Mora was currently restless as she fought her wolf side. It was a constant battle but one she grew up fighting. Every second, minute and hour of each day was filled with this inner battle. Sometimes she was jealous of her older brother for not having to deal with this as well as her parents and pack members.
'Kill,' her wolf demanded and Mora shook her head.
'No, we protect pack not hurt.' She reminded her wolf who ultimately submitted.
She sighed as she continued training. Everyone could see when she struggled as her skin rippled and her claws lengthened and retracted. "Keep going!" She ordered and everyone continued to spar.
Thankfully the extreme episodes happened less and less as she got older. Only they were now coming back as their pack was to host this years Warrior Tournament. Over fifty packs would be sending their top five warriors as well as Alphas, Lunas and Gammas to make alliances and compete. This year Mora was participating for her pack. She could have participated since she was 9 and first shifted but then everyone would've known about the feral shifter.
Feral shifters were rare and most were killed at the first signs of it. Typical wolves shift when they reach puberty between the ages of 12 and 15. Mora shifted at 9 but had shown signs of being feral the day she was born. She had been born with blood red eyes which is the first sign of a feral wolf. Her parents being the Betas begged the Alpha and Luna not to kill her and they agreed as long as she was proven safe around the pack. Since the day she could walk she trained, meditated and even on difficult days wore a silver band to control her instincts. She was always faster and stronger than the other wolves and had only shifted and attacked once. That was due to a group of kids attacking and bullying her when she was 9 causing her first shift.
Mora had always been the odd one out as she felt very little emotions. The only ones she really felt were anger and calm. She never smiled, never felt happy or could even empathize with any other wolves. She knew basic instincts and she used that to keep herself from killing mindlessly. On the extremely bad days she would go into no mans land and hunt rogues or wild game. The longest she disappeared was a week and she came back with a scar down her face and a massive grizzly in tow. Her wolf did enjoy caring for the pack and training them but a few were on her shit list and Mora avoided them at all costs.
As training continued Mora gave them instructions to improve and even nodded in approval at some. "Alright we are done for today. Tomorrow is a day of rest as the packs will be arriving for the tournament and we need to maintain our borders and keep the peace." She nearly scoffed as she was anything but peaceful.
With that they all bowed before dispersing. Before she could leave however two of her least favorite wolves arrived. "Mora!" The new Luna called.
Her wolf bristled having a strong dislike for wolves of authority especially those that tried to control her. Being feral meant alpha commands never worked and only served to anger her. "Yes Luna," she turned showing a blank face.
"Liam and I just wanted to make sure everything is set with the borders tomorrow and that you will still be competing." She spoke and she fought back a snarl.
They were the reason she was competing this year as they pack had rarely ever placed the past five years. As soon as Liam took over he announced she would be competing. They wanted to improve their status among packs regardless of whether or not she would get killed by the council in the process.
"Everything is set," she stated before turning.
They also used her brothers position to get her to compete. They stated if she refused he would lose his Beta position and possibly be sent rogue. It took every ounce of strength to not kill them. She was only protective over one person and that was her brother. Her wolf was fond of him and always made sure he was protected especially after they lost their father to cancer six years ago and their mother followed shortly after. He helped raise her and helped her control her anger and bloodlust.
"Good, make sure to be on time for dinner tomorrow when the packs introduce their warriors." Liam added and her chest rumbled.
She cast a glare over her shoulder. "Yes, Alpha."
Her and her wolf believed him to be a weak male not suited for his position. His father was a great Alpha but he had been lacking the past year. If it wasn't for her maintaining the training regiments and borders this pack would've been torn apart thrice over. His lip curled at her attitude but him and his wolf knew they didn't stand a chance against the feral she-wolf. He learned the hard way after he had attacked her unprovoked one day. She so badly wanted to kill him but barely refrained. She was now regretting that decision.
She made her way into the woods before shifting and running the borders a few times. She then made her way into no mans land to hunt some meat for the welcome party tomorrow. After killing several deer, elk a couple bears and a massive moose she drug them back to the border before linking the warriors to bring them to the butchers.
She made her way home relishing in the feel of the dried blood on her coat. She paused and huffed seeing her brother sitting on the steps of her house. She shifted back as her brother tossed her a shirt and shorts. She slid them on looking at him. "What brings you here Marcus?" She asked voice devoid of any emotion.
He sighed running a hand through his dark brown hair, the only trait they shared. "You don't have to do this Mora, you can go rogue and I won't fault you. Your appearance for all to see will cause problems and the council will show up. This may very well cost you your life and that's not a risk I am willing to take. If Liam take my position then fuck him, your life is more important than a title." He told her and it was her turn to release a heavy breath.
"Marcus, he may make you go rogue if I don't. If the council shows up then so be it. I can deal with a group of pretentious old crones. You are the only person in this pack my wolf and I can say we care for. I won't be selfish especially after all you have done." This was the only time anyone could see emotions when it came to Mora and even then her face remain neutral and the words held no emotion.
He slowly nodded and sagged his shoulders. "Alright Mora, just know I love you and will stand beside you. Liam is just a power hungry douche canoe that is only using you to prove a point regardless if the council kills you or not. If you change your mind just male sure to see me before you leave."
He pulled her into his chest and she stiffened at the contact. He inhaled her scent as she awkwardly pat his back. "I love you Mora, your my baby sister and I will always have your back."
"I...care for you too Marcus." She replied after a few seconds.
He gave her a sad smile and left after placing a kiss on the crown of her head. She went into her small cabin near the border and took a shower before making something to eat. She ended up making a steak tartar and sat eating in silence. She had always preferred the silence and was thankful her brother built this cabin for her with their father. Only a few people knew where it was and she was thankful for that. She also found cooking helped calm down her feral side and made sure to learn how to cook all sorts of different cuisines and meals.
She sighed looking at the time knowing she would be restless tonight as the wolves were set to arrive tomorrow. She decided to just shift and run the borders for a few hours as she would be leashing her wolf tomorrow. She didn't want to take a chance especially with a bunch of testosterone filled male wolves.
She finally made it back home around 3 in the morning. She shifted and began working out until the sun started to rise. Only then did she shower and change into her uniform and head out to the borders. She ensured rotations were followed and kept on sunglasses as the wolves began to arrive. She kept the silver band hidden on her upper arm underneath her uniform. When it came time for shift change they were waiting on three packs. Her brother came and relieved her so she could get ready and the three packs arrived.
She was dreading dinner but her wolf had been oddly quiet. It had her unnerved especially since she would be taking off the band for dinner and the introductions of the participating warriors. She snarled at the dress Liam and Tessa had picked for her to wear. She refused to be their puppet and instead donned a pair of black sequin shorts and a blood red tank top with a black lace jacket. She wore her black combat boots as she would not wear heels nor that gaudy baby pink dress.
She began the long trek to the pack house. Halfway there she got a link for rogues near the border. She growled and her wolf pushed forward.
'Kill, must protect pack.' For once her and her wolf agreed as she took off full speed to the border.
Two warriors were fighting with a group of five rogues. She snarled catching their attention as a sadistic smirk crept across her face. Her red eyes shining with bloodlust. She instantly had three on her as she lengthened her claws and began slaughtering them mercilessly. Blood splattered all over her and she relished in the feeling. The two warriors killed their opponents as she finished off the final rogue. They watched in both awe and horror as she gripped the wolf by his neck and ripped his throat out with her elongated teeth.
The one warrior had significant wounds so she ordered them to head to the infirmary as she waited for their replacements. She got rid of the bodies and maintained the borders until the new border Patrol arrived. They looked at her with wide eyes as she was no doubt coated in blood. "Keep an eye out the rogues know we have a lot of high ranking wolves here and they have a lot of enemies. Link me for any other discrepancies."
They nodded and bowed their heads in respect and understanding. She then began walking back to the pack house. She no doubt missed dinner and they had started the introductions. She also knew this as Liam and Tessa had been banging on the walls of her mind-link for the past fifteen minutes. She huffed as she speed to the pack house when her brother linked her they were announcing their warriors.
The guards looked at her wide eyed as she no doubt looked similar to that Carrie chick from that movie her brother made her watch. She heard Liam announce the warrior right before he announced her.
"And our final warrior who seems to be running late is Mora Thorne." She opened the doors to the dinning hall and walked in.
Many people gasped while several growled and shielded their mates. She stared blankly at them all until her eyes landed on her brother. He sucked in a sharp breath seeing her look every bit the feral people feared.
Her eyes then landed on Liam and hardened. "Sorry Alpha, rogues had breeched the border and Alex and Santi needed assistance." She spoke and again everyone was shocked at how soft her voice was yet it lacked any sort of emotion.
"If you will excuse me but I will be heading home to shower and change." She told him rather than asked which again caused gasps and murmurs.
"You final warrior is a feral?!" One male shouted no doubt an Alpha.