From Gamma to Luna

Chapter 14

Erika's POV

"Well, we don’t want to hurt her. It’s the safest way." The Gamma explained.

Sure, and you chose the most humiliating way. I interrupted him through mind-link.

He looked shocked by my words and then turned to Derek.

"She is Erika, your Luna." Derek said and walked ahead.

"I’m sorry, Luna." The man apologized immediately. Much as I didn’t want to admit it, being the Luna earned me much respect.

"Kent, the Gamma of our pack." Derek introduced him to me.

I held my chin high and didn’t say anything, not concealing the fact that I disliked him.

"Girl, what’s your name? Why do you want to take the fighting training? Don’t you want to go to school?" Derek asked.

The four men released her and helped her up. Once she stood steadily, she got rid of them and spat at them. Then she turned to Derek.

"Alpha Derek, my name is Angel. I’m seventeen years old. I want to learn to fight because I think I’m very strong and I want to become stronger. I don’t understand why girls aren’t allowed to give it a try. I think I can do better than boys. Derek, please give me a chance to prove myself," she said quickly, looking quite emotional because of what just happened. But she looked determined and firm. And she seemed very strong. I could tell that she knew something about fighting.

Derek looked quite serious, not betraying any emotion. But I guessed he was about to reject Angel.

I like her. Let her stay. I mind-linked Derek.

He shot me a glance, meaning that it was none of my business. I knew it was not a good idea to get in the middle of it, but this girl reminded me of myself. When I expressed my wish to learn to fight as a little girl, people all made fun of me and no one took it seriously. Of course, I shut them up with my fists, but things would be much easier for me if only one stood up for me.

Please. I mind-linked him and squeezed his finger.

"I understand. According to our tradition, women don't need to take fighting training. But if you insist, you can have a chance. You can pick a man on the training ground as your enemy. If you can defeat him, you’re allowed to take training." Derek ordered after thinking for a while.

Angel’s face changed, and so did mine. Honestly, I was not satisfied with how Derek dealt with it. I knew other girls would also want to join the training if he didn’t make it difficult for Angel. But that was simply unfair. I bet it was Angel’s first official training class. How could she possibly win these well-trained warriors?

Angel lowered her head and kept silent. Now she was given a chance, but it was impossible for her to win.

Let’s not rush it. What about after a week? It can leave them some time to prepare. I mind-linked all of them.

Angel raised her head and looked at me gratefully. I smiled at her.

"In real fights, no one leaves enemies time to prepare," Derek said as he shot me a warning glance. I was not sure if he was irritated by my interference.

I do. I did once. I continued talking back through mind-link. The other people present all looked at me in a way as if I was crazy. I knew I was being bold. But I couldn’t just watch without doing anything. I had been there, me against the world. I knew clearly how much Angel needed help.

"What’s the point? She can’t receive training for the week." Kentasked. Goddess, why was he so annoying?

I can teach her. Before I become the Luna, I was also a Gamma. I mind-linked them and glanced around them with my chin high.

When my eyes met Kent's, I added, a Gamma better than you.

Everyone's jaw dropped.

Derek glared at me and frowned. He must be quite angry with my interfering with his decision.

Kent also looked at me in astonishment. I bet he couldn't believe his ears now.

"Alpha Derek, I think it's against our pack tradition. We’ve got our strong warriors. Why should we waste time on training women as warriors?"

"It's not a waste of time if I can prove that I am better than the warriors you train," Angel argued.

After what felt like forever, Derek said, "OK. Angel, you have one week to prepare for it. You can pick one among the warriors to be your enemy. One week later at the same hour, you two fight on the training ground. If you can win him, you’re allowed to join the training classes as men do. But if you can't win, both you and Luna will be punished for attempting to challenge the pack tradition. Do you agree?"

My eyes widened at his words. There was even punishment. He must be so angry with me. I guessed he had seldom been challenged by his pack members, let alone a woman.

"Yes, thank you, Alpha Derek," Angel said. She glanced around the warriors, trying to pick a warrior.

The short guy at the back with blonde hair. I mind-linked Angel secretly. He seemed quite young and inexperienced.

Angel picked that guy as I said. The young man walked in front of us with his head low. His name was Paul.

While the other warriors all laughed at him for being picked by Angel, Derek released his grip on my hand, turned around, and left as if he had forgotten about me. He completely ignored me!

After Derek left, the warriors also left. Kent shot me a meaningful glance and then turned around. I must have offended many people by doing so.

Angel walked over and her face shone. "Thank you so much, Luna. It’s so kind of you!"

I knew I did the right thing.