Lycan's Imposter Luna

Einas~11

I hated winters. It made it more difficult to wake up and keep the drowsiness away in the mornings. Knowing Saira Malivik would be taking part in the training today, I groaned, yanked my blanket to the side, and stumbled into the bathroom.

By now, I’ve already realized it wouldn’t be easy to get my rejected mate out of my life. But I didn’t want her. And for Caira, I planned to trample on her self-esteem until she backed away from the Squad on her own.

After a quick shower, I brushed my teeth and slipped on a sweatshirt and pants. I didn’t have time to dry my hair. The morning chill in the room caused me to towel dry it and grab a sweat coat, before going downstairs to get something to eat.

Currently, only my mother and I reside in the Commander’s mansion.

I didn’t want to walk in my father’s footsteps, even by mistake. Therefore, even though we were close, I refrained from crossing the line with Caira. She would only start living with us when she officially and legally became my Luna and wife.

“Good morning, Commander!” The servants greeted me upon my appearance. I hummed a cold reply and chugged down a glass of milk.

“When my mother wakes up, tell her I’ll be late and not to wait for me for breakfast.”

The servants nodded and set a stack of pancakes, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and rice porridge with fish strips before me. I frowned at the bowl of porridge. My impression of the dish was that it was meant for the sick. I pushed it aside and cleaned two servings of pancakes and eggs, before grabbing a toast and leaving for the clearing.

The training ground for the Lycan warriors was beneath the waterfall at the back of the Lycan Leader’s palace. I arrived early and did some stretches while waiting for my trainees to assemble.

Gradually, everyone began to gather, and before long, Saira Malivik was the only one still absent.

“Late on the first day. Perfect!” I chuckled internally, already preparing a dismissal speech for her.

The frost-laden air slid like a dagger down my throat. But I didn’t feel the biting chill. The excitement of seeing the she-wolf’s colorful expression when I dismissed her somehow made me feel lighter, happier. I led my warriors for two laps in the woods.

Once back in the clearing, I placed my hands on my hips and called them to attention in a sharp, commanding voice. It was time for drill practice—cold and early in the morning before the break of dawn.

The warriors snapped to attention and focused forward with sharp precision. Their formation was neat. I allowed myself a moment of pride, already seeing the great warriors they would make on the battlefield, before barking out two more curt commands.

Four of the new recruits turned in the wrong direction, bumping their heads against each other.

“It seems some of us still can’t tell right from left?” I teased, causing the rest of the warriors to burst into amused laughter. The tension in the air dissipated, and the hard expressions of my trainees relaxed under the joking atmosphere. The notice of a female recruit, the Lycan Heir’s Luna at that, joining the squad must’ve bothered them more than they showed.

I frowned. I didn’t want my warriors’ mentality to be affected because of a female’s presence on the training field. That would hinder their progress, a result I absolutely did not want to see.

Just as I was mentally condemning Saira Malivik, the muffled sound of hurried footsteps came from the side, and the she-wolf skidded to a stop before me. Her cheeks were flushed, her ember locks tousled in the morning breeze, adding a charming aura to her radiant beauty.

Bending over to catch her breath, she rasped. “Sorry…sorry, I had trouble…finding my way around!”

My warriors were instantly enamored by her appearance. Some gulped, others openly ogled. The remaining stared at her in a dazed stupor.

“She’s…the Lycan Heir’s Luna?”

“She’s more beautiful than the rumors described her.”

“To have such a goddess for a wife, our Lycan Heir is definitely the most fortunate Lycan of the Clan.”

My eyes swept her from head to toe, pausing at her long-sleeved blouse and ankle length skirt in displeasure. Not for the first time, I wondered how someone so innocent and pure looking could be so vain. This woman looked like she was showing up for a beauty pageant rather than a rigorous military training.

I snorted coldly at my trainees, who abruptly shut up, and I seared a cold gaze on the she-wolf. “You’re late. According to Section 3 of the Warrior Training Squad protocol, you’re officially discharged from further training. You can leave.”

Saira Malivik looked up, “Discharged? I didn’t even begin training. How can I be discharged?” She spat, all her exhaustion seeming to vanish as she straightened her posture and looked me in the eye. Her sapphire orbs blazed with fiery rage. It made my abdomen clench and my heart skip a beat.

The Moon Goddess must’ve truly taken her time when she created this wench. Her every frown could lead a male wolf astray.

“You’re late on the first day of training. That automatically disqualifies you from the Squad. That’s the rule here, and the rule every Lycan on the squad follows. Right, boys?”

“Right…” They replied sluggishly.

I glared at the trainees. They immediately straightened their postures and shouted with more force.

“Right, Commander!”

Much better. Satisfied, I turned to the she-wolf. “You heard them. The rule changes for no one. Not even for the Lycan Heir’s...Luna.” I sneered, then froze. No, not possible. I mentally cursed the b***h and the mate-bond for messing with my head. I couldn’t possibly be bitter.

Saira Malivik swept her gaze over the trainees before saying to me. “You know I’m new here. I don’t know my way around and…”

“You had an entire day to find the training ground yesterday.” I cut her off, not giving her the chance to finish her words. Instead of researching, I bet she had been busy wrapping Idris tighter around her finger. “Now, leave. You’re wasting all the trainees’ precious time.” I said, discarding all acts of pretense.

With this annoyance taken care of, I turned to face my warriors. But before I could begin the drill, the she-wolf chuckled and said, “You really can’t wait to get rid of me, can you? Sadly, I’m not someone you can shake away that easily.”

“What do you mean?” I scowled, not liking her arrogant manner of speech at all.

“According to the same Warrior Training Squad protocol, a new member who’s immediately discharged upon joining the squad has the right to object to the Commander’s dismissal. They have the right to issue the Commander a challenge.”

My heart palpitated. The trainees glanced between me and the she-wolf with barely concealed excitement flickering across their faces. Like me, they had obviously deduced the direction of the woman’s words…

“Commander Einas Raed, I, Saira Malivik, object to your dismissal and issue you the Challenge of Combat. If you manage to land three hits on me, I’ll immediately leave the Warrior Squad. But if you fail, you’ll take back your dismissal.” She declared.

A gust of wind blew. A cluster of dead leaves buffeted my nose. Her crisp voice echoed in the silent clearing, plunging the training field into a suffocating silence.

“Fuck.” I knew this b***h was nothing but trouble.