Bride of the Cursed Alpha - Chapter 77: Chapter 77

Auren POV
I told Lucien everything that Julie said to me. He seemed surprised for a moment but then a smile came on his lips. Rather a smirk. It was as if he was basking under some decision he had made, which he didn’t tell me.
“Alpha Lucien,” Tarian came in a few minutes later, his chest rising and falling. He looked like he had done a lot of work. “I have sent Sable and Rizv to the dungeons!”
My eyes widened in surprise. I snapped my head at Lucien. “What? Why?”
He chuckled darkly as he brushed a strand of hair from my face. “Because she dared to fight with my Luna.”
I blinked my eyes, my mouth dropping in wonder. Lucien was so dark and possessive about me. My heart swelled at his protective gesture, but wasn't it an extreme measure? I curled my hands around his neck and kissed him on his lips. Tears welled in my eyes but I didn’t let them fall. In a hoarse voice I said hesitantly, “Thank you.”
He looked right into my eyes, his brows furrowing. “Aren't you happy with my decision?” he asked.
I glanced at Tarian who sat on the opposite couch. Lowering my eyes, I replied, “I think it was extreme considering that I also fought with her voluntarily.”
He cupped my cheeks with his large hands. “No one can dare to challenge my Luna. If they do it, it’s a direct insult to me. However, if you would have challenged someone, it would have been a different matter. Besides, they are in the dungeons for two days only. It’s a lesson to them and a message to everyone in the pack that no one can mess with my wife.”
I leaned my head on his shoulder and kissed him where my mark would sit. He stiffened, his hands gripping my waist tightly. “Thank you. I don’t know the pack politics or how things work. I’m not a trained Luna. I’m sorry if I talk like a fool.”
“Fuck no!” he rasped. “You talk like my perfect Luna. You’re kind and thoughtful. Brave and so beautiful.”
I blushed and bit my bottom lip. Lucien surely knew how to flatter you.
He added, “Moon goddess couldn’t have paired me with a better she-wolf.”
I furrowed my brows. What did he mean, ‘paired’?
He sensed my hesitation and immediately added, “You are naturally so talented. Never ever think that you are lesser than anyone, okay?”
His words made me feel empowered. Like I was carving my niche in this rotten world.
Then he asked, “Have you ever had warrior training? Or secretly trained yourself?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“Then how did you fight these people so well?” he asked, amazement lacing his words. “You are a mystery, Auren.”
I laughed softly. “No idea what happens to me back in the arena, but I feel like I’m someone else when I fight them.”
“Why don’t we start her warrior training?” Tarian suggested. “She’s a natural.”
“No!” Lucien growled. “She is too fragile. What if she gets injured? What if she falls down? I won't let her go there again!”
I pouted. “After all the time I have defeated those people, you are saying that I am fragile?”
“Baby, it’s just that—” Lucien was flustered. “I don’t want—”
“Please…” I urged him. “If you will allow me, I can hone my skills and be better equipped when the next challenge arrives.”
He scratched his brows, resigning to my demand. Letting out a rough exhale, he breathed, “Okay!” Then he directed Tarian, “Make sure that she is pitted against beginner level pups.”
Tarian chuckled. “Alpha Lucien, our Luna defeated Sable, and you want me to pit her against beginner level pups. They have no chance against her.”
“There would be no discussion on this matter,” Lucien growled.
Tarian became quiet, making a zipping action over them with his finger. But I pursed my lips. Lucien wanted me to fight with pups who had just started. It was as if I was going to kindergarten. I didn’t argue, because this was a start. And I needed this to keep me busy.
“Has the Shaman come back?” Lucien asked Tarian.
Tarian glanced at me and said, “No, the warriors have informed me that he will be staying there for a day or two more. He is uncovering Eld—”
“Okay, thanks!” Lucien cut him off, and then went on to glare at Tarian. His eyes turned blank for a moment and I knew that he was talking to Tarian via mind link.
“Sorry…” Tarian muttered. He got up and went to the dining hall.
Lucien also got up and went to the dining hall with me. I was so shocked that despite having eaten so much, I was eating again. Damn it. At this rate I was going to end up like a fat cow in a few days. I sighed as Lucien filled my plate first before filling his. As the two Alpha and Beta went on to talk about their day-to-day pack affairs, I listened to them intently. It was all very new, but very intriguing.
The next day, I went to the arena feeling very excited. Tarian took me to the area where the pups were pitted against each other. They were all young ones no more than fifteen years old. They all bowed to me and smiled warmly. “Welcome Luna, please take it easy on us” said one of them. I laughed. Tarian had a chart prepared and paired me against them one by one. While all other high-ranking warriors looked at me me, some with curiosity and some with hatred, I enjoyed myself.
“Luna Auren!” Julie called me when I finished. “Hi!” She grinned.
“Hi!” I grinned back.
“Why don’t you join us over there tomorrow?” she said, pointing to a group of boys and girls my age who were at advanced level. “You are way too good for these poor pups.”
I laughed. “I know, but Alpha Lucien wants me here.”
“Oh, okay,” she said. Then she came closer to me. “My birthday is the day after. I was wondering—” She hesitated with a blush. “Would you—” She again hesitated.
“I’ll join you,” I completed her sentence with a smile.
She beamed. “Thank you, Luna Auren. You don’t know what that means to me!” she chirped. “I’ll be going with my friends to the best eatery in our pack! It’s about thirty minutes from here.”
This was my first ever invitation to interact with boys and girls of my age. The idea was thrilling. But I knew that I had to ask Lucien about it.