Luke's P.O.V.

Dad and I sat at the kitchen island eating breakfast as Mom washed up and got things in order for the Luna meeting she was having today. Dad and I were going to make a couple of rounds around the borders, just for the fun of it.

There was a knock at the door, Dad looked up from his meal and went to the front door. Mom and I exchanged confused glances and I followed behind. I grinned as I saw Alpha Ashworth standing in the front doorway talking to Dad.

"Morning Luke," he grinned before looking behind me, "Morning Emma."

"Simon, what brings you here this hour of the morning?" Mom said wiping her hands on the dish towel. I looked at the big clock in the living room, it was only 8:00 a.m.

"It's Satur-training-day," Alpha Ashworth said laughing. "Ari came up with that term, I just thought Jonathan and Luke might be interested in seeing us in action."

I looked over to Dad and grinned. A chance to see the legendary Ashworth brothers in action was any wolf's dream. Dad grinned as well, "We'd love to. Beats border inspection any day."

I grinned before running upstairs slipping my phone in my back pocket and putting on my sneakers. I heard vaguely heard Mom trying to convince Alpha Ashworth to have some breakfast. I shook my head and waited until they were finished talking.

"I'll have them back with minimal bruising," Alpha Ashworth said casually. I heard Mom and Dad laughed before silence. I hesitated on the staircase, giving my parents some private time. I laughed as I heard Alpha Ashworth fake gagging and my parents laughing. I stuck my hands into my pockets before kissing Mom on her cheek and following the two alphas out the door.

I didn't join in the conversation as Dad and Alpha Ashworth talked for the entire walk. We kept on the outskirts of the community as we headed to the clearing where the Ashworth pack was training. My mind kept replaying what happened at the track two days ago. I'd never expect Xaden to beat me, never in a million years. He had the natural skill while I resorted to my alpha instincts and genes to keep up but in the end, it didn't even matter.

My wolf wasn't happy about that at all, I'd never felt such anger from him, from us. We wanted Xaden bloodied, limp and submissive, reminding him who was Alpha.

But I'd never felt such peace. I remember the wave of calm I felt at the sound of Anastasia's voice and her touch. It'd snap me back to reality, leaving me dazed and confused about it. Was that normal? Is that how your mate makes you feel?

"We're here," Alpha Ashworth said as we stood at the fringe of the clearing. I looked at him and bit wary of the increase in power I felt radiating off him now that he was back with his pack.

I looked up as I saw all the able warriors of the Ashworth in human form training. Alpha Ashworth stepped out of the clearing. Dad and I looked at each other before following him.

"We break the pack into 6 groups," Alpha Ashworth said proudly as we walked on the border of the arena. "Rowan teaches them speed, Jared's specialty is agility," he continued to explain as we walked past each son, "Ari and Asher simulate tag team attacks, Axel focuses on strength training," we ducked to avoid getting hit by a kettle ball which Alpha Ashworth easily tossed back, "and Damien specialises in one-on-one combat."

We stopped walking as we watched pairs of warriors wrestle each other under Damien's watchful eye. He walked around shouting encouragement, giving tips and occasionally demonstrating moves. I looked around in awe and impressed. They worked like a well-oiled machine, each brother commanding and an alpha in his own right.

"Each group spends an hour in with each of my sons," Alpha Ashworth says crossing his arms, "it's like clockwork."

"What about Nyal?" I asked, looking around for him.

Alpha Ashworth smiles, "Nyal spends most of the time gathering data about each member, their strengths, their weaknesses, etcetera. It helps us form top notch strategies and battle plans." 

His eyes glassed over and we saw Nyal in the distance. He looked over to us and nodded before resuming his work. "But don't think we pick on his brains alone, he has the most fun because in the seventh section of training," we followed Alpha Ashworth as he walked towards the centre of the clearing, "he's in charge of the obstacle course."

I whistled lowly as the obstacle course came into view. It was straight out of those military movies but something told me that Nyal and the rest of the Ashworth brothers added werewolf twists to it.

"This is an impressive regime you've got here Simon," Dad said, "but why are you showing us this?"

That had crossed my mind as well. No pack ever divulged pack secrets like training to others, even if they were allies. Nyal looked up as we approached and greeted us. He and Alpha Ashworth exchanged looks before their eyes glassed over as they spoke through their mind link.

The inviting smell of jasmine and peaches washed over me. I turned my head in the direction of the scent and I saw her.

My mate was tense as she scaled the log wall with some difficulty. I watched as Anastasia grit her teeth she rolled over the logs and tackled the pull up bars. I grit my teeth as I saw the bottom of her feet bloodied and torn as she pulled herself up the ropes and back down.

Nyal clicked his stopwatch and grimaced at the time, "11 minutes and 34 seconds." My eyes widened as Anastasia groaned and ran her hands through her hair in frustration. She walked over here, her eyes dejected as Nyal handed her a water bottle. She flopped to the ground and rubbed her eyes before turning her back to us. My wolf whimpered and bowed his head yearning to comfort her.

Alpha Ashworth cleared his throat, getting my attention. I ducked my head but he was clearly amused. "The reason why I'm showing you this," he gestured to the training ground, "is because despite all of this, our pack lost against the Nightwalker pack and I've come to realise that we can't win this fight...alone."

His words sunk in. He wanted us to join our packs to fight? I looked around, we would definitely benefit from the training and together our packs would create a strong legion. I looked at my Dad, whereas I would say yes in a heartbeat, he was a hard man to convince.

"Simon, I've given you a sanctuary, a place to rest and recover," Dad said calmly, "no offense my friend, it's my duty as Alpha, why should I put my pack in danger? We have no reason to attack the Nightwalker pack, for my pack, it'd be an unnecessary war."

Alpha Ashworth nodded, "I know it may seem unreasonable for the Blackwell pack to get involved Jonathan but the Nightwalker pack isn't going to stop at our lands. They're going take over all the big pack lands; they're already showing signs of invading on McDonald territory."

I frowned. I remembered the McDonald pack, they were strict but pleasant, having just recent reclaimed their land through a will and moving their entire pack from England to here. Their lands were fairly close to ours, Alpha Ashworth was right, this would soon become our problem.

"Still Simon," Dad said evenly, "I'm not going to put my pack at risk unnecessarily."

Alpha Ashworth's eyes shifted to his wolf's for a second. He unbuttoned his shirt exposing a nasty bite. Most of it was healed but there were purple marks dotting his skin, where the wolf's teeth had sunk in.

"I got this 2 months ago," he said calmly, "the night before I uprooted my pack from their homes. You'd think by now it would've healed, right? They're different from us. How? I don't know yet." He buttoned his shirt and I swallowed lightly. "I endured taunts and threats from Maximus for weeks. I had to listen to what he'll do to my men, the women, the kids, my sons, my daughter, to the remains of my wife!" His hands balled into fists as his eyes glassed over.

My wolf surged in fury as I clenched my jaw and fists. No one threatens our mate. I closed my eyes as my vision blurred, fighting my wolf and stopping myself from shifting. I exhaled sharply, ignoring the curious looks I was receiving.

"No pack needs to go through that," Alpha Ashworth continued, his voice strained but composed, "we have the experience of fighting them. We learnt from our mistakes and we're improving but we can't do it alone. I'm reaching out to the McDonald pack as well but we're short on time."

I looked over at Dad. My wolf and I were ready, itching to kill any bastard who dare threaten our mate and our pack but he was not totally convinced. I opened my mouth to say something but a cry of pain caused my mouth to snap shut and my head whipped over to the obstacle course. Anastasia was cradling her elbow as she sat under the rope climb, the two silver cuffs on her arm glinting in the sunlight.

Alpha Ashworth excused himself before walking over. He bent down, allowing Anastasia to piggy back on him as he returned with Nyal followed behind with his hands in his pockets.

"Oof," she said as her Dad deposited her on the ground. She kept her eyes on him as he examined her elbow.

"You've been at it since six o' clock this morning," he said sternly, "take a break."

"No, not until I can match my previous times," she said stubbornly before looking at Nyal, "how long did I take?"

"10 minutes and 18 seconds," Nyal said lowly. Anastasia groaned in defeat and rubbed her eyes. I felt her frustration, worry and disappointment through our bond. I looked away, fighting the urge to cradle and comfort her.

Alpha Ashworth studied Anastasia before kneeling next to her. She sat up and my heart clenched at the defeated look in her eyes. He didn't say anything as, to my surprise; he removed the cuffs from her arm. I hissed audibly as I saw faint pink marks where the silver cut and burned into her skin.

Anastasia stared at her now bare skin. Her eyes flickered dizzily between her skin and her dad. He pulled her up. "How's your elbow?"

Anastasia's eyes were sharper and bit harsher as she flexed her arm. I could sense that her wolf was fighting her but she was in control. I fought to keep my wolf under control as he wanted to meet his mate. "Better," she replied.

Alpha Ashworth nodded and gestured for her to go to the beginning of the obstacle course. "Nyal," he nodded at his son. Confusion was written all over Ana's face as she jogged over. Nyal nodded at his father who smirked. "Go!" he shouted.

Ana snapped into action. I watched in awe as she easily maneuvered through the obstacle course. Now that her wolf's presence was stronger, Ana moved faster, stronger, more agile as she overcome every obstacle faster than I thought was possible. My wolf and I were floored but proud of our mate as she conquered the course. 

I couldn't keep my eyes off of her as I watched her climb up the ropes. My breath caught in my chest as she let go of the ropes and fell to the ground, using the momentum to tumble and stop in a crouched position.

Nyal grinned as he stopped the watch. "4 minutes and 8 seconds!" he called before running over to join the small crowd that was circling Anastasia. My wolf and I were impressed and proud at how tough our mate was, she could lead our pack with her eyes closed. My stomach clenched at the thought.

"If you need any more proof," Alpha Ashworth said gravely, "I just corrected one of the mistakes I made when I decided to engage the Nightwalker pack." He crossed his arms before looking over at Dad, "I'm sure you can see how that mistake put us at a disadvantage."

"Your daughter is strong," Dad said. My wolf and I grinned with pride at the praise our mate was receiving. "But my concern is if she can control her wolf." My lips curled into a snarl, who dares doubt her? "I'll inform my council of your proposal Simon. You have my support but the final decision is not solely up to me."

Alpha Ashworth grinned, "Thank you Jonathan. The consideration is enough; I'll send you the proposal document tonight." I smiled as they shook hands

"Don't get your hopes up," Dad reminded him half-jokingly.

"Too late," Alpha Ashworth laughed. "But I'm just going to say this, if my sons and daughter are right, I can't stress how much time is of the essence."

I blocked out their conversation as the Ashworth brothers called everyone back to training. I walked over to Anastasia as she poured water from her bottle on the bottom of her feet to cool off. I cleared my throat and she looked up at me.

Our eyes locked and together they widened.

I stumbled forward with the force that pulled me to her. Anastasia bit her lip and my breathing hitched, wanting to bite her lip too. I could feel my wolf and instincts pushing me forward, wanting to be closer to her. I took a step closer, my eyes roaming Anastasia's body, taking the smooth toned skin exposed by her sports bra and running shorts. I didn't miss her doing the same to me.

I curiously ran my finger across the burns left from the silver. Anastasia whimpered and I closed my eyes to hide how much her pain affected me. I looked up at her, sensing that her wolf was present. My wolf fought me, trying to reach out to hers. Ana looked confused but she didn't shy away from my touch as I traced the burns. I felt her shiver and saw goose bumps rise across her skin. I smirked lightly, knowing that I made her feel this way. Anastasia opened her mouth to say something but was cut off by Dad calling my name.

"C'mon Luke," he shouted, "we've got work to do."

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair as she chuckled. I looked up and I fell in love with that shy smile.

"See you around?" she said. I didn't miss the level of hope in her voice.

"More often than you'll like," I replied lowly. I smirk as I see the blush appear on her cheeks. I send her a small smile as I walked over. I said goodbye to Alpha Ashworth, trying not to duck under his knowing gaze.

"How many girls do your mother and I have to consider for the Luna position Luke?" Dad asked as we walked along the border.

I was thrown off guard by his question but answered, "One."