CHAPTER 1 Rachelle Simon 1

　　"Rachelle Simon from Dark Soul Pack, I hereby give to you the power of a battlefield commander. At the age of 16, you just reached a high position that no one had ever done. You're the first woman who stepped in to become one of the best battlefield commanders. And I am obliged to admit that I am so amazed and proud of you." I bowed my head a little as the Alpha King put the gold medal and hooked it on my neck as a sign that I really became a battlefield commander.

　　I murmured 'thanks' to him and gave him my best smile. As he pinned the gold shining badge at the left breast pocket of mine, as proof that I am now graduated to be a soldier and now became a commander. I heard the claps come from the other ungraduated soldiers. I couldn't hide the excitement I felt. What surprises me really is when the Alpha King whispered when he was finished pinning my badge.

　　"I am so proud of you, Rachelle. This day was very reluctant for me to come without my son, the soon-to-be Alpha King. He was in his training for now to become a king. But I skipped to look at him and look forward to seeing you. I was a little bit surprised that you are a woman with great skills and just became a battlefield commander. I've been anticipating seeing you and now you're in front of me, I'm giving you the right award for you. I can't help but say how I am so proud of you even though you aren't my daughter."

　　I got teary-eyed and muttered 'thank you' at him again. Why am I so grateful to him? This compliment was too much to bear. I gave him a bow which showed that I am respecting and honoring him that much. Once more, I glanced at him. And say, "Thank you, Your Majesty, Alpha King." I gave him my sweetest smile.

　　I opened my eyes and smiled at one of the best memories I had in my life. Being awarded to be a battlefield commander at my pack was inspiring me. I knew I really deserved to be awarded this despite the other men in my pack disagreeing that I am now their commander in their training and their war. I knew that they didn't approve of the way I trained them. Well, who wouldn't like to be commanded by a woman? I knew I just hit their ego but I suddenly don't care about them—being egoistic and a chauvinist, too.

　　I creased my forehead as I noticed something in one of them where soldiers in Dark Soul Pack didn't run faster in the massive blue track oval mat than the others. I blew my whistle causing him to catch his attention to mine. "Use your strong-muscled legs, private! Run faster! You're getting late! What do you think will Alpha Storm say to you?!!" I said snapping at him.

　　He saluted at me. "Ma'am, yes, Ma'am." He said and started to run to chase his other companions who were running at the oval ground.

　　I kept on eyeing them and relaxed a little. I don't want Alpha Storm to say that his men were weak. He keeps on saying to me that I should train his men in his pack—Dark Soul Pack, a pack where I usually belong.

　　I don't want to disappoint my Alpha because he already gave me his trust in me even though he was disagreeing that a woman like me commanded them. But I knew he understands me very much. He was the same age as me. He was just 20 years old, the same as mine. And last week, we'd just met our Luna. Her name is Casey. She's a big mystery for me because Alpha Storm never told us where she was coming from. But to all the pack, they didn't seem to care anymore as long as we had a Luna, everything will go well for us.

　　In keeping the men strong, the first workout I trained at them was the Spartan race. I was very strict and I kept on watching them. This training will help them increase endurance and have muscle-stronger legs even when they shifted into a wolf form.

　　I also performed various dynamic stretches and bodyweight drills, such as squats, lunges, push-ups, jumping jacks, and dynamic planks. My study shows that performing a proper dynamic warm-up improves mobility, reduces the risk of injury, and stimulates the nervous system to improve movement.

　　I also trained myself on my own. From what I had learned since I was training to be a private soldier, I also applied it to myself and Alpha Storm's men.

　　"Seems you really are very strict, Rachelle, huh?"

　　I looked to my side and I saw Luna Casey walking toward me. My eyes widened wondering what she was doing here and I was captivated by her beauty. Don't get me wrong, I am not a lesbian. I was just appreciating her beauty.

　　"Luna..." I greeted her with a bow. I am respecting her not just because she was a Luna but because of her modesty and benevolence.

　　She chuckled which surprised me so I looked at her. "Just call me by my name. I am not used to it calling me like that. Enough of formalities, eh."

　　I felt reluctant in calling her by her name but I did what she said. I shouldn't refuse her. "Okay. Uhm, Casey," I smiled at her. Then I realized something, "Wouldn't you suppose at the packhouse? I thought Alpha Storm wouldn't allow you to enter this training gym," I said politely, unwilling to offend her. "He'll get angry with us," I said worriedly.

　　I knew Alpha Storm. He was overprotective of Luna Casey—Casey, I mean. He doesn't want to let Casey go on in here. And I don't know his reason though I never ask. My training with our pack members was so violent, savage, and brutal. But knowing his mate, Casey, is I think a hard-headed person.

　　"Nah, don't mind him. I'll talk to him later if he approaches you to let me in. Just let me wander around. I've been dying to see how you trained Storm's men. You know what? You're a remarkable warrior."

　　I couldn't help the blush creeping in my cheeks with her compliment. Our Luna was complimenting me. And this compliment overwhelmed me. I murmured 'thanks' to her shyly.