The Wounded Wolf

Chapter Six

Lilya's POV

I sat in the alley that led to the corridor of the training grounds. I was in no mood for training today but there was no way I was going to tell my master, Alpha Damon, that.

My mind flickered back to my encounter with the puppet master and Lucas, I wondered why all this happened. I thought I found a man, I could actually be myself around and maybe understand me through our shared struggle. But it turned out to be all a lie and that wasn't the case for us.

I walked towards the courtyard hoping a day of intense spurring would cure my mind of all the dismay and despair it harbored after my encounter with the puppet master.

I had not told Alpha Damon about my encounter with the puppet master, to be factual, I would rather not tell him. If I let him know that what he thought about Lucas was right and he was indeed right, it meant Lucas had no shot at redemption, and he won't be allowed anywhere near the pack. I am not sure that is what I want, I believe that he was just a pawn in the evil deeds of the puppet master and he deserves a chance to be transformed. But the question still remains.

Does he want to be transformed?

As I stepped into the training courtyard, the sun beamed down, casting a warm glow on the wooden dummies lined up before me. Alpha Damon likes to train in that way. A lot of times whenever we were training he would bring fale dummies and once he brought animals. That was the start of our intense training.

"I don't think I can kill an animal, especially a harmless one," I had told him and he smiled.

"There would come a time you would need to kill humans and spill their blood, if you can't kill a common animal, I wonder what you would do then," he replied, slicing the fluffy, harmless bunny into too, I veered around in disgust. But he was right, as my training advanced, I started spurring with humans and sometimes, we would spur for hours and wouldn't stop till blood is drawn.

Alpha Damon is a renowned swordsman, standing by my side, ready to impart his knowledge and skill. He knew his onion and he was feared across the realm. I was good with combat skills but today I was going to continue my sword training. I pray he doesn't notice I am not in the best of moods today.

"Are you ready, Lilya?" he asked with a confident smile. I nodded eagerly, clutching the sword he had placed in my hand.

"Today, we'll focus on intermediate sword techniques," he began, his voice steady and commanding. "Remember, your sword is an extension of your body. Feel its weight, its balance. Let it become a part of you."

I shifted my grip on the sword, trying to find that perfect connection. Alpha Damon gently adjusted my stance, guiding my hands into position. He was gentle with me today and that was unlike him.

"I want you to focus and declutter your mind away from all forms of distraction, it is so easy to be distracted on the battlefield, and in a split second, you would lose your guard," he said and adjusted my grips.

"Now, imagine your opponent standing before you," he said, his voice filled with determination. "Always aim at your opponent's head. It's a vital target, but also a challenging one. Precision is key."

My mind went back to my fight with the puppet master and how I somehow failed to get the job done because somehow, I couldn't bring myself to kill Lucas despite his betrayal.

I can't help but wonder why he was doing all this, had he always been loyal to the Lunar council from the beginning and nothing of the connection we had built was true? I wanted to know if he felt anything for me, anything at all. Even if it was just a little feeling. But what good would that do me? He is a pawn and slave to one of the biggest threats to the realm.

"Focus Lilya," Alpha Damon said and I let out an exasperated gasp, today's training was going to be particularly hard because all my mind just ran back to Lucas.

Why does he have such an effect on me?

I focused my gaze on the wooden dummy at the end of the courtyard. Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself. Alpha Damon's reassuring presence behind me gave me confidence.

"Extend your arm, Lilya," he instructed, his voice calm yet authoritative. "Feel the power coursing through your veins, channel it into your shot."

With his guidance, I pulled back the bowstring, feeling the tension build. The string quivered under my touch, ready to release its energy.

"Release," Alpha Damon commanded his voice a gentle whisper.

I let go, watching as the arrow soared through the air with a swift grace. It hit the wooden dummy dead center, right where its head would be.

"Good shot, Lilya!" Alpha Damon praised, his voice filled with pride. "But remember, every strike counts. Aim for perfection."

I couldn't help but smile at his words. With Alpha Damon's patient guidance, I knew I could become a great sword person. Together, we would face countless challenges and conquer them one by one.

"If we continue like this, maybe one day you would become the master and I would be your student," Alpha Damon said placing his hands on my shoulders with pride and I smiled.

"I dare not ever think of trying to fight with my master, that is a battle I can't even win," I replied and he smiled.

"Humility is important when it comes to the battlefield, never forget that, and never forget your place, a dog who bites the hand that feeds him is already setting himself up for failure,"

I simply nod, I wasn't sure I was okay with his illustration but I understood perfectly well what he meant.

And as I continued my training, I absorbed every word he said, every technique he taught. The courtyard echoed with the clash of swords and the whistle of arrows, a thirst for determination and growth.

***

I hurriedly made my way towards Ava's quarter, my heart pounded with a mix of excitement and anxiety. I wanted to spend some time away from the training grounds, to relax and enjoy a peaceful conversation over tea. I also wanted to tell Ava everything that happened between me and the puppet master, but most especially about Damon's involvement in all this. But just as I thought I could escape without any interruptions, Alpha Damon's voice called out to me.

"Lilya, where are you going in such a hurry?" he questioned, catching up with me. I glanced at him, a little startled by his sudden appearance. This was the last thing I wanted, Alpha Damon always knew how to read right through me so a long conversation with him was risky for me.

"I...I want to go see Ava," I replied, trying to sound casual. "She invited me over for tea in her quarter." it wasn't particularly a lie, I was indeed going to Ava's quarter but unannounced, she had not invited me over.

Alpha Damon stared at me suspiciously, his gaze piercing. "Is that so? Walk with me, I am heading towards that vicinity."

I sighed inwardly, knowing he didn't fully believe my excuse. Reluctantly, I nodded and fell into step beside him. It seemed I couldn't escape his watchful eye, even for a moment.

"I was informed that you were in a battle recently," he said, his voice filled with concern. "I heard you were wounded and required treatment."

Damn this place and with their constant gossip, no news flies by without everyone hearing.

I shifted uncomfortably, not wanting to have this conversation. "It was nothing serious, just some bruises," I replied, hoping to downplay the severity of the situation. It wasn't just mere bruises and I knew that.

He glanced at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "Who did you battle with? I do not remember sending you on any mission."

My heart sank, and I lowered my head, unable to meet his gaze. This was the topic I had been avoiding, and I knew it wouldn't escape his attention for long. "The puppet master," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Alpha Damon's expression didn't show surprise; instead, he seemed to have heard of this mythical entity before. "I have heard of the puppet master. I thought it was just a myth, a tale told to scare young warriors. I heard it controlled people to do its bidding. Who was it in control of?"

I hesitated, biting my lip before finally answering. "Lucas," I admitted the name leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.

Alpha Damon's gaze intensified, and he looked at me with a mix of concern and determination. "It is no surprise. I always had my doubts about Lucas. This only further proves that you should steer far away from him, Lilya."

I felt a pang of sadness, for Lucas was once a friend. But I knew deep down that Alpha Damon was right. Lucas had become nothing more than a pawn in the puppet master's game.

"But he was just a pawn," I murmured, my voice filled with a hint of regret.

Alpha Damon's tone turned firm, his eyes unwavering. "You are a warrior, Lilya. Your duty is to lead the rest and protect them. Put your emotions aside and focus on what needs to be done."

I nodded, understanding the weight of his words. "Yes, Alpha. I will do as you say."

He sighed, a mixture of concern and judgment etched across his face. "I will order the rest of the pack members to be on the lookout for Lucas. He should be treated as dangerous."

I didn't want it to come to that, but I knew it was necessary for the safety of the pack. With a heavy heart, I simply replied, "Yes, Alpha."

As we continued our walk, the burden of my encounter with the puppet master weighed heavily on my shoulders.