Moonlit Fever

Five Years Ago

Birds chirped softly within the peaceful, grassy grounds behind the mansion. The trees were bathed in golden light from the late afternoon sun, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, casting a warm, serene glow over the estate.

Sebastian and I stood facing each other, each holding a bo staff made from oak. A weapon I'd chosen from the armoury when asked to pick one.

I'd been with Sebastian for months, and in that time, we'd spent countless hours visiting his pack in the city, immersing me in the rich history of his lineage.

And while we were staying at the mansion, he taught me how to fight, or we spent many long, passionate hours together in the bedroom—my favorite activity by far.

But Sebastian's primary focus was on making me a formidable fighter. Under his guidance, I had honed my skills to the point where I could take down one of the patrolling guards within seconds.

Sebastian was a good teacher and I was a quick learner.

Already, I could see the muscle definition forming on my arms, and I felt stronger in myself. For once, I looked forward to my wolf shift tonight. Being stronger meant a less painful transformation.

But sadness overwhelmed me. Despite my growing strength, I was still met with silence whenever I tried to communicate with my wolf.

Even during the full moon, I was met with nothing but a silent void. Shifting into my wolf without feeling his presence felt strange, like a part of my soul was missing.

"Are you ready?" Sebastian asked, taking me from my thoughts.

He wore a stern and focused look on his face, and his intense looking eyes locked onto mine. While I stood nervously awaiting our sparring lesson to begin. Truthfully, I'd rather we continued our sparring lesson in the bedroom, but he insisted we practiced.

I nodded, ready.

"Now that you've mastered hand-to-hand combat, it's time to learn how to use a weapon. You picked the bo staff." Sebastian swung his staff in a wide arc, the motion fluid and precise. "A nice choice. Despite his unconventional methods of ruling, the Wolf King was highly skilled with the bo staff. It was his favorite weapon."

I had finished reading the Wolf King, and he wasn't just skilled—he was exceptional. He could take down his opponents with a single blow.

Time and again, the Wolf King bested the General Wolf with his staff, their battles becoming legendary for the sheer prowess and precision the Wolf King displayed.

"Today we will begin with the basics. Remember, control and precision are key. It's not always about brute strength."

I nodded, gripping my staff nervously.

"Good." Sebastian raised his staff. "Ready your stance. Feet shoulder-width apart." He whacked my feet apart with his staff, and I wobbled slightly as I readjusted myself. "Knees slightly bent."

He came behind me and placed his hands on my hips, positioning my posture. I let out a soft breath at his touch and the warmth of his body pressed against mine.

"Keep your center of gravity low," he instructed, his voice a mix of command and closeness that made me breathless.

He let go and stepped back to stand opposite me, a sly smirk playing on his lips. He knew his close presence made me weak at the knees.

"First," he said, pulling me out of my thoughts, "the overhead strike. Bring your staff down with control. Like this."

Sebastian demonstrated a fast, precise overhead strike, making me flinch slightly. I watched intently and then mimicked the motion, though more cautiously.