Bound to the Silvermoon Goddess

Chapter 10

Training

Lila

Hailey and I head around the back of the pack house toward the training grounds, the late afternoon sun stretching long shadows across the earth. A few pieces of equipment have already been set up by the groundsmen, balance beams, marked sprint lines, weighted dummies, and a weapons rack standing neatly near the far edge of

the field.

I have trained before, of course. Every Alpha's daughter learns basic defence and discipline from a young age.

But I have never truly taken it seriously. I never had to. My brothers have always been in control of the pack. No rogue would willingly challenge Red Moon while Kael, Asher, Zane, and Rider stand guard. Their reputation alone is enough to keep most enemies far from our borders.

But things are different now.

Now that I am mated to Rowan, future Beta of Ironclaw Pack, expectations have changed. I will not simply be an

Alpha's daughter anymore. I will be expected to lead beside Rowan, to guide warriors, to support pack members,

and to step forward when leadership is required.

A Beta female is not chosen for decoration.

She must be capable.

Strong.

Trusted.

Respected.

Ready.

Hailey wastes no time easing me into training. Within minutes we are moving across the field in controlled sprints,

her pace steady but demanding. She does not slow down simply because I struggle to keep up.

"Control your breathing," she calls calmly without even sounding winded. "Your body listens to rhythm before

strength."

Easy for her to say.

But I am fairly certain parts of my body are discovering movement for the first time.

We move quickly from sprints into tactical drills, footwork patterns, defensive positioning, balance exercises, and

reaction training. Every movement has purpose. Every adjustment she makes to my stance is precise and patient.

She never makes me feel incompetent.

She makes me feel like I am capable of improvement.

There is a difference.

A very important difference.

I am eager for her to teach me how to use the swords she carries on her back. The way she moves with them is effortless, like the blades belong in her hands.

Hailey is so unbelievably cool.

Not just in the obvious ways — not just because she rides a powerful motorbike or arrives covered in rogue blood

like it is completely normal.

She is cool because she does not try to impress anyone.

She simply is impressive.

She is a complete hard-ass when it comes to training. I did not know muscles could hurt this much and still

technically function. I am fairly certain parts of my body are discovering movement for the first time.

But when we finally stop for water, I realise something else.

She is... different from everyone here.

Most people who try to befriend me want proximity to power. They want association with my family name. They

want invitations to events. They want to be seen standing beside future Alphas so others notice them.

They care about appearances.

About status.

About being admired.

Hailey does not care about any of that.

She does not care about designer clothes or styled hair or appearing Luna-worthy.

She cares about becoming stronger.

She cares about protecting people.

She cares about helping others improve.

She is an orphan, raised by warriors and trained from childhood. Her strength does not come from privilege. It

comes from persistence.

She wants to become a pack doctor one day so she can help people — to heal as well as fight.

Strong enough to protect.

Kind enough to save.

Which honestly makes her twice as terrifying and ten times more impressive.

She also has no friends.

When I told her we should just skip the awkward stage and become best friends immediately, she actually jumped

with excitement like I had handed her something precious. Her whole face lit up, her eyes bright with genuine happiness.

We exchanged numbers and made plans to spend time together on weekends when we are not training.

For the first time in a long time...

I feel like someone sees me as a person, not a position.

"I should really get going," Hailey says now, checking her watch. "I've got a dinner shift."

I blink in surprise.

"You work kitchen shifts?"

She nods casually, pulling her gloves from her pocket.

"We have omegas who manage the kitchens," I say carefully.

"We do too," she replies with a small shrug. "I just enjoy cooking. And the extra money doesn't hurt."

Extra money.

The idea feels strangely foreign to me. I have never needed to think about earning my own.

"I couldn't cook a proper meal to save my life," I admit honestly. "You'll have to teach me someday too. I'm sure

Rowan would appreciate that."

She chuckles softly as she pulls her gloves on.

"I can teach you. Cooking is just another skill. Same as anything else."

That sounds unlikely... but comforting.

"Anyway," I continue, brushing dust from my hands, "I should probably go get ready. My father, Alpha Theron,

has been hosting dinners with visiting packs every few days. He is determined to identify potential future Lunas

for my brothers."

Her eyebrow lifts slightly.

"Sounds exhausting."

"You have no idea," I sigh.

She gives me a small salute with two fingers before turning toward her bike.

I watch her walk away, the low rumble of the engine echoing through the quiet grounds as she rides off.

A strange feeling settles in my chest.

Something warm.

Something hopeful.

Hailey might be the coolest person I have ever met.

And somehow...

I feel like meeting her is going to change everything.