Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 44804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
“Fucking perfect.” He mutters in my head so only I can hear him. “You think this is going to work?”
I shrug my shoulders.
“I have no idea, but it’s worth a shot.” We decided last night that teaching Lizzie to spar may help bring her wolf out again. She’s only felt her the one time since the offering and although I’m happy her wolf returned, it’s fucking tearing up my sweet little mate.
She’s been traumatized and her wolf abandoning her is a reminder of that. No matter how much she smiles and pretends it doesn’t get to her, she wants her wolf to come back and stay. She wants to shift so badly; I know she does. I have no idea if she’ll ever be able to, but I’ll do everything I can to help her.
“Well, even if it doesn’t coax her wolf out to play, she’ll at least learn how to fight,” Caleb comments and his thoughts turn darker. It’s a side of Caleb I’m not comfortable with even if Lizzie is.
“You better not fucking bruise her.” My statement, whispered aloud, carries a thinly veiled threat.
Caleb’s reaction is dismissive. “Have you seen our mate? I’m not the only one who’s fucked up in our pairing, and if it’s what she craves—”
“We should’ve taken it easier on her.”
“You didn’t exactly think that last night,” he rebuts.
The low growl is repressed as I tear my gaze from his. Shuffling my feet and kicking the floor, I avoid the sight of Lizzie’s neck as guilt washes over me. Her hips are covered in bruises from where we gripped her, and her neck is covered in bites and bruises. Both of our marks are an angry red color.
I confess to him, “I wish her wolf would come heal her. I hate seeing her so fucking wounded.”
“It might happen. It might not … but she fucking loved it.”
His comment doesn’t help loosen the growing knot in my chest. He continues, “Did you see her looking at herself this morning? She was delighted to see our marks.” His shoulder bumps into mine as he speaks. “She’ll heal up nice and the only thing that’ll be left are two silver claiming marks on her neck. Proof she’s ours.”
Imagining her beautiful slender neck with our scars on her makes my chest puff out in pride with a warmth spreading through me.
“Damn right she’s ours.” At my inner words, Lizzie glances over to us and smiles while walking toward the edge of the platform. Her leggings are practically painted on and her sports bra leaves nothing to the imagination. I’m hard again just looking at her.
“So which one of you two is going to fight me?” Her tone is flirtatious and a blush creeps up her chest to her cheeks as her gaze slips from mine to Caleb’s.
“Both of us.” Caleb’s answer doesn’t lack an ounce of sex appeal and she bites into her bottom lip, rocking slightly on her feet.
The flirtation is … well, it works her up. But he’s out of his damn mind.
“She can’t handle both of us,” I tell him.
He chuckles at my words as he climbs into the ring and it takes me a moment to register why. When I do, I let out a huff of a laugh.
“She won’t be able to fight either of us off right now, but she’ll learn.” He answers me loud enough for her to hear.
“All right.” I concede and follow Caleb onto the platform just as I see Veronica and Vince heading our way. A prick of unease flows through me. Vince has been … off. He’s bothered, and we can all feel it.
“Showtime isn’t until later. We’re training our baby girl first,” Caleb calls out to them.
With the arrival of guests, Lizzie seems to second-guess our plans.
“Can I just watch?” Her tone makes it obvious she’s a bit hesitant to get physical.
“Nope. You gotta learn a little something first.” Caleb’s answer is immediate and casual, but as I remind him, she’s been through a lot. Anything could trigger a trauma response. I want to avoid that if possible.
“I’m scared,” she barely whispers as Veronica and Vince come up to the platform.
“Nothing to be scared of, baby.” He kisses her left cheek. It’s only a peck, but it soothes her instantly. The bond between mates will do that and the anxiousness I feel also dissipates.
“Fine.” She draws her shoulders back and raises her little fists while backing up to the edge of the platform. “But I want a kiss for every punch I get in.”
I chuckle at the sight of her. Our sweet mate has a lot to learn.
“First of all, don’t back yourself into a corner. Never,” I say.
Caleb nods his head in agreement with me and adds, “It’s even worse when you’re outnumbered. Now get your ass back here.”