Chapter One Hundred and Thirteen - Peace Never Lasts - Damian's POV

Like all good things, when peace comes, it doesn't always last. Maya is now shifting and I thought that would be the worst part of it all. But as she grows into her new power, I know the threat isn't over. For the next several days, we grew closer than ever. I help her practice shifting and start training her as I would another wolf. She loves her new abilities and every chance she gets, she hugs me. But we haven't completed the bond yet. I know it's coming, but I fear the others will attack before we get the chance. Though the darkness is settled and not as big of a threat anymore, it still remains, lurking in the back of my mind. I smile as I watch her running through the training course as her wolf. She's faster and stronger, almost matching me, which is good. The pack is accepting her as one of their own, though a few I still watch, since they were almost ready to overthrow me. A part of me gets it. If my life was at stake, I'd do anything to save it. They were only trying to live and ensure they did, even though they went about it the wrong way. But when the time comes, and the rest of the threat heads our way, will they still be on our side? Will Maya be able to step into her new role fully? Can I embrace my wolf and the remaining darkness to defeat them? I breathe out a sigh as she makes another lap. Her tongue hangs out of her mouth as she runs and she jumps over hurdles easily. This is what she is made for. When she comes back around, she stops at my feet and sits down like an obedient dog, which strikes me as funny. With an upturned head, she just stares at me, waiting for me to give her directions. Instead, I lean down, running my hand over her head and ears, slicking them back. 'Take a break, Maya." She shakes her head, refusing me. I push out the alpha command, but not enough to cause widespread submission. 'When your alpha gives you an order, you obey, Luna." Her eyes widen, but she doesn't submit. She cocks her head to the side and bats her eyes at me. I bite at my lower lip, amused by her reaction. 'Do I have to pump it out into the air and make everyone else submit before you do?" She shakes her head, then stands, playfully batting at me with her paw. 'Maya, what are you doing?" I ask before reaching out to stroke my hand between her ears. When she starts making circles around me, I realize she wants to play, so I let the shift take over me without shedding my clothes fast enough. The shorts are barely at my knees and the shirt hanging around my throat when it completes. Some nearby laugh, but I just finish shrugging out of them before taking off after her. We run toward the woods beyond the training fields, chasing each other and playing. The others just look at us, and watch. Some even laugh. I continue after her, not going full speed, just to enjoy the thrill of the chase happening between us. She barks as she turns her head to look back over her shoulder, checking to see if I'm following behind her. When she turns back around, she picks up speed and I realize that hers matches mine more than I anticipated. We keep up the chase for a while until we're both panting for breath and she stops by a small stream near the estate. As she lowers her head to take a drink, I also dip my head, but my eyes scan our surroundings. Though the one pack is taken care of, I know this is only for a limited time before something else flares up. Suddenly, she lets go of the shift and is sitting in front of me, naked and panting. 'That was fun. But it's hard to hold on to her that long." I chuckle before letting the shift roll through me. 'It will get easier." 'I hope so," she whispers. 'The new senses are a little wild." We both sit on the ground, dipping our legs into the water to cool off. Silence falls between us, but I can't stand sitting in silence for long. 'The pack is adjusting to your role. At least they know you're mine now and I think becoming a wolf has helped ease their minds." She nods. 'I've noticed, but there is still one thing we must do." Without saying, I know what she's talking about. She still has to claim me in return. We fall silent again. This time I don't press for conversation. I think we both need the quiet away from the others and just time to breathe. All we've done is train, eat, and sleep. Suddenly, I feel a surge of panic through the pack link, but I'm not sure why. She notices, turning her head and looking around us. 'What is it?" 'Something is wrong, but they're not saying it's an attack," I say, keeping my voice low. 'It's jumbled and I don't understand what they are upset over." We ease out of the water and start back toward the estate. The pack members outside of the manor are running around wildly. 'What is going on?" I ask the first person I run across, which just so happens to be Ethan. He looks wild. 'There is a dead body. The scouts went silent and then there was nothing. Then they said they found a body." 'Who?" Ethan shakes his head. 'It was Lyle. He was on patrol last night, but no one heard from him. Now, we know why." I shake my head, feeling the loss. Though I should have known he was dead through the pack link, something blocked me from feeling it. I'm not sure why. 'There's a note in his hand," Ethan says, his voice sounding panicked.