Callen raises his brows. “I don’t lose my balance.”
“You did just now.” I force a laugh, even as my hands shake.
Ryder doesn’t look convinced. Neither does Remy.
Parker clears his throat. “She’s right. It’s her first time training, so everyone’s adrenaline is high. It could have been anything.”
Ryder’s jaw flexes, like he wants to argue, but after a moment he nods once. “Maybe.”
The hum of energy under my skin fades, leaving me feeling cold. I paste on a smile, desperate to move on and forget this ever happened. “So… do I pass?”
Callen smirks again, though it doesn’t reach his eyes this time. “Yeah, babe. You pass.”
We keep practising more dodges and blocks. Nothing else strange happens, but something between us feels different now. The tension is thick with unspoken questions. They laugh and tease, but the edge is there; I feel it through the bond.
By the time we’re done, my body aches, and sweat drips down my spine. The guys guide me back toward the cabin, loud with easy banter, as if nothing happened. Callen seems his normal energetic self, but I catch the way Ryder’s eyes stay on me a little too long, the way Remy studies me when he thinks I’m not looking, the way Parker hovers just a little closer than usual.
“I need to shower,” I say without looking back at them.
Thankfully, none of them follow me, because I definitely need a moment alone.
I step into the shower, letting the hot water pound against my skin.
It was just a fluke, a misstep from Callen that he’s too proud to admit, but when I close my eyes, I see it again. A shimmer in the air, the impossible ripple of energy that pushed Callen back. For a heartbeat, I felt powerful. Too powerful.
I step out of the shower and grip the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I see the same face, the same tired eyes, the same ordinary me, but I don’t feel ordinary anymore. press a hand to my chest, to the place where I’d felt the hum the strongest. It’s quiet now… Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was just adrenaline. Maybe it was the bond.
I cling to that thought like a lifeline. Because the last time I checked, wolves can’t do what I think I did, and that terrifies me more than I want to admit.
If it were something normal, my mates wouldn’t have acted the way they did; they’d have given me an explanation. They’d have reassured me, but they didn’t; they were just as shocked as I was.
I shake my head, muttering, “Adrenaline. That’s all it was.”
Before I can doubt myself any further, my phone buzzes on the counter. I nearly jump out of my skin. Heart still racing, I swipe to answer when I see Poppy flashing across the screen.
I let out a shaky laugh. “Saved by the bell.”
“Hey, stranger,” Poppy’s voice chirps the moment I answer. “Don’t tell me you’re standing me up tomorrow. I’ve been craving sister and nephew time.’
Crap.
“Wouldn’t dream of it. Jax can’t wait to see his Auntie Pops again,” I say, hoping she doesn’t catch on that I completely forgot.
“Good, dinner’s on me this time. I’ll pick up pizza.”
“Poppy…” I start, ready to argue. She’s a student with a student budget, and I don’t want her leaving herself short.
“Nope.” she cuts me off. “My treat. You cooked last time. Let me be the responsible adult for once.”
I should point out that I didn’t, that it was Parker who made most of it but I just laugh, settling onto the edge of the bed.
“Fine, but don’t blame me when Jax demands extra cheese and pineapple. You brought that curse into our lives.”
“Pineapple belongs on pizza,” she insists. “Don’t fight me on this.”
I roll my eyes, smiling. “So, just us and Jax then? Unless…” Her voice turns sly. “Are your… escorts coming too?”
I groan. “Don’t call them that.”
“What else am I supposed to call them? You have four ridiculously attractive men who all circle you like wolves, don’t try to convince me they’re just your friends; I saw how they looked at you.”
“Poppy…”
“You know, I just finished reading this hockey romance novel. This girl had three boyfriends… three! They all just moved in together like a family, had kids, the lot.”
Heat flushes my cheeks. “It’s not like… It’s complicated.”
“Ha! That’s not a denial. I knew it!” She squeals.
“I didn’t confirm it either. They’re just making sure Greg doesn’t come up here and harass me. “I scrub a hand over my face, wishing the floor would swallow me. “Anyway, they’ll be there.”
“Protective and handsome? Paige, please. I’m living vicariously through you right now.”
I laugh, even though embarrassment heats my skin. “It’s not like that.”
I can practically hear her smirk. “So you’re saying if I asked Jax who tucks his mummy in to bed at night, he wouldn’t list off all four names?”
“Poppy!” My voice comes out half-laugh, half-protest.
She cackles. “God, I missed this. You’re blushing, aren’t you?”
“Goodbye, Poppy.”
“No, no, wait! I’ll behave,” she says, her voice softening. “Seriously, though, I’m glad you’ve got people looking out for you. For both of you. After everything with Greg, I worried you’d try to do it all on your own again.”
My throat tightens. I grip the phone a little harder. “I’m not alone this time.”
“I know, and I’m glad. Now go enjoy your harem or whatever you’re calling them. I’ll bring pizza tomorrow around six.”
“You’re impossible.”
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