“Beta Brynlee!” Turning at the sound of someone calling my name I spy A she-wolf named Jennifer waving to me as she corrals two pups towards me. It has been two weeks since the first batch of Pine Moon wolves joined our pack and Jennifer was one of them. She came to our pack as an Omega, same as her mate, but after a few days of training it became clear she was fit to become a warrior.
“Morning Jen. Hi Izzy and Michael.” I bend down and ruffle Michael’s hair, the seven-year-old swatting my hand away before he and his twin sister run over to join the other pups in today’s training session.
“You know, It’s good to finally call you that. Call you Beta I mean.” Jennifer musses as she watches her pups run around with the others in this class.
“It feels nice being called it.” I smile back, giving my friend a hug. Jennifer had been the first to step off the charter bus we bought to bring the Pine Moon wolves here to Crescent Phoenix. I remember how frail and afraid she looked with her body hunched over as Crescent Phoenix wolves watched on until her eyes zeroed in on me. It was like time froze the moment we saw each other before she ran towards me and wrapped me in a hug before anyone could stop her. She had cried into my shoulder at how relieved she was, knowing that she was now safe.
“We had a feeling you were behind this.” She had whispered in my ear, holding me tighter as I consoled her. What Asteria told me was true – Pine Moon was going through a drastic change for the worse because of Valor and Tanya.
“Your mom loved that stupid Lilac bush and it wasn’t hard to put two and two together when Caspian mentioned that this Beta Lilac is his friend.” Jennifer had continued as her tears slowed. I had laughed at this statement and pulled away from my friend, reassuring the she-wolf that we could talk before I stepped away from her to welcome the Pine Moon wolves to the pack and asking them to step inside so they could meet their new Alpha. When Asteria appeared, they were even more shocked before they swarmed her, expressing gratitude in helping them as well as congratulating us on becoming the leaders of Ivory Fang.
“So what are the pups learning today?” Jennifer’s voice pulls me away from my thoughts as I watch those between the ages of five to nine run around on the obstacle course. Lunette is the one leading the pups. Her legs weaving in and out of the small bushes I set up in this new training ground just for them.
“Speed and stamina as usual. When they turn ten, they will join the next class where we focus on training their strength and preparing them to shift.” I answer, watching as a pup falls down and causes a small traffic jam. I chuckle, making my way over to the little boy and help him up while checking for any bumps and scrapes.
“Did you forget something?” I ask this pup – Tyson – as I realize that his laces are untied. He shakes his head no as he looks down before his head pops up with a look of realization.
“My laces!” He shouts and I wince. Pups are lucky not to have sensitive hearing like us already shifted wolves. I watch as Tyson bends down and ties his laces, double checking that they are secured before sending him on his way.
“You will make a great mother one day.” Jennifer comes up beside me and I smile, watching these pups play on the obstacle course and helping one another through them. We call this training, but it is just two hours of the pups running and climbing around as they learn hand eye co-ordination through play and me showing them some new things to focus on every so often.
“It brilliant to make this indoor place for the pups.” Another voice calls out. I turn to see Odette walk in with her own pups, the three ranging in ages from five to seven to nine. Her nine-year- old Marc will be joining the next class in a month when he turns ten.
“We needed a place for the pups to be when the adults trained. Figured we turn an abandoned building into something fun.” I shrug as Marc joins Lunette in leading the pups, the nine-year-old having grown close to Lunette since we opened the pup training ground.
“Well, we parents thank you for it. It’s nice knowing that the pups are safe with you.” Odette comes and gives me a hug and I reciprocate it.
“Anyways, we have training in ten minutes with Quincy. We will be back to pick the pups up before the next round of new wolves come in.” Jennifer chimes in, snaking her arms through Odette’s when our hug ends. I wave goodbye to the two she-wolves before closing the front door. Everyone is here and accounted for and it is time to start the day.
“Okay niblings.” I call out, watching everyone stop at the sound of my voice.
“Today we are going to play a game of hide and seek. It is important you stay either in the building or in the fenced in area where we learned how to hid our scents two days ago. Understand?” I continue explaining, getting a resounding ‘Yes Beta Brynlee’ from the pups. I smile, explaining the importance of learning how to hide and not be found, reminding them that when they hear the code word ‘Bloom’ they are to come out of hiding. Those not found will earn a reward when they come out.
“Are you all ready?” I call out, looking at Marc who volunteered to be the seeker.
“Yes!” The twenty pups shout back in excitement.
“Okay. Go!” With my signal, the pups take off within the facility or outside the open patio doors. Marc starts counting to fifteen and I think back to Jennfer’s words.
Would I ever find someone to love and have pups or will I end up alone. Would I be a good mother to my pups if I did end up having any.
I walk around the facility as Marc begins seeking, finding the first four pups easily and sending them to the carpet we set as the “Found” camp. Pups find toys to play with while we wait for others to be found until only four remained. Marc searches everywhere and grows frustrated. I shake my head in amusement and call out Bloom, watching as three mud covered pups come in with triumphant smiles from outside before I spy Lunette climbing down from the rock wall.
“Well done you four. I have freshly made cupcakes waiting for you to take home.” I praise, motioning for the mud-covered pups back outside where I rinse off the mud from each one of them before handing them a towel and having everyone gather in front of me. I explain in detail what each pup did wrong and what they did right before Lunette asks to be seeker and we repeat the process over and over again with Lunette and Marc taking turns being seekers.
It doesn’t take long for the pups to become good at hiding and soon no one was able to be found the final round. I call out the code word and watch as ten pups covered in mud, leaves and dirt join me, making me laugh while the nine that hid inside climb out of places no one thought to check. It is clear that they mastered covering their scent and as their parents come to pick up their exhausted yet happy pups – each with a cupcake in hand – I praise their growing skills, their parents smiling and promising each child a treat when they get home.
With each pup gone, I begin cleaning the facility and return toys to their rightful place. I think back to if I will be a good mom one day and smile while looking around the room before turning off the lights and make my way to the pack house for dinner.
The answer is yes. One day I will make a great mom to my pups and train them with the same love and patience I have for my little students.