Callen smirks. “Something like that.”
Ryder’s eyes light up, Parker’s hand squeezes mine, and Remy tilts his head, already assessing me like a trainer sizing up a new recruit.
My pulse picks up as they watch me, daring me to do something.
“What if I can’t?” I whisper.
Ryder grins. “Then we’ll teach you.”
The challenge hangs heavy in the air, and I get the feeling something big is about to happen, even if it’s just a big disappointment.
**Paige’s POV **
The problem with Callen is that I can never tell when he’s joking. His smirk is pure trouble, but his eyes are bright with the kind of excitement that tells me he’s about to drag me into something I’ll regret.
“Alright, sweetheart,” he says brightly, “time to put you through your paces. Let’s see if the mate bond makes you dangerous or if you’re just still soft and squishy human.”
I cross my arms and glare at him. “Soft and squishy? Really?”
Parker moves to stand closer. “Don’t rise to it,” he sighs, even though I feel his amusement through the bond. “He’s just trying to rile you up so you’ll try to prove him wrong.”
“Well, it’s working,” I mutter, though my lips twitch into a half smile.
Callen grins wider.
Ryder steps forward, the air shifts. I can sense his presence more now, like I’m finally feeling what the pack does. He’s Alpha through and through. He rolls his shoulders, and his eyes light up.
“We’ll keep it simple,” Ryder says, his voice steady. “Nobody’s throwing you into the deep end; we just want to see if you have more abilities now that you have completed all your bonds.”
Callen and Remy start bickering about something, but I don’t hear them; I can’t. Not when Ryder’s attention is locked onto me. When Ryder looks at me like this, I straighten automatically. Something in me urges me to give him my full attention.
“Come here.”
Nerves flutter in my stomach, but I follow his command.
Ryder takes a defensive position in front of me, relaxed but ready. “First lesson,” he says. Don’t overthink. Trust your instincts. We already know the bond makes you move quicker. Let it guide you,”
Easy for him to say. He was born for this. I wasn’t. I mimic his stance, bending my knees the way he does. I already feel ridiculous. My heart pounds. I can’t believe I’m going to spar with Ryder. Not only is he huge, but he’s a freaking werewolf!
?
“Good, now, try to block me.”
He moves so fast I almost don’t see it, his hand darting toward my shoulder. But before I even process what’s happening, my arm snaps up, knocking his away. His hand connects gently with my palm, as if he pulled his punch at the last moment.
Ryder grins. “See? You’ve got it.”
Callen whistles. “Not bad, freckles. Didn’t think you’d even see that coming.”
Heat creeps up my neck. “Beginner’s luck.”
Ryder lunges again, faster this time. My body responds before my brain does, arm raising at the perfect angle. The impact is harder this time, and it jars up my arm, but I hold my ground. Then he strikes again and again. Each time, I’m there before he reaches me.
It’s like something invisible is tugging me into place. I don’t even have to think about it; my body just moves with an instinct I’ve never had. It’s like I’ve been training for years instead of minutes.
Remy’s watching closely now, his arms folded and his sharp eyes tracking my every move. Parker is watching too, but his expression is softer, and his pride flickers through the bond.
Ryder changes tactics, aiming for my opposite side, but my instinct surges again. Instead of blocking, I duck and sweep my leg out. He jumps back, his eyes wide, but with a grin on his face.
“You’re better than I thought,” he admits.
I blink, confused about what the hell just happened. “How… how did I do that?”
“You stopped thinking and let your instincts guide you,” Ryder shrugs. “That’s what we want. You used the bond to protect yourself; that’s what it’s there for.”
I nod, but it doesn’t feel like just the bond. Something else hums under my skin, low and electric, like static buzzing in my blood.
Callen bounces on his toes like he’s warming up for a boxing match, itching to take his turn. My go. Let’s see if you can keep up with me.”
“Be careful,” Parker warns.
Callen flashes him a wicked grin. “Relax. I’d never hurt her.”
Before I can get into position, Callen lunges. He’s quicker than Ryder, his wild energy powering his every movement. My breath catches, but I know where he’s going before his foot even hits the ground. I’m already spinning out of his reach.
He skids to a stop, blinking at the space I’d just been in. “What the hell…”
Adrenaline surges through me, and I circle him. My body feels light, as if something more than myself is moving me.
Callen darts forward again, faster. I raise my hand to block him. Then it happens. Callen stumbles back, his eyes wide. Just as shocked as me, because we both know I never made contact with him.
The hum inside me spikes, then cuts off just as quickly, leaving me trembling as I stare down at my hand.
I freeze. “I… didn’t touch you.”
“No,” Callen says slowly, staring at me. “You didn’t.”
Silence falls heavily over us all. Ryder’s grin vanishes. Remy tilts his head, his eyes narrowing. Parker’s heartbeat thrums through the bond, with protective concern.
My pulse thunders in my ears. “It was nothing. He just… lost his balance.”
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