Finally another update! I'm sorry for being late! >_<
Please enjoy!
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The messenger I'd sent to retrieve Amelia returns to tell me that she would be down shortly. I turn back to observing the cubs in front of me, all of them warming up for the training session ahead. Snow blanketed the ground still, so it's a good time to practice take downs and endurance. To see how long they could last in the cold. In wolf form they may be able to withstand the cold easily but the human body needs conditioning as well.

They needed to learn not to rely on their wolves so much, and to only use that power when absolutely necessary.

"What are we going to teach them today?" Asks Orion.

"I thought we'd work on their endurance and do a little sparing... And there's the perfect person to help with that here."

"Her?" He says surprised.

"Yes, why not use an asset while you've got it." I say.

And then the smell of roses and water enters my nostrils, a strangely warm smell among the cold region that we lived in. But it was a smell that no one could ever forget and certainly one that I've never forgotten.

No matter how much I've wanted to.

I turn my head to see Amelia approaching, dressed in training gear. The top made of leather and fitted into the form of a vest her bottoms pants that are tucked into her boots. Her light brown hair is down around her and her hazel eyes meet mine as she greets me.

"Alpha..."

"Amelia."

"You called for me?"

I turn back to the front where the Cubs are still warming up, but I can tell that some of their attention is now tuned to Amelia. "You're going to help train the Cubs."

"Putting me to work already?"

I choose to ignore the comment.

She sighs softly. "What will you have me do, Alpha?"

"You're going to help Orion, and help them work on their endurance and self-defense in human form."

"Not wolf too?"

I shake my head. "They are long away from that day in which they can take Orion and you on in wolf form."

I could practically hear her slight smile.

"Of course sounds good."

"Aren't you cold? You're legendary for your resistance to the cold, but even you should be having a tough time right now."

I was in a long sleeved shirt with another thin layer on it and I was feeling a bit chilly.

Her smile disappears and there is a shift in the atmosphere. "Being on the outside, made me have to adapt more to my surroundings. I got used to being cold and alone." She cuts the connection, looking away from me.

I turn away as well not knowing what to say. "Alright, cubs listen up!" the whole court yard becomes still and quiet, much different from the first time that they were here and it took me several times to get them to pay attention. "Today you'll be training with Orion to work on your endurance and fighting skills, in human form."

I can see the disappointment on their faces, and I remember my own training days when this one arrived.

"No complaining, now find a sparing partner." As they move I add one more thing on to the end of my sentence, I could see their eyes flickering over to Amelia uneasily as they moved around. "As I'm sure you've noticed, Amelia will be joining Orion today in training, don't be afraid to as her questions. She doesn't bite..." I smirk. "That much."

Now they all looked a little bit more scared, about her being here.

"Begin."

Amelia walks past me without a word to observe the Cubs, again her warm scent fills my nostrils, it was still very off putting from our surroundings and it didn't coincide with her behavior.

What happened to you out there, Millia?

***

The fighting portion of the training went well, most of the Cubs had taken well to Amelia's assistance, some of who I thought couldn't improve, but under her instruction they flourished, but now it was time for the endurance part of training.

"Amelia."

"Yes, Alpha?" Despite us having been outside for almost two hours, she looked completely unbothered by the cold.

"What in the world? I don't remember her being this immune, even in wolf form." Says Orion. "What happened to her out there?"

"That's what I want to know... Her nickname isn't the frostbitten wolf for nothing."

"Right."

"I want you to train the Cubs in endurance, Orion will assist you."

Her eyes flash in uncertainty. "Are you sure, Alpha?"

"Yes, I've got an asset and I'm going to use it."

Her eyes go as flat as bronze. "As you wish, Alpha." Her head snaps to the front. "Alright, Cubs. Since this is going to be your first lesson in endurance I'm going to need you to take your coats off, and we'll start with ten minutes of standing time."

"What's the point of this? We've got our wolves, why would we ever been caught in the cold without being in wolf form?" Asks one.

"Because you need to learn when and when not to use your wolves, there are certain situations where you cannot use your wolf, when a split second of you being able to last ten minutes out in the cold could mean life and death for you and the royal family." She walks straight in front of him, her hands behind her back. "And death is not an option for either parties, if you can't handle a little bit of cold then leave, we do not have time to waste on you." She looks up at the rest of the group. "Do I make myself clear?"

They are all silent.

"She asked you a question." Says Orion.

"Yes, ma'am." They all respond.

Although Orion didn't trust her. He still respected her as the leader she once was, she still had that aspect of her attitude.

Once an Alpha, always an Alpha, attitude wise anyways.

I turn around and head back up to the den to finish up some paper work.

"Where are you going, Alpha?" Asks Orion.

"You two have got things handled here, I'm just in the way. Give me a report when you're done!" I tell them without turning around.

There is a silent acknowledgement as I hear Amelia resume talking.

***

About thirty minutes later there is a knock on the door breaking me from the monotonous tone of paper work. A break for which I am grateful.

"Enter!"

Amelia and Orion appear at the doorway, both of them covered in a light dusting of snow. But this time Amelia's shoulders are covered by Orion's jacket, the whole thing swallowing their scents mixing the off putting warm smell mixed with the clear crisp scent of water and mint that usually is associated with my beta.

My wolf growls.

"What's the report?" I ask.

"They did well, as you can see it lasted longer than it was supposed to. They all wanted to push themselves. We actually had to force them inside once it started snowing because the ones who were left didn't want to leave." Orion tells me.

"Bridge?"

He nods.

As to be expected, Bridge's endurance is almost on par with Amelia's the last time we saw her three years ago. My eyes flicker over to her, she stood there silently as Orion gave his report and she made no move to remove the jacket from around her.

My wolf growls again.

"Very, good. I'm sure they'll only improve and be ready in no time. You're dismissed."

"Yes, Alpha." They both respond, turning to leave the room.

"Except for you Amelia, please stay for a moment."

She cuts her eyes at me before removing the jacket from around her and hands it to Orion, quietly thanking him before he shuts the door behind him.

I feel myself relax, tension being gone that I didn't realize I had.

There is a silence between us, an awkward one that you could cut with a knife.

"If there is nothing you need, I will be taking my leave." She says.

"Wait, I held you back to thank you... For your help with the Cubs."

"I did as I was ordered, there is nothing to thank me for."

"But you could've refused to do it, and not shown up."

"I cannot disobey an order from my Alpha. I took an oath." She stares at me directly in the eyes. "Besides I am merely an asset to be used, as you put it."

I am speechless.

"If that is all, I will bid you farewell."

She's gone before I can utter another word.

Shit.

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Another chapter! Sorry again for the late update! Please leave your thoughts in the comments! Until next time! ^_^/
-Flowereader230