The Alpha's Luna was shot

01

Ace

« Punch harder! » I growled out, my voice cutting through the rhythmic sound of fists against punching bags. Sweat glistened on the fighters' skin, their muscles straining with each punch, each kick. My eyes roamed over the pack's fighters, each one pushing themselves to the limit. It was the only way we could stay prepared for anything that might come our way. The rogues, the packs out for our land, or whatever else could threaten the stability we'd worked so hard to build.

« Make sure you guys focus on the bags! » Zylen, my beta, shouted from across the training ground. Her sharp eyes never missed a mistake, and the way she barked commands had the fighters following her every word without hesitation.

I stood by, hands clasped behind my back, watching the chaos unfold with a feeling of quiet pride. These fighters had come a long way from the group of inexperienced wolves we'd once had. They were stronger, faster, and more efficient than I could have ever imagined. The younger generation of fighters was shaping up to be an incredible asset to the pack.

« Nice. » I nodded to myself as I observed their technique. « Keep it up, everyone! You're doing great. »

« They are getting better, » Colby, my Third, commented, his voice carrying the kind of pride I shared. He was right. The fighters had improved significantly, and I was seeing the results of our hard work.

« I agree. This generation of fighters will be great alongside the fighters we have now. We're building something strong. » I said, crossing my arms over my chest. « Water break, everyone. Make sure you stay hydrated. It's really hot today. »

The fighters quickly stopped, their grunts subsiding as they shuffled toward their water bottles. I watched as they downed the cool liquid, their bodies catching their breath before the next round of training began. The heat was intense today, but it wasn't anything they couldn't handle. The training wasn't just about physical strength; it was about endurance, mental toughness.

Zylen stepped closer to me, her expression serious. « Hey, Ace, I think we should call it a day. It's really hot, and I don't want them to overheat. It won't be good for them. »

I looked up at the sky, my eyes squinting against the harsh yellow sun hanging in the sky. The humidity clung to the air, making it feel even hotter. Zylen was right. It was dangerous to push them any harder in this weather. Overheating could lead to injury, and I wasn't about to risk any of my fighters for the sake of pushing them beyond their limits.

« You're right, » I said after a moment of thought. « I don't want anyone fainting and having to rush them to the pack clinic. That'd be a nightmare. »

Zylen's eyes softened, but she gave a firm nod. « I'll go tell them. »

Colby, who had been silently observing, stepped forward. « I'll help. We'll get them settled and make sure they get plenty of water. »

« Thank you, both of you, » I said, giving them both a respectful nod.

As they walked off to break the news to the pack, I remained standing on the edge of the training area, my gaze still lingering on the fighters. The sweat dripping down their faces, the steady rhythm of their breath-it reminded me of what we stood to protect. Every ounce of their effort was for the pack. For our future.

Zylen returned quickly, her eyes flashing with a mixture of concern and anger. She was clearly irritated by something.

« Guess who took out another pack? » she growled, her tone laced with frustration.

I turned to her sharply, my gut tightening at her words. « Who? »

« Those rogues. » Zylen clenched her fists, the anger in her voice palpable. « The damn rogues took out another pack. »

A low growl rumbled in my chest at the mention of the rogues. The threat they posed was growing, and every time I heard about another pack falling, it made my blood boil. « They're going to die. They're pushing us too far. » My words were fierce, the anger evident in my tone.

Colby, now back by my side, looked between Zylen and me. « Did I hear you right, Zy? Another pack? »

Zylen nodded grimly. « Yeah, I got word from the alpha over at the Moon Dust Pack. His neighboring pack got wiped out. They were going to hit him next, but his defenses held strong. »

I exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over my face. « That's a first. No one's ever managed to stop those rogues before. »

Zylen's lips pressed into a thin line. « Well, the training techniques have gotten better over the years. And that's a pretty strong pack. The fact that they held off the rogues says something. »

I nodded, agreeing with her. « I'm glad we have a treaty with him. I don't think we'd stand a chance without it. The Moon Dust Pack is strong, and their leader's not someone to take lightly. »

Colby's face softened, and he let out a heavy sigh. « I'm just glad they made it through. I know how much this could've cost them. That kind of attack... it's hard to survive. »

« Yeah, » I said, my voice quieter now. « The rogues are relentless. But that alpha, he's a good man. He helped us when we were rebuilding the Luna Pack. I owe him big time for that. »

Zylen's eyes softened, but her expression quickly shifted back to focus. « He's lucky to have you as an ally, Ace. If those rogues had hit the Moon Dust Pack, there's no telling what could have happened. We might have lost a strong ally. »

« Your parents would be proud of you, Ace, » Zylen added with a gentle smile, her eyes full of warmth.

I glanced at her, a small smile tugging at my lips. « Yours too, Zy. And yours as well, Colby. We're doing this together. They'd be proud of all of us. »

Colby didn't share the same easy smile. Instead, he let out a sad sigh, his gaze distant. « I hope so. I'm trying my best at being Third. But no one could ever replace my dad. He was... the best. »

I placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to offer some comfort. « I hear ya, Colby. You're doing great. Your dad would be proud of you. I'm proud of you. We all are. »

Zylen nudged him with her shoulder. « Don't be so hard on yourself. You're doing exactly what your dad would have done. You're leading the pack the best you can. We all see it. »

Before Colby could respond, a sharp voice cut through the air. « Alpha! »

I turned quickly, my senses going on alert. April, one of my trackers, was rushing toward us, her eyes wide with alarm.

« What's wrong? » I asked, already bracing myself for bad news.

« Rogues, Alpha! » April growled. Her tone was full of urgency. « They've been spotted near the border. They're gathering forces. »

My blood ran cold at the news. It was happening again. The rogues were on the move, and this time, they were getting closer.

« Damn it, » I muttered under my breath. « Get everyone ready. We won't let them get past our borders. »

Zylen and Colby were already in motion, moving toward the pack's fighters. I turned to April. « How many? »

« At least fifty, » she replied, her voice steady despite the fear that was evident in her eyes. « They're moving fast. »

I exhaled slowly, my fists clenching at my sides. « Then we move fast too. Get the word out to everyone. No one is to be caught off guard. »

As April nodded and ran off to spread the word, I looked out over the pack's grounds. This was it. The fight we'd all been preparing for was finally here.

Chapter 02

« Is it them ? » Zylen asked, her voice low and serious.

« No, Beta Zylen. It's not them. » April said, shaking her head as she looked at the ground, a hint of frustration creeping into her tone. « Some of the trackers sniffed them out near the south border. Patrol in a five-mile radius is closing in on them. There are only a couple. »

I frowned. The south border. It was far from where we usually had problems. But it wasn't something to ignore. Not with the threats we'd been dealing with lately.

« Good. I'll be there in a second with some fighters. » I said, keeping my voice steady as I turned to Zylen. « April, take charge of the patrols. We'll handle this. »

April nodded, her face set in determination as she bowed respectfully and ran off, her form quickly disappearing into the woods. I didn't have to tell her twice. She knew what was expected.

« Let's get the newbies, » I ordered, turning to Zylen.

Zylen raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at her lips. « Are you sure they're ready to actually fight? »

I met her gaze, letting her see the certainty in my eyes. « We'll be right there with them, just in case. April said it was a small group. Colby, grab some of our experienced fighters to stand by with the newbies. »

Colby, standing by my side, nodded without hesitation, her expression briefly turning thoughtful before she focused on the task at hand. Her eyes glazed over as she connected with the pack through the mental link, giving orders to the others.

After a moment, Colby's eyes cleared, and she gave me a short, confirming nod.

« Well then, let's go, » Zylen said, her smirk growing as she shifted.

In a blur of motion, her body contorted, her human form becoming the sleek and powerful blonde wolf she was. Her fur shimmered in the moonlight, a beautiful mix of golden and cream, her eyes dark brown with a distinctive red circle around her left eye.

Her wolf growled, the sound rumbling deep in her chest, as she crouched low to the ground, ready for whatever came next. She was always eager for a fight.

« Let's kick some wolf ass, » Colby winked, her voice tinged with excitement as she too shifted.

Colby's wolf was a striking contrast. Her fur was a deep red, almost like fire, and her forest green eyes sparkled with intensity. There was a bold red stripe across her left eye, marking her as a fighter, a warrior. Her body was slightly smaller than Zylen's, but the power in her stance suggested she was just as dangerous.

« Your turn, Ace, » Zylen called out from where she stood tall and proud in her wolf form.

I nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. I loved this-loved the thrill of the chase, the adrenaline that coursed through my veins. As the experienced fighters rushed to my side, I didn't waste any time. They were ready, just like I was.

« Let's do this, » I said with a growl, the words coming out like a challenge. My fighters responded with an eager growl of their own, shifting into their wolf forms one by one. The sound of their transformations echoed through the clearing, their powerful bodies shaking off the weight of their human forms.

I jumped forward, shifting mid-air. The familiar, exhilarating sensation of my bones cracking and reshaping, my muscles expanding and contracting, was something I could never get used to, and I didn't want to. It was freedom.

'Feels good to be let out,' Ava, my wolf, laughed inside my mind, her voice filled with excitement.

I shook my silver fur out, feeling the cool night air ruffle through it. The color of my wolf was something I was always proud of. Bright, shiny silver, a rare and beautiful shade that gleamed in the moonlight. Above my left eye was a white crescent moon, a symbol that had been passed down through generations of our pack.

I looked around at the others, my bright electric blue eyes scanning the group of warriors. I knew what they were capable of. They were fierce, well-trained, and loyal. We were a tight-knit pack, and tonight, we would show the world just how strong we were.

With a sharp, commanding bark, I led the charge, sprinting ahead. Zylen quickly caught up to my left side, her blonde wolf easily keeping pace. Colby was right on my right, her red wolf matching my speed as we tore through the forest. The others were close behind, their presence a comforting reminder that we weren't alone in this.

Our pack was fast. During training, we focused on speed as much as strength. It was an edge that we had over many other packs. It didn't take long for us to close the distance to the south border.

'There!' Colby's voice crackled in my mind, alerting us as she picked up the scent of the strangers.

I slowed down, dropping into a walk. There was no need to rush anymore. They were close, but we had the element of surprise.

'On my count,' I said through the pack link, my mind sharp and focused. I glanced over at Zylen and Colby, who nodded in agreement, their eyes hard with determination. 'Ready to show us what you got, newbies?'

A chuckle bubbled up from Ava, the sound of it vibrating through my chest. She was eager, just as I was. We had trained the newbies well, but this would be their first real test. I had no doubt they could handle it, but that didn't mean I wasn't going to be right there with them.

'Always ready,' Colby's voice was a playful growl.

Zylen didn't say anything, but the look in her eyes spoke volumes. She was always ready for battle.

As we closed in on the group of intruders, the scent grew stronger. There were only a few of them-April had been right-but I didn't take that as a sign of weakness. It could be a trap.

We stopped at the edge of a clearing. The air was thick with tension. I could see the figures ahead, barely visible in the shadows. The strangers were unaware of our approach.

I took a deep breath, centering myself. « On my count, » I said again, my voice low, almost a growl. « Three... two... one. »

And with that, we moved as one, launching ourselves into the clearing, ready to take down whatever threat lay before us.

'Oh hell ya, alpha!' They all growled.

'Be careful, guys. It might be a small group, but you all need to focus. We have your backs,' Zylen encouraged.

'Attack,' I said.

My new fighters growled and rushed forward. The air was thick with the scent of danger, but I trusted my pack. They'd been training hard, and now it was time to see if they could stand up to the challenge.

I smiled with pride as I watched them all follow their orders. Each of them displayed raw power, their movements fluid and precise. They fought like wolves, like the predators they were meant to be.

I watched as the new fighters took out rogue after rogue. Each strike, each bite, was calculated and deadly. They weren't as experienced as some of my older pack members, but they made up for it with determination and strength.

'Let's go, guys!' I yelled through the link as I ran to help out. I didn't want them to tire themselves out too quickly. The rogues may have been few, but they were vicious and wouldn't hesitate to tear us apart if we let our guard down.

I growled, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I lunged for a rogue that charged one of my new fighters. The rogue's eyes gleamed with malice, but I was faster. I slammed into him, knocking him to the ground, and within seconds, I had my jaws around his throat, ripping it out with a single, brutal motion. His body went limp beneath me.

'Oh fuck no you don't,' Ava growled, her voice a sharp edge in the chaos.

She appeared beside me, moving like a shadow, and with a swift check to the rogue's side, she sent him sprawling. Without missing a beat, Ava bent down and swiftly tore out his throat, blood spilling from the wound as he collapsed.

'That'll teach him to mess with my pack,' Ava spat, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction as she wiped blood from her muzzle.

'Alpha!' I heard one of my new fighters, Cole, yell.

I quickly turned around and saw him struggling to protect Amy, another one of my new fighters. She was backed into a corner by three rogues, and Cole was trying to keep them off her. His movements were good, but he was still green. I growled, my eyes flashing as I charged in.

'Zylen, Colby. Watch the rogues real quick,' I said through the link, dodging a rogue that lunged at me with claws outstretched.

Haha, bitches! I'm an alpha. Nice try.

I wasn't going to let Cole fall. I could see the desperation in his eyes.

'Duck, Cole!' I yelled, my voice cutting through the battlefield.

Without hesitation, Cole dropped to the ground, and I leapt over him. My body soared through the air, and I landed squarely on the back of one of the rogues, sinking my teeth deep into his neck. His surprised snarl was cut short as I tore into his flesh, feeling his life slip away beneath me.

'Get Amy to the clinic! I'll take care of these punks,' I commanded in my alpha tone. Cole needed to listen. He didn't have time to argue.

'Y-yes, alpha,' Cole stammered, his voice shaky but resolute.

He and an older fighter, a seasoned warrior with a grizzled face, shifted into their wolf forms. Together, they managed to pick up Amy's injured wolf and began hauling her toward safety, their eyes scanning the perimeter for any more threats.

'Let's tango,' Ava smirked, her voice dripping with confidence as she stared at the remaining two rogues.

They both growled and lunged at us, their wild eyes fixed on Ava and me.

Ava laughed, her voice wild with excitement, and she jumped straight up into the air. The two rogues collided with each other mid-flight, their growls turning to screams of pain. The impact echoed through the clearing, and I couldn't help but grin. Ava was a force to be reckoned with.

I didn't wait for them to regroup. I swiveled in mid-air and dove straight down, aiming for the last remaining rogue.

'Nose dive!' Ava growled out as she landed directly on top of one of the rogues, her weight driving him into the ground.

I heard a sickening snap as she crushed his neck, her wolf's jaws clamping down like a vice. The rogue went limp almost instantly. Ava stood, her chest heaving with exertion, a wicked grin on her face.

I turned to face the last rogue, who was now backing away slowly, his eyes wide with fear. It was a rare sight to see a rogue afraid, but this one was. His body language screamed hesitation. The rogue knew he was outmatched, but he wasn't ready to give up just yet.

I could hear his low growl, but it lacked conviction. I watched in amusement as two of my best fighters, Mike and Wes, moved behind him silently. The twins were masters of stealth, moving like shadows in the night.

The rogue's growl faltered as he took a step backward, right into the waiting hands of Mike and Wes.

'Let's go,' Mike laughed, his voice like dark honey as Wes grabbed the rogue's leg with a vice-like grip, pulling him back.

The rogue struggled for a moment, but the twins were too strong, too fast. Mike and Wes worked in perfect synchronization, and within seconds, they had the rogue pinned to the ground. The rogue's desperate snarls turned into pitiful whimpers as Mike and Wes shifted into their full wolf forms, their eyes glowing with the intensity of the pack.

'This is where your fight ends,' Wes growled, his teeth bared.

The rogue tried to shift, to break free, but he was no match for the combined strength of the twins. Mike was already on top of him, his jaws closing around the rogue's throat with a final, lethal snap.

'All clear,' Mike said, his voice steady despite the blood on his fur.

I looked around the battlefield, taking a deep breath to steady myself. The rogues were all taken care of, but the adrenaline was still pumping through my veins. My pack stood tall, their eyes bright with victory. There were injuries, of course, but nothing too serious. Amy would be okay. She was in good hands.

I walked over to Cole, who was standing by Amy's side, his eyes wide with awe and respect. 'You did good, Cole,' I said, nodding toward him.

'Thanks, alpha,' he said, his voice filled with gratitude.

I clapped him on the shoulder, proud of how far he had come in such a short time. My pack was growing stronger every day.

'Let's get back to the camp,' I said, turning to head back toward the clearing where the rest of the pack was regrouping. 'We've earned a rest, but don't get too comfortable. The rogues are getting bolder, and we'll need to be ready for whatever comes next.'

Ava, now back in her human form, smiled as she joined me. 'That was fun,' she said, her voice light, but I could tell she was already thinking ahead. She was always sharp like that.

'It was a good fight,' I agreed, scanning the horizon. 'But this isn't over. We've got work to do.'

'We'll be ready,' Ava said, her confidence unwavering.

And I knew she would be. All of them would be.