The Female Warrior

The scent of sweat and fear mingled with the sharp tang of wood splinters. "Alex! Pay attention," Ben’s voice cut through the air, a familiar jibe. I smirked, focusing on the rogue's wavering arm. This was our game, a brutal arm-wrestling match where defeat meant a stint in the cellar for the rogue, and another victory for me.
The cheers of my pack echoed around us, a symphony of wild delight as the rogue’s face contorted in despair. He was a fool, truly. Following us all the way from the brutal fight at Gold Moon Pack, believing he could unravel the secrets of Black Rain. We let him, knowing the inevitable.
Playtime over, I moved to my post, checking in with the patrol. Everything was smooth. It had taken years to earn their respect, to prove that a woman could be a warrior, even a Beta. The crescent between my brows was proof of Apollo’s choice.
Life in Black Rain was simple: train, fight, protect. Yet, sometimes, I wondered about a different life—one with a happy family, a mate. But that was a dream for others, not a warrior like me.
Then, Samuel’s command shattered the quiet: "The pack hall, now." My feet moved on their own, a blur of brown and red furs rushing past me. Inside, the tense silence was palpable. Samuel’s face, his clenched fists, told me nothing good was coming. "I am afraid that our source from the south were correct," he began, and a chill ran down my spine. "The council has informed me that the threat of the rogues has grown increasingly in the north."