of your mind for a period of time depending on the dosage. What would you do then, because in that moment those abilities you like relying on would be weakened leaving you in a human state. You need to learn to endure and fight in your human forms as well. So today, schedule's changed. You're not sparring. Today you'll be going through many endurance practices without tapping into your heightened abilities. Believe me, I'll know if you tap into it. So first you're gonna run, not jog, 20 laps around this yard because we're now starting as time goes the number will increase. Next, you'll be doing 200 push-ups. The rest of the exercise will be taken over by Kara. Any questions?" Kiara said and asked in a very loud voice so everyone could hear her. A brunette raised her hand.

"Your Majesty, like why do we have girls have to be included? Like isn't this fighting and all that a job for the guys?" The brunette asked in a high pitched voice.

"What's your name?" Kiara asked.

"Kira." The girl answered.

"Well, Kira, I'm not gonna answer your question because it's stupid and impractical. What the hell do you mean the fighting is supposed to be the job of the guys? Does this look like the 50s or the 30s to you? Even if you're not gonna fight, you still need to learn how to defend yourself. Now unless you wanna see the angry nasty side of me, I suggest you do not ask me questions like that again." Kiara said, walking to the side of the yard where the wooden staffs were with Korra behind her. They both grabbed two short staffs each and began to spar while I started the shadow wolves on their training.

An hour had passed. Kiara and Korra were still at it, neither of them was letting up. I could tell Kiara was not putting in her all, because she could have put Korra on her ass the minute they started. The Shadow wolves were still at it with the endurance training. Nick has joined us now.

"Ok, this is outrageous. We've been at this for an hour. You people aren't teaching us anything. You're just making us do these stupid exercises for no reason. Are you gonna teach us how to improve our fighting skills or not because I don't see how our fighting skills are going to get better by us running round the yard or doing push-ups." A blond girl said in an annoyed tone.

"I highly suggest you watch that tone of yours, wolf. You wouldn't like me if I get pissed." We heard Kiara say from where she was with Korra.

"Ok, you do not get to tell me to watch my tone. I get that you're the queen even though I don't believe it, since I don't see a freaking crown on your head. You've been over there sparring with your sister not even involving yourself in these exercises." The blond girl said.

"Would you rather prefer I spar with you? If not, then shut up and continue the training." Kiara said, still sparring with Korra. Everyone else had stopped what they were doing and was watching and listening.

"I have had it with that bitchy attitude you've been showing us since you got here this morning. I don't even think you're the queen. You're probably one of her fighters and you're just pretending to be her so you can get all the privileges she gets."

"That is enough, Gia. Don't say anything that will put in more trouble that you're already in." Alec said.

"Trouble? From whom, my alpha or that bitch over there who says she's the queen?" The girl said. Two throwing knife suddenly flew past everyone and embedded themselves in Gia's shoulder. A cry of pain left her lips and everyone gasped in shock as she fell to the ground. Someone was moving over to her when Kiara spoke in a loud voice from where she was.

"No one should touch her. (She and Korra walked over.) Unless you want to join her." It then became clear to everyone that she had thrown the knives.

"Considering how much she insulted my sister, I think this is far more merciful than what Korra or I would have done." I said.

"We come to your pack to help you and instead you insult the queen. Now you're all smart to know such an action would warrant a heavy punishment. She not only refused to recognize the queen but also insulted her." Korra said, anger evident in her tone of voice.

"Your Majesty, please forgive her." A blonde guy tried to plead for her.

"I think she can plead and ask for forgiveness on her own. She has after all disrespected me but just for today I'll let it slide. (Kiara crouched down by Gia and yanked the knives out carefully. She then applied a pressure to the wound with her clean face towel. The girl had passed out unable to handle the pain. Kiara motioned the boy over.) Take her to the pack doctor. I would like for the both of you to see me in 3 hours." The boy nodded.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." He said, before lifting the girl into his arms and walking off with her.

"Forgive me for my boldness but why did you pardon her, Your Majesty? She disrespected you as well as your sisters?" Someone from the back asked.

"I have my reasons, Jared which I'm not obliged to share with you. Now this training session is over. Your real training will begin tomorrow and will go according to the schedule planned, blame the head warrior and the captains of the royal guard. You're all dismissed." Kiara ordered. She left the training yard herself before everyone. Probably headed to the house. Nick, Rae and Alec joined Korra and I where we were standing.

"Is she alright? I haven't seen her this tensed and irritated yet scary calm before." Alec asked.

"It's how she is when she's got a lot on her mind and someone tries to get a rise out of her. As for the deadly calm, it seems she's suspicious about something." Korra explained. I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket and took it out to answer. I excused myself when I saw who it was and walked out of the training yard to make sure I was out of hearing distance of everyone.

Me: "Hey, what's up?"

Kiara: "Kara, I want you to call Carissa and have her teleport herself over to the house now. I need her help with something important."

Me: "Wait why not call her yourself?"

Kiara: "I would, but I have to take care of something."

Me: "That something being your relationship status with a certain Alpha?" I teased, giggling.

Kiara: "Am I that transparent?"

Me: "Yep."

Kiara: "Whatever. That's not the only thing I have to do. Just please, call her. Oh, and tell no one of this, just Korra."

Me: "Of course. I'll see you later."

I ended the call and turned to see Korra walking over to me. I explained everything to her on our way back to the house and after showering and changing clothes, I did as Kiara had asked.

Kiara's P.O.V

I showered and changed then went to the pack house. I met Alec coming down the stairs.

"Hey, Alec."

"Kiara, hey. Here to see Nick?"

"Ok, why does everyone keep assuming? What if I was here to see Rae or you?"

"But you're not, are you?" He smirked at me and raised an eyebrow.

"Oh shut up. Whatever. Anyway, where is he?"

"He's in his room. Warning though, Michelle's there pestering him, again. He might need you to save him...again." I chuckled and nodded.

"Thanks for the heads up. I'll be going to save his ass then. Which room?"

"1st floor, 2nd door on your right. Good luck."

"I'll probably need that." He chuckled and continued on to where he was going. I followed his directions to Nick's room and found the door open, showing me a view of Michelle once again trying to push herself on Nick, just like Alec said.

"Michelle, I'm really getting tired of this behavior of yours. What part of 'stop' and 'I'm not interested' don't you get?"

"But you need a Luna to help you handle things around. I can help."

"Thanks, but no thanks. Get out of my room before I get angry with you because trust me, you wouldn't want me to get angry."

"You know, I'm actually trying to help you out. You don't have a Luna. Your fill-in Luna left you for her own mate and you..."

"ENOUGH!!! Michelle, you've over stayed your welcome. Get out! Before I consider, punishing you for disobeying your alpha. Leave!" She flinched at his harsh tone then turned to leave when she saw me.

"Your Majesty." She greeted before walking out of the room. I turned back to see Nick running his hand through his hair.

"I can come back another time, if you want. You seem to have a lot of emotions and thoughts swirling up there."

"No, no, no. It's okay. You can come in." I entered and closed the door behind me. I looked around the room before looking back at Nick.

"You know, for a guy, you have great taste in furniture and colors. Your room looks amazing."

"Why, thank you. Considering the fact that Kara may have told me about your interior designing skills, I'm glad my room has your seal of approval on the design." I chuckled.

"Oh, really? And what exactly did my sister tell you about my interior designing skills?"

"Actually not much. The whole interior design of the castle gave you away after Kara told me it was your doing."

"Ok, fair enough."

"So what did you wanna see me about?"

"Uh...yeah. Um... I want to borrow your office for when I speak to the girl and boy who kinda ended training today.

"You mean Gia and Garret. (I nodded.) Ok, sure. Technically, it's your office too. But why do you want to speak to them? Gia, I understand but why her brother as well."

"I just wanna know why she said what she said today. And I think she'd be more comfortable speaking to me with her brother around."

"Alright. So is that the only reason why you came to see me?"

"Actually, no. I also came to see you about what you asked of me last night."

"And..."

"And I've decided to give you another chance like you asked."

"What? Are you serious?"

"No, I just want to raise your hopes so I can crush it. Of course I'm serious." He let out a laugh then picked me up in a hug, spinning us around. I began to giggle at his excitement.

"You're amazing. The best."

"Of course, I am, now set me down before I get dizzy." He spun around one last time before setting me down then took my hands into his.

"I'm going to make sure you don't regret this."

"You'd better, if not you'll regret it." I chuckled a little.

"It won't come to that, I promise." My phone decided to ring just then. I looked at the ID and saw it was Kara. Carissa was probably in.

"I have to go take this and get to work on what I needed your office for." I let go of his hands and turned to go.

"Wait, tonight, 7pm, dinner. I know a great place by the beach that serves the best seafood. What do you think?" I turned and smiled at him.

"You're not wasting anytime on this, are you?" I chuckled.

"I wasted 4 years of the time I could have been with you. I'm not wasting any more time."

"Alright then, seven it is. How should I dress? Elegantly to kill or casually to impress?"

"How about 'Casually to impress' because you end up doing either whether you plan to or not. Besides we'll be strolling the beach after so I wouldn't recommend the heels you wear when you dress to kill." I laughed.

"Alright. I'll see you then." I smiled then left his room before picking up the call.

Me: "Hey, is she in?"

Kara: "Yeah."

Me: "Ok. Then please tell her to teleport to Nick's office in like two minutes."

Kara: "Ok."

I hung up when I got to Nick's office. I opened the door and entered. Thankfully no one was in. Carissa then appeared next to me.

"Hey, Kiara." She greeted cheerfully.

"Rissa, hey. Sorry to pull you from your vacay, like this. How's your mom and Ellie?" I hugged her.

"They're fine and it's okay. So what did you need me to do?"

I then explained to her what I needed and wanted her to do.