The days after Sera's visit were a blur of activity.
Patrols doubled. Borders fortified. Scouts sent in every direction, gathering information, watching for signs of the enemy. The pack was on constant alert.
Kael was everywhere at once.
Leading patrols. Meeting with Jax. Consulting with Torin. Coordinating with Sera's wolves, who'd stayed to help. He barely slept, barely ate.
I felt his exhaustion through the bond a constant, grinding weight.
"You need to rest," I told him one night, catching him alone in the meeting clearing.
"Can't." He rubbed his face. "Too much to do."
"The pack needs you strong. Not exhausted."
"The pack needs me leading."
"They need you alive." I took his hand. "Come home. Eat. Sleep. Just for a few hours."
He looked at me. Through the bond, I felt his resistance crumble.
"Few hours," he agreed.
"Few hours."
---
I led him home.
Made him eat. Made him shower. Led him to bed.
He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
I lay beside him, watching him rest, feeling the bond ease as exhaustion finally claimed him.
Sleep, my love, I sent through the bond. I'll keep watch.
His response was barely conscious. Warm.
Love you.
Love you too.
---
While he slept, I trained.
Jax met me in the clearing, surprise on his face.
"Luna? Shouldn't you be resting?"
"He's resting. I'm training." I took a stance. "Show me everything. Weapons, fighting, strategy. Everything."
"You're serious."
"The enemy is coming for people like me. I won't be a liability."
Jax studied me for a long moment. Then nodded.
"Good. Let's start."
---
We trained for hours.
Knives first how to hold, how to strike, how to defend. Then hand-to-hand, building on what I'd already learned. Then strategy how to read a battlefield, how to position, how to fight smart.
Jax was impressed.
"You're faster than most wolves now. Stronger too." He wiped sweat from his brow. "The bond has changed you more than we realized."
"Good. I'll need every advantage."
"You'll have them." He sheathed his knife. "Rest. Tomorrow, we do it again."
---
Kael was awake when I got home.
He sat on the porch, watching me approach. Through the bond, I felt his awe—and something else. Heat.
"You've been training."
"Jax. For hours."
"I can tell." He stood, pulled me close. "You smell like sweat and steel. It's doing things to me."
"Kael."
"What? My mate is becoming a warrior. I'm allowed to appreciate it."
I laughed. "You're ridiculous."
"Your ridiculous." He kissed me. "Now shower. Then bed."
"Food first."
"Food, then bed."
"Deal."
---
After dinner, he showed me just how much he appreciated my training.
Slow at first. Worshipful. His mouth traced every new bruise, every sore muscle.
"You're amazing," he murmured against my skin.
"I'm trying."
"You're succeeding." He kissed lower. "Now let me show you how much."
He did.
By the time he finally entered me, I was trembling, desperate, completely his.
"Look at me."
I did.
Gold eyes burning with love and pride.
"My warrior Luna."
"Your mate."
"Always."
We moved together, the bond blazing, until we came apart in each other's arms.