Emotional moderation was the fifth stage of the pair’s training. Grayson dreaded it – having conversed with Apollo for such a long time he had come to acknowledge his explosive temper. Lucian, however, seemed as composed as ever – if not more determined in some way. Wolves in general are prideful creatures – more so when they have a human vessel. The pride of a wolf mixed with the inherent pride of humanity is so severe that almost-lethal fights had become a regular aspect of pack life. Aiming for throats or arteries, maiming or crippling one another was punishable – but not frowned upon. So when Gruffle once again appeared to administer the test, Grayson braced himself. After being stripped nude and laughed at, being knocked to the ground by a single slap and defeated in hand-to-hand combat by a woman he questioned how much worse he could possibly be humiliated. The instructions were simple, made up of only two choices.
Subdue the emotion or channel it into another activity which is non-violent to oneself or another.
Petty insults were the start. Childish remarks about facial structures or habits. Neither the Alpha nor the Beta heir responded to them. The insults were then directed at competence and ability; doubts were thrown at strength and usefulness. Apollo stirred within Grayson, reminding him that he has Alpha blood running through his veins – imprinted in his very heart – and that such insults were treason. Grayson chose to start subduing the slightly simmering anger. Lucian remained unfazed – composed and collected. Gruffle stopped for a moment assessing his students. Then he made the slightest gesture and the crowd, as a collective, verbally attacked not only their manhood but their families, their heritage, their wolves and finally their very future mates. Like a dry twig snapped to build a fire, Grayson’s anger made an audible click within him. He could not subdue his anger, he could not contain it in a jar even if it had the strongest seal. In the heat and compression of pressure, he dropped to the snowy floor and began doing push-ups. Counting each one religiously and replacing the inflammatory words floating through the air with the blood pumping through his veins. He had lost track of time at around the 346th push-up, noticing that the string of slander had stopped. He rested on his knees as if made from clay, gasping in desperate breath.
“Wolves are masters of their emotions. Know thy roots.”
Grayson looked over at Lucian who was still standing, his fists clenched.
But, the slightest shadow swirled in his green eyes like a man dancing in the night.
The sixth and final test was that of the wolf. It was not Grayson or Lucian’s test – it was Apollo and Alvaro’s test. A test of ability, competency, fierceness and dominance. For this final test, the Enforcers had all shifted as well, yet they hid in the shadows of the sanctum wall – their yellow eyes gleaming. A duel at midnight under the full moon – the sacred Goddess of the lycanthrope race. The divine witness who watched impassively yet observant; only unleashing her power when she was at her brightest.
Grayson could not remember the battle and Lucian had confirmed that he couldn’t either. The Alpha heir was informed, however, that he had been victorious. Puzzling to both teens was that upon their awakening, they had been treated for nearly fatal wounds; punctured organs, broken ribs and Grayson had severe claw marks on his chest aimed at his heart. Lycanthropes do not scar; the paranormal ability to change form served more than its obvious purpose. The rearrangement of atoms and cells, the rewiring of nerves and complete overhaul of the human form’s functions and limitations was central to the shift; through millennium of evolution their bodies were capable of shifting back and forth in sections, even at a microscopic level. It was this cycle of cellular rearrangement that facilitated the enhanced recovery and regenerational processes.
Throughout those two gruelling years, the teens emerged not men… But capable wolves. Equipped with the abilities to protect and govern a pack they returned to the Lightpaw pack lands.
Grayson smiled for two reasons; the recollection was a promise of loyalty between him and his best friend and he knew that Lucian had relived the recollection with him in that very moment. They didn’t have to speak to talk. All they had to do was sit and think – naturally in harmony with each other.
Grayson looked down at the single wisteria flower he had picked, its soft purple and fragile structure made him sigh.
“I dunno what to do for him… Everything I do is like a mistake or fuck up. I just want to make him happy. I want to be the reason he smiles. I want to be the source of his safety… But I’m doing the complete opposite – I make him scowl, cry and scare him instead,” Grayson chuckled sadly, “I’m such a hypocrite…”
Lucian looked at the small flower in Grayson’s hands, “How’re you a hypocrite?”
“I want him to be happy, and leaving this place will make him happy. But, I want him to stay here… with me…” The Alpha whispered.
“Show him that he can be happy here too. Drop the prideful Alpha shtick, don’t go to him as Alpha Grayson Lightpaw – go to him as just Grayson. The two of you had never spoken before you identified him as your mate. You’re strangers to one another… So start there – start as friends.” Lucian spoke logically, looking through one of the glass panes.
Grayson twirled the flower gently through his usually destructive fingers, “Friends…”
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