Chapter 162: I will join this group

The night was peaceful with little stars dotting the dark sky. However, one would hear sounds of a skirmish once they go deep into the forest where the young shifters usually had their training.

It has been a while since they had their training, since before the time that Erick and a few shifters from the pack went on their mission. Added with the fact that the young shifter's head trainer needed time to recover, this was actually the first time that they had their training.

Earlier, Latham had approached a young auburn haired woman, asking her to join the training. She rejected his offer, worried that she might be in the way. She rather watches them, though the look in her eyes tells another story.

Thus, the more she watched, the more intrigued she felt. She never had anyone to train with. She doesn't even train before, other than shifting and running around. It was probably Rae who got excited when it comes to sparring but she too feels excited.

"Maybe I should give this a try…" she murmured softly, her eyes began to brighten with excitement.

She then stood up and started to approach them.

A small smile appeared on Latham's lips as he pretended to not notice the young woman walking towards him as his back was to her. He knew that she would get curious and wanted to join in the training. Which young shifter, who had been trapped in a room for more than five years, would not get excited in 'stretching' their arms for a bit?

Hamish, who also noticed Makena walking towards them, had his eyebrows furrowed in suspicion.

Separating himself from the group, he approached Makena before she could reach Latham's side and asked in concern, "What's wrong? Are you bored?"

Makena gave him a small smile as she shook her head. "No, I'm not. I just wanted to ask Big Brother Latham whether I can join the training."

Hamish frowned. "Why would you want to join? You should just rest. It hasn't been that long since you got free from that crazy warlock's place."

"I think I've had enough rest," she argued.

"Now, now, Hamish," Latham said, as he approached the couple. "Let her be. She probably wants to play a little."

He then turned towards Makena and continued, "Don't you?"

Makena nodded, her eyes brightening with excitement.

Hamish let out a sigh as he looked at his mate, a look of worry on his face. "Then you should just join my group. If anyone bullies you, you should tell me."

Both Latham and Makena rolled their eyes. "Who would dare to bully the granddaughter of the Cairin pack?" Latham said. "And one who has the power of healing? No matter how much they wanted to beat her up, she would already be healed in full condition."

Hamish just scowled at him.

Latham frowned back. "Don't give me that look. Go and train!" he ordered, pointing him to his group telling him to return back.

He then turned to Makena and said, "You can choose any group that you want. And within that group, you can fight with whomever you want. Just remember that this is just a practice fight. Not a fight to death."

Makena nodded.

Both Erick and Hamish were in a different group. Erick was grouped together with Jeayan and other young shifters while Hamish was with Dex and other young shifters. Each group, there were at least five to six young shifters. At Erick's group, there were already six of them whereas at Hamish's group there were only five of them.

Seeing that they were only one person short, Hamish believed that Makena would join his group.

To his great shock and disbelief, he watched Makena approaching Erick. He then quickly chased after Makena and pulled on her arm. "Why are you going there? Come and join my group."

Makena shook her head as she gently pried his hand away from her arm. She then said, "I want to be in Erick's group."

She looked at Erick, who was also looking at her in the eye and continued, "I want to fight with him."

Loud gasps resonated throughout the field as everyone turned to look at the bold young woman. It has been a while since anyone wants to challenge Erick. And the fact that he has some parts of his wolf's soul, it was well-known that his strength was also getting stronger. Even Dex did not dare to challenge him.

Erick just cocked an eyebrow at the young woman.

He then walked towards her with a grin on his face. "I don't mind fighting with you. And as my respect to you as Dane's kin as well as someone older than me, I won't hold back."

There was no longer a glimpse of the terrified and awkward young woman from before, rather there was a confident young woman standing in Makena's place as she smiled back. "I'd rather you do that."

Erick then narrowed his eyes at her and said, "A pleasure, Rae."

Hamish cocked an eyebrow while Latham looked at the young woman in surprise.

"How did you know it was me?" Rae asked in surprise.

"Your scent is different from Makena's."

Apparently, Makena was able to change into Rae, without shifting as well. It was just that it's not often that she does that because it may disrupt the two souls. But probably because she and Rae had a very strong bond, it was possible for them.

Rae just gave a light chuckle. She then peeked a glance at Hamish under her lashes and said, "Seems like you're not the only one who knew I'm not Makena."

Hamish just looked away when Rae was looking at him, unconcerned. Totally unlike when he was pampering Makena earlier on.

"It would be shameful for me if I don't know my own mate," Hamish declared.

Rae walked closer to Hamish and said, "But technically, I'm still your mate."

Hamish just keeps quiet. It was true. Even if Rae was only Makena's wolf soul, the two of them were still Hamish's mate.

Latham then stepped forward and announced in a loud voice, "Alright, everyone! Let's stop this chit-chat and get on with the training. Return to your group right now. Noaz and I will oversee this training so do not go overboard!"

He turned to Noaz, who nodded back at him.

Overall, there were five groups. And as mentioned before, each group has five to six shifters in them. And everyone was given fifteen minutes to spar before the next two starts.

Although Latham only has one functioning hand, it did not stop him from training the young shifters. And even with one hand, the young shifters do not dare to undermine his command or be disrespectful towards him.

Latham was in charge of three groups whereas Noaz was in charge of the other two.

Once everyone was in place, Latham began giving out instructions and the rules of the training. Noaz and him will not interfere in the training unless they are forced to. He also told them of the punishments should they break the rules or try to go overboard with their training.

Makena was standing in Erick's group, where she stood a bit further from them. Although she did challenge Erick for a spar, it was still a bit awkward for her to stand near the front when she was not from the pack. However, Jeayan had pulled her to stand next to her.

Jeayan does not know Makena, other than the fact that she's Hamish's mate so when she saw the latter joining them, she immediately latched herself to Makena. She then introduced herself.

Makena felt surprised at the other young woman's friendliness that she could not help but being pulled in. She no longer felt awkward as she began to talk with Jeayan.

Jeayan was quite surprised as well when she found out that Makena was two years older than them. She had thought that she was either the same age or younger than them. Still, that did not stop her from getting closer to her.

Hamish could only watch in envy, as he glared daggers at how friendly Jeayan was.