Chapter 23
JACE
The pile of reports on my desk could wait. After twelve hours of Alpha duties, one more meeting might’ve pushed me to snap at the Council. I needed a break. A text from Betty said Aurora was finally asleep after Aria read her three bedtime stories.
That girl. The human who’d arrived with Gabriel just days ago and already had my daughter wrapped around her finger. The same one who’d somehow gotten under my skin within moments of crossing into Moon Shadow territory.
I grabbed my phone and sent a quick text to Aria: [Heard you got Aurora to sleep. Impressive. Want to see what Gabriel’s been teaching you? Private gym in the east wing. No pressure
I changed into training pants and a black tank top, feeling Phantom’s anticipation rising. He’d been restless since she’d arrived, constantly pushing against my control. Maybe a workout will settle as both…
As I approached the gym, I caught her scent. My steps faltered for a moment before I pushed open the door,
The sight stopped me cold.
Aria moved with unexpected grace, striking the leather punching bag with precise, powerful blows. Her small frame belied the strength behind each hit. Dressed in fitted training shorts and a simple tank top, she executed a complicated series of kicks and strikes that would impress even seasoned wolf warriors.
She hadn’t noticed me yet, lost in her rhythm with earbuds in. I watched as she completed a flawless combination attack ending with a spinning kick. When she turned, she finally spotted me in the doorway. Her eyes widened as she quickly removed her
earbuds.
“Your form is exceptional,” I said. “Especially for a human.”
A flush spread across her cheeks. “Thanks, Alpha–I mean, Jace. Gabriel’s been training me.”
I nodded, crossing to the wall where ancient wolf warrior equipment hung. “Gabriel is an excellent warrior, but natural talent plays a role.” I gestured toward her wrist where the wolf–paw birthmark stood out against her skin. “That mark seems fitting.”
She glanced down at it, unconsciously rubbing the mark with her thumb. “Gabriel always says I have a wolf’s soul trapped in a
human body.”
I moved closer, inhaling her scent. “I understand why Gabriel trained you so intensely. But here, in Moon Shadow territory, you’re safe. The words came out more intensely than I’d intended. “Especially with me.”
Her pulse quickened. I could hear it clearly–the increased tempo of her heartbeat betraying her reaction to my proximity.
“Care to spar? I asked, breaking the tension. “I’d like to see Gabriel’s training in action.”
We circled each other on the training mats for the next forty–five minutes. I held back significantly, knowing my could easily injure her, but still found myself impressed by her reflexes and technique. Several times I struck hard. yet she absorbed the impact without complaint.
strength an intended,
“Your reaction time rivals many wolves,” I said truthfully. “But against a larger opponent, use their weight against them.”
In a swift movement, I grabbed her from behind, locking her against my chest with my arms. She struggled briefly before stilling.
“I might be well–trained,” she breathed, “but against an Alpha with Primal Wolf blood, I’m at a disadvantage.”
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Chapter 23
I chuckled, relaxing my hold. That was her opportunity. She dropped suddenly, executing a perfect sweep at my legs. I hadn’t expected it and began to fall–directly toward her smaller frame. My feflexes kicked in just in time, my hands bracing against the mat to avoid crushing her.
t hovered above her, our faces inches apart. Her breathing came fast her cheeks flushed with exertion and something else. The scent of me surrounded her; I could tell by the way her pupils dilated that it affected her.
“I’m sorry,” she stammered. “That was reckless.”
I moved to lie beside her, giving her space while fighting Phantom’s urge to pull her closer. If I hadn’t nearly flattened you, that would have been an impressive move. Even by wolf standards.”
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