Page 42 of Wolf Pack

“Ja.”

“Aye,” he corrected her, not wanting her to make the slip in front of someone other than their pack members. He knew from the expression on her face that she intended to take matters into her own hands if either man threatened her or her kin. He didn’t blame her, though he wanted to take care of them himself to prove to her that he was good for his word.

“Are you betrothed to Baldur’s daughter?” she asked, the suspense killing her. Even though Hans said Alasdair wouldn’t marry the lass, what if Alasdair had other plans? That he had more feelings for Accalia now than he had before?

“Nay. But Erik might be interested in her. Baldur talked to him more about Accalia, and he’s leaving to return home.”

“Oh.” She was surprised to hear that Erik might be interested in the she-wolf instead. “Will I see you this eve?”

Alasdair smiled. “Are you asking if I will swim at the loch again this eve?”

“I’ll be there to guard you. You shouldna be alone like that. And I’m a guard.”

He chuckled. “The same for you.” Then he cleared his throat. “We are having practice fighting if you wish to join us before you return to the croft. Conall is coming to spar with some of the lads.” Alasdair looked hopeful that she would agree.

“Aye, I would enjoy the practice.” She never gave up an opportunity to improve her fighting skills. But would she be fighting men or women?

Bessetta was watching them from the sidelines and inserted herself into the conversation. “You can practice with me.”

Alasdair frowned. He might be afraid Isobel would hurt her after seeing her kill the Viking guard.

“Aye, I would love to.” Isobel thought Elene had left the great hall to do some activities with the other ladies in the clan, but she smiled and rejoined them.

“Me as well.” Elene looked eager to practice with her.

At home in Iceland, Isobel had practiced swordsmanship with Elene in secret while everyone else was busy with their chores and unaware of her training. A slave was forbidden to wield a weapon, let alone be taught how to fight.

But Elene had already shown proficiency with a sword and asgian dubh, the small knife a person kept tucked in his or her boot. Though in Elene’s case, Isobel had loaned her a sword andsgian dubhher mother had once wielded during their training sessions. Having used asgian dubhbefore she’d been captured, Elene was more proficient in its use.

Mege and the other two women Elene had spoken to Isobel about who were intrigued with mating Alasdair eyed Isobel with contempt. If they wanted to fight her, she was perfectly willing, and she wouldn’t hold back. With Elene and Bessetta or any ofthe other women, she would be gentle with them. Unless they were as skilled as she was with the sword.

“All right. Let’s go then,” Alasdair said, looking well pleased that Isobel would practice sword fighting with them.

Once everyone was paired up with other fighters in the inner bailey, several others waited to take their turn, watching the practice fight.

Isobel couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration as she parried and thrust her sword at Bessetta. She wanted to see how well Alasdair did as he paired up with Erik. She assumed the two men fought each other because they were both pack leaders. Alasdair’s brothers, Hans and Rory, fought against Erik’s brothers, Logan and Finlay.

Isobel thought other women would practice fighting, but several just watched the others training in their sword skills. Watching didn’t help as much as actually participating. Maybe later, she could even teach women in the pack how to fight if they felt intimidated by the prospect.

Isobel’s movements were quick and fluid as she reveled in the physicality of the fight. She felt she’d been born with a sword in her hand as she encouraged Bessetta to strike her sword harder and use her shield to protect herself.

“That’s it. I’m going to thrust my sword at you. Sweep it aside like this.” Isobel demonstrated how to do the movement.

Bessetta’s actions were slow and unsure, but if Isobel trained her enough, she would improve drastically.

“Now, I’m going to do it again, and you strike my sword using the same motion, but harder, trying to knock it from my grasp.”

Bessetta tried again, making her sword sing and clash as it connected with Isobel’s steel with a metallic clank.

“That’s it! Now again!” Isobel couldn’t have been prouder of Alasdair’s sister. She lacked confidence, but with more training, Bessetta would gain faith in her abilities.

Bessetta beamed with the praise.

As soon as Bessetta showed signs of wearing out, dropping her guard, falling back when Isobel attacked, unable to stand her ground, Isobel smiled at her. “We must continue this again when everyone does the practice fighting.”

Isobel would have to practice daily with Conall and her younger cousins at the croft.

She turned to Elene. “Are you ready?”

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