Page 2 of Moonlight and Mischief
At the moment, their attention is fixed on the duo currently throwing punches and evading kicks. Onyx’s swirling black tattoos curl over his biceps and across his chest. Opposite him, Slate’s brother Jasper dodges Onyx’s offense.
Jasper joined the pack last fall. He’s all sharp lines and high contrast - startlingly bright teal irises and pale gold hair, against warm tanned skin. He defected from our rival pack and has been trying to earn his place here ever since.
Onyx ducks as Jasper swings high, but Jasper is clever and he jabs with his other fist, hitting Onyx in the shoulder. Onyx lurches back and attempts to turn his motion into a rotating kick, but Jasper darts in and sweeps his feet, tossing him onto the dirt.
With a dramatic groan, Onyx pushes up to sit. “I’m getting tired of that. Someone else needs to go next.”
“Sorry, man,” Jasper says with a laugh, offering his hand. Pulling Onyx to his feet, he turns my way, his bright eyes widening. “Marigold, do you want to join in?”
My nose wrinkles. “Not today, thanks.”
“Too bad. I’d love to see what you can do,” Jasper murmurs. A blush blooms over my cheeks. I avoid sparring with the boys, preferring to fight Hazel or even Cassia, one of the pack’s Zetas, or warriors.
I settle against the wall beside Cedar. Slate stretches his arms and arches his back to loosen up before he faces his younger half-brother. Slate is leaner and taller, though Jasper has a few more pounds of muscle on him.
Jasper clenches and unclenches his fists. Swallowing, I avert my gaze from his glistening back and the way the muscles narrow to his waist.
“Did you have a good day with your students?” Cedar asks quietly.
My mouth curves into a smile. “Yeah, aside from a crayon incident with Daisy, it was a quiet day. Oh, and Starling brought a lizard in after lunch.”
“Was it one of those geckos?” His head tips toward mine. He’s a great listener.
“Yeah, I think?” I purse my lips, trying to remember. Once I saw the creature in her little hands, we hustled outside to release the poor reptile.
He nods thoughtfully. “Next time, let it go in the garden. I can always use more help with the grasshoppers.”
“Sure thing.”
My eyes are drawn back to the sparring brothers. Last fall, they fought in a formal challenge in this very ring over Hazel, Slate’s mate. Jasper’s birth pack attempted to steal her, but the end result was Jasper being disowned and joining our pack. He’s proven himself loyal with how hard he works and how grateful he is for a life away from the militant pack his parents lead.
Like lightning, Slate steps closer and swings. Jasper’s forearm knocks it away, but he’s ready with a roundhouse kick. Slate’s strike lands on Jasper’s side and he grimaces. Stumbling back, Jasper sucks in a breath, as if he’s in pain. I bite the inside of my cheek.
Regaining his footing, Jasper attacks, landing a succession of boxing-style hits before Slate hooks his leg around Jasper’s ankle and shoves him backward. His back hits the dirt.
“You okay?” Slate asks, pulling Jasper up by the hand.
“Fine. I think I’m ready to call it a day. I gotta get cleaned up,” Jasper says, wincing as he prods his ribs.
“Me too.” Slate waves at us and walks into the training building to retrieve his belongings.
Still catching his breath, Jasper faces Cedar and me. Onyx laughs and shoves his shoulder, showing off the soil clinging to his sweaty skin.
Slate passes us, giving Jasper an apologetic shrug when he sees the dirt. “See you guys.” I suspect his haste is an attempt to see Hazel before dinner.
Jasper steps closer to me, his typical cocky smirk in place. It softens his sharp features. “Did you enjoy seeing me get my ass kicked?”
“Always.” I return the wink he gives me. Jasper wipes his bunched-up shirt over his forehead and neck. I take it from him and use it to gently brush his back off.
“Thanks,” he says.
Cedar straightens. “See you at dinner,” he says. Onyx follows after his twin, waving his goodbye.
Jasper strolls beside me, the evening light highlighting his blonde eyelashes. “We were talking about a campfire after dinner. Sound good to you?”
“Yeah, of course.”
Looking pleased, Jasper waves before turning back to his cabin.
