Chapter 32
Chapter 32
FAYE
I tilted my head slightly, waiting for Kyle to explain what exactly he’d meant when he said that the female warriors had their own sessions, and that these are the special squad.
He’d said it so casually, as though I should already know the difference.
“The female warriors have their session sometimes,” he explained, gesturing toward the far side of the yard where several wolves were sparring in tight, efficient movements. “But these…” his chin tipped toward the center group “…these are the special squad.”
Something about his tone had made me pause. When he just stood there smiling as though he had finished explaining, I realized I wasn’t going to get any more explanation from him if I didn’t ask. “Special squad,” I repeated slowly. “So… is that how things work around here? The female warriors aren’t allowed to be part of this particular group?”
Kyle gave me a careful look, one of those subtle glances men sometimes give when they’re trying to gauge if you’re spoiling for a fight. “It’s not that they’re not allowed,” he said. “It’s just
the squad’s built for certain missions. Fast response, high aggression, minimal hesitation. It’s usually made up of the most seasoned fighters. Traditionally, most of those have been
male.”
Traditionally…right. I could practically hear the unspoken that’s just the way it’s always been. I has suspected that their way of doing things was a lot different from how we did things in Silver Hollow. I couldn’t help but imagine the possibility of a female warrior like myself being
the Delta here in Blood Crescent
I folded my arms loosely, finding this conversation more interesting now. “And you’ve never had a female fighter qualify?”
Kyle hesitated, then shrugged one shoulder. “Not in my time as commander. A few have come close. But the physical demands are… extreme. Most of them give up along the way during the second stage of training.”
I let that settle, though my mind was already chewing on it. I’d been a Delta once. I knew what “extreme” meant, and I knew it wasn’t something only men could handle…. however, it also wasn’t something a wolf who enjoyed too much comfort could handle. To be a successful female warrior required a lot of sacrifice.
Trying to keep my voice casual, I asked, “This special squad…do they train like this everyday?
”
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“Not everyday.” Kyle said, his gaze flicking back to the sparring warriors. “Today’s different. They’re going on an assignment tomorrow. I don’t have the full details yet, but Alpha Alexander asked for them to warm up and be at their sharpest.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Assignment?”
What assignment? So, something was really going on then… because why would Alexander need the special squad specifically to warm up for some assignment the same day he was acting so paranoid? I hope a war isn’t knocking.
Kyle nodded, though his expression shifted toward uncertainty. “That’s what I was told. I’m not exactly sure what it’s going to be yet… Beta Cole came to deliver the message. I’m sure the Alpha will explain everything himself tomorrow.”
I just nodded, though inside my thoughts were far from calm. Even the warriors knew there was something happening tomorrow. And me…the Luna…hadn’t been told a single thing, not even a whisper.
1 kept my face neutral, but inside there was a slow, simmering frustration.
What was this “assignment“? And did it have anything to do with Alexander’s sudden fixation on security? The way he’d all but ordered Irene and I to stop going anywhere without protection was suspicious.
I knew something was wrong. I’d felt it the moment I saw his eyes tighten earlier in the office, the way he’d shut down my questions before they could start. And now here was confirmation–warriors being warmed up for something, special squads being pulled together, and me kept entirely in the dark.
If I were being honest, that bothered me almost more than Alexander’s coldness. Not just the secrecy…but what it implied.
They didn’t trust me, or maybe Alpha Alexander didn’t.
I forced myself to smile at Kyle, masking the discomfort in my chest. “Well,” I said lightly, “I suppose I’ll just have to wait until tomorrow to find out what all the mystery is about.”
“Guess so.” Kyle’s tone was polite, but I could tell he wasn’t going to push the conversation further. Something told me he wouldn’t have said anything more, even if he had all the details…he looked too disciplined to be a gossip. Besides, he’d assume I have more access to those details anyway.
I glanced toward the sparring group again. The warriors were moving with so much efficiency, their bodies a blur of muscle and motion. My fingers itched with the urge to join them–not just to stretch my muscles, but to prove something.
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“Maybe,” I said slowly, “we could have a sparring session sometime…you and I.”
Kyle blinked at me, clearly caught off guard. “You’re serious?”
+25 Points
“Why not?” I tilted my head at him, letting a small smirk tug at the corner of my mouth. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid I’ll embarrass you in front of your special squad.”
He laughed, a deep, amused sound. “I’m not afraid, Luna. But I am wondering if you know what you’d be signing up for. I don’t know how to go easy during sparing sessions.”
“Oh, I know,” I said, meeting his gaze steadily. “In fact… I can’t wait to see what you’ve got.”
For a brief moment, he studied me like he was reassessing everything he’d assumed about me when I first walked into the yard. Then, with an almost playful bow, he said, “Alright then, see you around, Luna Faye.”
I smiled and nodded, though the warmth in it didn’t quite reach my eyes. “See you around, Commander.”
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