The Alpha's Fierce Luna Kyra

~ Kyra Ashwood is undefeated. The first female warrior the country has ever seen, and still unbeaten. "Caleb! You were great on the grounds today." I jogged up to one of my students. "I was pleasantly surprised at how well you used the takedown to get your opponent to the ground. But remember to use your whole body — you can strike with knees, stomps, elbows, and punches too." I'd just finished a mixed martial arts class with the twelve-to-sixteen-year-olds. All defense training happens in the outdoor fighting ring, or the outdoor cage for the older students. The thirteen-year-old beamed up at me, sweat trickling down his face. "Thanks, Chief! I'll work on it, I promise." I nodded, a proud smile tugging at my mouth. He's so young and already has the kind of work ethic most adults never develop. "Oh — and happy birthday, Chief!" he shouted, then took off running, giggling to himself. I groaned and dropped onto the grass, laughing under my breath. I'd already lost count of how many students had wished me happy birthday today. My birthday is something I'd rather keep quiet — I've never liked that kind of attention. Hearing footsteps behind me, I called out without turning around. "It's not hard to guess who told everyone it's my birthday." Jayden dropped down beside me, stretching with a laugh. "Turning nineteen isn't something to hide. I felt it was my duty to blab it to everyone and their pets." "That's nice of you," I said, deadpan. "It was my honor," he replied, completely missing the sarcasm. I rolled my eyes and lay back next to him. We stayed like that for a while, quiet, watching the sky shift into sunset colors, the breeze light against our skin. Then he sat up and looked at me knowingly. "Since it's your birthday, you know what happens today, right?" "I'm sure Kaitlyn and Magnus are already setting up my party," I laughed, pushing myself up. Jay's parents — the Alpha and Luna — took me in as a newborn and raised me ever since. They've thrown me a birthday party every year without fail, and it's become something I genuinely look forward to. "You know my parents would never let a birthday go by quietly," he laughed, standing with me. "The party's probably already started. Want to head over now?" I nodded and started toward the pack town, a flicker of nerves catching me off guard. For the first time, the party would include the whole pack instead of just family. Am I supposed to go around talking to everyone, or can I just stick with the people I know? Jay must have sensed the shift in my mood, because he asked, "Want to go for a quick run through the forest first?" "Can't — my wolf's exhausted. I let her out around lunch, we hunted two deer and ran for hours. Don't worry about me, go have fun." I perked up at the sound of teenagers laughing and shrieking in the distance. "Sounds like everyone's already there!" I broke into a run toward the noise. I felt Jay's worried gaze on my back and turned to flash him a reassuring smile. Out of everyone, he knows me best — he knows exactly how hard I find it to be around people. It comes down to my wolf. She's always demanded respect, and the two of us have never handled it well when someone talks down to us or treats us with disrespect. In my early teens, I lashed out at anyone who tried to challenge me, until no one dared to. It pushed the whole pack away from me. No matter how hard I tried to bury that instinct to dominate, it was always stronger than I was. It took years — and Jay and his parents — to help me get it under control. Jay went through something similar, but no one questioned it in him — he's the future Alpha, dominance is just in his blood. Me? I had no excuse. Most of the pack wrote me off as the troubled orphan pup the Alpha and Luna were raising out of pity. None of them expected me to grow into one of the strongest wolves in the pack — let alone as a female. There was plenty of controversy over whether I should even be allowed on the pack's defense team, but after enough trials and evaluations, I was finally cleared to join. That decision bruised more than a few male egos — no one wanted to admit how humiliating it would be to lose to a female wolf. With Kaitlyn and Magnus behind me, I became the first female wolf in the United States to join a pack's defense team. Word spread to every pack in the country, and Alphas started showing up just to watch me fight. Eventually, I earned their respect — and the respect of females across the country. Since then, a lot more males have come around to the idea of a female warrior. That's how I became who I am today: Kyra Ashwood, nineteen years old, the first female warrior, recently promoted to Chief Warrior. I train the younger wolves and spar with the defense team to keep the pack safe. If we're ever attacked, it'll be my job to protect them. Wolves from other packs regularly request sparring matches with me, and I never turn one down. The one rule: I'll fight anyone, any gender — except Alphas and Betas. I wouldn't stand a chance against them. Everyone else is fair game. I fight for my own pride and for my pack's, and nothing beats that feeling of winning. So, all in all, I'm content. I have everything I could ask for, and I'm grateful for it. Lately Kaitlyn — Jay's mom — has started bringing up the subject of mates. Most wolves my age have already found theirs. Kaitlyn worries about me, since I've traveled so much for matches without ever crossing paths with mine. Then again, Jay's twenty-one and hasn't found his either. Maybe I just haven't found mine because I'm not ready. I don't even know what being in a relationship is like — it's an uncomfortable subject, and I was praying she wouldn't bring it up at the party. We came in through the back garden to find teenagers and young adults crowded around the pool, some of them using red cups as makeshift snorkels as they dove in. I shook my head, smiling — I've never understood the appeal of drinking for us. Alcohol barely touches wolves; it'd take five bottles of vodka before we'd even feel it. Still, I guess it sets the mood for a party. Everyone sensed Jay's presence and turned, bowing their heads in submission before breaking into smiles and drifting our way. Seeing them so happy made me laugh — maybe a big party wasn't such a bad idea after all. Then Jay stepped in front of me, pushing me behind him, a low warning growl building in his chest as his green eyes narrowed at the crowd. I frowned, confused, until I peeked over his shoulder and realized the group approaching us was entirely male. I rolled my eyes and smacked his shoulder. "Jayden. We just want to wish her happy birthday, calm down," one of the guys said, smirking, hands raised in surrender. I nearly face-palmed. Did he really just tell Jay to calm down? Of all the things he could've said. Already feeling Jay's temper spike, I started massaging his neck — a trick I picked up from Kaitlyn that, ironically, actually calms him down. Once his breathing evened out, I used the moment to talk him down further. "Jay — just let them wish me happy birthday. Then we'll go find Kaitlyn and Magnus, okay?" I looked up at him, smiling. I didn't want him causing a scene he'd regret later, like always. He gritted his teeth, jaw locked, and gave a stiff nod, not trusting himself to speak. I stepped in front of him before he could change his mind and gave the group a polite wave. "Happy birthday, Kyra!" they called back, laughing, before falling into their own conversation. I couldn't help but eavesdrop as we walked away. "She waved at me. How cute," one murmured, chuckling. "She's gotten so hot — have you seen her in the fighting cage?" "That tight leather fighting gear," another added, and I frowned at that. It's aerodynamic and lightweight, that's the whole point — I'd never really considered what people thought of it. I glanced down at my outfit without meaning to. I wasn't training today, just teaching, so I'd worn a fitted black long-sleeve shirt with grey joggers cinched at the ankle, and my black-and-white Nikes. Easy to shift out of and back into — that's all that mattered to me. "I mean, how does someone look that good sweating and panting like that? Imagine having her in bed." I nearly gagged. Pervert. Before I could react, someone else cut in. "She'd eat you all for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don't underestimate her," another one sighed. I smiled at that, grateful someone had brought them back down to earth. I'd been so absorbed in eavesdropping I hadn't even noticed we'd reached the living room. I glanced at Jay beside me — judging by his face, he definitely hadn't caught any of it. I didn't want to imagine what he'd do if he had. He sees me as a little sister, but he's been growing more possessive lately, and I'm honestly not sure what to do about it. "Kyra, darling!" a warm voice called out from the crowd. My mood lifted instantly at the sight of Kaitlyn's face. I jogged over and pulled her into a long, tight hug — I could never put into words how much I love her, so I let my actions say it instead. "Aww, group hug!" Jay exclaimed, wrapping his arms around both of us. Just as Kaitlyn and I started protesting — jokingly — I felt someone else join the hug. Looking up, I was surprised to see it was the Alpha himself, Magnus. "Ah, Dad! Nice of you to join us!" Jay laughed, his voice muffled against my hair. Magnus chuckled, clearly caught up in the mood. "Happy birthday, Kyra!" they said in unison as the hug broke apart, catching me off guard all over again. Magnus kissed the top of my head. "I wish you happiness." Ah, the family wishes — I'd almost forgotten. I thanked him. Then Kaitlyn kissed the top of my head, gave me a mischievous look, and said, "I wish you find your mate." "Really, Mom? Didn't she say she wasn't ready for one?" Jay whined, fixing the mess he'd made of my hair. Kaitlyn and I both turned to stare at him. "How do you even know that?" I asked, eyebrow raised. We'd both been sure he was asleep when we'd had that conversation. Kaitlyn crossed her arms, waiting. Magnus just chuckled at Jay's predicament. Jay laughed nervously, glancing at his father like he might save him. "Sorry, can't save you this time, son," Magnus said, backing out of the room. I held back my laughter and turned to Jay with a mock-serious expression. "So, obviously, I was awake and I eavesdropped," he admitted sheepishly. "You know I can't stop listening once I start! I heard the word 'mate' and your voice — how was I supposed to not listen?" "It's still wrong to listen in on a conversation you weren't invited into. That's basic manners, and I taught you that as a child," Kaitlyn scolded, giving him a disapproving look. Guilt hit me — I'd been doing the exact same thing not five minutes ago. "Thank you for your wish, Kaitlyn," I said quickly, steering the topic elsewhere. Jay seemed to notice and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. I smiled and waited for his wish, but he just stood there, smiling down at me. "So — are you going to say something, or just stand there like an i***t?" I asked, tilting my head at him. "I'll give you my wish when I think of one," he said, taking my hand and leading me through the crowd. "So what was the kiss for?" I laughed, shaking my head. "I just felt like it."