The Gift chronicles

Chapter 33

Book 1 Chapter 33

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We walked to the training grounds, and I was thankful that I was much stronger than I was yesterday.

My legs had gotten used to the sensation of walking, even though I could tell I lost muscle while being

hooked up to the IV drip.

Along the way, Gwen and I chatted while Carter shook his head in disbelief at most of the cheeky and

insubordinate things we said. When Gwen called me a "bad ass motherfuckin bitch" for taking so many

lashes, Carter almost passed out from her lack of respect towards her Luna. I, on the other hand,

laughed, and slightly blushed, feeling pleased that she was impressed by me.

We reached the training grounds, which was architecturally very similar to the Red Crescent one. It

was a huge, open arena, with mats scattered around disorderly among the hard ground that lined the

arena.

To my surprise, there were many wolves sparing in both skin and fur sides; and doing various training

activities, such as weightlifting as well as endurance building exercises.

I frowned. Where are all of the weapons? I asked Gwen and Carter.

They both looked confused, but Carter answered. "We don't really use weapons that much. We have a

small section of the arena dedicated to weapon handling, but isn't not stressed as much in training."

I was displeased with this information, and planned on bringing it up to Alpha Cain later, after he gets

done yelling at me for going in the first place. Wolves should always know how to wield weapons. Red

Crescent pack members certainly knew how to use them, and use them effectively, thanks to my

training. Should a more advanced pack fight them in battle, I was worried that their brute strength may

not exceed the power of weapons.

"Will you teach me how to throw knives?" Gwen asked excitedly, and our chaperone groaned.

"Gwendolyn, that hardly seems like an Alpha—approved activity..." Carter scolded her.

I glared at him. If you didn't notice, Carter, the Alpha isn't here right now, but your almost—Luna is,

making me the highest ranked person here. Therefore, if I want to throw knives then we're throwing

knives, dammit! My voice leaked out dominance.

Carter blinked at me in shock, and Gwen laughed proudly. "Damn, Ares. You sounded just like an Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Alpha."

"You're right, Luna. If you want to throw knives, it's what we'll do," Carter sounded defeated.

Why are you so much more paranoid and less energetic around me than you were the first time you

babysat me? I asked him, not understanding his change in attitude.

"No reason," Carter quickly changed the conversation, and gave Gwen a warning glance when she

opened her mouth.

Whatever, I would get to the bottom of it eventually. It wasn't a matter of if, but when.

Now, how about you escort us to the targets? I requested of Carter. He nodded, and we started walking

across the arena, ignoring curious stares from the pack members who were not engaged in combat.

"Luna," A familiar voice said, and a large body blocked our path. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Gamma Axel asked, his voice rich with curiosity.

Just came with my escorts, I emphasized the last word in case he thought about mind linking Cain. To

check out the training scene. Your pack is very skilled at fighting in wolf form, I complimented him, and

he glowed under my praise, until his visage switched to one of duress.

"As humbled as I am to hear that from such an esteemed warrior such as yourself, I am under direct

orders from the Alpha not to let you train," His voice held an edge.

That is no problem, I assured the anxious Gamma. I am not training, merely demonstrating.

His eyes narrowed. "With all do respect, Luna,"

I interrupted him. Ares.

"With all due respect, Ares," He corrected himself, "I think we both know that the Alpha will not

differentiate between the two, and as much as I would enjoy to see the legendary former Gamma of

Red Crescent give us a demonstration, I enjoy my life much more," He joked, but I could hear the

undercurrent of seriousness under his jovial tone.

It is my first day of freedom, and I intend on enjoying it as much as I can. Please step out of my way

under your own free will, or I will forcibly make sure you are out of my way, I threatened him, even

though I knew I wouldn't seriously injure him.

He ground his teeth, and hesitated before taking any action. "Out of respect for you, Luna, I am going

to warn you right now that I have to call the Alpha and let him know you're here. Despite you bravely

taking my punishment, I am still on thin ice with him."

I nodded, understanding why he had to do it, I just wish he didn't need to. At least give us a 5 minute

head start before you mindlink him, I requested. I wouldn't force him to, but I would certainly say it was

in his best interest to oblige.

The Gamma nodded stiffly, and stepped out of our way begrudgingly.

"That was freaking awesome!" Gwen squealed and did a little victory dance. "Where have you been all

my life?!" I laughed as we continued to let Carter guide us to the targets.

Better than just a wooden target with rings painted on it, there were human cut outs we could use. I

grinned wickedly, my heart racing in excitement. It had been far too long since I had thrown a knife.

I summoned two daggers, handing one to an elated Gwen, and offering one to Carter, but he declined,

nervously looking around, waiting for Alpha Cain to pop out.

The important thing about knife throwing is to make the movement fluid. Don't think of the knife as a

weapon you want to get rid of, but rather an extension of yourself that is sliding off of you, I told Gwen,

who nodded, ever the eager beaver.

These knives are blade—heavy, which means you want to throw them using the handle. For handle—

heavy knives, you'd want to grip the blade, but we'll work on that another time, I promised her. There

would be another time, I'd make sure of it.

Hold the knife like so, I demonstrated and adjusted her fingers. Keep the knife horizontal to the target,

and when you follow through, make sure you throw hard. Knives can't be gently thrown, they are a

weapon of brute force. Don't hold back.

Then, I put all of the steps together, and demonstrated the proper way to throw a knife. The blade sank

into the eye of the target dummy.

Gwen cheered for me, and then lined up in front of her own dummy. She copied all of the steps I did,

and the blade hit the target in the shoulder.

Not bad, grasshopper, I mock bowed to her, and she did the same to me as we laughed. I needed this.

Already, I felt much better.

Let's keep throwing. I doubt we have much longer until the Po Po breaks this party up, I pouted.

I summoned two more knives, and we continued throwing until the front of the dummies were

completely impaled by knives. Gwen's throws were too weak for most of the knives to stay embedded

in the dummy like mine did, but her aim showed potential.

I went to go turn the dummy around so I could use the back as a target, and noticed that we had

attracted a small crowd of curious wolves, watching us throw the knives. I ignored them, positive that

roping anyone else into Gwen and my fun would just cause more people to get punished.

I offered another dagger to Gwen, but she refused. "I'd rather watch and learn from the master," She

teased, and mockingly bowed again, which I returned after laughing. We already had our own inside

jokes.

I dropped the dagger Gwen rejected to the ground, and instead summoned a throwing star. These

puppies are way more fun if you want to torture the person you're aiming at, I told Gwen devilishly, and

even Carter smiled slightly at my good mood.

I kept throwing star after star, not hesitating in between throws, and summoning one right after another.

I could imagine not having my Gift. It was far too precious and far too fun.

"I think 'not training' means something entirely different to you," A harsh, admonishing tone that I had

gotten quite accustomed to spoke the words I was dreading hearing.

I turned around to the source, smiling innocently as I met his eyes that were both simultaneously cold

and ruthless, whilst still burning intensely with rage.

Hello, mate.