Chapter 96
Sapphire.
Aragon was unusually serious two days after the ambush. He barely said a word at breakfast, his focus fixed on me and Charlie, as if memorizing every movement we made. When Charlie left to play outside with Daisy, he turned to me with a revolute expression.
“We’re training today,” he said firmly.
I blinked. “Training?”
“Yes. After what happened, I don’t want you caught
it off guard again. You need to be ready for anything. You fought so well but I just need you to do
Is for me
I hesuated. The memory of the fight was still fresh in my mind, the growk, the blood, and the threats against my son. But I also knew Aragon was right. I nodded. “Okay. Let me grab my gear.”
We headed to a private room within the pack’s training facility, far from the normal sparring grounds. The room was spa
room was spacious, with padded floors and mirrored walls that reflected every movement. It was quieter here, secluded, and I couldn’t help but ask, “Why this room! Don’t you usually
train outside?”
He shrugged as he unzipped his jacket and rolled his shoulders, “I thought we could use the privacy. And the space. No distractions.”
I nodded, understanding the unspoken reason. After everything that had happened, he needed to focus, and he needed me to focus too.
Somehow, I understood the pressure he was putting himself in. He needed to investigate and also protect his pack from the rogues, protect us from the rogues and protect us from his pack. It was a messy situation we were in
We started with the basics, warm–ups, stretches, and light movements to loosen our muscles. But Aragon didn’t waste time before diving into sparring His stance was solid and intimidating, his eyes fixed on me with focus and challenge.
“Show me what you’ve got,” he said, beckoning me with a slight tilt of his head.
1 lunged first, aiming a strike at his ribs, but he sidestepped with ease. Before I could recover, he swept his leg low, knocking me off balance. I hit the padded floor with a soft thud, glaring up at him.
“Too slow,” he said, a faint smirk tugging at the comer of his lips.
1 gritted my teeth and pushed myself up. “Again”
This time: 1 feigned left before aiming a kick at his knee. He blocked it with his forearm but didn’t see my follow–up punch coming until it grazed his shoulder. He stepped back, nodding in approval.
“Better,” he said, circling me. “But don’t hesitate. Your instincts are sharp, so you just have to trust them”
Theld back the urge to tell him that I had been training nonstop after I gave birth to Charlie.
We continued like that for what felt like hours, trading blows and countering each other’s moves. My muscles burned, and my breathing grew heavier, but I refused to give up. Aragon was relentless, but he wasn’t cruel. Every time I faltered, he offered a piece of advice, a correction to my form, or a reminder to stay light on my feet,
By the time we called for a break, I was drenched in sweat and more than ready to collapse. He handed me a bottle of water, and I sank onto one of the benches lining the
“You’re improving,” he said, sitting down beside me.
I took a sip of water my chest still heaving “Thanks. You’re not bad yourself.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Not bar?”
I grinned, leaning back against the wall “Don’t let it go to your head.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a moment before I decided to bring up the real reason I wanted to talk. “Are we going to talk about it?”
He frowned, luas brows krunting together. “Talk abonat what?”
I turned to face him, my expression softening. “About what Charlie said yesterday. About him telling you he hated you and wanting to go home.”|||
He looked away, his jaw tightening. “How did you know?”
“Tan his mother,” I said simply. “I know how much a child’s words can cut, especially when they’re coming from someone you love.”
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. ” didn’t feel good,” he admitted. “Hearing him say that.. it hurt more than I expected. But Funderstood
was coming from. He was scared and confused. He’s just a kid.”
la hand on his shoulder, giving a reassuring squeeze. “That doesn’t mean it wain’t tough for you. I know how much you love him, and 1 you’d never hurt lain or me again. But you have to remember that it’s normal for a chil–l to defend their parent, even if it means Lislung out at
He nodded, his shoulders relaxing slightly under my touch. “I’m glad you talked to hian. I don’t know if I would’ve been able to explain it the way.
inaled. Thats what were here for, to balance each other out Don’t worry about it. Charlie knows you love him, and he’s already forgiven you.
ow you just have to forgive yourself ”
Chapter 90
His gaze softened, and he reached up to cover my hand with his. “Thank you.”
I gave his shoulder one last squeeze before standing and stretching. “Don’t thank me yet. We’re not done here.”
He raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips. “You will have energy lef
“More than you, old man,” I teased, stepping back into the center of the room.
He stood, shaking his head. “You’re going to regret saying that.”
“Prove it challenged, raising my fists.
We sparred again, this time with more strength. He wasn’t barking down and neither was 1. Aragon pushed me to my limits, but I didn’t complain once, determined to show him that I could hold my own
By the end of the session. I was exhausted but satisfied. He pulled me into a loose hug, his chest rising and falling against mine as we caught our breath
“You have grown stronger,” he said.
I smiled against has shoulder. “You didn’t think I was idle when I was away, did yout 1 had to learn how to defend myself and my son whenever the
Time came.
“I am sorry you had to do that. I should be the one protecting you and Charlie.”
“You are now, don’t dwell on the past so you won’t miss out on the future. Charlie and I are here so you can protect us.
|“I know, I am sorry.”
“It’s fine. I actually wanted to check in with you to make sure you are okay with me volunteering with Leah,”
Before he could answer, 1 felt dread running up my skin and I freaked
“Something is wrong,” we both said at the same time.
