The Human Luna

Lake Limpiar

Adrian's P.O.V

"So your talents are swimming, horse riding and playing piano, is that correct?"

"Yes Alpha." 

Again, sniggers of laughter were erupting quietly from many of the female werewolves, perhaps because this young, pretty werewolf was a threat to their authority.

"And what use do you think these talents will be in training?" I asked her.

Katie didn't seem phased my question. "Swimming can help with cardiovascular endurance, horse riding is useful if you are going into battle on horseback. And playing piano... well it helps soothe the heartbeat and the mind." 

I chuckled inwardly at the straight forward answer she gave me. "Interesante. I agree with you on swimming and horse riding, but still cannot see how you playing piano will benefit my pack members during training, but nice try though." Katie smiled at me and nodded her head. 

"Follow me," I said, before turning and walking away. 

**********

Katie's P.O.V

"Lake Limpiar is one of our main sources of water. Once they have shifted, werewolves will come here to cool down and cleanse themselves of sweat and dirt." 

I couldn't seem to close my mouth. The lake was absolutely beautiful, with serene waters of pale blue and green, and small waterfalls falling from rocks up high. I breathed in the smell of fresh air and wood, as we travelled down a pathway that led to another wooden deck like the one on the training ground. It seemed that everyone had been following, walking down the somewhat narrow path in threes and twos. 

"And all this belongs to you?" I asked, staring at the small blue fishes swimming calmly. 

"The land has been passed down to our bloodline for generations, my parents have passed away now," he paused a little before continuing. "So yes, I guess it belongs to me now." 

"Sorry to hear that," I said quietly. 

"No need to feel sorry for me," he said. "When my mother passed away, my father struggled to keep the pack in shape. For many months he suffered from depression, until the loss of his Luna forced him to take his life." 

I felt like gasping. An Alpha taking his life? 

He looked at my confusion and shrugged his shoulders. "It's not uncommon. An Alpha's Luna is the most important thing, all else comes after. If the Alpha loses his Luna, then he has nothing left to live for." 

I glances at Ailani for a split second, careful that he didn't notice. "What about if an Alpha hasn't found his Luna yet?" I asked cautiously. I knew I was trespassing on dangerous grounds. 

Adrian's jaw tensed and his shoulders went almost stiff. I couldn't be sure if it was the fact that we were passing underneath a large tree, but his eyes were suddenly clouded with a greyish colour that was unfamiliar. "The same will happen." He said gravely. 

"You haven't found your Luna yet, have you?" I questioned. I had trespassed now. 

Adrian didn't answer my question at all, he looked at me dead in the eyes; and I could see a mixture of anger and hate in his face. And something else that was unexpected. 

Hurt. Or something like sadness?

"We're here," Adrian stated, after what seemed like a lifetime of silence. 

We had stopped at the edge of the wooden deck similar to the one before. A long walkway stretched a bit further into the water, where perhaps people ran up to get ready to dive into the depths of the lake. 

"And what exactly are you going to do here?" I said. 

He looked at me funny. "You mean what are you going to be doing here – you're going for a swim."

**********

Eight people stepped to the front when the Alpha called their name. All had cheeky, competitive grins on their face, like they were up for a challenge. 

"Here we have Steven, Maddie, Sarah, Charlotte, Carlos, Andre, Weronika and Louis." 

They didn't return a smile back to me. 

"Out of all our werewolves, I believe that these are our best and most competitive swimmers," Adrian continued. "So to prove that you are as skilful as you say you are, you will race against them all...Individually." 

My face dropped. 

**********

Andre was my first opponent. His hair with thick, dark and curly, and his tanned skin was smooth and oily. Oily for what reason, I don't know why. 

The water was cool and and fresh, as I dived in I experienced a pretty amazing feeling as I watched the small fishes part themselves, allowing me a pathway to swim down. 

Underneath the water I could make out the sound of muffled screams of cheering. This was something that I was no stranger to, I was the star swimmer for my school team last year. When I felt the rough edges of the cave that was in front of me, I turned around and started swimming to the finish line. My eyes were wide open, but I ignored Andre that was very close to me, swimming for all he was worth. 

I grinned. He didn't win. And neither did the other 5 after him.

**********

"It seems that our three top swimmers are now Weronika, Sarah, and Katie." Adrian was addressing the werewolves before him. He glanced at Jack. "Do you understand me now when I said that you must not underestimate the potential of our female werewolves?" 

Jack smiled at me and nodded. 

"Katie, you are a very good swimmer, that I cannot deny. Unfortunately we have yet to see your potential when it comes to horse riding - that must wait for another day." Adrian nodded at me in approval, and then turned to Ailani. 

"We must have a break now, but after that, you are next. So be ready."

I couldn't help but notice that Adrian held his glare on Ailani for a bit longer than necessary, causing Ailani to slightly blush. They hadn't spoken much, but something was going on between the two of them, and I didn't even think they were aware of it.