Crying Moon

Who's the boss?

3rd Person POV

Anika had decided to get started on her duties for Coronation week. The first two days are her responsibility entirely.

On the first day, the teens who would start training with her, would recieve their ranks after a small tournament between them all to determine their skill sets and be introduced to not only herself and each other but the rest of the pack as warriors in their training program and possible future packmates.

The next day is dedicated to the promotion of warriors and/or adding civilian pack members to warrior ranks if they have somehow proven themselves to be good enough. Another small tournament takes place for them as well, again to determine their skill set.

The next day is simply for the Alpha's inauguration. This is the day that other Alphas from other packs come. A royal also needs to be there, either a counsel member, a prince or a king. By the end of that day, Micah will officially be the Alpha of the Silver Spring pack, and Anika is planned to be his Luna.

The next 3 days consist of pack mingling, these days are dedicated to the moon goddess and the mate bond. Unmated wolves from neighboring packs visit in hopes of finding their fated mates. We don't shift in these 3 days and if we have our mates, we are pretty much required to stay with them at all times.

It is supposed to be good fortune to the new Alpha, mate wise, and is a tradition in all packs under the protection of the Southern Lycan King.

Anika sat down at a table and went through the files that contained information about the new teen warriors she would be responsible for training and turning into real warriors.

She had gone through the stack several times just to make sure she was able to put names to faces with every single one of them. After that she went over the files of the current packmates that wanted to join warrior ranks. There were only 4. Memorizing their names should be easy.

She opens the first file and her heart rate quickens when she sees Richard's face. Her best friend's pathetic father really thought he had any chance in joining? The man couldn't be more weak, what kind of a man beats on his own daughter.

It did not matter, as soon as she becomes Luna she would banish the couple back to being rogues. She refused to accept abuse in this pack once she was by the alphas side. If she was going to be Luna, she may as well be the best one she can be.

She heard shuffling from the bedroom and soon Leah stepped out of the room rubbing her head and yawning. She checked the clock to see that it was already 12:00. She jumps up flinging the files into the box she pulled them from. Time sure went by fast while she was reading, she thought to herself.

She ran to her room grabbing her yoga pants and sports bra, throwing them in a drawstring bag with some clean socks and her trainers. The teens are supposed to be arriving any second, it's possible that she was late so she was in a hurry.

She slings the bag over her shoulder and approaches Leah. "I have to go bean, The new trainees should be arriving soon if they aren't already there, make you some food and get some rest, you can use whatever you need." She says to her before giving her a one arm hug, and walking out of the house.

She sprinted the whole way there, not wanting to disappoint anyone. To her astonishment, none had arrived yet and the only person at the meet up spot was Micah. She breathed a sigh of relief and approached him. "I hope I didn't make you wait long." She smirks.

"No, I just got here actually." He smiles but, Anika can feel the strange vibe in the air. She isn't one to beat around the bush. "What's wrong?" She asks boldly. Micah couldn't help the surprise on his face, he quickly tried to hide it but he knew that her sharp eyes catch everything. Her frown was evident and her eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. He didn't want to tell her how bad her demotion was. He didn't see the necessity in telling her something he wouldn't allow to stick after he became alpha, it would only stress her out.

"Ahhh I'm just a little tired, you know after last night." He hated using that as his excuse but he knew if he said that she wouldn't question it any further. Unfortunately, she didn't seem to believe him. She didn't say anything to him but her face said it all.

Before either of them had the chance to say anything, a normal looking transit bus pulled into the space in front of them, directing their attention to seemingly more important matters.

28 new warriors to train and Anika knew all of their names and somewhat of a description on all of their strong suits and weak points as well. Some of them came from other packs, this is what happens when you live in the strongest werewolf pack under the southern borders protection. The sheer size of our pack alone could take on at least 2 packs by itself.

So there was no question as to why so many wolves either wanted to live here, or train here. So far, they've only been permitted to train, only the ones that show great promise are allowed to purchase property within the packs border, civilian pack members and lower ranked warriors must live in the village just outside the border. Unfortunately our pack is too big to allow everyone to live within the border. After consulting with their previous packs alpha, they'll be sworn into our pack and have no ties to their old pack if that is what they choose to do.

This wasn't something that happened a lot, only in our pack did people join on a regular basis, anywhere else was more likely to have their members leave.

Once all of the teens were out of the bus Anika addressed them. "Hello and Welcome to the Silver Spring pack. My name is Anika Alice, I'll be training all of you so I hope we can get along with each other." She finished and noticed that Micah was looking at the ground with a guilty look on his face. She ignored it and continued addressing the group of teens.

"If you will all follow me to the training grounds I'd love to get started." She said and one of the teens decided to question her.

A petite blonde girl with dark brown eyes glared at her. "Aren't you going to let us put our stuff up first." The girl had 4 big suitcases that she was sure are filled to the brim clothes, jewelry, shoes and other things she herself would never be able to afford.

At first glance the girl didn't seem like much of a fight. However Anika remembered her vividly. Her name was Avaline Ralph. The daughter of the beta in the Maroon Moon pack. The Maroon Moon pack was the pack right next to our territory, we always considered ourselves rivals with them. In a playful manner of course.

Since she had an older brother, she would not be becoming beta of her old pack. She very possibly wanted a higher position than that. Anika had kept an eye out for her, making sure she kept her eyes on the goal and off Micah.

He was the next alpha, and any typical she wolf would love the power that came with being a Luna. Fortunately this girl didn't seem to fit that scenario as she looked at Anika with determination and hadn't even glanced towards Micah.

"No, today you will be carrying every single thing you brought with you until your ranks are given tonight after the tournament you're all required to participatein. Call it an extra test if you will." Anika tries her best to smile nicely but she assumes she looks like a serial killer since bubbly and nice aren't really her style.

The girl gasps "but I have 4 suitcases." Anika wasn't one to make someone struggle, she knew 4 was too many to walk around with. She approached the girl.

"I didn't think anyone would have more than two when I came up with this test, I'll carry 2 of yours since I'm only carrying a backpack."

The girl gave Anika a confused look that seemed to ask 'you'd do that?'

"I'm your trainer, if I can't do the exact same thing I'm asking of you all, then what kind of trainer am I?" Anika asked with a knowing smirk.

Anika takes the two heavier suitcases from the girl, and walks back to where Micah stood.

"For those of you who aren't aware, the man next me is the next Alpha, Micah Thorn." She said.

It seems this Avaline girl did indeed already know who he was and still didn't give him anymore attention other than a nod of her head as a sign of respect.

Some other she wolves, however, had already started to play with their hair and bite their lips as they try to do anything to get his attention. Anika noticed some girls that were in the back before now standing in the front, practically drooling over Micah.

The guys looked annoyed with it and Anika just giggled. She had never been the jealous type, that was abnormal for wolves but she trusted Micah completely, so she just never felt that emotion with him.

Micah rolled his eyes, a big smile gracing his face, making some of the girls gasp. His arm snaked it's way around Anika's waist and he brought his hand to her face to run the back of his fingers down her soft cheek.

"You know, it hurts a tad that you don't get jealous." He says before softly kissing her forehead, then her nose and finally landing on her lips.

When they broke their kiss, everyone was staring shell shocked. Most of the girls were clearly upset, some of the guys even. Some were just surprised and Avaline was even snickering.

Anika hadn't expected such a public display of affection, she had wondered why he did that all of a sudden. It wasn't normal for him to kiss her so passionately in front of so many people, it just wasn't their style.

Little did she know Micah had been fuming at the way the male wolves had been ogling Anika since they got off of the bus.

He knew Anika was just about the only person who didn't know how beautiful she is.

"So does this mean you're the next Luna?" One of the girls very bravely asks with a tinge of disrespect in her voice. Before Anika could say anything, Micah speaks up. "Yes, she will be your Luna the second I'm Alpha." He said sharply.

Anika turns around and looks to make sure that neither the current Alpha or Luna are around.

She doubted they'd be so willing to give him the title if they knew the changes he would make when he had it, they're hoping he changes his mind about me.

"Are you fated mates?" One of the guys asks. Anikas gaze flies to the boy. She hated that question. She dreaded hearing it.

The day they found out they weren't fated mates broke Anika's heart.

The boy that had asked the questions name was Chandler Collins. Anika remembered him from her files as well. He wasn't as impressive as the rest and Anika had wondered why he was able to make it here.

Certain criteria is required to enter this pack, and just with what Anika read, he didn't meet even half of it.

The only thing that she remembered about him was the fact that the boy was gorgeous, he looked like a porcelain doll.

He was even prettier now that he was in front of her, his curly brunette hair almost covering his bright hazel eyes that shine as they bore deep into Anika as if looking away would cause him to miss the smallest and most interesting detail.

Micah pulled Anika further into his side feeling slightly uncomfortable under the brunette boys stare.

"No. We aren't, that changes nothing, if I meet my fated mate, I'll just reject her, as will she, not that, that's any of your business." His words came out like venom as he didn't like the question either. He remembered the doubt Anika had after finding out they weren't fated, and he hated that she doubted their love when he never did.

Anika was terrified that one of them would meet their mate and leave the other. Micah was able to convince her of his love though, and she stayed. They made a promise to each other to reject their mates once they find them, if they ever do.

"Enough with the personal questions, pick up your bags and let's head over to the training grounds for assessment."

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Anika's POV

It had been 5 hours. I had assessed all of them as they sparred. Avaline proved to be one of the strongest only coming 2nd to a boy named Allen. Chandler also surprised me by coming in 9th. Out of 28 that's pretty good for someone I thought would have been last.

They all stand in front of me, at attention. Some have an- unreadable expression on their face. Before I could question it, one of the boys I know as Cory speaks up.

"No offense to you or anything, but wouldn't it be better to have an actual warrior train us? I mean after all you're just the next Luna." I scoffed. Of course he wasn't aware that I'm basically the top warrior in this pack.

"Well let's see. There's Robert, he's the Alpha's beta" I put my finger to my chin in fake thought. "He's better than most warriors we have." I shrug my shoulders with a cocky smile only some of the teens seem to pick up.

"That's great, I'm sure he'd be a much better fit." Cory smiled what seemed to be a genuine smile. I could hear Micah snickering behind me.

"A better fit to allow you to get your ass whooped." I say with light laughter behind my tone.

He looked slightly confused. "Allow me to explain this to you." I suddenly lost all playfulness in my tone. "I AM the best here to train you, I don't care if you think I'm not fit, whether it be because of what's between my legs or not is irrelevant to me. Other than Micah and his parents, I have fought and beat every other warrior ranked wolf or higher, in this entire pack. The wolves that come here to be trained by this packs program. MY program. Will be trained by me, and if you or any one of you has a problem with that you can step up and I can show you why I am your trainer." I say releasing only the smallest amount of my aura, knowing how unnaturally strong it is.

That seemed to shut Cory up, however Allen, the wolf that came in first in my assessment out of all 28 teens stepped forward. "I agree with Cory, I think that you just aren't up to par, woman can spar but when it comes to real battles you're too soft, we need a man to train us, and I'll step up, right now. If I win you let us be trained by the beta." His voice was a monotone through his entire speech.

I was hoping someone would be stupid enough to sacrifice themselves today, and boy did I luck out, he may even be a little challenge.

I hear Micah let out a chuckle. "Oof good luck man." I turned to see him going to sit down at the base of tree. Probably getting ready to "enjoy the show" as he would usually say.

I step onto a mat and so does Allen. He puts his hands up. "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you. Wouldn't want to mess up the Luna's face." He said in a girly mocking tone.

The disrespect wouldn't be tolerated. "That would be a shame, considering I'm going to break your f*****g nose for disrespecting me." I growl bending my knees and putting my hands up as well. I lunge at him and he does exactly what I knew he would. His dodging is fast but predictable as he dodges to left and back slightly everytime. The instant he landed from his side step, I dropped to the floor, and swing both legs into his shins, knocking him to the floor on his face. I knew his recovery time was quick so as he hit the ground I was already on him, pinning him by his shoulders.

As per usual with bigger guys, he used his strength and was able to throw me off. I roll forward to the edge of the mat. I turn and he's already on me. I flip my body, my hands meet the mat as I turn my body slightly, I throw my legs up and catch him in the face just as he reaches me.

He stumbles back, his nose dripping blood. His hand goes up to stop the blood flow as his brows furrow. I smirk and anger flashes through his face as he realizes this won't be as easy as he expected, just as he was about to charge at me again, a loud siren blazes through the pack, getting everyone's attention.

My heart dropped because I recognized it immediately.

Intruders