Chapter 133

Setting up camp was delayed, but only because Shannon decided to get her pupils to start their training early. The expanse of trees was a square that was most likely just over a kilometer in diameter. This meant it was really easy to get them running to start off, while the dedicated workout gear was brought out inside the woods by Shannon and her bonded gorillas. One of the female ones happened to be awake and was able to keep a moderate amount of food down. As this was going on, the first generation of pups, who were starting to get a fair way past the one-year mark, came out to play. All in all, the place they had decided to camp became a area filled with bodies running around. Nat was sure that if the gorillas were in better shape, then they would have been made to join in on the physical activity. After all, muscle takes a while to build up, but lack of use causes it to rapidly deteriorate.

Hours later, as the sun set, the four victims of Shannon's regiment collapse near the fire pit in the middle of their camp. Heavy breaths are heard all around as they try to regain any form of stability. As they do, platters filled with their dinners are placed beside them. Tonight was burritos, and they were made to be large and in charge. Their average size is close to Nat's bicep, and close to bursting due to all of the fillings. Sour cream and cheese were in small amounts, but the well flavoured ground beef, crisp lettuce and juicy chunks of tomato fill the sacks of flour to the brim. Despite their size, Nat manages to pack away three of them before feeling full, while her workout buddies each pack away double that. After each of them finish eating, they collapse back down, now ready for wherever the food coma may take them. Great tasting food immediately after exhausting themselves hits them hard, and scout quickly passes out. However, Nat could not allow herself nor Kali or Maia to fall victim to the pleasantness that they were feeling. After all, they had to plan for the future, and these two were the most equipped to carry out what Shannon and Natalie had in mind.

Together, they both keep the two female wolves awake while they go over their plan together. Thankfully, Nat knew that the two had most likely seen the earlier conflict through Nat's eyes, and would understand where they were coming from. Since Mike was not awake yet, all they had to go on was what Natalie felt through their bond, but that alone was terrifying enough for most of them. Kali and Maia waited for the two of them to finish explaining before bringing up their thoughts on the matter. Context matters, and right now any miscommunication or lack of understanding meant that they would be playing with their own lives as the stakes. However, as Nat and Shannon finished explaining their thoughts on the matter, Kali immediately interjected. "You both are being blind and idiotic right now, but your hearts are in the right place." Both women get taken aback by the bluntness that Kali hit them with. After all, being blunt and to the point was not usually a human trait. Most people enjoyed dancing around the issue with subtleties and coyness. It gave them a feeling of power and dominance in the conversation.

After getting gestured to continue, Kali explained her reasoning for the bluntness. "While I and probably all of the others agree that getting stronger and more versatile is needed, I feel as if you are being too lax about it. Sure, the nursing mothers and their children should not be getting put through the motions just yet, but for the already weaned children who are practicing hunting each and every day, it is far better for them to get acquainted with a new way of moving when they are younger. After all, they are still learning at that point, so something additional to learn won't be nearly as hard compared to trying to change their way of thinking when they get older."

Maia adds in, pointing her finger directly into Nat's chest, "You also need to be tougher to make sure that everyone joins in. You are letting everyone do as they want which, while we are safe is fine, we are not. This is a time of danger and severity, and you are letting the pack weaken by not using your authority as the Alpha. Leading by example by starting to workout is a start, but you need to be rougher with everyone. For their own good. For the Pack's good." At that, the two wolves headed off towards the tent, ready to call it a night themselves.

Both Nat and Shannon were dumbstruck, as they both had not realized either of these facts. Sure, coddling kids was nice, but learning earlier would make them be stronger and more efficient at using their shifted bodies. If anything, they should be forcing every canine to only be in their shifted bodies, even when asleep. And with Maia's statement, Nat wondered how much these two had been holding everything together behind the scenes. All because she had been letting down the pack in her efforts to keep getting everyone stronger. The answer was not a question of quantity but quality, especially now that the monsters were starting to do the same. Nat had not even realized before that she was holding everyone back, instead of being a driving force to improve. After all, a pack followed their leader, and she was currently in that seat.

At that time, the coyotes came out for their night watch, but not until after they had shifted. They even brought out some training weights with them, showing that they very clearly heard and watched the whole encounter. While Edwin and Copper both just went straight to their locations to keep a lookout, Lucille stayed behind if only to ruffle Nat's hair. As Nat looked up to see her attacker, she saw that Lucille's face was full of trust, as well as a playful smirk. Knowing that they wanted to tough it out and get stronger alongside her, showed Nat that Maia had been right. She had been too soft on a bunch of predators, and starting tomorrow, she would start bringing out her inner wolf to set them straight.

Huge thanks to my Elder Wolves Selvaria, Viktor, Saganatsu, Eeleater, John, Jacob, Onean, Neal, Sebastian, Ethan, Sir Hellington, Adam, and Kevin for supporting me and my writing! Remember that I keep Patreon ten chapters ahead at all times. Our next goal on Patreon will be getting up to 50 patrons, which I will then spend more time each month writing some side stories and shorts that show other perspectives throughout my stories!

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