Page 111 of Pack: Posy 3

Rio was brave enough to volunteer to trying again with Thoreau, so the two squared up in the middle of the mat. This time, Thoreau was the attacker, and Rio demonstrated how to escape the hold, which was a little difficult because Thoreau was eight inches shorter than Rio.

"Okay, time to switch," Rio announced. "I'll grab you this time, Reau, but remember: Don't really hit me in the balls. I need them for later tonight."

"What are you doing with them later tonight?" Thoreau cocked his head to the side and blinked up at Rio.

Reuben burst out laughing, Adam's face turned pink, and even Landry smirked.

"Ask your housemate Leo what he does with his at night when he and Poppy go to bed. He can tell youallabout it."

"Rio! He's only fifteen!" Emerson growled, and Rio jumped.

"Just kidding, Reau." Rio cleared his throat. "I think you're good with that attack, anyway. Try to kick my knee - just pretending, remember - or bend back my little finger."

"I will try both," Thoreau said with a nod. "I will pretend and not hurt you."

He was as good as his word and performed both escapes at slow speed, then normal speed. I clapped for him, then patted his head again when he came over to sit down again.

"Luna, your turn. Would you feel more comfortable trying this with Emerson?" Rio asked. "It's okay if you do. We understand. It's a much more vulnerable position, and you may want someone you trust more than five guys you just met."

"Show her how to block being picked up first," Landry grumbled before I could answer.

"Right! Good idea, Lan," he admitted. "Luna, because you're so small, a guy will most likely just grab you and take off. You have to stop him from getting you off your feet because once he has you over his shoulder, it's game over. There's no getting out of that for someone your size. Not on your own or unless you have a weapon."

So Rio had Landry stand up and showed me how to lock my foot behind an attacker's leg by wrapping my foot around his calf, preferably just below his knee. The attacker wouldn't be able to pick me up and his groin was left open for attacks. Rio recommended that I use open-palm strikes, which basically meant slapping him as hard as I could 'down there.'

I twisted my fingers together, unsure I could actually hurt someone like that, even if they were trying to kidnap me or whatever. Still, like the gammas had said earlier, until I was in the situation for real, I couldn't predict how I'd react.

And, unlike in my past, I had something worth living and fighting for now. When Kendall Briggs beat me to a bloody pulp, I didn't have a single reason to get up, yet I did. Over and over. So how much more determined to get up would I be withfivereasons?

"Luna?" Reuben crouched in front of me, careful to keep a couple of feet between us. "You okay?"

"Yes, thank you, but I don't think I can try this one today," I admitted and dropped my eyes to my knotted fingers. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to waste your time—"

"Hey, hey, you're not wasting our time. You're learning just by watching us and Reau. Like Rio said, this hold puts you in a very vulnerable position, so it's completely understandable that it makes you uncomfortable. We'll build up to it until you can try it, okay?"

I nodded, but still didn't raise my eyes. I could tell he was upset that I wasn't looking at him, and kind of thought he was linking someone. When he stood and Emerson took his place, I knew I was right.

Emerson put one big paw under my chin and lifted my face, and I met his concerned eyes.

"You don't have to do everything all at once, little luna bunny," he whispered. "We can do this every day or once a week or however often you want. And no more worries about wasting their time. This is their job. Waste as much as you want. Work them to death."

"Emerson!" I gasped and swatted his hand away.

His mouth unfurled in a wide grin, and I huffed at him.

"Are you okay with just a couple more things," he asked after a minute, "or do you want to be done for today?"

"Can I just watch if I don't want to try something?"

"Of course."

With a tiny smile, I nodded.

"We good to go on?" Adam asked as Emerson stood up.

"Yep," he said and moved back to stand where he had been.

"Reau, you should be able to do these next two. Luna, you're tiny." Why did Adam also feel the need to harp on my size? "Which makes them harder for you, but try to stab your finger into the guy's eyes or slap your palms over his earshard. Those are both very effective ways to stun him long enough for you to get away."

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