Chapter 10 Part 2: Preparing for the Forgotten Vale
2355 Words
Felipe couldn’t shake the mixture of pride and concern swirling in his chest as he sat on the edge of Margie’s couch. She had surprised him, standing tall and confident as she told him she was ready to fight in the Forgotten Vale. But her admission that she hadn’t shifted yet sent a wave of unease through him.
Margie had always been strong-willed, but shifting was a crucial part of survival in their world, especially for an event as brutal as the Vale. He ran a hand through his hair, watching her as she moved to grab a bottle of water from the kitchen.
She wasn’t the same person he had known. Her movements carried a precision, a quiet authority that spoke of hours of training. Yet, her inability to shift left a gap in her defenses, and Felipe wasn’t about to let her face that battle unprepared.
When she returned, he stood, determination in his eyes. “Margie, if you can’t shift yet, we need to work on something else—your combat skills, your technique.”
Margie arched an eyebrow at him, a hint of a smirk on her lips. “You think I need your help?”
Felipe crossed his arms, his expression softening but still serious. “I think everyone could use help, even someone as stubborn as you.”
She let out a quiet laugh, then gestured toward the open space in the living room. “Alright, Commander. Show me what you’ve got.”
Felipe chuckled but didn’t waste time. “Alright, let’s start with something basic. Pinning someone down. It’s one of the most effective ways to end a fight quickly.”
He dropped to his knees on the floor and gestured for her to do the same. When she hesitated, he added, “Trust me, this is important.”
Margie rolled her eyes playfully but followed his lead, kneeling across from him. “Alright, what’s the plan?”
Felipe shifted forward, showing her a basic pinning technique, explaining as he moved. “If you’re fighting someone stronger, your best bet is to use their weight against them. Wolves rely on their agility, but when they’re grounded, it’s harder for them to recover quickly.”
He demonstrated how to grab an opponent’s arm, twist it at the right angle, and use his weight to keep the other person down. Then he sat back, nodding for her to try.
Margie mirrored his movements with surprising accuracy, her grip firm and her positioning precise. Felipe raised an eyebrow, impressed.
“Not bad,” he said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Not bad?” she echoed, a teasing glint in her eye. “I think I nailed it.”
Felipe laughed, shaking his head. “Alright, let’s see how you handle a real attempt.”
They practiced for the next hour, Felipe offering pointers and Margie improving with every move. By the end, she had pinned him more times than he cared to admit, and her confidence had only grown.
As they took a break, Felipe leaned back against the wall, watching her stretch. “You’ve got natural talent, but you need to know more about wolf weaknesses. They’re not invincible.”
Margie sat down across from him, listening intently as he continued.
“Wolves rely heavily on their hearing and agility,” Felipe explained. “Distract one, and you can gain the upper hand. Their neck is a vulnerable spot, but it’s dangerous to go for it directly. If you can get them on their side or back, they lose a lot of their strength.”
Margie nodded, absorbing every word. “And what about you?” she asked, a playful challenge in her voice. “What’s your weakness?”
Felipe grinned, shaking his head. “Nice try, but I’m not giving you that.”
She smirked, but there was warmth in her gaze. “Thank you, Felipe. For this. For helping me.”
Felipe’s smile softened. “Always, Margie. I just want you to be safe.”
For a moment, the room was quiet, the weight of the upcoming event settling over them. Margie’s determination was clear, but so was Felipe’s worry. He couldn’t protect her from what was coming, but he could make sure she was as prepared as possible.
“Tomorrow’s going to be tough,” Felipe said, his voice quieter now. “But I know you’re ready.”
Margie nodded, her resolve unshaken. “I have to be.”
Felipe reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You’re not alone in this, Margie. Remember that.”
As the evening faded into night, the two of them continued to train, their bond strengthening with every move. Margie was ready to face whatever the Forgotten Vale would throw at her, and Felipe would be there, watching, ready to step in if she ever needed him.
💥
Xavier stood by the window of his chambers, arms crossed and jaw tight. The cold night air seeped in through the glass, but it wasn’t the chill outside that made him feel frozen. It was the thought of Hazel stepping into that arena, risking everything. His wolf paced restlessly within him, torn between the urge to shield her and the understanding that Hazel was never one to be sheltered.
Behind him, Hazel sat on the edge of the bed, her hands resting on her slightly swollen belly. Her eyes were steady, unwavering, as she spoke.
“I’m fighting, Xavier. I’m not sitting this one out.”
Xavier turned slowly, his face an unreadable mask. The weight of her words pressed heavily on his chest, and for a moment, he just stared at her. Then he spoke, his voice low and cold.
“No. Absolutely not.”
“Xavier—”
“Hazel,” he interrupted, his tone sharper now. “You’re carrying my child. Our child. Do you even understand what that means? What it means to me?”
Hazel met his stormy gaze without flinching. “It means I’m still a warrior, pregnant or not. It doesn’t make me any less capable.”
Xavier’s fists clenched at his sides as he crossed the room in two long strides, towering over her. His voice was a growl when he spoke. “It means you’re protected. That no one touches you, no one challenges you, and no one puts you or our baby at risk. And if they do…” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, “I will tear them apart.”
Hazel stood, squaring her shoulders, refusing to be intimidated. “I’m not some fragile thing, Xavier. I’ve fought beside you, bled for this pack, and earned my place. Pregnancy doesn’t change that. It doesn’t make me weak.”
Xavier turned away, his hand raking through his hair as he fought to rein in his wolf. “Hazel,” he said, his voice quieter but no less firm, “this isn’t just about you anymore. It’s about the baby. What if something happens? What if you get hurt?”
Hazel stepped closer, her voice softening but her resolve unshaken. “No one will hurt me. You know that. And even if they try, I can handle it. I need you to trust me, Xavier.”
He let out a sharp breath, his hands gripping the back of a chair as he tried to calm the storm inside him. “You don’t understand, Hazel. If anyone so much as scratches you, I’ll lose control. I’ll kill them without a second thought. I can’t… I can’t let that happen.”
Hazel placed her hand gently on his arm, her touch warm against his tense muscles. “And you think I’d let anything happen to our baby?” she asked softly.
Xavier looked at her then, his cold facade cracking just slightly. His eyes flickered to her belly, and the thought of the tiny life growing inside her—a life they had created together—warmed him, melting some of the ice around his heart. For a moment, the image of their child, safe and happy, softened the fear gripping him.
“You don’t know what it’s like,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. “Knowing that you’re carrying something so precious, something I’d die for. It terrifies me, Hazel. I can’t lose you. I can’t lose either of you.”
Hazel smiled gently, taking his hand and placing it over her belly. “You won’t lose us, Xavier. I promise. But you have to let me do this. I need to fight—not because I have to, but because I want to. For me. For us. For our child.”
Xavier stared at her for a long moment, his emotions a whirlwind of pride, fear, and love. Finally, he sighed, pulling her into his arms. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
“And you love me for it,” she replied, her voice teasing but soft.
Xavier huffed a reluctant laugh, his arms tightening around her. “I do. More than you’ll ever know.”
As they lay down together that night, Hazel resting her head on his chest, Xavier’s hand never left her belly. The warmth of her body, and the thought of the life growing inside her, kept the cold at bay.
Despite his lingering worry, Xavier held her close, vowing silently to protect her and their unborn child at all costs. Together, they drifted into sleep, their love and resolve stronger than the fears that sought to divide them.
💥
Felipe stirred awake, the warmth of the early morning sun spilling into the room. For a moment, he couldn’t place where he was. Then, as his senses returned, he became acutely aware of the soft weight of Margie’s arm draped protectively over his waist.
His heart skipped a beat.
Turning his head slightly, he saw her peaceful face, her dark lashes resting against her cheeks, her breathing steady. She looked serene, vulnerable in a way he rarely saw. His wolf hummed contentedly at the sight of her, and for a brief, stolen moment, Felipe allowed himself to feel happy.
This was his beauty, the woman who had stirred emotions in him he hadn’t thought possible. He hadn’t planned to stay, but the night had unfolded naturally—conversations, training, and unspoken emotions tethering them together. And now, waking up like this felt… right.
He switched on his phone only for it to buzz later on, on the nightstand, breaking the moment. He reached for it cautiously, careful not to disturb Margie. Multiple texts from Paris lit up the screen.
“Felipe?"
" Where are you?"
" It’s getting late"
" Call me.”
"I miss you"
"Baby?"
"I love you"
"Am sorry"
Felipe’s chest tightened. He let the phone fall back onto the nightstand without replying. Whatever awaited him with Paris could wait. Right now, he was here, with Margie, and nothing else mattered.
Margie stirred slightly but didn’t pull away. If anything, she seemed to hold him closer, her arm tightening around his waist. Felipe smiled faintly, savoring the rare intimacy. He knew she was awake, even if her eyes remained closed.
“You’re comfortable,” she murmured, her voice laced with sleep.
Felipe chuckled softly. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
Margie opened her eyes then, looking up at him with a knowing expression. There was no anger, no awkwardness—just an unspoken understanding.
“I’m letting this slide,” she said, her tone teasing but with a hint of seriousness. “Because I know we share more than we let on.”
Felipe’s heart swelled, his mind flashing back to the kiss they had shared before. The memory sent a pleasant shiver through him, though it was quickly overshadowed by the weight of the day ahead.
“The Forgotten Vale,” he muttered, his voice heavy.
Margie sat up, her hand falling away from his waist. “It’s today, isn’t it?”
Felipe nodded, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He rubbed his face with his hands, trying to push down the dread creeping into his chest. “It starts at 9 a.m.”
Margie was silent for a moment, then said, “You’re worried.”
Felipe shook his head, glancing back at her with a faint smile. “Not for me. For you.”
Margie’s expression softened, but she didn’t reply. She understood his concern but wasn’t about to back down.
“I’m going to take a bath,” Felipe said, standing and stretching. He moved to the small dresser by the wall, pulling out some clothes he kept there. It wasn’t the first time he had spent the night at Margie’s place, and the familiarity of it brought him a small measure of comfort.
When he emerged from the bathroom, freshly showered and dressed, Margie was already gathering her things. Her movements were deliberate, her resolve clear.
“My turn,” she said simply, brushing past him with a faint smile.
Felipe watched her go, his heart heavy and full all at once. This was Margie—strong, determined, and utterly captivating.
When she returned, ready for the day, Felipe took a moment to take her in. She looked radiant, her confidence shining through despite the challenge ahead.
“I’m fighting too,” Felipe said, breaking the silence.
Margie raised an eyebrow. “You are?”
He nodded. “I have to fight for my position as chief commander. It’s tradition. But more than that…” He hesitated, then smiled. “I want to impress you.”
Margie smirked, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Impress me? You’ve got your work cut out for you, Felipe.”
Felipe chuckled, the tension in his chest easing slightly. “Just wait. You’ll see what I’m made of.”
As they left the apartment together, Felipe felt a sense of purpose settle over him. The day ahead would be grueling, but for the first time in a long time, he felt ready. He had something—someone—worth fighting for.
- Writer
