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Blood Moon Pack RP (NTI and BurningWillows)

Selene was in the process of speaking to Kytara when she stopped and looked at Alex.
"You need to gather your Hounds now. Have them go with my Shade. Sonya tracked that pack. They're attacking your pack in a town not far from here."
With that known, Alex gathered Terra, Bear, Peters and Stone. Sending them with the Shade team who simply ported the Hounds to the town where they found three full squads of Hell Hound rogues attacking anything that moved in the Lycan town. Several Lycan's were wounded or dead, no one was spared. Males, females and pups were all fair game to these rogues and Sonya was currently dispatching one Lycan who looked so wild it amazed her he could retain human form. Taking the male's head off she jerked her head away as a strong scent of cocaine hit her nose. Drugs were strictly forbidden with both races simply because it took quite a bit to make an immortal high and when they were high, they were dangerous because they were aggressive and unpredictable.

The moment Terra took shape she was attacked by a rogue Lycan who was in full Lycan form right in the middle of the street. The Shade beside her, Angel, caught the incoming Lycan by the neck and as her eyes glowed white, the Lycan simply stopped moving as he died almost instantly. She'd drained his life energy from him just by touching him. When Terra got her senses, she and her team shifted and got into the fight. They also noticed the stench of drugs in their blood and this made her order her team to avoid swallowing the blood if at all possible.

Alex had to warn his sister that her mate was now in an active fight against several rogue Hounds as well as get the healers on stand by as he'd been made aware of the drug usage via mental link. He was getting healers ready in case Terra and her team were affected. Sure they were trying to avoid it, but they used their mouths to bite and inflict damage. They were going to be swallowing some blood whether they liked it or not.
 
Katerina got the news and quickly got Kyra, both of them worried for their family member in battle. The worst part was Kyra was eager to go help and protect her mother, and Kat and Alex had to force her to stay on the estate. It drove Kyra crazy not being able to do anything but wait, but she could see how worried her mother was. She had gotten so upset at Kyra trying to leave and now she just sat and stared out the front bay window, waiting. Stone still. With fear in her eyes. Kyra had never seen her mother this worried. But she had heard what drugs could do to Lycans. It wasn’t pleasant.
 
Sonya and her team had a bit of a problem with handling the Lycan's mainly because they'd been ordered to protect the civilian Lycan's and for whatever reason they found it a good idea to just run around in the open instead of hiding in their homes which made the rogue Lycan's chase after them, thus making their jobs harder. What should have been ten minutes ended up taking several hours. Ninety percent of it was them chasing after the Lycan's since none of the civilian's had a lick of common sense, which also ended up costing them their lives. Six civilian's died from the Rogues and all but one of the Rogues were killed. Sonya ported her team and the Lycan team immediately to the medical wing since Terra and her squad were starting to get the shivers from the drugs in their systems.

The healers strapped them all to beds to keep them still while Angel used her Spirit element to beef up the Lycan's immune system so that it would break down the drugs faster. Sonya kept the Rogue Lycan outside in the backyard, holding the large male to the ground with her boot on the back of his neck. Alex and Selene were outside trying to get information from him. Alex had specifically ordered Kat to stay out of the medical wing because she didn't need to see her mate strung out on the drugs. Angel would inform her when she could go see her mate and Kytara was with her sister and niece to keep them calm...or try to.
 
Kat saw them returning and tried to get to Terra, but they wouldn’t let her. And that fact alone had her cursing out her brother, worried sick that far worse had happened to her Terra and not being able to see her only breathing into that fear. Being told it was drugs wasn’t enough. Kat wanted to see her mate. And Kyra wanted to see her mother.

Left inside ranting at him, Kat watch her either with the vampires and turned on her twin, “It’s Terra Ky! Help me here.”

Kyra was pacing, trying to find a way out of the room. She wanted to tear that Lycan apart, but she also wanted to hug her mother.
 
Kytara looked at her twin and sighed.
"Kat you're not going to be able to do anything. You're asking to see your mate while she's not herself, in pain and you'll only be able to stand there and watch. Stepping out of the way to the door she motioned to the door.
"Go on then, but don't say I didn't warn you. You never were good with patience."
She said under her breath as she knew better than her sister about the pain of wanting to make sure Terra was okay but she also knew that there wasn't a damn thing that Kat could do at the moment.

When Kat and Kyra would get to the medical wing, they'd see Terra and her team strapped to the beds they were on. Each of them were sweating and straining against their restraints. By now, the Shades were in the room holding them down since Terra had already lashed out at a healer. Now she was being held down by a Shade who was not being gentle while holding her. He'd wrapped her wrists and ankles in rock to keep her grounded.
 
Katerina growled and Kyra winced. If there was anything she had learned from her mom, nothing stopped her from being with her mate.

“That’s exactly why I’m asking to see her. She’s in pain Kytara. She should have her family at her side, not alone. It’s the worst when your alone.”

Katerina moved past her sister and Kyra didn’t even meet her gaze, just following her mother. When they reached the medical bay Kat ignored the vampires and moved to Terra’s side, her eyes already watering. She knelt down beside the bed and just held her hand, understanding she couldn’t help Terra heal. But she could be there.

Kyra however saw her mom lying like that, saw her mother kneeling on the floor helpless and scared for her mate...she could smell the air filled with pain, fear, confusion and drugs. And it filled her with anger. She turned and marched straight outside, her eyes dark, her face cold and set. Her Uncle saw her and knew the gaze of a Hell Hound stalking a kill. And she was gunning straight for the rogue Hound.

“You could’ve killed her!” She snarled and suddenly Kat appeared, gripping her daughters arms as Kyra tried to lunge, her body willing to shift.

“No baby girl! He’s not worth it! Your Mama is going to be okay I promise.”

“Kyra you can’t shift right now,” she continued after a moment of struggling, “Kyra baby please. Your mother needs you. We both do.”

Kyra stopped struggling, but only because her mother had asked her. She knew shifting in public was dangerous. She would expose her extra part below, and while she wasn’t ashamed, she didn’t like to parade it around either. She turned into her mother’s arms and shook, helpless to help or fight.

“Get that mutt off this estate now Alex,” Kat growled, not usually pushy of her brother who was also alpha, but this was crossing the line into hurting her family, and even Alex wasn’t beyond the wrath of a mother and mate protecting her own. She turned and hustled Kyra back inside, who had to ask, “Why aren’t you with mama? Why did you follow me?”

“I smelt your anger darling. And your mama would be so upset if you lost your temper on scum like him. Now I want you to go upstairs and take a breather. Calm yourself down.”

“Mom no-“
“It’s not up for debate. I’m going back to your mother. I can’t stand to be apart from her right now. But you need to go calm down, before you pick the wrong fight baby girl.”

Kyra looked down and just nodded. Kat kissed her forehead and sent her on upstairs, watching her go before returning to Terra’s side. It didn’t matter to her if she was no help, she just wanted to be her comfort. Spending all afternoon staring out that window, nervously waiting, her brain had gone over the worst scenarios. They had been so lucky to have eighteen years undisturbed. And now...now Kat feared war was coming and she was going to lose her mate...and her baby girl.

~

Kyra got to her room and locked the door, throwing herself on the bed. She didn’t know whether to scream or cry out of frustration, but she knew she felt utterly helpless. And worse, as she calmed down she realized the fool she made herself look in front of the Queen. She hadn’t even noticed if Sonya was there are not, too bloodthirsty. But she had likely caused a mess. That her Uncle was cleaning up.
Wiping her tears she crawled off the bed and onto the sitting cushion in front of her window, looking out below. She couldn’t see what was happening from her but she could watch the forest outside the estate, trying to dull the worrisome thoughts in her head. She didn’t know how long she sat there, silently crying and waiting, waiting for some news to reach her.
 
Selene had Sonya deal with the rogue Lycan after Kat and Kyra's outburst, which was a swift walk to the woods and a quick execution. Once that was done, Selene spoke to Alex and formulated a plan. While that was being done, Sonya walked to the medical room and helped to keep the Hound team under control till later than night when the drugs were finally gone and all members of the Hound squad were released to go rest. The Shade team also headed home as they were more mentally drained than anything else.

When Terra made it upstairs she first stopped by Kyra's room, Kat having to help her stay standing as her entire body hurt and her muscles were sore. Opening the door to her daughters room she smiled at her pup.
"Hey baby."
She said as she limped over and gave her pup a hug and a kiss. Stroking her cheek as she'd heard about Kyra's freak out moment but she was actually proud of her for showing some backbone to a rogue Hound. Raking her fingers through Kyra's hair she nuzzled her pup's cheek then smiled.
"Get some sleep love, and don't fret too much."

With that, she winked and let Kat direct her back to the bedroom where she flopped onto the bed and just laid there with a groan. Lifting her hand and snuggling to her mate as she was quickly asleep, holding onto her love.

When morning came, Alex held a pack wide meeting to inform the pack about the issues at hand as well as the coming changes. When everyone was present he sighed and informed the pack about the deaths in the town yesterday, the information about the rogue Hounds being on cocaine which made them highly aggressive and unpredictable. Selene was standing beside him with Sonya and her squad. Alex then looked to Selene.
"Given that both our homes have suffered the pain of these attacks, we're joining forces to take care of this. Since I am lacking in Hound numbers, Selene has volunteered two Shade Squads to assist in our defenses. That being said, do listen to Sonya, the Captain of her squad."

Sonya stepped forward and looked at everyone.
"Each of the Lycan deaths yesterday were due to a severe lack of common sense. If you're running around like a chicken with your head cut off and not hiding in your home like we tell you, that makes the soldiers jobs a lot harder because not only do we have to chase your attacker, but we have to worry about your life as well. Every death yesterday was a civilian running around and not hiding. So. Should any of you choose to run around and be more of a hassle than a help, I'll remove that issue by knocking your ass unconscious."

Several grumbles and growls were heard but Alex lifted his hand.
"Terra and her Hounds suffered some serious issues because of that as well. You need to learn when to run and when to listen to your protectors. There's a reason why we have soldiers and civilians."
One of the Lycan females asked how a vampire would knock them out.
"How could you knock us out if you can't even catch us?"
Sonya just smirked and soon the female crumpled, out like a light. She was alive, just asleep.
"I control the air you breath and the wind around you. You may be immortal but you need to breath. Cutting off the air to your brain causes you to go unconscious. Anyone else want to know anything?"

Needless to say, no one moved or spoke. Nodding she stepped back as Selene stepped up.
"My Shade are here to help keep you safe but showing them distaste or being aggressive toward them because they're different is not going to help you. Like you, we honor age and power. How many of you here are seven hundred years of age?"
At most, four or five raised their hands.
"Then you are equal to Sonya's age. Everyone else is her minor. Now, does anyone have any questions for me? I'll be giving this same speech to my Coven...though I assume it will be a lot smoother since our laws are very strict in terms of disobedience and mouthing off."
She said as she looked to the sleeping female.
 
Kyra jumped when her door opened than ran to her mother, hugging her hard and kissing her cheek.

“I’m just glad your okay.”

Kat nodded behind them, looking drained and tired too, but happy Terra was alright. She was needed by them both. Kat didn’t know how she’d survive losing Terra, and it was clear Kyra didn’t either.

“Goodnight Mama. Goodnight Mom.”

“Goodnight sweetie. Please rest.”

Kat got her mate in bed, tucked her in, then held her as she fell asleep, crying while no one could hear, both in relief and fear. Relief she was okay for now. And fear that this was far from over.

In the morning a pack meeting was called. Kat got Terra downstairs and outside to join the rest, and she had sent a text to her daughter who hadn’t been in her room when they woke up. She wasn’t surprised to see her coming out of the trees with her bow and two rabbits hanging on strings from her free hand. She was quite good at her new sport, and it helped relieve some tension. She fell in line with her parents at the front of the pack, watching her Uncle and Selene, doing her best not to even gaze in Sonya’s direction, though she couldn’t be entirely sure which one she was under those outfits till she stepped forward.

What they said made sense, and arguing the fact was ignorant in Kyra’s mind, listening to the female talk back to the vampire. While she was making a fuss, Kyra felt someone slide in beside her and grab her hand and looked up to see Jayden. He opened a connection with her.

Still think she’s stalking you?
Oh shut up.
He grinned but didn’t speak out loud, well I’m still here to protect you from the big bad hot vampire. I’ll continue cockblocking her from you okay?
I don’t believe that for a second Jayden.
His smiled faded quickly, I heard about your mom through the grapevines. Hounds share news fast. Is she okay? Are you?
Yeah we are okay. Thanks Jay.

She squeezed his hand tight, as Sonya finished her display and Selene spoke once more. Of those old enough, she looked to her moms. They were almost that old, but not quite. Not to mention Terra had about a century on Katerina.

With the speech done and questioning being open someone did speak up, “I have one for the Alpha. If we are short on Hellhounds, why aren’t we graduating more of the trainees. Lots of us could help take down druggies.”

Kyra sighed and rolled her eyes, in plain sight of her uncle and the vampires to boot, recognizing the voice. It was Nick. He always boasted about being top of the class but Jayden was far ahead of him and Kyra outshone them both if she was still involved. And boasting was not a quality good HellHounds had. Putting him decades away from ever graduating. If he made it that far.

“You got to be good enough to graduate first rookie!” Someone else in the crowd threw at him, saying what a lot of his classmates were thinking. A few snickered as Nick raised a fuss, “go eat shit Adrian. Your not even a Hound.”

“Still could kick your ass!”

There were some growls in the back but then a new voice cut through the childish banter, right next to Kyra, “is it possible to pregraduate some of the outstanding students though, my Alpha? Or at least let them volunteer to help protect civilians? Aid the Shade in their efforts to help us.”

Kyra’s head snapped to look at Jayden, surprised he had spoken up. But he had posed the question much more respectfully and elegantly to Alex, a mature sign in his regard.

While Alex pondered it he added, “I would volunteer my services my alpha. I don’t want to see anymore suffering to the wounded or the families who love them. I am not graduated but I’m third in my class, and my teachers could vouch for me.”

One of his teachers happened to be Terra. But Jayden and Kyra had been friends for so long he knew her more personally. And she could see it had bothered him to find out she had gotten hurt, especially a family he had grown up so close to.

No one else was volunteering, even Nick going quiet for once waiting for the alphas answer. Kyra gave Jayden’s hand a tight squeeze then made up her mind.

“I’d volunteer too, my alpha.”
“No you will not!” Kat hissed under her breath, shocked and terrified to see her daughter stepping forward. She had been worried sick about Terra. She couldn’t handle both her family out in front of danger. But Kyra was ignoring her mother, her mind already set.

“I will reinstate myself as a Hound in training, and offer to volunteer. I was first in all my classes, and set for early graduation.”

“Drop out!” Someone called out and Kyra winced internally but didn’t let it show.

“I have beaten most records in class in the last decade and have not been beaten yet sir.”

She spoke formally, knowing right now her uncle was her alpha. She stepped back into line, feeling her mother’s glare digging into her skull. But it wasn’t up to Kat, it was up to Alex.
 
Selene looked at Alex who was rubbing his forehead then looked to Sonya. Sonya sighed heavily and looked at the group.
"How about putting your money where your mouth is hmm? All of you "Hounds" who feel you're good enough, step up."
As the line filled Sonya looked at them. She liked Jayden. He was a smart male and he was loyal. Reaching to her hip a loud metal on metal sound rang out as her blade sang through the air before she buried it into the soil, handle standing up. Backing up a few paces she pointed to the blade.
"One at a time...or two. Try and take that. I won't use my wind, I don't need it. If you can manage to get it out of the ground, you'll be temporarily placed into a Hound squad. Words will only get you so far. Now let's see how action looks."

Standing there she watched as several pups came up. That Nick male was not one she was fond of and as he came up by himself he ran for her blade, which she just stepped in and slapped his hand away. This made him try again, and again. Each time she slapped his hand away with a bored expression.
"Kinda slow aren't you?"
She teased as he growled. When he shifted she rolled her eyes and waited till his teeth were on her handle. She then slammed a fist into his muzzle and cracked three of his teeth on the steel handle of her blade. A loud whine and several whimpers rang out as he backed away. His teeth would heal, eventually.

More and more came up and out of the fifty or so that tried, three passed. Sonya then looked at Kyra and Jayden as they hadn't gone. Sonya tapped the handle of her blade.
"Your status with Alex and Terra won't earn you a place, nor will your prior rank in your class pup. This. This is the only way to pass."
Terra knew this method. Trial by fire. Talk all the smack you wanted, in the end, your skills were tested fully in a controlled event but the chances of you getting hammered into the ground were also very high. Kyra was facing a force that was far superior to her. Will power was the only thing she had in her favor.

Linking her mind to her mate she sighed as she stroked Kat's hand.
'We need soldiers babe. This is her choice. She's an adult. The best we can do is support her...I'll make sure she's put on my squad...if she passes.'
 
Jayden and Kyra didn’t go though they both stood in line. For good reason. Their teachers had taught them well. Never strike an opponent blindly. Look for weaknesses. Memorize how they moved. Only strike when you have a course of action. So they stood and watched as younger and more naive or unskilled pups took their turns. The three who passed were in Jayden’s class, one of which was above him. The two waited and watched, and formulated a plan. But it still came down to will power. No one walked away without bruises.

Kyra looked behind at her mothers, giving Terra a silent nod of confirmation that she would do this and a gentler look to her other mother who was rather pale and worried.

“It’s okay mom. I want this. I can handle myself,” she whispered, “I’m doing this to protect us.”

I’m doing this for you Mama.

She turned back, studying the next failed attempt. Jayden passed a message through their still linked connection, they all cut straight to it. Too fast. Too easy to strike.

She nodded, feign or work around.

Behind her Kat squeezed Terra’s hand tighter and looked away for a moment, I know love but that’s our baby girl. She’s not fully trained and we are looking at war. I...I don’t know if you’ll get the choice. The vampires are choosing the squads it seems. Just protect our baby if she passes. When she passes. We both know she can. She’s has you for a mom.

Jayden, deciding he had seen enough stepped up to bat. Kyra got to watch as he got his ass handed to him several times but finally caught the sword and lifted it, miliseconds before Sonya could stop him. His breathing was haggard and he was limping, but he was grinning triumphantly.

“Actions do speak louder than words miss,” he handed her back the sword and gave a respectful bow then limped back to his spot, gaining a hug from Kyra who also touched one of his bruises.

You okay Jay?
Yeah I’ll heal. Fair warning Ky. Your stalker hottie hits like a freight train. And there’s only two more left.

She looked to her right and noticed indeed it was only two other wolves and her. She stepped closer to them as one stepped up to the bar, but after seeing her beat one pup after the other, he took two steps towards the sword and when she stepped forward he flinched and peed himself, then tailed it. It was unlikely he’d continue his training after this. The other nervously looked at her and gestured, wondering if she wanted to go first And Kyra shrugged, giving her the choice. But before either could decide another wolf came pushing through the crowd and grabbed the second last contestant.

“She’s out my alpha. She can’t fight. She’s not a hound in training!”

“Papa!”
“You don’t even know how to wrestle. I won’t lose you too!”

Jayden touched Kyra’s arm, I heard she lost her mother yesterday. She’s been asking all the Hound trainers to help teach her. But they won’t. They know revenge when they see it. It will only lead to more suffering.

Her father whisked her away leaving just Kyra left. She hadn’t meant to be the last, but it had come to that. Perhaps it was the fact it was Sonya. But now she had no choice.

Stepping forward she lowered herself and surveyed her challenger, getting into the mindset. She waited until she saw her opportunity then she rushed her, not the sword but Sonya, feigning and rolling at the last minute to the right to bounce back and grab the sword but failed, getting tackled to the ground hard. She winced and stood back up, moving back to the starting position to try again. Most had gotten over a dozen tries before they realized they wouldn’t make it, less if they got injured. Jayden had taken ten to win. The others had scraped by with nine or ten. Kyra was hopeful it wouldn’t take more than five.
 
Sonya smirked at Jayden and dusted his shoulder off as he bowed.
"Smart ass."
She said under her breath then looked at the last three. The male who pissed his pants and ran made her giggle. Well least he was honest. The next female who stepped up got a stern look from Sonya as she caught the scent of anger and revenge right away. Revenge was a bad emotion but if it could be harnessed and directed into the proper direction then it was a powerful weapon. However the female was too young to be able to do that. Now it was Kyra's turn and Sonya wasn't going to go easy on her. Sure she was top of her class but she said it with pride and with an ego. Something that wasn't needed as a Hound. When she came right at her, Sonya didn't move. She just listened and paid attention to the way her muscles moved. As she rolled, Sonya was in motion. Grabbing her and slamming her into the dirt before letting her up.

The second try ended with Kyra getting blasted in the stomach by a hard punch that took the female off of her feet. Third was a boot to the back, and the next four tries after that was Sonya just absolutely punishing her. Smashing the female into the ground on the tenth attempt Sonya pinned a knee to the back of her neck and pressed her cheek into the dirt.
"Being top of a group of pups...oh so impressive. You seem to forget that you're in training...not in combat. Being top means you live. Fight for real, or keep your trap shut pup. Go home. You're not even close to ready."
Standing up she walked over to her sword and pulled it out of the ground. Wiping the dirt from her blade she sheathed the blade before connecting her mind to Terra's.

'I need to speak with you about your pup in private. Not as her Mother, but as a Hound.'
Terra looked to Sonya and nodded before walking over to Kyra and helping her off of the ground since her ego had taken quite the beating today.
"Come on Kyra. Let's get you cleaned up. Kat...give her some of the ointment I used."
She said as she walked over to Sonya and headed for a table in the garden to speak with the female while Kat took care of Kyra.
 
Kyra got the crap beaten out of her. Jayden had to watch and wince as Sonya was clearly holding nothing back, throwing harder and quicker. Kyra looked like a ragdoll in Sonya’s hands, but she kept getting up, kept trying, even when she started to bleed.

On her last try she failed, but Sonya didn’t let her back up. Kyra struggled, growling and glaring up at her as Sonya’s spoke, only to be let up as Sonya took the sword and walked away, finishing her try without letting her really finish. She took a step towards her but Terra was there trying to touch her.

“Get off me. Fuck this shit,” she snarled, slapping her hand away and turning, stalking off as Kat walked up behind Terra, a hand over her mouth. She didn’t even know what to say. She watched Terra follow Sonya and Jayden go after Kyra and looked at her brother.

“She was losing Kat. Sonya could have killed her.”

“She’ll never forget this though Alex. She’ll never be able to look Terra in the eye again with pride.”

She saw her sister and looked away. They had put too much on Kyra to live up to. Her name, her aunt, her mother. Kat shook her head, upset with herself and headed inside.

~

Kyra made it to the trees before Jayden caught up, and Thia was running towards them both from the crowd, looking worried.

“Kyra she was going to hurt you, she probably stopped-“

“She enjoyed it Jayden. I don’t know what I ever did to that bitch but she’s had it out for me since she got here. And now she got to beat me in front of our whole pack.”

“She beat plenty of us.”
“Not like she ripped into me.”
“How bad?” His voice softened.

She winced, “I think I broke a rib. It’ll heal.”

“Maybe you should see a healer?”
“Then I’d have to face my mothers. Not interested.”
“Kyra you can’t avoid your mom.”
“I can and I will.”
She dipped into the trees and Jayden followed, Thia catching up, “is she okay?”

“Nope. Broken rib. And don’t ask, she won’t see a healer.”

“Why was that vampire so rough on her?”
“That was the one from the bar Thia. Kyra left because of her. She thinks she’s got something against her.”

Thia snorted, “sure looked like it from my place. Jeez after a squash match like that if I was a trainee I’d never show my face to any of my teachers again.”

Jayden gave her an annoyed look, “not helping Thia. Kyra! Where are we going?”

“I’m taking a long ass walk. Go home.”
“Kyra.”
“Seriously. I just want to be alone.”
This frowned, “Are you sure...if your hurt-“
“Go! Just...go.”
Thia stopped and tugged Jayden, “cmon. If she wants space we give her some.”
“Kyra you shouldn’t be out here alone.”
“I said go Jay. Go back and play with your new squad.”

He sighed, but nodded to Thia and followed her out. When Kyra looked back and could see she was alone she stopped walk, sliding to sit against a tree and dropping her rabbits and bow next to her. She winced, her chest hurting like mad, but willed herself to heal faster. It wouldn’t help much, but she decided to shift, pulling her clothes off and tucking them and her bow in a knot in the tree, before shifting. Soon she was on all black fours, her white fur silky and bright in the sun. She ate the rabbits so they didn’t attract any predators, filling her belly before stalking off. She couldn’t run with her broken rib, but she was able to walk, following the well beaten trails around the estate for hours, lost in her sore anger.

The sun had set and she still hadn’t returned home. Kat had gone out twice looking for her, leaving Terra inside to rest. Jayden and Thia had offered to help, but to no avail. When she came back the second time empty handed she looked ready to cry but instead just sat by the back door waiting. If she wasn’t back by morning they’d have to send out a search party. Wolves could spend the night in the woods just fine, but Kyra had smelt hurt, and their were bears and cougars out there that would take advantage of a weakened wolf. Kat typically didn’t worry about such things though, always believing in how strong her daughter was. But after that match she found even she was doubting her daughters strength, and hated herself for that. She had barely spoken to Terra, just not sure what to say to her mate. She wasn’t upset with her, just concerned for their daughter.

Around ten at night the back door opened and a muddy Kyra stepped in, her clothes dirty but on, her skin and hair caked in mud. She dropped her bow at the door and started heading for the stairs.

“Where are you going Kyra? And where have you been? We were worried sick about you!”
“I went for a walk. Who cares anymore?! Not like you need me here.”
“You are hurt young lady, and you need to see a healer. You could have been lost out there.”
“I’m fine mom. Just let me go to bed. Please.”
“Kyra!”
She stopped at the stairs and flicked her eyes towards her mother, her face guarded and blank.
“Are you not even going to acknowledge your other mother? Or say goodnight to either of us.”
Kyra didn’t answer. She looked away and for a moment pain registered on her face and shame. Then she took the stairs two steps at a time and disappeared, slamming and locking her bedroom door for the night. Kat dropped into a chair and held her face in her hands, feeling like she had failed her daughter somehow.
 
Sonya and Terra watched as Kyra ran off then Sonya pulled her mask off and looked at the female. They spoke about her as a trainee, how she was and what her skills were.
"Do you think she has what it takes to be a Hound?"
"Physically yes. Mentally no. She's not one for taking a life when ordered to. If they are attacking her or her family, then she'll kill, but it'll be on her conscious."
Sonya nodded as she had to think things through.
"I'll think about it. Bring her to training tomorrow, whether she wants to go or not."
Terra nodded as Sonya left and Terra spent most of her time getting the training grounds ready for tomorrow's training.

When Kyra returned, Terra had overheard the interaction between Kyra and Kat. The way Kyra spoke angered her and she stomped up the stairs and looked at her mate for a moment before slamming a foot into Kyra's door. Taking it right off of the hinges as she steamrolled into the room. Gripping her daughter's cheeks in her hand she lifted her right off of her feet and pinned her to the wall with a growl. Her fangs showing as she pegged her with a glare.
"You had better show some fucking respect to your mother pup. Yes you got your tail handed to you. Who hasn't? Get off your fucking high horse and learn to take a beating or I swear I'll give you one you'll never get over."

Terra dropped her daughter and pointed outside. There were dozens of armed guards walking around.
"This is war. It's not training, it's not a game. It's not about who's best or who's top of their class. You fuck up in war, you die. Your aunt is proof of this. It's as serious as it can get. Sonya wants you at practice tomorrow and you will get your spoiled ass to the training grounds do you understand me pup?"
Terra had never gotten this aggressive with Kyra before but she knew what war was like, her mate and Kyra had no idea. Kat had some idea, but not the down and dirty details. Walking out of the room she stopped in the doorway.
"You also better think of a damn good apology to your Mother."

With that Terra left the room and left the house as she herself had to clear her mind. Her pup hadn't disappointed her with her defeat. Defeat was part of training. She'd pissed her off with her attitude and how shed treated her mother who was just trying to help her.

The following morning Terra, Bear, and Peters were standing in the training circle with all of the selected trainee's, Sonya and her team were there as well. Terra looked at Sonya as she broke the pups off into teams, putting Kyra on Terra's team since no one better to teach the pup a lesson than her mama. Sonya looked at the pups as Angel walked by each of them, dropping live swords at their feet.
"This is war. Something none of you pups know about. If you show any hint of pause, you'll be killed. Trainers. You are to attack your students as if their life depends on it. Angel will heal the wounds so don't worry about them having to spend days in the medical tent. They need to feel the pain, and the fear that war brings out. If you as a trainer go soft on the trainees, I'll show you the fear of death myself."

That meant that every trainee there was about to have a long and very painful day. Terra was the one who spoke this time.
"Being a Hound means death is not something you fear. Failing your Pack and your squad is what you should fear. Protect one another and work as a team. Not all fights are going to be in wolf form, so your human form needs to be just as strong and nimble."
Jayden and Kyra were on the same squad by order of Sonya simply because she knew Jayden would help to level her mind.
 
Kyra had her shower going, just starting to get undressed when her mother broke the door. She jumped, swiveling in surprise as her mother caught her and forced her into a wall with a grunt and a whimper of pain.

"Stop!" she yelped, trying to break free. They could hear Kat coming down the hall in a hurry, hearing the commotion.

"Oh great Mama. Now that I got my ass handed to me, you think beating me up is just fine. Let go! Let go!"

Terra would smell the fear on Kyra. She was taking that threat seriously. And she was terrified. She had lost all confidence in her abilities. She was let go and struggled to get out of her mother's grip.

"Well you named me after my aunt so that's your mistake!" she yelled, getting just as angry, "I'm your great big mistake mother! Aren't you happy?!"

Terra let go and Kyra raced into the bathroom, slamming the door closed. They could already hear her sobbing despite the shower going. Kat's hand was on Terra's arm.

"You can tell that stuck up vampire to go stalk someone else, I'm not her fucking punching bag!" Kyra yelled from the bathroom, her voice shaking.

"Don't Terra. You've pushed her too far tonight. Give her space," Kat spoke calmly, pulling her mate out of their daughters bedroom, "If you push harder you'll lose her faster."

Katerina was upset how she had been spoken to as well, but both of them could see this was more than a bruised ego. Kat was just thankful Kytara wasn't around to hear what Kyra had said. Getting Terra to their room, she calmed her mate and got them both to sleep somewhat, although even Kat struggled, wishing she could go hold her daughter and make everything alright between them. In the morning Kyra didn't get up, didn't even go for a jog, and due to her door broken, it wasn't hard to see she was still in bed. Kat wasn't sure when she had been up till but she woke her carefully, and despite her protests got her to get dressed.

"I failed. I don't want to go down Mom. That vampire is the worst. She just wants me there to mock me."
"She asked and your mother agreed. So your going. Please don't make your mother come in here and drag you down."
"I bet mom's just as ashamed that I have to be there as I am."
"Kyra that isn't true. Your mother has never been ashamed of you."
"Oh really? I failed as a Hound. I'm a drop out. I can't even win a fight. I'm nothing like her except my stupid anatomy. The only way I'll live up to my name in her eyes now is if I die."
"Kyra! You know that's not true!"
She pushed past her mother and was out the door, in her work out clothes. Katerina didn't follow her, not wanting her daughter to see her cry. She had grown up to look like her, but Kyra's idol since she was five years old had been her mother, Terra. Everything Terra did, Kyra wanted to do. If Terra liked something, she wanted to like it. When Kyra made the decision to drop out of training it had taken her weeks to face her mother and tell her, even though Katerina had already known but let it be her daughter's choice when to tell her. But she had felt so bad then, and it had taken a lot of effort on both her mothers parts to tell her that she was leaving because her heart was too big, not because she failed.

Yesterday Kyra truly had failed though. And Kat wasn't sure what to do.

When Kyra got to the training grounds she stood alone, none of the other trainees or Hounds greeting or looking at her. The three other trainee pups just stared or snickered at her. Known for her records, being beaten in front of the whole pack had taken Kyra down quite a level. Now she wasn't so untouchable or strong. The Hellhounds in the group were busy getting into order, ignoring the blonde on the sidelines. And Kyra certainly didn't look or go near her mother. They got into the circle and Kyra kept her eyes down, while Jayden slipped into the circle beside her.

"You're here?"
"They needed an example of failure. So yep. I'm here."
"Kyra."
"Shh," she hushed him, as they started to speak. She refused to look at Sonya or Terra, just staring at the grass till she was told where to go, dying a little more inside when she was paired with her mother. Just adding to my misery, aren't you Sonya? Its not enough you helped me dishonor my family, now you want my family to publicly beat me.
 
Terra and her group of trainee's all worked through the first half of the day with a lot of blood being spilled on both sides. Some of the trainee's stabbed through the stomach which really brought the fear of death and pain to the forefront. Angel was there as were a few other healer Shade's to heal the wounds almost instantly and let the trainee's got right back at it. By the time lunch came around, everyone had been stabbed more than once, Kyra included. Sonya hadn't moved from her seat as she watched the trainee's and even though they passed yesterday, four were sent home as they weren't cut out for a Hound. The sheer amount of panic they showed and the way they left their team behind when the fear got too thick, was what made Sonya kick them.

As lunch came up, Terra spit some blood from her lips as Jayden got a good shot in with his fist but it ended with him sitting on the ground and Angel healing a large slice in his stomach. Terra smiled as she looked at him and tapped her cheek.
"Nice shot."
With that she walked away and went to sit under her usual tree to rest and relax a bit. Sonya was still sitting in her chair resting her head back with her arms crossed over her chest. She was bored. These pups were so far from a fully functioning squad. A real fight with cocaine laced Lycan's would kill most if not all of them.

Sonya hadn't paid much attention to Kyra. She was busy wallowing in her own self pity so Sonya just ignored her. She'd done rather poorly on her first day and it was up to Terra if she'd be back tomorrow. Sonya had given that right to her Mother simply because she knew her pup best, and had it been up to Sonya, she'd have kicked her ass out a few hours ago. Not being able to get over your own issues for the safety of your own was a big no no in the Hound and Shade mentality. This wasn't about YOU it was about the Coven/pack. Glancing to Terra she raised an eyebrow as Terra shook her head and waved it off, she was deep in thought. She was tempted to just tell Kyra to go home. She wasn't putting any effort in and it was just getting her cut up.

"Kyra. Come here."
Terra called as she pointed to the spot in front of her. Time for a come to jesus chat.
 
Kyra had lost all confidence in her abilities. It made her second think herself, and that made her slow and useless, getting her ass handed to her in every fight. It didn't help she had a broken rib and refused to tell anyone to get help for it, and Jayden had been told to keep his mouth shut. So he had to watch as she fell or was thrown down, each time with a new wound. She refused the Shade's help too, not letting a single vampire near her until she took a sword too close to the heart and Jayden caught her, yelling for help.

"I deserved it."
"Like hell you do! Hey! We're losing someone over here! Kyra they're coming."
"If I die you can have my lamp."
"I hate that lamp. Are you really making jokes? Your bleeding out here."
"My head's a little fuzzy. But I'm fine. I'm fine."

They healed her and put her back in the fight, though Jayden wished he could stop it. Most of the blood spilled in the grass was Kyra's, and she wasn't too steady on her feet. She got knocked out pretty quick, her opponent seeing she was too easy a target and giving her a quick blow to the head to take the win. When she came to they were already on the next fight. Jayden gave her some water and helped her sit up, and when lunch came and the rest of the trainee's gathered to talk about their wins and losses Kyra sat out alone, nursing her concussion and trying not to move her rib cage too much.

Kyra heard the call and got up slowly, making her slow way over. She didn't greet her mother with a smile or even a look. She hadn't given Terra eye contact all morning.

"Yes trainer?" she replied, her voice monotone and controlled.
 
Terra narrowed her eyes at her pup and sighed as she rubbed her nose bridge.
"You have two choices pup. Option one. You leave the broken ego at the door and train to protect your pack, like you boasted before. You would train to protect the pack. That's why I allowed you to train. Hounds are here as a shield, not as an egotistical brat who whines and bitches when someone proves that you're not as strong as you thought. Even I loose fights. If I squared off with Sonya, she'd skin my ass alive. Your ego and confidence took a shot. Learn from it and suck it up. Second option. Tuck your tail and go home. You will be permanently banned from Hound training from this day till the day you die. If you can't see past yourself, you have no place as a Hound."

Terra leaned forward and sighed as she placed her hand on Kyra's.
"You have no idea how proud I was of you. Not because of your position in class or your skills as a stealth Hound. I was proud of you for being able to see that you aren't fit as a Hound because you didn't like killing. Forcing yourself to be something your not isn't what a Hound does. To be a Hound is to accept that you have to dirty your hands for the safety of the Pack. You saw that you couldn't do that and you accepted it. That's what I was proud of. Now that you're completely focusing on yourself. You're focused on your own defeat and your own issues. That's what's disgraceful. Not as my daughter but as a Lycan in a pack. This training is actually very lax compared to the training I got at your age. Lycan's died during the training because we were training warriors for a war. Now, were training pups with hopes that they'll survive. Sonya and her squad are bringing back the old ways of training. So it's just going to get harder. Go to your room. Heal up. I'll talk to you tonight to hear your decision. You're too injured to continue today."
 
Kyra kept her eyes to the ground and when Terra reached out she flinched back, her body tense and nervous. She had built a wall between herself and her mother, in pain and misunderstanding.

"You were," she whispered, "But you aren't anymore of me are you Mama? I'm not the daughter you wanted. I'm just a soft belly."

It was a insulting term that some of the pups in the training classes over the recent years had come up with to call those who couldn't stomach the training, or couldn't preform, due to being too soft, or easily broken. She had heard a few of the trainees already call her it in the span of the morning, and Jayden had even had to deal with a few telling him he needed to drop the dead weight soft belly if he wanted to keep his good standing. She turned and walked away quickly in tears, told to go home and not denying how badly she wanted to, her body sore and broken. The rest of the training day continued without her, while she sat in a bath, soaking her sore body on her mother's suggestion, Kat trying keep her nose out of the drama and just help her baby girl. By dinner time when the training ended for the day, Katerina was just coming down the stairs when she spotted her mate.

"Hey. Go well today? Oh wait, just be quiet if you're going to our room, I just got Kyra to sleep."

She pulled Terra to the side, "Baby I don't know all this Hound business, but something is eating up Kyra inside. Can you please ease up? I know your just trying to toughen her up, but its breaking her apart. She's been crying since she came home, and this morning she...she told me you'd like her better if she was dead. You've always been her idol Terra. This isn't just about losing a fight. She used to lose and win all the time in training, and she still got back up because you taught her that. I think it's how she lost. Or its who she lost to. The way she's talking, babe as a therapist I'm worried she's on the path of self destruction. As a mother I'm terrified."
 
Terra sighed as she looked at her mate and rubbed her face.
"Then she needs to drop out. Continuing on as a Hound isn't her thing. I want to be soft on her babe, I want to see her smile again but this is war Kat. If I'm not tough on her, she's not going to learn. These Lycan's we're facing aren't thinking straight. Their honor is gone and they're just beasts now. Meaning that no matter how much we train, they'll still surprise us. Kyra would need to be ready for that and if a small beat down by a vampire is getting to her that bad, she'd die in the field. I actually never wanted her to be a Hound. She's like your sister. Her heart won't hold the killing instinct. Which is why I told her I was proud of her when she quit being a Hound the first time. She's too absorbed in her own self wallowing and that's what's so damaging to her."

Motioning to the other trainee's as they walked past she looked at her mate.
"Every one of them got their asses handed to them in more than one way...what made Sonya target Kyra was her ego. She boasted being the first in class, being top of her class. If she wanted to boast, then she needs to be able to back it up. However something these pups are learning is that just because you're top of your class doesn't make you strong. It just means you're stronger than other pups. Remember what I always tell all my trainee's? Ego at the door. Kyra forgot that."
Terra did feel bad for her pup and she would lay off, but she honestly felt that if Kyra was that beat up emotionally, she wasn't fit to be a Hound.
 
Kat sighed, rubbing her mates shoulder, “I know I know baby. I remember us talking about that back then. She has such a big heart. She’s had her ego stabbed before though. And she’s gotten back up. Terra, I don’t think this is about how she sees herself. I think this is about how you see her. She’s always trying to make you proud. Sonya didn’t just beat her yesterday, she walked away from the fight because Kyra wasn’t worthy in her eyes. And you saw that. And I think that’s what’s eating her alive. That she lost your pride in her.”

She cupped her mates cheek, “you need to talk to her as her mother. Not her trainer. She needs to hear it from you that your still proud of her, even when others are ashamed.”
 
Terra sighed a bit as she looked at her mate.
"Come to Kyra's room later tonight, I need to go talk to her."
She said as she kissed her mate before heading up to Kyra's room. Her door wasn't fixed yet so it was easy to open the door. Moving into the room she slipped into the bed with her pup and stroked the back of her head softly. When Kyra woke up Terra just shook her head.
"Just lay still baby."
Moving around in front of her she laid down with a wince as her body was sore too. Laying on her side she sighed.

"I've never been ashamed of you Kyra. There is nothing on this Earth that you can do that will make me ashamed of you. Disappointed sure, but I'll get over that. I love you and I'm proud of you no matter what you do. I also know you're not suited to be a Hound Kyra. You know this as well. You don't have it in you to kill when a Hound needs to. You're way too much like your aunt. You're a healer at best, but not a soldier, so stop trying to be one alright? You're just going to hurt yourself."
Pulling her pup into her arms she stroked her hair and pulled her cheek so that it was resting on her breast.
"I'm not a good role model too. Kat is better than I am. When your mother and I first met, I solved my problems with violence and suicidal actions. I almost disowned the pack actually."

None of this had been told to Kyra as it wasn't her proudest moments in life.
"Your mother was the one who saved me. She's much smarter than me and she's much more open and patient. As a Hound, we solve problems with fighting. It's how we were bred. We were bred for war, not peace. You're not like that, and you never will be and for that...I'm thankful. If you want me to be proud of you and happy...just do what makes you happy baby."
Mentally calling Kat, she needed Kat's support now. This was a bit too mushy for her.
 
Kyra woke, her body sore and aching, to her mother’s voice.

“Mama?” She whispered, trying to sit up. But Terra kept her lying down so Kyra didn’t move, just listening. She teared up and even wept a little at her mother’s words both the kind ones towards her and the sad ones about herself, and then started to sob.

“I was so scared you had lost faith in me mommy!”

She leaned and pressed into Terra, holding her tight. She wept into her chest as Kat stood outside the door and waited, letting Terra have this moment. Mushy or not, it was needed.

“I’d lose a thousand fights as long as your still proud,” she whimpered.

After ten minutes she calmed enough and Kat came in, snuggling up behind her daughter so she was sandwiched between her moms.

“I don’t want to kill,” she whispered, wiping tears, “but I want to help. I can train as hard as they can. I just...”

“You just have a big heart,” Kat sighed, kissing her daughters head, “you’re like your mother in so many ways baby girl, but you’ve never solved you problems with fighting like she has. You have a big heart and a strong mind.”

Kat sniffed, “but a big heart and a strong mind doesn’t make a HellHound.”

“No...but it can make a good leader. Like Alex. Or a strong healer, like your aunt. My sister was great at what she did and she hated to kill too Kyra. Ask your mother.”

Both looked to Terra, Kyra still nestled in her mother’s arms tight.
 
Terra nodded.
"Her first kill had her crying for a few days, even though the other Hound was dead set on killing her. So from then on, the team made it a point to keep her from killing anyone and kept her strictly on healing which took her out of the fight quite a bit, and took our fighting numbers down to four. It made the squad a lot more stressed when in a fight but that's what a squad does. They make sacrifices to help one another."
Smiling she kissed Kyra's forehead and stroked Kat's hand as it rested on Kyra's hip.
"We'll talk about this more in the morning...or you and your mother will."
She said as she smiled and soon the three went to sleep so that Kyra could finish healing and so that she could rest.

When morning came, Terra had both cups of coffee for Kyra and Kat, sitting on Kyra's bed with her two favorite females and smiled as she looked at her pup.
"Just relax and rest babe. Hound or not, I'm still very proud of you and never forget that."
She said as she gave her a playfully stern tone then kissed her nose before kissing her mate's lips.
"Join me for lunch later?"
When Kat nodded she smiled and headed off. When she got to the training ground Sonya looked at her and smiled a bit.
"She figure out where she fits?"
"Not yet, but she's getting there."

Sonya smiled a bit. Good. With that, the two went back to training the other trainee's. When lunch came around Terra was sitting under the tree with Angel, Angel was using her power to heal a gash on Terra's thigh. Looking up to see her mate she smiled. She then looked to Angel as the female finished.
"Thanks Angel."
The female smiled and stood giving a nod before heading off to heal someone else.
 
Kyra fell asleep between her parents and in the morning she gotcoffee and a kiss on the forehead.

“Thanks Mama. I love you.”

By lunch time Kat was coming out to join her mate, a lunch in hand for her. She plopped down and smiled at Angel as she walked away.

“Your talk worked. Kyra is still in bed but she’s spending the afternoon talking to Kytara, picking her brain. I think she wants to try. I left them talking about training schedules. There’s only one problem.”

She sat down, handing Terra her lunch and kissing her, “our daughter has a certain reluctance to shift in public. We taught her confidence, but also privacy. Do you think she could learn to fight and skip the wolf lessons and be safe still?”
 
Terra smiled at her mate and pulled Kat into her lap, holding her around the waist as she thought for a moment.
"As a wolf...no. She needs to learn how to shift for combat. I can talk to Sonya about what she thinks...though I think fighting should be the last thing on her mind at the moment love. As you know, shifting will speed up her healing and increase her senses so she needs it to be a sufficient fighter but if she can train with a Shade, they can teach her to excel in her human form. For now though, she needs to focus on something other than combat."
Smiling she ate lunch with her mate while holding her close and just enjoying the closeness.

Kytara was sitting on Kyra's bed and talking to her about what she did in the Hell Hounds, how she healed her team and what skills she needed as a healer.
"Being a healer is probably one of the most stressful jobs as you need to have eyes in the back of your head. You need to keep an eye on all members of the team while they're fighting, make a note of all their injuries and heal those that are most pressing while keeping yourself safe. Healing as a Lycan is rather difficult and requires you to become a Master in herbalism and medicines. Mainly ointments and salves. However, if you want to learn healing...the Queen's gift to you. That shard, that wasn't just to see me love. The Queen is a Spirit user. She can see into your heart to know about you without you telling her. She saw your heart and this shard...it's like a small hint of her power."

Grabbing a small letter opener from her desk, Kytara cut Kyra's thigh before she could react then put the shard in Kyra's hand.
"Use your free hand and focus on healing while holding your empty hand over the cut."
When she did this, the wound sealed just like a spirit user.
"As long as the shard is on your body, you can use the power...just for healing. As long as the victim isn't dead, you can heal them...but the greater the wound, the more energy it uses. So you need to train your body to handle the stress that it will bring. Healing is very draining."
 
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