Page 31 of Forever My Siren Luna (The Hidden Cove #2)

The training grounds have a crowd so thick that it’s impossible to see what is happening. I can hear vicious snarls and growls. There are Lycan beasts at play here. The powerful energy and feral spirit I feel emanating from the space I can not see up ahead terrifies me.

How are all these people just watching and not stepping in?

My hair stands on end thinking that Ela may be in the middle of the horrid sounds I hear. The growls and roars, and the smell of blood make my stomach turn.

I’m finally able to push through the crowd, using my magic to force people out of my way with shocks to their feet.

I expected to see Lachlan fighting someone, but he was standing off to the side, cringing and wincing, a pained look on his face like he couldn’t stand to see what was happening before him, but he also couldn’t look away.

Cherum is beside him, a look of awe in his eyes. His cheeks are as red as his hair, and he is tensing and jerking his body, like he is wishing to be in the fight too.

The fight.

My goodness, I have never witnessed such a powerful beast as the one before me. Its aura is familiar, but I can’t quite place who it is. I know I’ve seen this beast. The memory is teetering on the edge of my mind.

It’s going up against two slightly smaller Lycans, both with less menacing auras. Menacing might not be the right way to describe the larger beast, though it is surely that. Powerful, imposing, foreboding, monstrous. This beast would be a match for the Alpha, who is watching with worry.

That’s when it hits me. I have seen this beast before. Just a few days ago on the docks.

It’s her. Ela. It’s Ela’s beast. That's why he is worried.

Both of the other Lycans circle around her, looking for an opening. The blood in her fur lets me know she has been fighting for a while. I selfishly pray that it’s not her blood, but someone else’s.

A different kind of fear gripped me. Why is that bloody Alpha allowing for her to be in this fight against two other Lycans? What if they seriously hurt her? Why isn’t he stepping in?

If he’s not going to, I am. I can’t just let them continue on.

One of the Lycan’s leapt forward from behind her, snout open and its fangs dripping with steaming drool. It aimed for the back of Ela’s neck, but right before it made contact, Ela’s beast ducks and turns, catching the other Lycan in her mouth instead.

She tossed him at the other beast moving towards her, then at speeds so fast my eye can’t catch it, she moves.

She is like watching a lightning strike. Beautiful and terrifying. You try to anticipate her strike, but she is too fast. She is terrifyingly magnificent.

I stepped forward, ready to stop her, but now I am frozen in place.

She is beautiful in the ways she moves. Her attacks are exact and full of so much grace, even in her monstrous form.

The two other Lycans are overwhelmed, and though it is hard to follow her attacks, it’s easy to see they are on the losing side.

The crowd is cheering. Cherum looked excited, like a proud father cheering on his child.

Lachlan has an expression I’m sure matches my own; horrified awe.

I hate that she is fighting, but I feel a strange surge of pride at how easy it is for her. Pride does not override the horror I feel though.

“I told you she was a warrior.” The electric grip that suddenly clamped down on my shoulder lets me know that Mel has caught up with me.

I can hear the two boys making noises like most in the crowd. Sounds of amazement and excitement. I can’t quite meet their level of enthusiasm.

“Look at her go. I knew there was a fighter in her. I should recruit her for a commanding position.”

I groaned, hating that idea. After all that was discussed yesterday, that would mean that Ela would be fighting on the frontlines, which is a place I never wanted her to be.

Meldec chuckled deeply. “Look at the Alpha. He might hate her fighting more than you.”

Lachlan looked like he’s in pain. Ela has blood flying everywhere, not backing down or slowing her moves. Not until both of the other Lycans bear their necks, conceding the fight.

Watching her win while outmatched was something I never expected to see. It bewilders me how good she is at this.

“I want to be like that person one day!” Little Westley exclaimed. “Who is it? Is it a scary warrior?”

“The scariest,” Meldec chuckled. “That is the Luna.”

“The Luna?!” Both boys yelled together.

“Girls can’t fight, though,” Riley, the newer boy that the warrior, Kent, adopted said.

“Why can’t they?” Kent asked him.

“Because,” Riley furrowed his little tiny eyebrows, “they just can’t. Girls aren’t strong.”

“Did she not look strong to you?” Kent laughed. “Girls may be stronger than men. That’s why the gods and goddesses made them sweeter, or men would all be doomed.”

“Amen,” Mel grunted. “You should have seen the previous Luna. She was a strong warrior too. Not like our current Luna, though. I have never seen such power from anyone besides the Alpha.”

“She looked stronger to me,” Kent smirked. “It would be interesting to see them fight each other.”

“It would be boring as hell. He wouldn’t even try to hurt her,” Mel snorted.

“I think the Luna could make him give her a fair fight,” Kent replied.

“How?” Little Riley asked.

“You know how I said women might be stronger than men?” Kent waited for Riley to nod. “It’s because they have other strengths, and no man is weaker than when he goes up against the woman he loves.”

Riley tilts his head, giving Kent a funny look. “I don’t get it.”

“You will one day,” Kent ruffled his hair.

Ironically, Ela chooses that moment to shift back into her regular form, standing before the whole crowd stark naked.

Most look away, but some just can’t seem to tear their eyes off her. Her beauty is otherworldly, like an angel from heaven or a fallen one in hell with the amount of blood coating her body. It’s not her blood. I can smell that it’s not. I breathed out a sigh of relief.

Lachlan rushed to her side, covering her with his own jacket, which she tried to refuse. He ends up getting it on her, buttoning it so it looks like she is wearing a short, baggy dress.

“Daddy Kent. can we come to the packhouse more?” I turned to see both boys openly gawking.

“Oh boy,” Kent muttered under his breath, making Mel laugh.

I’m just still in shock. I guess my princess isn’t so helpless after all. There is a lot more spice mixed in with her sweetness. She packs quite the kick.