Trust Is Earned
787 Words
Chapter Sixty-Four: Trust Is Earned
Elara's POV
The first rays of sunlight had barely touched the mountains when a loud horn echoed through Shadowmoon.
One blast.
Then another.
Then a third.
I groaned and buried my face beneath my pillow.
"No..."
Lunara laughed.
"Grandfather is awake."
Vespera yawned.
"Unfortunately... so are we."
A knock sounded on my door.
Before I could answer...
It swung open.
Alpha Alaric stood there with his arms crossed.
"Five minutes late."
I blinked.
"I didn't know we had a time."
"You do now."
I sighed dramatically.
"This family doesn't believe in sleeping in, does it?"
Behind him, Luna Seraphina smiled.
"We do."
"Just not warriors."
Everyone laughed.
---
A few minutes later...
The training grounds were already filled.
Nightshade wolves.
Shadowmoon warriors.
Royal Vampire Guards.
Even several visiting Alphas had gathered to watch.
Draven walked toward me carrying two practice swords.
"I saved you the lighter one."
I raised an eyebrow.
"You think I need the lighter one?"
He smiled.
"I think your grandfather enjoys knocking people over."
Alpha Alaric grinned from across the field.
"I heard that."
---
The Keeper stepped into the center of the arena.
"Today's lesson..."
He paused.
"...is not combat."
Several warriors exchanged confused looks.
"Today..."
"...you learn trust."
He pointed toward Draven.
"You and Elara."
Then he pointed toward Kaiden.
"And you..."
Finally...
He pointed toward Lyra.
"...with him."
Both Kaiden and Lyra looked equally horrified.
"What?" they said together.
The training grounds erupted with laughter.
---
"I don't need a partner," Lyra protested.
Kaiden nodded.
"I think she means she doesn't need me."
"Correct."
Draven tried not to laugh.
He failed.
Alpha Alaric folded his arms.
"The battlefield doesn't care who you like."
"It only cares whether you survive."
That immediately ended the arguments.
---
The Keeper divided everyone into pairs.
Draven and I stood facing each other.
Kaiden stood opposite Lyra.
Around us, other warriors paired off.
"Your task is simple," the Keeper said.
"You may not speak."
The entire field became quiet.
"You will complete every exercise using only trust."
---
Draven smiled.
"Ready?"
His voice echoed softly through our mate bond.
I blinked.
"Did... did you just..."
He smiled wider.
"You heard me."
Lunara wagged her tail.
"The bond is getting stronger."
Vespera grinned.
"Soon we won't need words at all."
The Keeper noticed our expressions.
"Good."
"It's beginning."
---
Across the field...
Kaiden reached for his practice sword.
At the exact same moment...
Lyra reached for hers.
Their swords collided.
"I had it."
Lyra rolled her eyes.
"So did I."
Kaiden sighed.
"This is going to be a long day."
Captain Lucian laughed loudly.
"You have no idea."
---
The first exercise began.
Draven closed his eyes.
"So should I?" I asked.
The Keeper nodded.
"Trust your bond."
I closed my eyes.
Immediately...
I felt Draven.
Not his thoughts.
His presence.
Steady.
Calm.
Safe.
He moved to the left.
Without opening my eyes...
I moved too.
Our practice swords met perfectly.
The watching warriors gasped.
Neither of us had opened our eyes.
Again.
And again.
Every strike found its mark.
Every defense came naturally.
Orion's voice echoed proudly.
"She trusts us."
Lunara answered.
"Because you trust her."
---
Nearby...
Kaiden and Lyra were having far less success.
THUD!
They ran into each other.
"I'm blaming you."
Lyra rubbed her shoulder.
"I'm blaming you."
"You walked into me."
"You stepped the wrong way."
Captain Lucian nearly doubled over laughing.
Even King Cassian smiled.
---
Hours passed.
By midday...
The exercises became harder.
The Keeper suddenly threw wooden balls into the air.
"Dodge!"
Without opening my eyes...
I moved.
Draven moved with me.
We never collided.
We never hesitated.
Every movement felt...
Natural.
Like dancing.
When the exercise finally ended...
The entire training ground applauded.
One of the visiting Alphas whispered,
"They're already fighting as one."
The older Alpha beside him nodded.
"And they haven't even completed the Eclipse Bond."
---
As everyone rested...
Lyra walked toward the water barrels.
Kaiden picked up two cups.
He quietly handed one to her.
She looked surprised.
"I didn't ask."
"I know."
He smiled.
"You looked thirsty."
For a second...
She simply stared at him.
Then she accepted the cup.
"...Thank you."
Captain Lucian walked past Draven.
"I think she's smiling."
Draven chuckled.
"Don't tell Kaiden."
"Why?"
"He'll panic."
The two Alphas laughed.
Across the training field...
Elara watched the small exchange and smiled.
Sometimes...
Healing didn't begin with grand gestures.
Sometimes...
It began with something as simple...
As offering someone a drink of water.
Lunara smiled.
"A new story is beginning."
Vespera nodded.
"Just like ours did."
High above Shadowmoon...
The Moon Goddess watched with quiet satisfaction.
Two destined paths...
Were slowly finding one another.
- Writer
