Page 16 of The Cursed Wolf King

The boys’ excitement faded a little, but I placed a hand on Alden’s shoulder. “I appreciate you looking out for me, Alden,” I said, keeping my tone warm. “But helping the next generation find their strength—showing them what it means to be Orion—that’s time well spent.”

Alden’s shoulders softened, and he gave me a respectful nod before stepping back.

“Alright,” I said, giving each of the boys a nod. “Show me where you’re at.”

They lined up quickly, nervously drawing their bows. Finally, they let their arrows fly toward animal-shaped targets on pulleys, each with a motor that kept them moving. Some arrows thudded wide of the mark, others missed entirely, quivering in the earth.

“Why do we have to learn this anyway?” Philip groaned, his arrow still vibrating in the dirt a good few inches from the target. “It’s so old-fashioned.”

“Because it’s not just about hitting the mark,” I said. “It’s about patience, precision, discipline. Archery teaches you to control yourself before you control anything else. It’s not just a skill. It’s a way of learning who you are.” I pulled an arrow from his quiver, showing him the line of the shaft. “You learn to trust your instincts, to pick your moment. Not every problem can be solved with brute strength.” I looked over at Alden. “Turn up the speed.”

Alden did as I asked, and I demonstrated for the boys.

“Watch the hare-shaped target.” I inhaled deeply. “Sometimes our eyes can fool us, trick us into believing we can’t do it.” I closed my eyes. “And that’s when you trust the sound of your heart. It will offer you the right moment. That is our gift as Orion. Listen to it, and you cannot fail.”

I released the arrow and heard it hit, knowing it had struck right in the hare’s heart before I opened my eyes.

“Wow,” the boys murmured in unison.

Philip looked up, taking it in. He fitted an arrow again, and I kept a steady hand on his shoulder, feeling him relax, his grip easing. “Focus on where you want it to land,” I said, nodding toward the target.

He took a breath, focused on the target, and let the arrow fly. This time it struck the outer edge of the deer. His face lit up, a smile spreading as he looked back at me. “I hit it!”

“You did,” I said, matching his grin. “The rest comes with practice.” I patted his chest. “And you’ll get closer each time.”

The other boys took their turns, catching Philip’s spark. Alden, still watching, nodded his approval, the boys’ pride rippling out as they exchanged proud grins and challenged each other to hit targets that were even farther out.

“Thank you, Alpha,” Philip said shyly.

I ruffled his hair, chuckling. “Any time. And remember—being Orion is about more than strength. We’re hunters. It’s about knowing when to hold back, and when to go for the kill. Trust your heart.”

I meant it. Our elders had taught us for generations that this ability to hold back was exactly what separated us from the Heraclids who relied solely on pushing through. They were less strategy and more bulldozer. We couldn’t fall into their way of operating or we’d fail for sure.

As it was, I used our skills to mask our numbers. By manipulating our scent when marking the borders, others wouldn’t know we had been so reduced in numbers to what we were. That was one of our last defenses against them.

And even that was at risk now that Alaric had left.

Shadow Moon packs don’t take well to betrayers, so even if Alaric did announce how depleted we were, it would take time for anyone to believe it, if they ever did. Alaric had his own motives, and those alphas would know it. We were safe on our pack lands—for now—but I couldn’t guarantee for how long.

The boys continued their practicing, distracted enough that I could deal with something that had been weighing on me since Rhys told me about the gas infrastructure.

“Alden, can I speak to you for a second?” I said, gesturing for him to move aside.

He followed, brow furrowing. “Of course, Alpha.”

I spoke quietly, watching the boys still practicing. “I need you to keep an eye on the younger ones. I have to go to the human city.”

His eyebrows lifted. “Seattle? What happened?”

“It’s the utilities,” I replied, brushing past the details. “Something that needs handling. But I don’t like leaving the pack vulnerable, even for a day.”

He nodded, knowing exactly what that meant. “I’ll double our masking scent at the weakest spots. If you’re gone for a day, we shouldn’t need more than that.”

“Still…”

“Listen.” He paused, placing a hand on my shoulder. I’d known Alden since we were pups. “You’ve got the safeguards in place. It’s not like before. Not like with Wyatt and Nash.”

The names struck me, a tension that hadn’t loosened in me since the day we’d lost them. I cut him off, a quick shake of my head. “Promise me you’ll keep an extra eye out.”

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