Athena - The Luna Warrior

Chapter 13

A/N: Not edited. Ignore errors and typos.

Athena's POV

Within five minutes of meeting Ariana, I knew that she was one strong girl. She had offered to show me to my room in the Warrior pack house and we were walking up the stairs.

"You know we have less females in our pack as compared to males. I really wish to change it. I mean women empowerment and all you know."

I simply nodded my head encouraging her to carry on.

"My brother does not do anything about it. I am surprised that he even chose a female fighter from the Camp this year. Last year he came home with nobody. But how did he chose you? I thought there was the ambush and the competition was suspended?"

"It was during my fight that the ambush occurred. I was in Round Two. Killed a hunter myself."

Ariana whistled.

"That is awesome, I want to kill the bad guys too! You are so cool! My brother only allows me to attend training you know, but does not allow me to enter real fights. He says I am too young and all."

"Young? How old are you?" I said looking at the firebrand in front of me. Ariana was indeed my soul sister.

"I am sixteen!" she screeched stopping in the middle of the passageway, "My dad was more strict though, he would not let me even join training. Said I was too young, and that I was meant to be someone's Luna some day. But then he passed and I decided to join the weekly training. Lucas is not a big fan of it but I want to protect my pack like him. It is his pack as much as it is mine."

Lucas's father passed away? I never knew that.

"I am sorry about your father Delta Ariana. But yes, I second that fact that every girl should learn how to fight and stand up for herself."

She looked at me with glistening eyes.

"What happened? Why are you crying?" I frowned.

"Let me show you your room" she said dragging me by the elbow.

"No, please tell me" I said as we kept walking, "did I upset you?"

She kept walking for a few minutes until we reached a room. With fidgety hands, she unlocked the door with a key.

"This is going to be your room. Meal timings vary as per the training schedule. The pack warriors stay in this house. Of course, there are fighters who come under the warriors, however, they stay in the general pack house or in their own homes with families."

She walked around the room showing me the attached bathroom and the bare closet.

"Vincent will brief you more on everything at dinner today. Your ceremony will be held the next full moon. Your blood excha-"

"Delta" I said cutting her off, "May I know what is bothering you?"

She finally met my gaze, sniffling.

"I am sorry, I should not be crying" she said wiping her tears, "I should be strong for this pack. I should be strong for everyone."

My heart broke for her. She was only sixteen and in a vulnerable state.

"I just miss my father, Athena. He was a brave man."

I could relate with her. My parents were brave too.

I pulled her into a hug.

"Whenever your parents die, you feel like a piece of you is gone. But, Delta Ariana, I want you to know that you will be strong as they will always be watching over you and wanting the best for you. Although your father did not want you to train when he was here, he will be proud to see you training now. You are an awesome woman, Delta, always remember that."

Ariana broke the hug and held onto my palms. She held my gaze.

"Thank you Athena, this means a lot." 

I smiled in return.

"Ahem!"

Our heads turned to Vincent standing at the doorway with my duffel bag.

"I must leave now, thank you Athena" said Ariana rushing out of the room avoiding anybody's gaze.

"Here is your luggage. Dinner at 7pm. I will be briefing you" said Vincent and walked in the direction that Ariana went.

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