Five years went by fast for the two girls as all they did was train secretly and do their assigned chores. Having them go to the training ground to clean after the boys had been a blessing in disguise for them.
As they secretly watched the warrior's train, they became determined to become powerful. This had helped them, they would imitate the warriors actions when they are both hidden in the comfort of their small room.
Of course some of the male warriors had tried to molest the girls but having heard Veronica's discussion with the other woman, they both made sure to stay alert and ready to run whenever such situation arises. This made some of the boys hate them and let their anger on them by making some snarky remarks about them. Some of the boys even went as far as hitting them in the face for no reason. The girls had no complaint as long was they were safe and none of them got molested.
Since the Alpha had insisted on not performing the ritual, none of the pack members deemed it necessary to come to their aid except for their new friend.
Kai is the gamma's youngest son, he is tagged as the weakest among his siblings, hence he has never had any friends.
When Kai had stumbled upon Antonella and Lillian carrying their training equipment back to the storage house, he had offered to help.
Although, he had initially associated with these wolfless ladies because he felt needed when with them, but he soon realized how wrong he was. Even without their wolves, these two ladies were much stronger than he was.
Antonella too had decided then to use the opportunity and make use of him.
As the gammas son, he will have more access to things they can't get close to. Hence their friendship.
"What do you think?" Kai asked as he tried to catch his breath. He had pleaded for the girls to come out with him in the evening so he could train. They have been doing this for years now, while he trained, he allowed the ladies to also play around with the swords.
Of course, Lillian had insisted they cannot be caught by anyone, so the girls instead of training in the open field like Kai does, they asked him if they can instead train indoors.
Kai had been reluctant as that training area was reserved for only the stronger men and the Alpha's family. But if that was what it will take for the girls to accompany him when ever he went for his training, he agreed.
While he trains in the open, he watches out for the girls making sure to alert them whenever he notices someone approaching.
This helped the girls train a bit with swords, they realized using a real sword was different from when they used the wooden turner they had stolen from the kitchen.
For two years, the ladies were certain they can defend themselves but there remained a slight doubt in their hearts. 'They have never actually had a real fight with anyone' this bordered them so much but they couldn't bring themselves to ask Kai to a sword fight.
"I think you are ready to take home your win." Antonella was being truthful. The Kai they had met three years ago is definitely not the Kai before them right now. His consistent training had definitely paid off.
Every year, a pack will host the mate search party. Each pack will send a certain number of its single Werewolf to attend in search of its partner. This year the Gradv pack is to host this party and Kai was selected by the Alpha to be a part of the team who will entertain the guest.
Some young men were selected to fight as a show of the pack's strength. Any young warrior from the visiting pack can challenge the men to a fight. Losing any fight with the guest will attract punishment. Hence why Kai has been training hard, he is scared to be the one who loses to the guest.
"You think so?" No matter how hard he tried to train, his parents never acknowledged him. They made it obvious his brothers were their favorite. People say the last born automatically becomes the house favorite, in his case, he is an outcast even within the four corners of his home.
"I don't know of anyone here in this pack that can defeat you Kai. Your strength lies in your mind. Your determination is your biggest strength." Antonella spoke hoping her words will be able to give him the courage he lacks.
"She is right you know. Your biggest flaw is your lack of trust in yourself." Lillian joined in. No one had watched him train as much as they did, and they truly had a lot of faith in him that he will emerge victorious.
"There are so many stronger opponents. I heard the Wristy pack will also be sending some of their finest men. One time I overheard my father discussing with Kason how ruthless the pack is." Hearing about the now known Wristy pack had their heart aching. 'How can they not know of the pack's ruthlessness when they had experienced it themselves!'.
The Lunatic reign had lasted only for a short while, the rogues he had recruited betrayed him as they weren't willing to live under the Lunatic's rule. The Lunatic, along with his trusted men were all killed and a new leader emerged. The death of the Lunatic and his men had also buried the search for Antonella and Lillian as no one else was aware of it.
Although the new leader stopped attacking neighboring packs to kill and take over lands, the Wristy pack is notoriously known to kidnap women from the other packs.
"You can fight them. I know you won't be able to kill them as it is a fair battle, but please injure them severely." Lillian was agitated. Her heavy breathing caught the attention of Kai. He had noticed the coldness from them since he spoke about the Wrsity pack. 'Is the pack a part of their past?' He wondered. He knew for a fact the girls have never fully trusted him and he didn't blame them for that. He is after all a brother and pack member to those who bully them daily and calls them the most undeserved names.
"I will make sure whoever I fight limps out of the stage." He promised. If his friends have a grudge against the Wristy pack, then he will definitely help them exact vengeance. 'Can I though?' He still doubted himself but he was willing to try, to give it all his might.
He looked at the sky, the cloud was already gathering and it will soon get dark. "We should head back" the girls nodded. Over the years, most of the ladies who abused them have found their mates and some even left the Pack to be with their mates. Lillian and Antonella were presently the oldest among their peers who are yet to find their mates.
They said it is because the moon goddess had cursed them hence why they neither have a mate nor a wolf.
This made the pack members insist that they mustn't touch their food or drinks as they want no share in their curse. The girls could not be happier to be relieved of some of their tasks but that only made the beating and abuse to become even more frequent.
They get called all sorts of names and the pack justifies their action as punishing that which the goddess has cursed.
"We better. God forbid they come for their exercise and we are not there." Antonella joked but Kai frowned. He was indeed as useless as his father said. He cannot even do anything to protect his friends from being bullied by the pack members.
"Keep your windows open. I will bring you two some balm later." Kai told them. He knew he will be slapped by his father if he gets caught again tonight, but he can't allow them to sleep with injuries all over their body.
"You don't have to. Take the time and rest instead " Lillian wanted to tell him, sometimes she feels guilty to have also led him on that they were wolfless. But of course, she understood why Antonella wouldn't allow it. He is still a gamma's son and his loyalty is to his pack.
Telling him about their wolves might end up landing them in danger. For five years they have lived the life of a wolfless were and although it has been hard, especially when their wolf watches the other werewolves change into their beast and run around with the nature. Their wolves craves for that too...
"We really need to be going now." Antonella pulled Lillian with her as they both hastily walked back to the omega quarters. They can't afford for their bullies to go into their room and search.
They both aren't saints, they had stolen from the pack members some of their valuables. This was going to be their payment for every time they hit them.
As soon as they entered the quarters, some groups of kids grinned as they stalked toward their prey.
'Weakling' they thought. One hit and they will be on the floor. Antonella and Lillian took the hit silently.
While Kai is waiting for the mate search party so he can prove himself to the pack and to his family, the girls too waited as that was their opportunity to flee.
Unless they are back in the wild, they will never know how much of training they have had. They wanted a real combat with another werewolf.