LOGINShare
4.Elite or Bust
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56***Thyra's POV***
After lunch, I was on my tablet trying to finish the prerequisite reading list for the Officer's Leadership Academy. I will have to report to the academy a week from Monday, and plan to be in Capitol City in a week to get my living quarters established and scope out the new area. I've never been to Capitol City, the largest city I have been to isn't even a quarter the size of Capitol City. And I will be leaving Mak, Ana, and Kenny behind here at Lyngvi Training Garrison. The academy is usually for year six cadets, but they accept one year four or year five cadet each year.
It is an application process I completed after losing a bet with Kenny. I didn't expect to be chosen, but he claims he knew it would happen the entire time. Usually, year six is the year we focus our training on our specific fields. Ana will apprentice in a clinic at a garrison, and Mak will be out with a scouting unit at a field unit near the border of The Darkness. Or if she is lucky, she will get to a unit further inside Osvald that is responsible for tracking rogues. But they still have a year left at Lyngvi. Kenny and I always planned on heading to training with the Finrir Elite. The Finrir Elite are the top fighters, even the Protector's Guards come from these elite soldiers. If we were not accepted to train with the elite we would move on as regular infantry soldiers, but we have spent the last 4 years doing anything we can to make our chaces at selection happen.
Instead, I will start year 5 at the leadership academy. Usually, you have to know someone or be related to someone important in the government to get a spot there. If I pass, I will be eligible for a commission and become an officer. I like that I will have more control over my life and will not have to rely on nepo-baby officers' orders. But this means I will spend a year away before coming back to, hopefully, join elite training. And I need to be with the elite to be able to have the flexibility to track down and end the rogues that torched my pack.
I hear the beeping from the suite's door lock as someone was opening the door. As soon as it opens, I smell Mak before I hear her call out.
"Hey! Honeys, I'm home!"
"It's just me right now, Ana's on clinic hours." I call back.
"Ra-ra, that was the easiest mission yet. We were sent out with a tech that wanted to do some scans of The Darkn- WHOA nice do!" She was surprised at the hair cut, but looked like she genuinely liked it. Her blue eyes sparkled as she went on, "You know we could shave some really sick designs into the buzzed side and complete the badassary."
"No, just no, this is as far of a phycological break I am going to have this week."
"At least they're not bangs. I did that once. Cut them about two inches too short." She started laughing at herself, and shook her head. "It doesn't look like a mental breakdown, looks good on you."
"Thanks, it's growing on me. Ana hasn't seen it yet, and she is the only one with normal tastes. Let's see what she says when she gets back, should be soon her clinic hours started at 5 this morning."
"What are we doing tonight? Kenny mentioned something about a new club he wanted to check out before I left."
"Yeah, they have been nagging me about going out before I leave for Capitol City. There is some DJ at the club that Kenny wants to check out. He said and I quote, "I would let that male spit in my mouth" before I gagged hard enough to get a good ab workout in." I used air quotes and a fake gag to express my disgust.
Mak flopped down on the couch, landing her head on my lap as she landed. "I am going to miss you Ra-ra. Are you sure you have to leave?" She snuggled in further, while I petted her hair which was currently different shades of blue and green. "The border was the same, the scans were all normal. These techs have some really cool new tools they were testing." She continued on, I knew if I just let her she would talk for the next 30 minutes. And I am going to let her. She is so quiet when we are around anyone outside our foursome. She was talking about the new tech and how they wouldn't let her near the scanners after they heard about the last time she started poking around. She may look like she should be a tech, but the female couldn't keep from breaking it.
About 20 minutes later, the beeping started again. But when the door opened it wasn't Ana's scent, it was Kenny's. "UGH, Mak, have you showered yet, I can smell The Darkness on you."
"Ra-ra hasn't complained about me smelling!" She yelled back. "Your nose is just too sensitive, stop whining." But she started to get up, to go wash the weird musty smell that held a smidge of decay.
Kenny's eyes glazed over, someone was linking him. "Ana's on her way back, she was telling me to come on over to get you buttered up Miss Sunshine."
"Buttered up for what?" Now I am worried.
"For your going away party, of course. We are heading to Club Thunder to hang out and drool over DJ Stars." Kenny smirked, "And she is super excited to check out your butchered scalp." He laughed a little and reached out to tousle my hair. I grabbed his hand, and had him in a thumb lock before he was able to move his hand back a third time across my head. Ana opened the door to this scene, and started taking at us like we were pups fighting over the swing at the playground.
"Kenny, what did you do now?" Ana continued, talking as if to a misbehaving pup.
"ME!? She is the one that had me on my knees, breaking my hand," Kenny was cradling his hand like I really hurt him. If Ana hadn't interrupted, I am sure he would have broken the lock in the next few seconds.
"And Ra! I like the new look, it isn't close to looking butchered," Ana pointedly looked at Kenny. "It will fit in at Club Thunder tonight!"
Crap, I had forgotten about that while Kenny and I were tussling. I am not getting out of this one, all they have to do is turn on the guilt trip about me leaving, and of course, I will do anything for them. Looks like we are going out tonight. "At least you and Kenny don't have the same taste in males," I snarked. "Can I get a couple hours of quiet, so I can get through the rest of this report first?"
Related chapters
[Divination by Moonlight 1] Shadows of Destiny 5.Barbeque, Doughnuts, and Visons- Oh My!
***Rolf's POV*** The small city outside Lyngvi has all the amenities you would expect, but with a focus on getting soldiers to part with their monthly paychecks from the Regency. Everything, restaurants, clubs, tattoo parlors, car dealerships, and even some of the seedy strip joints that started popping up more and more since the mate bonds of the past started to fail to happen. From what I read, it started before The Darkness emerged from the warlock tribes of Somsak. It feels like a myth at this point that mating bonds ever existed. The best investigators still only assume what actually happened, but as the story goes, The Darkness was in response to a warlock that fell in love with a prophetess. She was lycan, and his fear was she would find her true mate. So, he kept her locked away in Somsak, and tried to convince her to stay with him and return his love. Then one day, the royalty from Osvald arrived in Somsak to hold diplomatic trade discussions. As King Oran was touring Somsa
[Divination by Moonlight 1] Shadows of Destiny 6.Is it Love or a Headache?
***Rolf's POV***Grandma Petiet is in her element. She flits around table to table in the small diner, like a humming bird floats from flower to flower. The place is casual, and she seems to treat us all like we were invited to her own dining room for a meal. As she walks over to us her smile brightens, instead of standing at the booth she scoots in next to Axel."Dear, I have fresh doughnuts frying for you right now to take home with you." Grandma Petiet turns from Axel to look at me. "And you don't get any of them after teasing this sweetheart about being obsessed with little more than dough, oil, and sugar. I heard you being a snot to this growing male right here," she leans over and attempts to nudge Axel's shoulder with hers, but really only comes up to a few inches past his elbow. Axel wrapped his arm around her shoulders for quick hug."Thank you Nana! I keep telling him that the main ingredient isn't dough but love from your hands that roll it out." Axel gives Grandma a peck o
[Divination by Moonlight 1] Shadows of Destiny 7.Murphy's Law
***Thyra's POV***Today feels like Muphy's Law decided to set up camp and follow me around. In the Army, we all like to joke about it. The thing you need, broken or disappeared, the weather is going to be crap for training. Or in my case, the travel approval orders you were supposed to get to go to a leadership academy aren't there when you need to start turning in equipment to get ready for that move. Murphy's Law is basically, anything that can go wrong will go wrong, usually, at the worst possible time. Of course, while I was standing around the supply office trying to turn in gear, I don't need to take with me the hard ass behind the desk said she couldn't accept anything because her system didn't show my orders.As I walk to the Admin Shop for the garrison, I get a chance to look around at all the activity on post. Creatures that are just getting ready to start year one in gaggles while waiting to get their own supplies issued, or heading toward the barracks that year one's share
[Divination by Moonlight 1] Shadows of Destiny 8. Say My Name
***Rolf's POV***Looking down at Axel on the ground wasn't something I could brag about last year. We came to the training fields to spar before lunch. I had just gotten done with another one of the hand-to-hand combat sessions with one of the Finrir Elite trainers. And right now I was gloating just a little, and I hold my hand out to help Axel get up."OK, you need to explain that move to me, that was pretty good," Axel said as he got up, but bent over with his hands on his hips. "Just give me a moment, that knocked the wind out of me.""Hollis showed me that one. His training the only reason I was OK with Onyx changing the normal training schedule for me a little this year," I reply while trying to keep the gloating to a minimum."You think that the general would be willing to smooth things over with the garrison commander, so I can get in on that course?" Axel grins a little as he doesn't quite mention the blow up with the commander last year."If he could have done that he would h
[Divination by Moonlight 1] Shadows of Destiny 9. The Red Wolf
***Thyra's POV***We don't have anything personal decorating the barracks room. However, this has been home since year 2, and I am going to miss being here. The layout is like any other suite in the buildings that house year 2 through 6 cadets. There is a common area that is a sitting room and kitchenette combined. The sitting area has a couch, facing an entertainment center with a small television and bookshelves. The kitchenette has a small refrigerator and microwave along the wall with some cabinets. And a small countertop island that is between the kitchenette and sitting area. There is a hallway off the kitchenette that leads to the suites entrance. On the other side of the hallway are three small bedrooms and a bathroom to share. When you enter the door, the rooms are to the left, and directly on the right before getting to the kitchenette there is a storage closet for all of our military gear.This is where we really grew as a small family. I was lucky to be assigned a room wit
[Divination by Moonlight 1] Shadows of Destiny 10. Chow Time
***Thyra’s POV*** Getting to the D-FAC is only a 7-minute walk from the barracks. Mak and I are seated in our normal area when Kenny walks up with his tray of food. He smiles when he sees us at the table and sets his tray down. Before sitting down, he ruffles Mak’s hair. “Why does it always take like 3 days before you don’t smell like The Darkness after your scouting missions?” He teases in a good naturedly. Then bending over, he sniffs at her hair and sighs in relief. “Seriously, you are the only one to complain about that. You should be a scout with what that nose could track,” Mak laughs as she ducks her head away from Kenny. This is what I will miss the most, the moments where we are all just relaxing and carefree. The mornings when we are rushing around the suite getting ready for classes and training that day. Or some of the movie nights where Mak is curled up with her head on Ana’s lap and Kenny is sitting on the floor in front of them throwing pop corn behind him at us. See
[Divination by Moonlight 1] Shadows of Destiny 11. Do Visions Come True?
***Thyra’s POV***I try to hide that I am sniffing at this stranger, so I pick up my napkin to wipe my nose. The stronger sent was more sandalwood than forest. My nose must be turning as sensitive as Kenny’s. This movement does catch Mak’s eye though, and she sends me a concerned look. I shake my head indicating I am alright.“I apologize, I must have been so struck by your beauty that I forgot to introduce myself earlier. I’m Axel Grist, Pro-,” he starts making eyes at Ana then coughs interrupting his introduction. “Um, proudly at your service.” He ends his introduction with a small bow while stumbling over his words.“Well, Axel,” Ana says trying out another more courteous look that matched his bow. “These are my friends, that in fact can call me Ana.” She starts nodding toward each of us as she provides an introduction. “Mak is my roommate and unofficial little sister. Kenny who is in fact my official brother but don’t hold that against me. And Thyra, the friend that is leaving nex
[Divination by Moonlight 1] Shadows of Destiny 12. You Are OK, I am Here with You
***Thyra’s POV*** The week was moving too fast, it was already Wednesday evening. I was permitted tomorrow and Friday off from training to pack and move to Capitol City. There wasn’t much training to be had for the rest of the week at least. Mostly of the finals were completed already and it was a transition time between years. Ana and Mak are in my room with me, helping me pack as much as I can in my suitcases. They want to get this out of the way so that tomorrow evening we can all relax and hang out because on Friday I am leaving. My room looks like it was hit by a tornado, clothes and my personal items spread into piles for take with, pack for them to bring in 5 weeks, and storage. I didn’t realize how many books I collected until I needed to go to our storage closet for another box to pack them in for storage. They are mostly related to training in some way, with a few that were just for fun. The fun ones were stories about this lost race of creatures called humans. These crea
Latest chapter
[Divination by Moonlight 1] Shadows of Destiny 26. My Brother's Keeper
***Unknown POV*** This is interesting. I was getting settled in for the day and reading through correspondence from the evening before and came across a flash order sent from General Onyx. That wasn’t the interesting part, the interesting part is catching her name on the orders. Why would General Onyx even know about this little pest? And then to care enough to get adjust her training at the leadership academy? I knew there was something going on after she was awarded the spot at the academy over me. Maybe she has a special thing going with the General. If I can get some evidence of that, I already have evidence of preferential treatment. Now I just have to decide if I should call this out when I send my next update to the warlock. Maybe I should just wait until I have more so that I can really impress him. That is what I will do, but now I need to reach out to my contact in the palace to see if he can get any more information. ***Thyra’s POV*** Seems like all it took was for me
[Divination by Moonlight 1] Shadows of Destiny 25. Striker Strikes Again
***Thyra’s POV*** The sleep I got was the most restful sleep I have had in years. It was amazing to wake up and one of the first things I thought about was how if this plan is real then I am on my way to fulfilling the vow I made. That was the only rough part about getting ready this morning. Remembering that vow brought me to when I made it. While I was helping bury my family, the memorial I chose for my parents and brother read ‘Family First, and Always’. Reading that over and over, I vowed to my family that I would do whatever I needed to so that their horrific deaths would be avenged. The guys were waiting for me in the lobby when I made my way downstairs from my apartment. Reed was leaning against the wall by the door watching as the elevator door opened. As soon as I caught his eye, he smiled. His entire face lit up, and I could feel mine start to blush. As I approached them I said, “Morning you two. Any news on our plans?” “Sure is, you should get your reassignment to our s
[Divination by Moonlight 1] Shadows of Destiny 24. Sweet Dreams
***Rolf’s POV*** I can see the look in her eyes shift from suspicion to ambition. I am going have a long talk with Onyx after this. I hope he understands and doesn’t put up any roadblocks. “There is a condition,” she looks back at me some of the suspicion returning. “I want you on our squad at the academy. We can start evaluating others from there, the three of us. And I don’t want you to have to put up with the jerk on your squad anymore.” My admission seems to make sense to her, I am trying to be as honest as I can. Considering all the secrets I am already keeping from her. And lies I am telling. It is starting to make me feel ill. “Do you have enough pull to make that happen? I don’t know about this, I don’t want it to affect how I am looked at by the instructors here,” she goes from looking like she will say yes to pulling up walls again. “That is why we wanted to talk to you about this first, before reaching out to Onyx,” I have to be careful here not to scare her away. “We w
[Divination by Moonlight 1] Shadows of Destiny 23. Maybe This Can Work
***Thyra’s POV*** As I was approaching the apartment door, that familiar scent seemed to pull me closer. That is when it hit me, this was the first time something that reminded me of home didn’t wake my rage monster. It just calmed me. I stood there for a moment before the door opened, and he was standing there in front of me. He was 3 or 4 inches taller than me, and so handsome that it made me feel awkward to stare at him but not enough to look away. His dark olive skin radiates a warm, sun-kissed hue that accentuates his features. His chiseled jawline held a shadow of a day's growth, adding an alluring ruggedness to his appearance. Even though his dark hair was cut short, it was thick with curls that made me want to reach up and run my hand through it. But what is most striking are his amber hued eyes, they look like polished amber and are framed by strong, defined brows. His presence exuded a quiet confidence, and with every movement, there was a certain grace that commanded atte
[Divination by Moonlight 1] Shadows of Destiny 22. I Am Not a Lovesick Pup
***Rolf’s POV*** It was a long day. The obstacle course was typical as compared to the ones at Lyngvi. Nanook was right about being good at the courses. She was good enough that she was able to take charge and help get the weaker creatures across as a first time go. Meaning we passed the course on our first time trying it. The other squads were not so lucky. Even though we had a pass, the squad captain had us run it another 5 times. We made it back to the apartment about 30 minutes ago. Both Axel and I decided it would be a good idea to get a shower and change out of our sweaty uniforms before sitting down to talk. Our rooms have ensuite bathrooms, when I was finished and left my bedroom Axel was already waiting on the couch. “I’ll go ahead and jump right into the issue bro. You can’t rush in and start dictating her life to her. I can’t imagine what you are going through, but I believe you about it being a fated mate bond,” Axel started. “I have been texting with her friend Ana,” n
[Divination by Moonlight 1] Shadows of Destiny 21. I Don’t Get It
***Thyra’s POV*** “Great idea cadet, you all should be getting to know each other. Asking questions is the most efficient way to do that.” Hollis instructed the class. It looked like Klaus missed the sarcasm in ‘Great idea’. Hollis said it like that should have already been understood. “How can you not be good at stealth to be one of the six that survived Onyxbite?” Klaus asks me with a smirk. The male that was to the right of me and responded to me being from Onyxbite let out a low warning growl. I don’t know how to respond to all of this. But one thing I do know, the rage monster has been awoken. I haven’t felt her poking around since this morning before coming into the academy. I have to take a deep breath. In through my nose, hold for a few seconds, release while staring down Klaus. “I suspect it had something to do with being a 15-year-old pup and off in the woods with friends instead of at the pack. Then again, I wasn’t worried about being stealthy, when I got back to my fam
[Divination by Moonlight 1] Shadows of Destiny 20. Over the Radar Again
***Thyra’s POV*** The squad rooms are pretty big. The part the entrance leads into is a sitting area, with couches a television, and a big whiteboard with markers. Behind that are tables, and a small kitchenette with a couple microwaves, a fridge, cabinets and a sink. Further behind that there are equipment storage lockers. They are set up with fencing material from floor to ceiling. Almost like small closet shaped cages, and there are enough for each of us to have one. I am the second to last cadet to enter. And an instructor closes the door behind the male that enters a few moments behind me. Thank goddess I am not last, I am really trying to just blend in at least for the first few weeks until I can better understand what we will be doing here. “Cadets, go ahead and take a seat on the couches. We will get started with some introductions. Today is an easy one, you will not start lectures until next week. This week we will focus on team building,” explains the instructor. “The in
[Divination by Moonlight 1] Shadows of Destiny 19. This Will Not Do
***Thyra’s POV*** We arrive at the auditorium, and almost like they planned it Axel and Reed flank me in the seats. I don’t have the energy to argue with their overbearing behavior. I guess I don’t need to as long as they don’t distract from my training. We still have a few moments before the instructors will start breaking us all out into our squads. I feel tingles run across the back of my shoulders as Reed stretches his arm around resting on top of my chair. Before I even realize what I am doing, I lean into him. I really need to pay attention to this, so I don’t let these weird impulses become a problem too. I feel my phone buzz, and pull it out to see an alert from Ana. Dr. Ana Medical Extraordinaire: Axel says you two look like the cutest couple. Give him a chance, maybe it all fits in with your plans. 😉 Me: Don’t make me change your name to Dr. Ana Love Therapist Disappointment. Gotta go training is starting. I look up from my phone to see Reed reading the text as wel
[Divination by Moonlight 1] Shadows of Destiny 18. Who Has Time for This?
***Thyra’s POV*** “What do you all think?” I ask my three friends, who are on a video call with me from my old barracks suite. I had just finished giving a quick rundown of what happened in the last hour. All three of them start talking at the same time and I am not able to hear what any of them are saying. “Guys, stop talking all at once, I can’t understand any of you,” I interrupt the chaos. “Is he at least hot?” Kenny asks first after they all stop talking. “Yes,” I sigh. “I mean that isn’t even important at this point.” “You said his name is Reed?” Ana asks. I nod, and she continues. “Oh, I met him with Axel on the training fields. He is hot.” “Ana, Kenny! This isn’t why I called. I don’t know what to do. I have too much going on to entertain some relationship,” I say exasperatedly. “You’re right and wrong,” Mak interjects. “Just like what Axel said, what if this is part of the prophecy, and with your visions it makes sense that you would be a bigger part of it all. “I ha
