Episode 3

News about Luana reached the ears of Alpha Tulio first, who went to check what his progeny had done. He found her in the clinic and couldn't stop laughing; his child was excellent at teasing the pups and he found his methods incredibly effective.

"Doctor Clecio, how is she?"

"She looks terrible, but otherwise, she'll soon get better. He dislocated her jaw so she couldn't talk, but it's back in place and it's already healed. Her buttocks were quite battered too, but there shouldn't be any lasting marks."

"Great, otherwise, I'd have to howl at the moon because my Luna will kick me out of the bedroom."

"Maybe you should have a word with Henrique, he's growing up and his strength could really hurt someone next time."

"Let the boy have some fun… he must be jealous of her, because of the mother's attention, I'll send him to the arena with the elders."

"Do you think that's wise?"

"He's not a child anymore, and if left unchecked, it results in him doing this to a child, let's see how he fares with an adult."

In an effort to please his father, Henrique brought an even bigger problem upon himself. Training with the older fighters would force him to concentrate so as not to sustain serious injury. When he learned of what his father planned to do with him because of his actions towards Luana, he regretted showing off at the girl's expense.

They started the very next day, but luckily for him, the instructor decided to strengthen his muscles first and had him running extensively through the forest, dodging trees and leaping over obstacles in both human and wolf form.

Luna couldn't punish Henrique, as Tulio stood up for his son and told his wife that Luana hadn't suffered much and was nearly recovered—there was no point in quarreling with the boy over this. He also blamed her for neglecting their own child, all the while attending to someone else's daughter.

Luna disliked what she heard, but she remained silent. There was a limit she couldn't cross with her mate. He was often violent and his mind seemed unbalanced at times, sometimes seeming quite fine and other times very much not.

Months passed, with Henrique growing stronger, and the pack attacked another, decimating an entire pack of red wolves. They weren't numerous, for that type of wolf was rare, and even divine protection did not aid them.

Upon their return, Henrique saw and heard everything, and was displeased to learn of such beautiful creatures being obliterated, aware that there'd be no more wolves of that kind. But he spotted a figure in the corner, hiding, snooping, and dragged her out by her newly grown hair.

"What are you doing here, you troublesome girl?"

"Let go, let go, Rique!"

"I won't, you came here because you're asking for more spankings, aren't you?"

"No, Rique, no…"

She then hung suspended and kicked his shin hard. Afterwards, she bit his arm, shocking him enough to make him drop her to the ground. She managed to crawl away and stand up, running straight for the kitchen where Luna was preparing dinner.

"Luna, Luna, Rique…"

She hid between Luna's legs, waiting for Henrique's arrival. It didn't take long, and there he was, glaring at his mother for protecting the impudent child.

"This brat kicked and bit me, and you defend her, why?"

"Stop it, Henrique, she's still a baby, instead of hitting her, you should be teaching her."

"How do you teach a pest?"

"You're like an older brother to her, please, protect her, don't hit her anymore."

He left the kitchen in a huff, joining his father and the men at the party. They began to fight among themselves, reveling, and included him, turning him into the adults' punching bag. From that point on, he resolved to become very strong and brave; he would train much harder than anyone else and one day, he would be a much better Alpha, even than his father.

Keeping the promise he made to himself, three more years passed and he was strong, although still a boy, he now resembled a young man. It was at this time he realized that Luana had grown as well; she was six years old and remained a little girl, her hair had grown into golden curls, and she looked like an angel.

"Luana!" he called out as he saw her dash through the room.

She didn't stop; she never did for Henrique, knowing how he tormented her, so she continued straight to the kitchen. But Henrique chased after and caught her by the shoulder, knocking her to the ground with force.

"Ow, stop Rique."

"I called you and you didn't stop, you need to learn to obey me. I'll be the alpha of this pack and you will serve me."

Luana knew this well; not wanting to cause further conflict, she stood up and bowed to him, asking, "What can I do for you, Rique?"

"That's better. Be at the arena early tomorrow; you will start your combat training."

The young female looked at him wide-eyed, wondering why she needed to learn to fight. Only males went to battle; there was no need for her to train.

"Females don't learn to fight, what must I learn?"

"Because I'm commanding it. You need to learn to defend yourself, and if one day we're attacked and you can't fight, who will protect you?"

"The pack warriors. They're the ones who protect the women and children; Luna taught me that."

He grabbed her hair with a full hand and lifted her off the ground.

"Ow! Let me go, Rique."

"I order you to be there at dawn tomorrow in the arena to learn how to fight, and I don't want to hear any more complaints."—he released her and she fell seated on the floor again.

He watched her drag herself away and then left, with a sly smile on his face. He'd teach the little pest to fight and defend herself, even if it took his time and resolve.

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