"Show me your Kings, and I will show you the Queens that willed them, that bred them, that thought them to do better."
Nikita Gill, Of Kings and Queens.

Veronica

If a man takes charge, he is able. If a woman exhibits leadership, her capabilities are questionable.

I have never been this bored. Time stretched like a never-ending prairie, testing my unwearied patience.

It hasn't been long since training started and I've already used up most of my energy just listening to the whining of these so-called warriors, who seemed to have taken the sexist ideology of misogyny for breakfast.

It was early in the morning, just in time for their training so we decided to pay them a visit to asses their skills. The group, mostly composed of men refused to train.

Particularly with me.

        "We don't want to take orders from a woman who isn't one of us," one warrior barked as his nose scrunched with antagonism.

        Goddess these wolves need to cut me some slack. I haven't even recovered from last night's unfortunate encounter, I thought.

        Speaking of which, said Ezra. I haven't seen prince charming since this morning. Only the Gamma is here.

        Much better, I retorted.

Rain-like chatters broke the silence. With arms crossed, I stood at a corner leaning against the wall, watching them as they flashed scrutinizing glares at me from time to time.

"Is she a wolf?...no."

"Never heard of her. Only the Chief warriors."

"...one of the Royals... she doesn't deserve it"
"Was she at The Selections?"

"Never seen her fight."

"rumors..."

"mother said...yeah before... she looked like her."

"...got Luna Lily killed."

This is going to be tougher than I thought. Centuries have passed and I have seen societies evolve but still, humans and our kind are caged with myopia and stagnation, blinding them of the endless wonders that can be brought about by men and women working together. Instead, they stick to their mindset of glorified patriarchy and gender gratification towards who should hold power and privilege.

       "She's one of the best in the Legion. I have fought alongside her myself. Surely the notable warriors of the New Moon Pack wouldn't have any issue with that." Akira protested, noticeably failing to look calm.

       "No. They wouldn't have."

Speaking of the devil.

Looking as depleted as I am, Alpha Archer entered the training grounds with his Beta, passing by me unceremoniously.

Woke up on the wrong side of the bed eh? Ezra ribbed.

Negative, I replied. With an attitude like that, I think he wasn't able to sleep at all.

        "We don't want to disappoint our distinguished guests now would we Daniel?" Alpha Archer said to his warrior as he settled himself on my opposite side of the platform.

        "But Alpha-"

        "Daniel is it?" I asked as I impatiently proceeded towards him so we can be face to face. Alex and the rest of my pack members moved away from the platform, sharing glances of understanding of what's about to go down. The confused warriors followed.

        "Yes?"

        "Fight and shift," I ordered while I put a bandage on my arms, my voice lightly emanating a dominating tone causing him to slightly flinch.

        "But I don't know what you are. You're obviously not a wolf," he rebelled. "I don't want to waste my time playing with you. I want to train."

        "You underestimate me," I said then eyed Akira. "Give me some daggers."

Akira complied and tossed mine, which I caught swiftly, letting it play along my fingers.

        "Daniel, do you know who your enemy is?"

        "Yes," he responded with his brows furrowed. "Filthy rogues and stubborn hunters."

        "Good then do you know their individual fighting styles? Do you need to be assigned to someone to fight with during battle? Do you like the enemy?" I asked.

He scoffed. "You're kidding me, right? Of course not! Rogues are rogues! Hunters are hunters!"

Me and my pack members chuckled at his response. I looked the rest of the warriors and at Alpha Archer who was cautiously waiting for my next words.

        "Why do you refuse me then?" I asked.

          Ezra chortled. Veronica is that for the warrior or for your issue with the Alpha?

Shut up wolf before I bury you in my subconscious.

I returned my attention to the dubious pup in front of me. "Now listen well and listen good. That's kind of the point, isn't it? You don't know me or how I fight. You dislike me and refuse to train with me. Treat me as your enemy. Isn't this perfect for training?"

        "On the battlefield, you have no idea of who or what will be your opponent. Be it a man or a woman, wolf or not. Two things are sure: one will live and one will die. Now choose."

Getting the idea through his thick skull, he positioned himself into a fighting stance.

        "Don't go running back to mummy later. I'll go easy on you woman," he sneered.

         "My vagina is not an excuse for you to grow some balls," I scowled, quickly pivoting my heels to a great whirling movement, jabbing my daggers towards him.

I heard him grunt as he staggered back in an attempt to dodge my sudden attack. Much to my liking, his nose flared as he growled, his bones cracked as they lengthened, his body now swept with fur.

        "Here boy," I mocked, calling him like the dog he is.

He jumped forward, in hopes of tackling me. Using my sharp senses I slid under him before he landed, slashing, leaving a generous cut on his hind legs. Not having enough time to recover, once his paws hit the ground, he turned to lunge at me again with his growls roaring like thunder.

Not fast enough. I smirked at the thought of this bleeding legs.

I bolted forward, letting him meet me. Every calculated step that I take harmonized with my breathing. He hovered above me on all fours, pinning my arms on the floor.

His fellow warriors cheered. I grinned.

They need to save it for me for later.

I shifted the direction of my daggers inwards, towards his forefoot that clawed my arms. With all my might I gashed, like what I did with his hind legs. He whimpered as his grip loosened, the slippery pool of his fresh blood didn't help him to keep his balance either. All his four legs wobbled, so I took the golden opportunity to send him flying across the platform.

The cheers stopped and the eyes of the bystanders were as big as the "o" in their mouths.

        Time for the grand finale.

I sprinted towards as I threw my daggers on the floor. The injured wolf did exactly what I predicted he'll do once he tries to block my incoming attack. He ran then lifted his forefeet towards me. I jumped, grabbed his open mouth from his snarling then moved to wrap my legs at his neck. In one swift move, I forcefully dropped my body backward, legs still wrapped tightly at his neck then flipped him over. With a loud thud, his body was smashed on the ground. Writhing on the now blood coated floor, his paws tried to claw my legs that were blocking his air the more reason for me to wrap my legs tighter.

        "Ronnie, stop," Alexander ordered. "You're killing him."

Realizing that I'm too caught up in the moment, I let go of the wolf who started to shift back to human form, still gasping for air. I wiped the blood sparged on my face then looked for my daggers.

        "Who's next? We don't have all day." I asked.

The warriors just gaped at each other, waiting for someone to speak up or volunteer themselves. I began to look up for the daggers I threw during the fight. After finding the first one, I was surprised to find the Alpha Archer himself standing in front of me, handing the remaining dagger I was looking for.

What he said next was enough to have my jaws floored.

"Fight me."

Chapter 12 hello! How was it! I'm sorry for ending the chapter like this!

but there is more to come because I will be updating soon!

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