Page 40 of Brutal Alpha's Sold Mate
Tara pairs with an older teenager I’ve trained since I first limped into this territory. Their forms are improving daily. They exchange short jabs with more fluidity than ever before, pivoting as I taught them.
“Good,” I tell them, moving through the line. I pause at Rhea, a mother of three who used to think she couldn’t fight because she’s “too busy raising kids.” She ducks low under her partner’s swing, then comes up with a counter jab that actually sends the other woman stumbling. “Yes, Rhea!” I cheer, shooting her a wink. “You’ve come a long way from the shy wolf I met weeks ago.”
She straightens, a grin lighting up her face. “Couldn’t have done it without you,” she replies, giving me a respectful nod.
And that’s the thing: I’ve never taught a group that was more eager to learn. They’re hungry for knowledge. They want to defend themselves. They want to stand tall in a pack that, until recently, never saw their potential. Every time I see theirprogress, my heart twists with pride… and a whisper of regret that I’ll have to leave eventually. I can’t stay here forever. East Hills is my home, and I have a brother who’ll want me back once my wolf is ready to fight again.
I wave the group to a halt. “All right, new addition today: defense against a charging opponent. Pair up with someone close to your size. We’ll walk through the steps slowly.”
That’s when Theo’s presence sidles into my awareness even before I glance up. He’s standing at the edge of the training area, watching us. A faint curve tugs at his mouth. I pretend not to notice how my pulse jumps.
“Keep going,” I instruct the group. “Practice that stance.”
They resume, trying out the new moves in pairs. I wander over to Theo, arching an eyebrow. “Spying on me?”
He shifts his stance. “Not spying. Observing. Big difference.”
I roll my eyes. “Sure. If you say so.”
He shrugs, but I can see genuine approval beneath his casual facade. “They’re looking good. A few weeks ago, they were flailing. Now, they handle themselves like they’re ready for real combat.”
“Because they are,” I reply. “They just needed someone to believe in them.”
His gaze sweeps over the women sparring. “You’ve done more than that. You’ve changed how they see themselves. And how I see them, too.”
That admission sends a ripple of something warm through my chest. “Glad you finally came around. Maybe next, you’ll see that the entire pack could use a broader training regimen, not just the men.”
He inclines his head. “I’ve already started drafting a schedule. Once we handle the immediate border threats, I’ll make it official.”
I swallow a grin. “Look at you, adapting and everything.”
He shoots me a mock glare. “Don’t get snarky. I’m an alpha who can still boss you around.”
“Maybe in your dreams,” I quip, though the memory of him pinning me down in bed drifts to mind, sparking a flush. “Anyway, let me finish up here.” I turn back to the group, calling, “Ten more minutes of drills, then we’ll do a cooldown.”
The group continues punching and dodging with growing skill. Theo remains close, occasionally offering a tip to someone who’s messing up. It’s still strange to see him giving attention to these novices, but I can’t deny it makes me proud. He’s letting them matter, and that’s a significant shift from the stubborn alpha who initially saw them as a secondary priority.
Once we wrap, the women and younger shifters disperse, chattering excitedly about how they’re going to show off their new moves. I watch them go with a hint of nostalgia tugging at me even though I haven’t left yet. That’s how I know I’m getting attached.
Theo steps forward, tilting his head at me. “You okay?”
“Better than okay,” I insist, rubbing the back of my neck. “This potion from Jade is working wonders. I can feel my wolf stirring more each day.”
He nods. “I’m glad. You’re… different when you’re fully yourself. More confident, if that’s possible. I like seeing it.”
That confession bounces around in my head, tangling with my own confusion. Part of me wants to push him away—this is a temporary arrangement, after all. But each time he looks at me like that, I lose a bit more resolve.
“I’m going to head for a run,” I announce, searching for an excuse to break the tension building between us. “I need to test my limits.”
He frowns. “Alone?”
“Relax,” I tell him. “I’m not planning to run to another state. Just around the perimeter. I’ll be back soon.”
“Fine,” he concedes. “But if you feel any pain—”
“I’ll stop,” I finish for him, rolling my eyes. “I promise.”
I take off, ignoring the twinge in my still-healing ribs. After the first dozen strides, my body falls into a smoother rhythm. My wolf is right under the surface, growling softly as if to say,Let me out.
