Dead Luna
Chapter 66

Amelia's POV

Over a breakfast of asparagus frittata, sausages, and fresh sweet cantaloupe, I go over what little I know of the attack. Alpha Thorn assures me that one of the culprits has been caught, and they will soon replace the rest of them before they can kidnap more innocent victims. It turns out that I had been unconscious for over 13 hours, which was far longer than they had expected. The doctor had been unable to determine all the various drugs that I had been injected with, but morphine and wolfsbane had been chief among them. I am once again thankful that Jackson and Glen had been able to get me out of that nightmare before any true harm came to me.

Without Ambrosia, I am at loss of what to do with myself this morning. Thankfully, Satus Pass pack was not a large one, with only about 535 pack members, and only about 38 unmated wolves. And being located near the Yakima Indian Reservation, many of the members were Native Americans and somewhat reluctant to leave. Therefore, only about 16 had actually shown interest in going to the mating ball.

Satus pass is more like Silver Falls in that they do actual farming, rather than gardens just for feeding pack members. But the farming they do is completely different. They have acres of corn, and a mid sized dairy operation, plus they grow some sugar beets and mint. Ornamental gardens are few and far between in this pack, mainly located within small front gardens of pack members homes, or contained within a few scattered pots to add color. I try wandering around the grounds looking for something interesting to do, when I see a few warriors training. I've been wanting to get back into training like I did as a teen, but I've been so busy. Plus I was hoping to train with my wolf.

I guess I let out a noticeable sigh, because Glen is asking me what's wrong.

"I want to train!" I say sadly. "I was planning to start up again once I shift."

"Actually, training without your Lycan might not be a bad idea," Glen states reasonably. "If you ever end up in another situation like yesterday where you don't have the ability to shift, you still need to be able to defend yourself!"

"I agree," Jackson says. "We could spar with you right now, to see your current fitness level and give suggestions for any improvements."

I happily take them up on the offer, and I begin to spar with Jackson, while Glen coaches. I'm amazed to replace that I'm actually stronger and faster than I was when I last trained, which was when I was 16, before everyone decided I was wolf-less, and therefore I could never be a warrior.

Jackson is caught off guard by how quickly I can move, and says so. Glen reminds him that since I have a Lycan, I will automatically be stronger and faster than your average she-wolf.

"In fact," Glen informs us, "once you shift, your body will actually grow several inches taller. You may have noticed in recent weeks that you are hungrier than normal, and probably think about food a lot, am I right? You are storing up extra energy for your first shift and a major growth spurt!"

I had not known that, but it must be true. I swear I've been obsessed with food lately! I try to eat healthy salads and plenty of fresh fruit, but I was snacking a lot between meals, and hadn't met a dessert yet that I could turn down.

This workout, training mainly in self defense, felt really good. Then Jackson and Glen switched rolls. Glen was also a Lycan, so he was a more formidable opponent. He also didn't go as easy on me. But this was a good thing, as I needed to see where I needed improvement, because I didn't ever want to be in another situation like I was in yesterday. Not that there had been much I could have done, as it was over before I realized anything was happening. But hopefully with training I might have been more aware, and I might avoid getting into a situation like that to begin with.

I had a tough time paired against Glen, but I wasn't completely hopeless either. I still remembered a few of the moves I had learned years ago. And after an hour we stopped because I was still a bit tired from having been drugged unconscious, and still being without Ambrosia.

Glen and Jackson then demonstrated a couple moves they felt I should know, which was entertaining as well as instructive. Jackson, being the smaller and weaker of the two wolves, was "me", and demonstrated how I should move in certain situations. I was shown where I should jab an opponent with my elbow if given a chance, or how I should kick or knee an attacker who grabs me from behind or from the front.

Finally I was feeling some satisfaction that I was doing whatever I could to utilize my time well during this forced downtime.

Afterwards we all hit the showers, and once I was dressed, Glen takes me aside and suggests that I call my parents. He had called my dad yesterday evening and given him a brief rundown of what had happened. And he had texted an update this morning that I was awake and fine. But that my parents were still worried and wanted to FaceTime at my convenience.

So I grab my cellphone and immediately call my mom. Dad is the one to answer, though.

"Hey, dad!" I say brightly, so he knows immediately that I'm perfectly fine. "Glen tells me you wanted me to call?"

"Are you ok? Do I need to send you more security?" Dad says, sounding just a little freaked out. "I knew you needed more protection!"

"I'm fine, dad." I reassure him. "Glen and Jackson were about to replace me within minutes, and they handled the situation exceedingly well. They got me medical attention as quick as they could. I'm perfectly safe and unharmed, although my Lycan is still knocked out from the wolfsbane."

Dad hisses at that. I guess he had been unaware about that part. Mom grabs the phone away and is is asking me more questions, which I answer while downplaying the actual danger I had been on. I even mention that I had chatted with the Moon goddess again, and that she was still protecting me, and that she was hoping this situation would result in those kidnappers facing judgement for their crimes, and how I was only ever in minimal danger.

Then I change the subject to the training I was doing with Glen and Jackson this morning. Mom and dad both agreed that was a fabulous idea. Dad still wanted to send more security for me, but I dissuaded him.

"More security means that people will figure out who I am," I reason. "Already I've had comments about how excessive it is for me to have 2 Gammas looking after me, one of which is obviously a Royal Gamma. Glen was able to make an excuse, saying it was a favor for having helped you and mom come together."

"Well, why shouldn't people know who you are?" Dad reasons back. "They will have to know eventually! You are my daughter, and therefore my heir is something should happen to me. You shouldn't be hidden away like I am ashamed of you."

"I just want to put off any official announcement until after my task is over for the moon goddess and I've chosen my mate." I state. "I don't want the spotlight on me anymore than it needs to be right now. It would make things very awkward." "That sounds reasonable to me, Alex." Mom says sticking up for me. "We can allow her this small measure of anonymity for just one more week!"

I hear them discuss things amongst themselves for a minute. And while I know dad isn't thrilled with the delay, he agrees.

"I hope you will both come to Bull Run on the night of the mating ball," I request. "It would mean a lot to me, to have my parents there when I shift for the first time."

"Yes, I will make that happen," dad agrees immediately. "I will want to have a little chat with my brand new son in law. And we will make the official announcement the next day."

I agree to that. But then dad insists on knowing my schedule for the next few days so I can meet the wolves he'd like to add to my pool of potential mates.

"Well, I don't know when Ambrosia will wake up. Moon goddess said it could take some time, as apparently she is very sensitive to drugs and alcohol," I let him know. "I won't leave Satus Pass until I can finish my appointments here, so I can't guarantee when I will be arriving or leaving from the Wenatchee pack or Gifford Pinchot. Those are the only packs I have left to visit after this one."

"Wenatchee is the closest to the King County pack, so that'll be the best opportunity." Dad informs me.

I tell him about my conversation with the moon goddess regarding adding more mates, and that he will probably be wasting his time, but he waves me off and says he will see me soon, and then we hang up.

And suddenly I'm starved for lunch. I hope lunch is good, since I've got a strong appetite after my morning workout.