The Princess and the Wolves
1200 Words
“Harder!” Jax walked between the warrior wolves as they went through their cadences. Layla and Chalci watched from the sidelines as he and Miyo put the twenty or so wolf warriors in training through their paces.
She had been asked only to watch, as her shoulder wasn’t 100% healed, or so Axel thought. The truth was, it would probably never be perfect again, but this didn’t bother her. What was bothering her though, was becoming complacent.
It had been too long since she had trained, but that was about to change.
Miyo paced back forth with an unreadable expression on his face. With his hands behind his back, he carefully scrutinized every move his warriors made.
He and papa bear had decided to stay with the pack for a while, and help with the training. Jax had taken a backseat to his duties when he became Layla’s beta, and since he had found his mate, which was fine by Miyo, he loved a good challenge.
Today, he was training them in ninja stealth, but he wasn’t about to give up all his secrets.
Lacey was there, along with Jax's mate and a ew other women warriors.
“Lacey, watch your form, Kelly, get deeper into your stance,” Miyo barked, “It will make all the difference in a fight.”
“Why do we need to learn this?” One of the warriors griped. “We have come this far training like we always have, why change now.
“Because you need it.” Alex was here now. Also watching the warriors, scowling at them. ”You have all the brawn, but where are your brains?”
Layla had to cover her mouth to hide her snicker. Ever the quiet one, she observed the scene with her cat eyes, while Chalci sat on her haunches, lazily cleaning herself.
“Maybe if we weren’t so distracted,” another one piped up, pointing to Layla.
“What do you mean by that?” she asked, standing and putting her hands on her hips. If she was disinterested before, they had her attention now.
“Well, “ The warrior named Lucas nodded toward Chalci, “We don’t know when your jaguar might turn on us, and decide she wants to have us as a snack.
Layla’s eyes glowed with anger as she stalked toward Lucas, protracting her claws.
“Wolf,” she growled, “If my jaguar wanted to hurt you, she would have done it already. She has a wolf as a mate, although he is with his alpha now, but that’s beside the point. Chalci has no interest in hunting any of you for food. She is too busy sneaking off into Highlander territory and eating their delicious red deer, isn’t that right, Chals?”
“Yes, human,” the big cat purred, “I don’t eat wolf, unless it’s to satisfy my, uh “carnal urges”, so you can all relax.”
Miyo and Jax let out hearty laughs.
“That’s our Chalci,” Jax smiled as he bent down and rubbed her ears, “Never mincing words.”
“Can we get back to training?” Lacey asked, as she tapped her foot. She looked absolutely radiant in her workout gear, black leggings and a red sports bra.
“I have an idea,” Miyo looked up with an amusing expression on his face, “Layla, how about letting your princess loose and giving these “bored” wolves a training session they won’t forget.
“Miyo, I never thought you’d ask.”
Layla closed her eyes and threw her head back. Channeling her inner goddess, she was bathed in a golden light as she morphed into the jaguar princess, golden armor, feathered headdress and long flowing jet black hair that accented her Aztec features. Her eyes glowed white as her long canines protruded past her lips, and her silver claws extended from her fingers.
She looked up with a wicked smile on her face. “Who is ready to play?” her voice boomed through the forest.
The warriors, except Lacey and Jax, all stepped back, realizing they may have bitten off more than they could chew.
“Ok, “ Miyo stepped forward, “I want you all to attack, in unison. Defend your flanks, and be on alert, she is fast, and full of magic tricks.
“AAAGH
The wolves watched in amazement as she turned back into the little eighteen year old dressed in a gingham skirt, looking all innocent and shy.
Miyo let out a hearty laugh.
“As you can see, looks can be deceiving. Never underestimate your opponent, especially when she is five foot two and barely weighs a hundred pounds.”
The wolves all bowed their heads, murmuring praises to their fela, whose face was burning red with embarrassment. She never in her life thought a whole group of men, let alone wolves would be bowing to her.
“I see your fela has been teaching you a lesson,” Axel came into view, crossing to where Layla stood. He pulled her into a hug, which only served to make her blush brighter.
She and Axel had been together many times, but his affection for her in front of his pack always embarrassed her.
“You’re not mad?” she asked,
“No, kitten, I’m impressed.” he bent his head, and pressed his lips to hers, “My princess is finally showing everyone her prowess. My only regret is I wasn't here to watch the whole thing.”
“I can do it again.”
“No,” the warriors all yelled in unison. Their egos had been bruised enough for one day, except Lacey and Kelly, who were laughing in the background.
It had been a fun morning for the jaguar princess.
- Writer
